Ekstern: 10 January 1994 – 25 April 2022
With heavy hearts, the global Arabian community bids farewell to yet another Polish-bred legend: the extraordinary Ekstern.
Universally admired as a breed icon for the nearly three decades of his charmed life, Ekstern (ex Ernestyna by Piechur) is still celebrated as the original ‘King of the Ring’, having competed nine times across eight seasons at all the major shows in Europe, finishing with an unbeaten show record.
Credit Stuart Vesty
A Polish National Champion in his homeland as both a junior colt and a senior stallion, Ekstern ushered in the new millennium in the year 2000 in unforgettable style as the indomitable Senior Male Triple Crown winner: All Nations Cup Champion in Aachen, Germany; European Champion in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark; and World Champion in Paris, France. Named Diamond ‘Champion of Champions’ in 2003 in his final show-ring appearance at the Mercedes Cup in Belgium, Ekstern triumphed over an impressive line-up of fellow World and international champions in all his glory – tail flagged, nostrils flared, neck arched with eyes and ears fully alert, trotting with his trademark power and animation, and his seemingly endless abundance of charisma, confidence, and presence.
It is these invaluable attributes – along with his perfectly balanced build, his remarkably level topline, his undeniable type and beauty, and his era-defining head – that earned Ekstern his legendary status in the breed as a sire of enduring significance. In his exponentially expanding collection of accomplished and standard-setting descendants, the most admirable qualities of Ekstern are still impacting the forward trajectory of the breed both positively and profoundly in every corner of the globe.
Ekstern with Eric. Credit Anette Mattsson
Bred at Michałów Stud in Poland and born in the first paradigm-shifting foal crop of Monogramm (Negatraz x Monogramma by Knippel) in 1994, Ekstern boasted a pedigree of Arabian royalty on both sides of his illustrious pedigree. As a distinguished member of Poland’s unparalleled ‘E’ family of champions and breed elite, Ekstern descended directly tail-female to the esteemed Estebna (Nabor x Estokada by Amurath Sahib), the very first European Champion Mare and a cherished favourite of Michałów Director Ignacy Jaworowski, the breeder of six direct generations of Ekstern’s dam line, and of course, Ekstern himself.
Having impacted the lives of so many, Ekstern’s fairy-tale existence is forever entwined with so many special people: Christine Jamar at Jadem Arabians in Belgium, who leased and campaigned him as a young stallion; Erik Dorssers in the Netherlands, who led the aspiring show horse to all his most important titles in Europe; Jerzy and Urszula Białobok, who nurtured his career both at home and abroad; and Mariusz Liśkiewicz, whose acclaimed show career began with the same fluffy, chubby, earnestly optimistic grey colt at the Polish Spring Show in 1995.
Ekstern receiving the WAHO Trophy in 2008
Ekstern’s final honour was bestowed in 2008, when he was named WAHO Trophy Recipient for Poland for his exceptional contribution to the Arabian breed. His name, his quintessential characteristics and his enduring essence will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew him best, prevailing as legend in the unfolding story of the Arabian horse for all eternity. Gone, but never forgotten, Ekstern lives on in each subsequent generation of excellence illuminating the path forward for the Arabian breed.
We will have a full tribute to Ekstern in the next edition of The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine, out in June.
Credit L Pawlowska
Lead photo: Ekstern with Mariusz Liśkiewicz. Credit Anette Mattsson
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