Pyramid Society Sponsored Seminar to be held at the Arabian Breeders World Cup

Back to the Oasis:  Egyptian Influences in Modern Arabian Breeding

The Arabian Breeders World Cup 2010 will feature a seminar hosted by The Pyramid Society on Saturday morning, April 17.

Scott Benjamin at the 2009 Arabian Breeders World Cup

The seminar presenter is Scott Benjamin. With a lifetime of animal industry experience, Scott has been actively involved with the Arabian breed for over 30 years. He graduated  from Michigan State University specializing in Equine Management and Animal Breeding/Genetics, and has since been actively involved with Arabian events in the US, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, South America, Africa and most of Europe as director, judge, manager, trainer, steward, clinician, coach, author and speaker.  He has judged at the Egyptian Event where he will be conducting a clinic in June.

Scott is the Director of Benjamin Equine, an Equine Consultancy based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In addition to his professional and judging responsibilities, he currently serves on the organizing committees for the Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas as well as for Polish Arabian Horse Days in Poland.

Scott commented recently, "The source still matters.  Before there was a Marwan, there was a Messaoud.  The Egyptian Arabian is literally a "breed within a breed" which has been valued since time immemorial as the "archetype" of classic refinement.

The Straight Egyptian Arabian is the blending of strains of pure, undisputed, desert heritage.  Though of great significance, the purity of its blood is not the only reason for the preservation of these remarkable horses.  Indeed, Egyptian Arabians are a well-spring of true Arabian horse genetics, providing modern breeders with a source of authentic desert-horse type for their breeding programs."

A purebred Arabian horse, the Egyptian Arabian is literally a "breed within a breed"

Certain bloodlines, as defined by The Pyramid Society and recognized throughout the world, form the nucleus of this specific group which ahs been valued since time immemorial as the "archetype" of classic refinement.  It has for centuries been bred to concentrate the breed-distinguishing qualities known throughout the Arabian horse world as "Arabian type."  .

While any claim that today's Egyptian Arabian horse derives its magnetic power from the ancient pharaohs of Egypt or from the awesome presence of the pyramids is purely legendary, the magic and mystery, romance and history of these splendid steeds continues to bring the wider Arabian horse community together.

Throughout modern history, horses of Egyptian lines have been widely used in international Arabian breeding programs, notably in Poland, Russia and Germany, as well as in the United States, Australia and England.

In recent years, Arabian horse breeders around the world have rediscovered the value of crossing pure Egyptian bloodlines with other Arabian bloodlines.  Many of the most successful and sought-after horses in the American show ring today are the result of  infusions of pure Egyptian blood-such as the legacy of Padron, of Ali Jamaal and of El Shaklan, and the huge success of recently imported show (and breeding) horses like Gazal al Shaqab, Marwan al Shaqab, *El Dorada, Pianissima, and others.

Today the Egyptian Arabian horse, bred around the globe, shines forth as some of the most naturally beautiful and athletic animals the world has ever witnessed - "just as we found it represented on the tombs and paintings of Egyptian temples thousands of years ago: noble, elegant, spirited, and above all - a classic symbol of perfection poetry raised to the heights - one of God's most beautiful and spiritual ideas." (Forbis)

The seminar in Las Vegas is designed to explore the contributions of the Egyptian Arabian horse in modern breeding programs.  The seminar is open to the public, free of charge.  Beverages will be served.