This year, the dynamic stallion, Psynergy, celebrates his 25th birthday. We felt it as fitting to share this in-depth feature, first published in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine, September 2017. While his progeny have continued to shine since then, we hope you enjoy this second part of the story of one of the most famous sons of Padrons Psyche to grace British shores.
The progeny
This list is by no means exhaustive as Psynergy has been a superlative sire both in the UK and abroad. However, some of his progeny were big names in the show-rings for many years, and several still are. Among Psynergy’s first foals in the UK was the 2003 Psynpsynati. “He was out of our lovely mare, Lyanka (Abakan x Lanizjka by Nizjni out of Lavinia),” explains Sue. “He was a super horse, and he is now gelding and is at a performance home. He won so many championships, both as a colt and then a gelding; in fact, he used to win every show he went to! He was one of Psynergy’s first sons, and he really did look like him.
“Lynaka was a great mare and a super cross with Psynergy, and they also produced Psynpsynati’s full siblings, the filly Psyndarella and the later gelding, Psylebration. Psyndarella is now out in the Middle East, while Psylebration is also competing in performance.”
Also foaled in 2003 was the stallion Excalibur (ex Mascara by NV Beau Bey out of Mahalya by Bey Shah), bred by Alexandra Gerhard of Gestüt Greifenstein in Germany, and he was a Foal Champion just a few months after he was born. A terrifically showy deep bay stallion, Excalibur has proven to be a significant sire. In addition, he was very successful under saddle, and is now with new owners in Germany, competing in western and other performance classes. His bloodlines live on at Gestüt Greifenstein through his grandget, especially out of mares crossed with his maternal half-brother, GG Midnight Silver (by El Sid by Al Lahab out of Swana by Kubinec).
2004 was a stellar year for Psynergy progeny. The first of these was the mare Psyonara (ex Fajala by Taj El Nil out of Ansata Nile Pasha by Bint Farida) was born. As a filly, and then a young mare, Psyonara had a very successful show career both with her breeders, the Jones’, and then with her new owner, Karen Caley of Alkara Arabians. Karen bred the daughter, Alkara Desert Dream (by Psy Dream by Psytadel out of La Diva by Warandes Plakat), who is now competing with Amy Read. As an in-hand filly, Alkara Desert Dream stood top of the line, and she was regularly placed among other Psynergy-related stock, such is the strength of these bloodlines.
Mirage Psyndikate (ex HS Mimosa by Magic Dream CAHR out of HL Mystique Lace) followed, bred by Sally Roberts. This lovely bay won her class at the 2005 British Nationals and, earlier that year, she was named North West AHS Group Junior Female Champion. HS Mimosa meanwhile would go on to foal the 2006 filly, Mirage Psophistikate. Paternal half-brother (ex Farrida by Diplomatt x Ferdous Albadeia by Mansour Albadeia) was also very successful in the show-ring.
The 2004 stallion Psalm remains significant today. His dam was the Crabbet mare, Maiad (Imad x Myah by Militaire out of Safina). Bred by Peter and Elaine Whitlow, this grey Crabbet-related colt was purchased by Diana Whittome, the breeder of Imad (Golden Cavalier x Ivory Wings by Silver Blue out of Silent Dove). Psalm has been used very successfully by Diana on her Imad daughters. His progeny include Sarafan (ex Sarafiah by Imad out of Sarafina by Rodanieh Silver Sarafan), Incandescent (ex Illaria by Imad out of Extravaganza by Argos), who has competed very successfully in the ridden ring this season, Sarafinah (ex Sarafiah) and Illiana (ex Illuminate by Imad out of Illaria). He has also sired Rose Romance (ex Rose in Ivory by Imad out of Danse de Feu by Fire Song) and Serenissima (ex Sunnah by Imad out of Semara by Militaire) for the Whitlows.
Also foaled in 2004 was Psyanara, out of Martina Nareena (Al Hakkim x Nareena by Ghazu out of Berenice), and her full sister, Psynsation, followed in 2005. Psyanara was purchased as a yearling by Tina and Trevor Mattocks of Ivy Arabians in Norfolk. As a junior, Psyanara had great success with them in-hand and later, under saddle. Her titles include Supreme In-hand Champion at the Royal Norfolk Show and Reserve Supreme Novice Ridden British National Champion, and Novice Ridden British National Champion Mare. In 2014, she had her only foal to date, the now gelding Psyridescent by Adaway (Borneo x Ashiqa by Crusader out of Aliha). “We have always loved the Padrons Psyche bloodlines,” explains Tina. “We have always been breeders of the Crabbet Arabian, but there is something about Psynergy that captured me, and if we couldn’t have a Padrons Psyche daughter, then a Psynergy one would fit in very well! Psyanara has been a wonderful mare for us.”
Joyce Robertson bred to Psynergy in 2003 and was blessed with the filly Psynammon in 2004: “I chose Psynergy as I felt that his strong damline, along with being by Padrons Psyche would suit my mare, Shamila Amira (Ali Khalil x Gabrymmal by Gabaryt out of Bint Djammal), well. I was not disappointed! Psynammon has been Pure-bred Champion at the Scottish Regional Group Show three times, as well as Junior Female Champion at the North Show. She also won her yearling filly class at UKIAHS, was sixth in Aachen and World Top Ten in Paris. Like her dam, who sadly passed away this year, Psynammon has excelled under saddle, taking Reserve Ridden Supreme Champion at the North West Arab Show and was Reserve Intermediate Ridden Champion at British Nationals.
“Psynammon has also been a wonderful dam for me, producing the 2012 mare Audella Rose (by Audemars PA by Kais out of Asali by Ibn Narav) and a colt, Hadiat Qayima, by Vivegas (Vervaldee x La Dolce Vita by Versace out of Bint Bint Mierka).”
Psynergy sired several stallions in 2004 including Psaracen (ex Miss Aukubra by Aurabba by Ben Rabba out of Bint Nefertiti), since sold to the Middle East and continuing to breed there, and stallion Psynerman (ex Mustique by BJ Thee Mustafa out of TA Pistacja by Algonkwin), who has sired many progeny in the UK, crossing especially well with Aura Monieta (AK El Sennari x Zuleika Bint Kazmierek by Kazmierek out of Aura Bint Lavado). “Psynerman was British National best yearling out of about 50 yearlings,” says Jo Clarke, who owns the now 13-year old stallion with her partner, Andrew Tonge. “At home, he is a dream and has been a fantastic breeding stallion for us with purebreds and cremellos to produce amazing palominos and pony mares.”
Another stallion foaled in 2004 was British National Championship class winner Thundaa (ex Winttaa by Parmant out of Lukaa by Mamluk), bred by Albert and Jan Cozens, a rare grey stallion who has been a superlative sire including siring their beautiful double Psynergy mare, Petraa (ex Thumbalinaa by Psynergy out of Kubinetta by FS Bengali). Jan and Albert loved Psynergy so much, especially the cross with their mare, Winttaa, that they have four progeny in all – the full brothers Thundaa, Thee Hustlaa and Thrillaa, and then the dam of Petraa, Thumbalinaa. The family are eagerly awaiting the next generation from Petraa, who is in foal to Santorini (Vervaldee x Lady Madonna by Psyches Spirit out of Marih Lela), doubling up once more on the Padrons Psyche blood.
Lynn Tait in Scotland bred her Polish mare, Escoveda (Pamir x Esmeralda by Bandos out of Elwira) to Psynergy resulting in the 2004, now gelding, Psynatra. Alison Murray has owned him since he was six months old and together, they have had much success in the performance arena. “Psynatra has the most wonderful temperament,” she tells me. “I am a true amateur and have trained him at home. Psynatra has had a very successful career doing mainly dressage and ridden although he was Champion Purebred In-hand Arab as a two-year old at the Royal Highland Show. We have done native costume together, and Concours D’Elegance, both using handmade costumes. Psynatra was the 2014 British National Reserve Sport Horse Champion, and this year saw us qualify for the Ridden Arabian Star Series Final for the fourth year in a row – he left as a Top Ten Finalist and that was an evening I will never forget. To top it all off, Psynatra has now qualified for the new British Dressage Arab Championships 2017 at Prelim level! He really is my horse of a lifetime!”
The Jones’ also had some fillies in 2004 who certainly helped Psynergy make his mark. The first of these was the aforementioned Psyannah was out of their lovely mare, Yannah (Elton x Yakima by Nizjni out of Yakouta II), who would produce three full siblings – the 2005 colts Psynstar and Psynzan and the 2012 colt Psyani BJ. Psyannah would go on to have a colt by Master Design GA, Dream Design, who was sold to the Middle East where he has sired several daughters and also been very successful in the show-ring.
Meanwhile, also at that British National Show in 2005 was the filly Psyamena, out of the straight Russian mare, Yasmena. She, in turn, is sired by Menes (Nabeg x Metropolia by Priboj out of Mammona) and is out of Yakouta II (Podsnejnik x Nepokornaia by Arax out of Nepreklonnaja). She produced two full sisters to Psyamena, Psycret and Psylaika, both born in 2005, before Yasmena was sold. Her progeny are now part of breeding programmes across the UK. “There was also a Psynergy foal that year at the Nationals”, recalls Sue. “This was the filly Psyreesh, out of Gretta, sired by another important stallion for us, Grenlando (Delfin x Greenland by Menes out of Nastavnitsa) and out of the Crabbet/Old English mare, Silver Sariche (Silver Scenario x Mariche by Sky Crusader out of Spektra). Psyreesh was named Reserve British National Champion Foal for her owner/breeder, the late Jackie Keen.
On to 2005 and Christine Blyth, who had seen Psynergy in Wales when he first came over, bred her mare Maysu (Maysoun x Miss Aukubra). Christine tells me: “Psafeena was very successful in the show-ring as a yearling and two-year old. Her debut was at the 2006 Wales and West where she was Gold Junior Female Champion. She was also successfully shown in Europe, twice in Paris as well as at the Elran Cup and the Europeans, always scoring over 90 points.
“Psafeena had her first foal in 2014, Viviva, a lovely colt by Vivegas, and she won her class at the British Nationals in some style following a six-year break. Viviva was also very successful before going to a wonderful home at Kirk Arabians in Denmark.
“At the 2015 Diamond Auction, I purchased a breeding to the fabulous MCA Magnum Gold (Magnum Psyche x Litique by Litigator out of TheEgyptianAngel) and the result was my perfect filly, Rosaleigh. She has had fantastic results this year as a yearling, including Gold Junior Female Champion at the South East Region, first in her senior yearling class at the Nationals, and Silver Champion in the Diamond Auction class. She finished her year with a gold medal score at UKIAHS – which is also where I first saw Psafeena’s 2018 husband! This mare really is my pride and joy and I just adore her.”
2005 was also the year Yannah foaled Psynzan, who was then purchased by Mark Shannon. Psynzan has been Supreme In-hand Champion at the Northern Group Show, Reserve Senior Male at the North West Group, and second in a strong stallion class at the British Nationals. Later gelded, Psynzan has also been Gold Senior Male Champion at the British Amateur/home-produced Championships and Gold Champion at the North Wales Group Show.
And so the list goes on. Sally Etchells bred ZK Psyrenity (ex Jola by Focus Shatino out of Mona Lisa by Monitor), won her class at the British National Championships in some style. Meanwhile, a year later, in 2006, Pseren was foaled, being out of the Grenlando daughter, Grenlandia (ex Miss Aukubra), a line that is very precious to all at Bychan Arabians. Pseren enjoyed much success in the show-ring as a young filly before being sold to Jane Kadri of Al Waha Arabians, where she has crossed well with Jane’s predominately Russian-based stallions.
Mention must be made to the wonderful Pintabians that Psynergy is siring through Jackie and Terry McEwen’s Terackie Stud in Wales. Jackie tells me: “Our first time of breeding to Psynergy produced the gorgeous 2010 mare Terackie Amirah Moulawana, Arabic for The Colourful Princess, out of our Pintabian GP Dandi Gem (MP Alis Dandi x Hala Royale Megan by Royale Dezab out of SMA Shalala). At eight months old, ‘Amirah’ came away as Overall Coloured Champion and Overall Part-bred Champion at a Foal and Youngstock Show, and she hasn’t looked back! As a yearling, she was Reserve Supreme Champion of the Aberystwyth Show and Overall Silver Champion at the Midland Arabian Festival. She also took the 2012 Reserve British National Champion Coloured title, and many more besides.”
Jackie and Terry bred to Psynergy again to produce the 2011 full sister Terackie Jameelat Al Alwan – Colourful Beauty – since sold to France where she has been very successful. They then bred their homebred Master Design daughter to Psynergy resulting in the 2012 stallon Terackie Psynsatonal Design (ex Terackie Colour by Design out of GP Dandi Gem). ’Romeo’ was shown as a foal at foot, winning everywhere he went, culminating in winning his Championship at the 2015 British National Championships.
“We have been completely amazed by the beautiful quality that Psynergy passes to his foals,” smiles Jackie. “They are full of snort and blow, and they all want to show off naturally. In fact, we were so impressed that we purchased the beautiful Psynergy daughter Zana BJ (ex Ozana by Power out of Atmosfera by Fadlak) and the Psynergy granddaughter Psynsera BJ (Ora El Nino x Psynsation)!”
As I said at the beginning of this piece, this list is no means exhaustive, but a good Psynergy stallion to end of is the aforementioned Yannah son, Psyani BJ. He has been owned since he was a foal by Kerri Alldis and her mum, Brenda. “We bought him as a foal at foot at the Bychan Arabians Open Day,” Kerri recalls. “We knew from the moment we saw him that he was special. We showed him twice as a yearling, and he was Bronze British National Champion. He went on to the British Arabian Championships, taking the Youngstock Championship and Reserve Overall In-hand title.
“As a two-year old, Psyani was Gold Junior Male Champion and then Bronze at Wales and West. The following year, he was Gold Junior Male Champion at the Midland Arabian Festival, and then Bronze Junior Male Champion at the North Staffs Show. Psyani has been consistent at the UKIAHS, placing second this year and earning a gold medal.
“We all love Psyani so much and he is extra special as his uncle is the Padrons Psyche son, Psychelone (ex Asail). They all have that same beautiful nature that runs down the line from Padrons Psyche.”
The last word on his progeny must go to Sue. “Psynergy has the size and substance of his sire and the beauty and movement of his dam and he passes this onto his foals,” she says. “A huge proportion of each year’s foal crop has been very successful in the show-ring and this has lead to his recognition at the British National Show. Proportionately, Psynergy has been one of the most successful and consistent sires in Europe. My trouble is hanging on to his foals, as my family always want to sell them!”
One Psynergy daughter Sue has managed to keep is the lovely Psyniyah BJ, out of the family’s much loved mare, Haniyyah (Psytadel x Hanina by Warandes Plakat out of NA Divina). Foaled in 2011, this mare has won her class at the British Nationals and also been named Champion at the Midland Arabian Festival. “She is definitely one that I want to keep,” says Sue. “The female lines that she carries are too important for us to lose.”
The legacy
It is clear to see that Psynergy has certainly made a mark not just on the UK show scene but also further afield. His progeny, when crossed with Master Design, have gone on to produce dynamic, showy Arabian horses, ones that power around the show-ring and commanded attention from breeders both here in the UK and abroad. Psynergy grand-get can now be found across Europe and the Middle East, and while he may not have bred in great numbers by some standards, the horses that he did produce are correct and versatile – something that is reinforced through the variety of grandget that are on the ground.
It is telling that so many horses from the Psynergy lines have not only excelled at halter but also gone on to have a successful career under saddle. This underlines the conformational correctness of this sireline, the balance that leads to such versatility – all combined with Arabian type and bags of charisma.
Above all, as anyone who has spent time with the stallion will testify, Psynergy is just the nicest character. Sue says that: “he has a fantastic temperament and he is a truly wonderful horse to live with. We are very proud that his progeny have gone on to be the foundations for many different breeding programmes.”
All in all, I like to think that Psynergy will always be remembered for his positive influence on the UK breeding scene at that time. His solid Russian bloodlines, combined with the Padrons Psyche charisma, complemented so many mares in the UK at that time. The subsequent outcrosses have, invariably, resulted in extremely showy horses, ones with style and substance, and a great show attitude. One thing is for sure, the Psynergy influence is one that will endure for many generations to come, and we must always be thankful that Sue and Emrys not only imported this stallion from overseas, but shared him with the rest of us.
Footnote – Psynergy is living out his days at Sally Etchell’s farm in Lancashire. Visit The Arabian Magazine Facebook page for a recent video. Happy birthday Psynergy!
