First published in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue I September 2016.
Celebrating the Champions – Master Design GA.
Much has been written about Master Design GA over the years, but July saw this fourteen-year-old stallion become a three-time in-hand British National Champion, a feat that is unlikely to be surpassed in pure-bred halter classes.
Bred in the United States, Master Design GA came to the UK as a yearling, having been purchased by Rod Jones. Together, they have competed across Europe, the Middle East and the UK, with the 2016 British National Championships marking Master Design’s retirement from the show-ring.
A Scottsdale Champion Colt before his import to the UK, Master Design has gone on to take titles including Supreme British National Champion, UK International Senior Male Champion and Emerald Trophy Gold Champion and Best in Show besides many others.
Extraordinarily pre-potent, Master Design GA has also been a Leading Sire in the UK for many years and a lease to DG Arabians in Germany helped to spread his bloodlines even further. Progeny by Master Design have won countless titles across Europe and the Middle East. He has also enjoyed being ridden, even joining the local hunt in years gone by. In short, he is a remarkable stallion that truly has done it all.
With four crosses to the Polish stallion, Bask (Witraz x Balalajka by Amurath Sahib), in his pedigree, Master Design is by the late Versace (Fame VF x Precious as Gold by El Shaklan) and out of BEA Society Belle (Bask Al Amigo x Khemabelle by Khemosabi). This golden pedigree has certainly contributed to this stallion’s success both in and out of the show-ring.
Master Design GA. Credit Sweet Photography 2.
However, things have not always been plain sailing for this charismatic chestnut stallion. Back in 2010, Master Design GA almost died following a horrific bout of stress laminitis while en route to Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival. And, just last year, Master Design had to undergo colic surgery.
“We owe the vets a lot,” says Rod, speaking on behalf of himself and wife, Kim. “The veterinary care at Al Khalediah Farm was first class and HRH Prince Khaled kindly let us stay there until Master Design was well enough to be moved. He was there for 2½ months in total, and the vets said that, given the severity of the laminitis, he recovered very fast.
“And then, last year, with the colic surgery… Our local vets were brilliant and they reacted very quickly. We can’t thank them enough.
“I knew that ‘MD’ was special from the minute I saw him. But you can get that special horse that then does not produce anything – but Master Design certainly has. I loved him from the word go and every year, when I see his foals, he proves my faith in him time and time again.
“A few years ago when we spoke about MD, I did say that I would show him at the British Nationals again if the time was right. I am glad that he had this chance to show once more, and the response from the crowd was amazing. He will now spend the rest of his days, at home with me and Kim, and just enjoying life in the Welsh hills.”
First printed in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue I September 2016. To enjoy further content such as this, please visit The Arabian Magazine Shop.
