The Gathering at Highview Egyptian Stud - January 2010

By Lisa Abraham

In the middle of January, while the weather was still unpredictable, Lisa and Zeke Zukowski of Highview Egyptian Stud opened their gates to the domestic SE Arabian community. A small group of us were selected to participate in an intimate gathering and stallion presentation featuring Senior Stallions Ansata Qasim and VA Regal. Junior stallions Ansata Nile Commander, Ansata Pegasus and Ansata Al Shahin were also handsomely presented.

Topics for the weekend focused primarily on the decades of breeding which has brought the most prestigious Ansata bloodlines lines to a place of partnership between Judith Forbis and Highview Egyptian Stud. The stallion presentation was unique in that we were offered an education far beyond just the viewing of these magnificent stallions. After the presentation, much time was spent observing (and adoring) the stallions' various progeny and the particular mares who were chosen for these stallions. Most importantly, we were taught why these mares were chosen and what were the intended results.

With tremendous appreciation, I would like to thank Lisa, Zeke and Steve Zukowski and Steve Diamond, for so cordially welcoming us, for sharing so freely and for giving us all such warm memories. I would also like to thank Mike and Cindy Stylianos, of Achaean Arabians, for preparing such elaborate feasts. This gathering was memorable, informative and most importantly, it was fun. However, one person was sorely missed--Judith Forbis. Judith, we know you were there in spirit, but next year, we want you in the flesh!

The gathering took place the weekend of the 16th and 17th. The evening of the the 16th was spent in a warm, intimate pizza and champagne gathering.  Steve Diamond, a man who's name needs no introduction, was the focus of the evening as he lead an open, informative, once-in-a-lifetime, dialogue in which we were all invited to participate in the form of questions and sharing of our own pedigrees. If it had not been the middle of winter, relaxing in the warmth of a beautiful home, one would have guessed an evening like this would have been spent in a tent, blowing in the cool evening breeze of the desert, lounging on rugs and pillows, with friends one would hope to keep forever.

Thank you Highview Egyptian Stud!

Check back later for a gallery of pictures available for viewing at www.lisaabrahamphotography.com

Photos by Lisa Abraham