Liz Salmon, judge and Arabian horses’ consultant (Arabian Horse Times, Arabian Horse Magazine, The Arabian Horse World, Arabian Horse Express, The Arabian Magazine and British Arab Horse Society News) says:
We started on the Saturday morning with a presentation of the most incredible group of stallions assembled by Michael. All the Al Shaqab stallions are on lease and due to return this year. We all stood around the covered round pen with cameras at the ready. First in was the ethereal, exquisite grey Straight Egyptian *Al Adeed Al Shaqab (Ansata Halim Shah x Sundar Alisayyah). He was turned loose to exhibit his presence and movement, and he certainly did not disappoint us. Next was a contrast in color, but equally impressive. This was the bay *Erte JCA (*Gazal Al Shaqab x *Egzonera), a powerful stallion with all the type and movement required for a great stallion. I had not seen him before, but I certainly was full of admiration for him. He is owned by the *Erte Partners LLC USA.
The exotically typey *Kenz Noor (Imperial Madori x Nakksh El Koob) was presented next. I had seen this beautiful Straight Egyptian stallion before, and had recommended to some of my clients that they should breed to him. He was bred at the Rabab Stud in Egypt and is in the States on lease.
Another stallion that I had not seen before was WN Star of Antigua (Monogramm x WN Antigua) bred by Wayne Newton. This lovely stallion could not possibly miss with such illustrious parents as his known for their type and movement. He has recently been bought by the Al Shaqab Stud to cross with *Marwan daughters.
*El Nabila B (Kubinec x 218 Elf Layla Walayla B) was next. I first saw this stallion in Brazil two years ago and was blown away by not only him, but also his foals that I saw. Here is another stallion with a great moving machine as a sire, and an ethereal, exotic headed dam. He looked better than I’ve ever seen him and very happy too as did all the horses, he was bought last year by the *El Nabila B Partnership. Michael makes a point of riding the stallions around the farm to keep their minds healthy and active.
One can tell that the next stallion *Besson Carol (*Parys El Jamaal x Classic Crystal) is close to Michael’s heart, as he has had him at the farm for quite a few years, and Michael is a member of the Besson Group Partnership that own him. He’s a very well conformed, typey stallion with a great body and of course movement. He has been extremely successful as a sire. *Parys El Jamaal (Ali Jamaal x FF Pavielle) lives out with his mares and is a very happy camper indeed.
Appearing next was the yearling Aria Impresario (*Marwan Al Shaqab x GC Echlectica). This extraordinary yearling was Supreme Champion in Scottsdale this year – no mean feat for a yearling. One can certainly see why. He is owned by the Sloan Family of Aria International USA, and has a very promising future.
His grandsire *Gazal Al Shaqab (Anaza El Farid x Kajora) was in next. This powerful and typey stallion is creating an incredible dynasty having sired the World Champion and US National Champions *Marwan Al Shaqab and *Pianissima among so many other wonderful progeny. He is an absolute power house and very mindful of who he is! He gave such a display of movement that it was hard to capture photos.
Michael teased everyone by saying that the stallion presentation was over, of course there were groans about not seeing *Marwan (*Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame). So in he came, full of himself as usual and ready to impress, which he certainly did in no uncertain terms.
And this is how other Michael Byatt’s Open Stables participants comment the event:
My friends and I arrived to see the familiar navy shirted, khaki pantsed Michael Byatt staff running to and fro, as they readied horses for presentation and set everything in place. The stallion presentation began the day, with the stallions *Al Adeed Al Shaqab, *Erte JCA, *Kenz Noor, WN Star of Antigua, *El Nabila B, *Besson Carol, Aria Impresario, *Gazal Al
Shaqab, and *Marwan Al Shaqab being presented in that order. It was a world class collection, and guests participated in a “guess which stallion sired which foal” contest shortly afterward. We had lovely weather and Michael, as usual, offered a first class showing of stallions, mares and foals in a very relaxed atmosphere – offered Nancy Pierce of Journeys End Arabians in Arkansas, USA.
The foal I saw by El Nabila B really stood out – just gorgeous, typey and elegant – but the highlight of the Open House for me was a special private presentation of the two-time Reserve World Champion, *Dakharo, who was at Michael’s, waiting to be shipped back to his home in the Middle East. He really put on a show for us – said former *Dakharo partner, Andy Rye of Timestone Arabians in Arkansas, USA.
With many thanks to Nancy Pierce
Photocredit: Nancy Pierce www.piercegraphicdesign.com/
