Straight Egyptians at the 2010 Salon Du Cheval

Photos and Article by Lisa Abraham
Lisa Abraham Photography
Tel: (615)579-3478 • Email: lisa@lisaabrahamphotography.com
www.lisaabrahamphotography.com

The 2010 Salon Du Cheval found some of the our finest Straight Egyptian horses superbly represented in the bloodlines of the many world class competitors. The names that line up on our pedigrees in this country and at our individual farms, are some of the same names that line up to shape the pedigrees of champions, not just in the SE world, but in the overall Arabian purebred world as well. Congratulations to all medal winners and their proud owners. And a very special congratulations to the SE breeding world. Of the 12 medal winners, 3 were grand-sired by Straight Egyptians and 5 were great-grand sired. Therefore, 8 out of12 medal winners had the "up close" influence of a Straight Egyptian stallion.

At the 2010 US Egyptian Event, the Safir daughter Negma Al Shaqab trotted off with Supreme Champion Mare honors. In Paris, it was her paternal brother, Qatar International Champion, Ashhal Al Rayyan (out of Ansata Majesta) who had the strongest showing as a sire. His 2 daughters Atheena and Jamilla Al Zobair, both from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, competed and placed in the Senior Female Classes. Atheena, who was our 2007 Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Mare, owned by HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, came third in her class, scoring all 19.5's in type. Jamilla Al Zobair, shown by Michael Byatt and owned by Al Khalediah Stables, also placed third in her class.

Imperial Imdal (Ansata Imperial X Imperial Mystique) passed away in 2003, yet his undeniable presence is still felt in the show arenas worldwide, this show included. Imperial Imdal, through his magnificent son, Laheeb IASB (out of AK Latifa), Israeli National Champion and 2006 Egyptian Event Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion, owned and bred by Ariela Arabians in Israel, was well represented. Laheeb's son Poganin, owned by Stadnina Koni Janow Podlaski, placed first in his Senior Male Class. Empire, Laheeb's grandson, bred and owned by S.K. Michalow Stud, competed with the Junior Males. Laheeb IASB, is also the sire of Al Lahab (out of The Vision HQ), and among his many accomplishments, was the Reserve Champion Stallion at the 2009 Salon Du Cheval.

As a spectator, I personally am enchanted with the Ansata El Nisr granddaughter, Ladi Veronika, Bronze Medal Champion, owned by the Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. To me this mare, from every ounce of her being, embodies all that is Arabian. She enters "her" arena, greets "her" audience, flavors the atmosphere with joi de vivre and magnetism that is impossible to ignore. Judith Forbis, known for many accomplishments as well as being a 5-times judge at the Salon, said it very simply, "her charisma is eye catching" – I couldn't have said it better!

Another favorite is the Anaza El Farid granddaughter, the 2010 Salon Du Cheval Reserve Champion Senior Mare, Emandoria, owned and bred by the S.K. Michalow Stud. Emandoria won my heart in 2009 at the World Breeder's Cup in Las Vegas while being excellently shown by Greg Gallun. In addition to being a Gold medal winner many times over, most recently at the 2010 Nations Cup, in Aachen Germany, Emandoria has it all: beauty, conformation, elegance and that special pride that is uniquely Arabian. This show was my third opportunity to photograph her. I can honestly say, my eye will never tire of seeing this magnificent world champion.

Although, Emandoria, in my opinion, deserves individual mention, it is really her grand-sire that deserves the spotlight. At this show, in terms of placement on the pedigree, no other sire has played such an influential role as our SE son Anaza El Farid (Ruminaja Ali X Bint Deenaa - a daughter of Ansata Ibn Halima). In a simple counting, through his son Gazal Al Shaqab and grandson Marwan Al Shaqab, his name appears, up close, in 21 of the 103 competitors. Of those 21 competitors, 7 placed in the top 3 of their respected classes and 4 of the 7 had championship placement. In addition to the Anaza El Farid family that has risen to fame through Gazal, the rising star of another grandson, International Champion Ansata Qasim (Farres X MB Moneena), will soon be felt worldwide. His young son, Eqzotik, competed to a Top Ten finish in a respectable class. In pondering these statistics, one must wonder, how different the pure bred Arabian horse world would look without the influence of Anaza El Farid.

Another sire recognized for his presence in Paris is Thee Desperado (The Minstril X AK Amiri Asmarr), owned by Judy Sirbasku, of Arabians Ltd., in Waco, Texas. Being the grand-sire to the 2009 Senior Male Champion, Royal Colours (True Colours x Xtreme Wonder (by The Elixir)), and Reserve Champion, Al Lahab, last year was really a special year for those of us who love this great stallion. In 2010, through his grand-get, Thee Desperado was not without representation. Although both his son True Colours (out of Daheda) and his grandson Royal Colours had sons competing, his Egyptian sired son, BJ Thee Mustafa made his appearance twice — most notably as the grand sire to Turchiya MPE, owned by Leandro De Aguilar. Turchiya MPE, not only placed as a Top Ten champion, she was also named Most Beautiful Head in her junior mare class. However, perhaps Thee Desperado's most profound presence at this year's Salon Du Cheval, could be as the grand-sire to the above mentioned, Jamilla Al Zobair, who was recently crowned Reserve Champion at the 2010 Nations Cup.

In this review, a few horses are mentioned, but due to lack of space, many could not be included. Of the horses that competed in Paris 2010, up close pedigrees reveal the names of Simeon Sadik (Asfour X Simeon Safanad), Ansata Shah Zaman (Morafic X Ansata Bint Mabrouka), Ansata Sinan (Prince Fa Moniet X Ansata Nefara), Ansata Shaamis (Ansata Halim Shah X AK Faressa), Salaa El Dine (Ansata Halim Shah X Hanan), Maysoun (Ansata Halim Shah X Maysouna), and finally, through the 2005 stallion Al Fakhir, even the 1952 Nazeer son, Hadban Enhazi (out of Kamla) appears as a great grand-sire.


In closing, the 2010 Salon Du Cheval was another spectacular show. As Straight Egyptian breeders, we should feel very proud of the horses we are breeding. These bloodlines help shape the Arabian horse world at the highest Championship level.