Welcome to our first edition of The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine for 2017 – and what a bumper issue we have for you! From the exotic Exxalt gracing the front cover, to the Crabbet of Australia, via the pure Bahraini Arabians and the Egyptian bloodlines, there is something in here for everyone – and more.
One thing I have quickly discovered since changing the concept of this publication is that there is a huge hunger for breeders and a space for them to share their tremendous knowledge and insight. The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine seems to have struck a chord with so many of you, and breeders everywhere are keen to share their stories.
Nowhere is this more true than through the pages of The Breeders’ Interview, one of the biggest features in every edition and, to my mind, one of the most important. In each issue, six different breeders from around the world, from large studs to small boutique breeding farms, share their views through 10 key questions – and the responses received thus far have been fascinating. I would urge you to read these pages, even if you just look at the photographs in other features! There is so much that can be learned from those breeders who are now on to their third, fourth, and fifth generation – and beyond!
A common theme occurring through these pages is that, perhaps, there is not enough emphasis on the horse itself, and that the one thing that pulls us altogether at events around the world – the Arabian horse – is seen by some, and in some circles, an afterthought. In such circumstances, the breeder rarely gets mentioned; instead, they are forgotten and brushed aside so that the glory can be on the owner and handler.
Thankfully, there are enough people still dedicated to their own programme, and in love the breed – rather than the glory – on a wider scale. It is these people who keep the Arabian breed going, looking to the next generation while researching the past; they don’t choose to breed a champion to a champion but instead, have a considered view on both what they are doing, and the look that they are trying to achieve.
The Arabian horse has always been a majestic animal – one that has stood proud among other equines, chosen as the noble war horse by countless leaders over the centuries to ride upon into battle. At the recent WAHO Conference, caution was raised about developing the Arabian breed too quickly into something it is not; that is, to be careful not to lose the true attributes that have inspired thousands of people over the centuries, just for short-term glory. Once those traits – true Arabian type, good limbs, natural movement, and great structure – are gone, they will be impossible to bring back.
That is why we have to be thankful that there are so many incredible breeders around the world, each pursuing their dream, but with one common goal: to preserve the Arabian breed for future generations. There are those that seek to breed the ideal outcross stallion, those that want to ensure the purity of certain bloodlines, and those that just want to breed a horse that is truly adaptable, and able to do anything that you ask of it.
We have an exciting year ahead with not just The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine but also The Arabian Magazine, now found online only. These past three editions have just been a taste of what is to come over the coming months and years. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Cover horse – Exxalt (Excalibur EA x Vesperra by SF Veraz), bred and owned by Frances Butler, Sybil and Jeff Collins, and Kay and James Smith, USA.
