Ad
The company is the most important

People & Horses

The company is the most important

Share this:

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Email
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emigracja. By Stuart Vesty
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emigracja. By Stuart Vesty

URSZULA BIAŁOBOK, the main breeder in Michałów State Stud in Poland, is bound with the stud since the 1st December 1969 – 40 years now. Together with her husband, the stud’s director Jerzy Białobok, she directs the breeding program of one of the largest and most prestigious farms in Europe.

Monika Luft: Where did you come from?

Urszula Białobok: I was born in Sieradz, but accidentally. My father was a lecturer in the Officers School of Radio Contact. So both my brother and me were born there. However, my family comes from the East. My father was born in Austria, near the Yugoslavian border, but the main reason was the evacuation of Lvov. His family was evangelic, he had a foreign surname… During the Gomułka regime we were qualified as Zionists, because the communists didn’t know where we should be classified! My grandmother led the General Anders’s Office (he was Coronel at that time) in Lvov. So my father was raised there. My mother was also born in the East, in Zbarazh.

M.L.: How did the Arabian horses appear in your life?

U.B.: I was lucky to meet three wonderful men. The first one was my father, Ryszard Laufersweiler. He was afraid of horses, but he really loved cars. However, I learned punctuality, responsibility, order, and patriotism from him, what I really appreciate. The second one was my mother’s brother, Bogumił Wiśniowski, a cavalryman. He served in the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, before he was taken to the 25th Cavalry Regiment in Poznan. The grandfather told the uncle to serve in a regiment that is stationed in the furthest place from Russia… He taught me to love horses, no matter the which race it was. And the third one is my husband – I really enjoy working with him! When I was a child, I used to visit my uncle who was a director in several State Agricultural Farms and he had horses there. I remember, among others, Sarnów, a really beautiful place near Łódź. My uncle was a co-founder of one of first popular sports clubs section in Poland. There were different horses, including one Arabian in my uncle’s section. His name was Czuj Duch. He was bay, tiny, by

Mr. & Mrs. Białobok, Polish Nationals, Janów 2005. By Wiesław Pawłowski
Mr. & Mrs. Białobok, Polish Nationals, Janów 2005. By Wiesław Pawłowski

Wielki Szlem, out of Bojaźń by Kuhailan Zaid or.ar. a really marvelous horse, he took part in small competitions and he jumped in an exceptional way. But I really loved a thoroughbred Skarbnik, I used to ride atop that horse, and he was a very nice and friendly one; he never escaped when I fell. My uncle always told me that only Arabians had future in our country. Before the World War II, my grandfather was administrating the Czartoryski’s possessions in Żurawno, in the East, where the Arabians were bred. Because that was the division: people from the East loved Arabians, while those from the West preferred the thoroughbred. During the holidays we were working for our uncle: my brother in the warehouse, I stayed in the stable. We were allowed to ride horses as a reward – nothing was for free. Uncle taught me to understand and love horses. Of course, I also learned riding, driving, saddling; he was taking us for many different expeditions, he was making bonfires, told us to ride through water… However, I’ve written my master’s thesis about the thoroughbred– in Strzegom, in Żółkiewka, at Mr. Gniazdowski’s. But, when I passed my final exam, my uncle said: you have to go and talk to Ignacy Jaworowski. They have known each other since before the World War II broke out, my uncle knew the Chief’s uncle, he has been buying horses from him. Ignacy is a difficult person, my uncle warned me, but you will manage. You have to do an internship in his stud. The Chief accepted my application, but he said – I won’t be working with women, we will see what will happen after a year internship. After half year director Michał Maciejewski, then Michałów main breeder, left to Walewice Stud. He came to me and said: Urszula, we are going to Walewice. And I answered: “Who? Me? Never in my life!”. “Aren’t you going with me?”, the director asked me. “Sir, I really love you and your family for the way I have been treated here, but I’m staying here, in Michałów”. He left everything, the whole paperwork, the whole documentation. So the Chief had no choice, he had to employ me. 40 years from this moment passed this year.

M.L.: So what has changed in the breeding during these years?

U.B.: The breeding used to be much smaller. It was a tiny stud, we had enough time to sit in a stable for a while in order to know about everything that was going on. Now it is more difficult as it became a huge stud; we have two barns, 200 head of Holstein-Friesian, and 80 heads of Jersey cattle. Each year 80 or 90 foals are being born. Unfortunately I have problems with walking as my ankle is damaged; I’m not allowed to enter the squad because the ground is too soft – this is another problem. That’s why I have less contact with horses. And I shall spend several hours a day with them.

Mrs. Urszula Białobok and the breeder of Monogramm, Mr. Richard Patterson with Kwestura, by Lidia Pawłowska
Mrs. Urszula Białobok and the breeder of Monogramm, Mr. Richard Patterson with Kwestura, by Lidia Pawłowska

M.L.: When a foal like Kwestura is born, is it always visible that it’s going to be a champion?

U.B.: Not always. There are foals that are outstanding from the very beginning of their lives. But some average ones also appear. They grow and also become champions.

M.L.: How did the things go with the most famous ones? Emmona, Kwestura, Emandoria?

U.B.: Emmona and Emandoria were exceptional from the very beginning. But Kwestura was not. Some horses don’t appeal to everyone. My husband and I sometimes have different opinions. I prefer the type of Emandoria or Emmona. In order to notice the Kwestura’s uniqueness, you shall have a trained eye; not every judge or expert would appreciate her. She is one of those horses that are difficult to judge. But she can perform, she has an excellent movement, and there are horses that don’t always want to do it, like Emmona. They sometimes are upset, flatten their ears and there is no way to perform. That was also the case of Emanacja, Emandoria’s grandmother. Indeed, horses can have better or worse days, and if they enter the ring being sluggish and reluctant, we cannot blame the judges. But, if they perform the way like our mares in Aachen, we cannot carp at them.

Senior mares championship, Aachen 2009. By Krzysztof Dużyński
Senior mares championship, Aachen 2009. By Krzysztof Dużyński

M.L.: Recently, during the All Nations Cup in Aachen the Michałów-bred mares have brought to their knees both judges and audience. In the 11-year-old and senior mares class nine participants performed; five of them were Michałów-bred, all of them by Monogramm. And all of them entered the Top Five: Emmona, Kwestura, Fallada, Elandra and Georgia. Watching this class must have been really satisfying for you, as you have witnessed those mares being born.

U.B.: I actually didn’t watch them being born – the mares usually foal at night, so we watch the foals in the morning. Unless the birth takes place before 11 PM – the caretaker informs us and we rush to the stable. Of course we remember our first impressions, because, when you have a certain breeding concept, you just can’t wait for the effect. We were lucky that Monogramm came to the Michałów State Stud because he acclimatized himself here in an excellent way, he became intimate with us, and vice versa, but, most of all, he gave us really fantastic offspring.

M.L.: Do you feel disappointed after this year’s Nation’s Cup? Emandoria didn’t become a champion, and Emmona, who scored the highest amount of points didn’t even get the Bronze Medal…

U.B.: I do feel disappointed indeed, but we have to respect the judges’ decision. However, disgust remained, we saw those horses perform. They should have been graded the way they look and win, according to the amount of points. We are still wondering why it isn’t happening that way.

Michałów. The trophies, by Krzysztof Dużyński
Michałów. The trophies, by Krzysztof Dużyński

M.L.: Why then?

U.B.: A little bit of politics, a little bit of connections… It definitely matters. But this is not the first time that a horse which receives the best grading, remains unnoticed in the championship.

M.L.: How, regardless of the Emandoria or Emmona’s final result, do you assess the judging in Aachen? The discrepancies in legs grading was commented by many people… Do you think that judges didn’t act the professional way?

U.B.: We can interpret their behavior that way. Judges don’t often have the zootechnics background, they often are, for example, medical doctors, lawyers, etc. I don’t want to harm them, claiming that they aren’t professionals, however their decisions are food for thought. Because, when a horse has a long and soft topline, we shall know how many points for this feature it shall receive. Or if movement, body, or legs are different than they shall be. Before sending horses to the show we watch them very carefully. And if the horse is beautiful, but its legs are not perfect, we just don’t send it to the show. We realize that lower grades for legs will affect his worse final grading. That’s why the notes can be surprising. I did judge once, during a Danish Championship, a long time ago. Actually, I have never enjoyed it, I was annoyed when a horse with a soft body was getting a ‘19’ for this feature. I remember a common astonishment during one show, when an American judge started grading legs the normal way, giving the deserved amount of points, instead of limiting herself to giving ‘15’ and ‘16’. Now, 17 points for legs is a very high grade! If someone reads a report from Polish shows, he will find out that Polish horses have terrible-set legs, which is not true. So that’s why I became discouraged to judging. However, the health does also matter, of course. When the stallions enter the ring, the handlers have a wild look in their eyes! Everything can occur, so we have to watch out not to be trampled… It is a very hard work.

Mrs. Urszula Białobok with the cup for Emandoria, Janów 2009. By Krzysztof Dużyński
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with the cup for Emandoria, Janów 2009. By Krzysztof Dużyński

M.L.: What is the purpose of organizing shows nowadays?

U.B.: First of all, everyone wants to show off his breeding, and to compare it with the others. But it’s also a pleasure to leave, meet, and exchange opinions with other breeders. Before they used to say: I have good horses. But the others also think that their horses are fine! I remember the old days, when Tomasz Skotnicki used to say in Janów Podlaski: My horses are so beautiful that I will lead them out of the stable and I will win. It used to be that way indeed, but times have changed. That’s why we had to build a hall. We are lucky to have Mariusz Liśkiewicz who feels and understands our horses’ needs. They listen to him, they know what he expects from them. I really enjoy the shows, but I prefer to follow the rules of fair play.

M.L.: But is the fair play possible now, when the shows are about such huge amounts of money?

U.B.: It’s more and more difficult. I remember those times when Polish judges – like director Jaworowski, director Krzyształowicz, or my husband – were removed from judging, when Polish horses performed. However, these regulations didn’t apply to Spaniards, when Spanish horses were performing, or English, when English horses were to be graded, or Italians.

M.L.: Don’t you think that the future of Polish breeding doesn’t look rosy? There is an enormous horses overproduction, a drastic fall of prices, a small amount of buyers…

U.B.: The situation doesn’t improve. And the thing is, not to produce weak horses. If somebody owns a mare and the mare is a weak one, who gave birth to two or three weak foals, should not breed her anymore! Horses, that are not needed by anybody, should not be born.

Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emanda, National Championship, Janów Podlaski 2006. By Ewa Imielska-Hebda
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emanda, National Championship, Janów Podlaski 2006. By Ewa Imielska-Hebda

M.L.: Your husband once said that we should accept the fact that the Arabians could also be sent to slaughter. It seemed quite shocking…

U.B.: Every single breeder is responsible for this situation. We don’t cover all mares – some of them walk the saddle. It’s better to have one beautiful foal than five lousy!

M.L.: Breeding likes no sentiments – your husband says. Are you sentimental?

U.B.: I am very sentimental, but I know it is no good. When a decision is to be taken, I’m no longer sentimental. For example, when we have to say goodbye to a horse, like Kwestura. However, the best moment to sell the horse should be felt. In the Kwestura’s case it was a real masterpiece. This kind of sale is a reason to be proud, just like the horse’s success, with a new owner. I am happy that she is bringing glory to her purchaser!

M.L.: How do you see the Michałów State Stud’s future? What will be your biggest treasure?

U.B.: It’s a difficult question. Maybe Gazal Al Shaqab daughters will become our biggest treasure, although they inherit from their sire, apart from the excellent topline, also quite short legs. However, they are special indeed, although the type is quite different from the traditional ‘Michałów’ one. Maybe Ekstern, or Laheeb daughters? We like Laheeb daughters very much. We want to tie the loose ends of the stud. We want many dam lines. We want everything renovated, built and prepared the way it should be. But there are no potential successors… It is a hard work, people are afraid of doing it. Every single day, my husband wakes up at half past five and he makes a round of the stud. We don’t ease up. We demand a lot from ourselves and from the others. Besides, I always say that today everything is ready! 40 years ago everything was different. I had to order a telephone call to Warsaw and wait three days to be connected. But the communism period didn’t mean that our stud was supposed to be an ugly or dirty one. The flowers were planted just like today, the uniforms were clean and the windows were washed. Mr. Władysław Byszewski’s words moved me deeply; during the last parade he said: “This is the last stud in which grooms wear uniforms, have glanced shoes, white shirts and ties. Horses are milky white – those that are supposed to be milky white. And the parade of over three hundred horses lasts from 10 AM till 4 PM, according to the program.” We were the first stud that applied the rule that if a mare isn’t in foal we return the money for the breeding. Like I always said, in order to get something we have to loose something. I planned that after the retirement I would order pictures and cups but I still postpone it. We have a full documentary in two enormous books, kept since the very beginning. The first entry is is Adis Abeba (Amurath Sahib – Ofirka by Ofir), born in 1947. She arrived in 1953. Written probably with Roman Pankiewicz’s handwriting. In 1953 Gwarny, at his mare’s (Gwara by Wielki Szlem) side, arrived. And the first foal born here is Dakota 1954 (Como – Damba by Oboźny). There were fifty six horses in Michałów State Stud, when the 57th one, this mare, was born.

Gaskonia, Janów Podlaski 2006, by Ewa Imielska-Hebda
Gaskonia, Janów Podlaski 2006, by Ewa Imielska-Hebda

M.L.: The eldest horse in Michałów State Stud is…?

U.B.: The stud’s kea is the grey mare Gaskonia 1987 (by Probat, out of Gizela/Palas), the 2006 Polish National Champion, mother of champions Grafik and Gaspar – still in an excellent condition. Beautiful mare.

M.L.: What do you pay attention to when you evaluate a stallion?

U.B.: The stallion’s mare matters a lot, as well as the whole dam line – it’s more important that the top of the pedigree. That’s why I believe in Ekstern although he can give both very good offspring and a mediocre one. But generally those horses have something very nice in them. And he has a typical appearance of Michałów-bred horses. I don’t believe that much in Ganges. I would say there are some bit controversial horses in his pedigree. The horse itself is good and when he got a mare like Pianissima, he didn’t spoil the offspring. This is also important. When we analyze those mares that were bred to Comet, we can find out that they had an average appearance, and he gave such a wonderful offspring! When I arrived at Michałów, the Comet and Nabor daughters were those who were drawing the biggest attention. And it was quite a phenomenon in those times. I remember them well, even better than the later ones. I can recognize them in the group pictures. Even when the Chief ordered taking pictures of Comet daughters with other horses, I can recognize them. I often dream about them. Comet worked miracles. Unfortunetely, he died young of a colic.

M.L.: What kind of stallions would you like to see in Michałów?

U.B.: It’s difficult to answer this question. Monogramm is unavailable and I don’t have any dream stallions, but I shall admit that I really like Al Lahab, a Laheeb son. But I also like Eden C very much.

M.L.: Is it true that Eden C will come to Michałów?

U.B.: We are still talking about this issue, but it isn’t easy to negotiate. The break between the Paris World Championship in December and the Al Khalediah Show in January is very short. Getting this stallion’s semen will be difficult as he is still training for the show… We were also interested in Enzo, but we think Eden C would be better. Maybe after the Al Khalediah Festival… We don’t know yet.

M.L.: And what about Kabsztad? Will he become a sire in 2010?

U.B.: We will see. He is coming back home and he rather will be covering, however will he be available for other breeders? We shall find it out after the Paris show.

With Ekstern, Janów Podlaski 2008, by Krzysztof Dużyński
With Ekstern, Janów Podlaski 2008, by Krzysztof Dużyński

M.L.: Meanwhile, we still are in the Ekstern’s epoch…

U.B.: Next season, Ekstern is going to Janów Podlaski. We think he will fit there. And Ganges shall cover the Gazal’s daughters.

M.L.: So you think Ekstern hasn’t fulfilled his mission in the Polish breeding?

U.B.: He’s got a lot of work to do! We’re waiting for his sons to be born. Esparto performed very well and his mare is excellent. I hope he will do well, but I still wait for a continuation and I count on Marek Trela and Janów Podlaski State Stud. By the way, when I can’t sleep at night, I wonder why the director Krzyształowicz was not convinced and he didn’t use Monogramm… this stallion did cover practically only in Michałów. While being in the United States I watched beautiful, piebald Monogramm half-breed daughters. I saw one of them at some show, under the saddle, she was fantastically proportioned, she had a wonderful color. A great mare. So I said: “Sir, if you don’t want him to cover the Arabian mares, why don’t you cover these piebald ones?”. I heard: “No, he won’t be covering in my stud”. I still wonder why. Because Monogramm had a chestnut color? Or maybe because the director insisted and later it was difficult for him to change his mind. Because Janów Podlaski had at that time some horses that fitted Monogramm better than those Michałów-bred. And if in Michałów the result was excellent, it would definitely be better in Janów. I remember a similar situation when we brought Tallin from Tiersk stud – Tallin is of Bairactar sire line which lacked in our stud. I went to Brest – we survived a real horror with Dr. Marek Trela – in order to bring Tallin and Pesennik, two stallions, exchanged for Gwizd and Harfiarz. So at the castle where he was quarantined, we were watching Tallin with the director Krzyształowicz, and he said: “He won’t be covering in my stud”. Indeed, his legs weren’t the best ones… but he became sire of Wojsław at Michałów! That’s why it was worth it to bring Tallin. And Pesennik, who was beating records in Pyatigorsk or Moscow? His offspring was supposed to conquer the Służewiec racing track in Warsaw. But there were no such horses running there! So nothing can be determined.

M.L.: Sometimes quite surprising connections occur in Michałów. Excellent mares, like Espadrilla, are being bred to Kulig (by Balon, out of Kawalkada/Penitent) or Werbum (by Wojsław, out of Werda/Piechur), which are not the first breeding league sires. Why?

U.B.: Kulig is a Bairactar. Our aim was to achieve a stallion from this mating. Although Wojsław had four sons – Emanor, Monar, Werbum and Druid – we have to face the fact that we do not have anything special. Werbum has an interesting pedigree, his offspring has beautiful heads and eyes, but Wendetta, his grandmother (by Palas) – as well as Werbum – is somehow soft. We don’t use him often, only with those mares that have muscular loins, but it is very difficult. Kulig has been removed because it turned out that his offspring was not that kind that we expected. But before we find it out we have to ‘sacrifice’ a couple of mares, to give the stallions a chance. And sometimes the mare is being covered in order to foal her anyway, because the last attempts, using, for example, frozen semen, were unsuccessful. And in that case it’s difficult to talk about a breeding concept.

A filly 2009 out of Zagrobla. By Wiesława Bałut
A filly 2009 out of Zagrobla. By Wiesława Bałut

M.L.: Breeding should be an art of patience. Don’t you think that many breeders lack this patience?

U.B.: I don’t like one thing. Laheeb came to us when he was 2,5-year-old, and he was used to breed already before. I think there are certain standards that shouldn’t be ignored. Another example is QR Marc – he was milked till his last sperm!.

M.L.: What is the whole mating about?

U.B.: We must imagine the result and match the adequate parents. However, the biology likes to play tricks on us and, as we know, the full siblings can be completely different. For example, Emigracja mated with Eukaliptus gave the excellent Emigrantka, Emanacja who was completely different and Erlanda, who also was different. Emigra, who was born from this mating as well and was also absolutely different from her siblings, is still alive. So the whole mating is luck and sense of breeding. Some people think hard, devise, but they are unlucky, and there are those who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Sometimes one has to answer the question, what the result is supposed to be. For example, I often think about WH Justice. His offspring has beautiful heads, but also long, soft bodies. Someone might ask: what about Eukaliptus? His offspring was also somehow soft… But in total it was beautiful as whole one. And now a question could be asked: shall we produce only those horses with beautiful heads, or shall we look for a stallion whose offspring would be more like Monogramm’s? We cannot object the movement or the body in the case of his offspring. It was an ideal horse!.

Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Gaspar, Janów Podlaski 2006. By Krzysztof Jarczewski
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Gaspar, Janów Podlaski 2006. By Krzysztof Jarczewski

M.L.: Which criteria are the basic ones for mating in Michałów?

U.B.: We are trying to match horses by their type, and not to match those that are completely different from each other. We are trying to find the most similar horses, while looking for parents. If a mare is a Saklawi strain, we look for a stallion who is also Saklawi. It can’t always be this way, the pedigree matters, as we have a definite stallions’ reserve. For example, some Gazal Al Shaqab daughters are out of Monogramm daughters. If Ekstern is not recommended we cover the mares with Eryks who fits them, although we know that Eryks’s mare is also a Monogramm daughter. We usually try to find a stallion that has a different pedigree. So first we grade the look of selected horses, and then we check the pedigree – as we don’t want to have too many horses that carry, for example, the depigmentation or the bright eye that we’re not keen on at all. However, it is just biology, we can never achieve a foal which would have only the positive features of his parents, and no negative ones. Now, availability of frozen semen is some kind of facilitation, although we shall still remember that using it for foaling is, due to many reasons, more difficult.

M.L.: What is necessary to become a good breeder? Eye, intuition, experience? What is the most important factor?

U.B.: Passion! Everything is important, but passion makes the person live and breathe it. It is difficult to be a breeder without passion.

M.L.: If your work is your passion, can you find time for something else?

U.B.: Absolutely! I love reading. I also used to spend a lot of time in my garden, but now I am no longer available to work there. I love flowers, I love all kind of plants, I know nurseries in the surroundings… And I still read a lot of books from different fields – for example, I am a great Harry Potter fan. Once Wisława Szymborska (Polish poetess, a Nobel Prize winner) visited us and we started talking about our reading. I admitted reading Harry Potter and I said that my husband was laughing at me. And Mrs. Szymborska answered: “Czesław Miłosz (Polish poet, a Nobel Prize winner) loved Harry Potter books!”. Last time I started reading “The Chronicles of Narnia”, which I also like very much. I love fairy tales, I grew up on fairy tales.

Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emandoria, National Championship, Janów Podlaski 2009, by Lidia Pawłowska
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emandoria, National Championship, Janów Podlaski 2009, by Lidia Pawłowska

M.L.: So you somehow remain in the shadow of your husband, although we all know you are a key person in Michałów… However, it’s the director who represents the stud abroad, he is the one who receives cups. Is remaining in the second line difficult?

U.B.: No, I enjoy it. There must be some kind of hierarchy and the stud’s chief should be the one that respects it. I also think there should be only one person responsible for the decisions. And the chief should be that kind of person. I respect it. Besides, I can’t travel around the world due to my health.

M.L.: A common job, a common life… Is it easier or more difficult?

U.B.: It is more difficult, but interesting. More difficult because the work is endless, it is being brought home, and the closest person is the one that gets a scolding.

M.L.: Do the professional arguments among both of you occur often?

U.B.: No. We do sometimes have a different opinion, but we generally agree about the direction. Everyone prepares the breeding plan separately: Mrs. Magda Helak, my husband and me. Then we gather round and each justifies the choice. If one is able to convince the others, we amend it. My husband is in a better situation, he often travels abroad, he can watch different stallions’ offspring. But when he returns, he tells me everything.

M.L.: Your biggest authorities of the world breeding are…?

U.B.: Patricia Lindsay for sure – I like her and respect her very much for her ability of watching a horse. Also Kay Petterson, she is an excellent breeder, as well as Sheila Varian.

M.L.: How important to you was your first boss, Ignacy Jaworowski?

the Chief - director Ignacy Jaworowski, by Jerry Sparagowski
the Chief – director Ignacy Jaworowski, by Jerry Sparagowski

U.B.: He loved the breeding and he instilled this love in us. We were learning everything from him. After studies we don’t know a lot. Learning about horses at Warsaw University of Life Sciences lasts one semester. In Tiersk students spend six years learning it! The most important thing for me was that the Chief was a righteous man and a patriot. Otherwise I wouldn’t be working here. And he had a wonderful sense of breeding. He took holiday when there was the biggest amount of foaling, he was going to the stable in the evening and he was waiting for foals to be born. If he hadn’t holiday, he was going to the stable at 10 PM. He was very consistent in his work. I remember when the authority sold the mare Wizja to Dr. LaCroix for 150 000 USD. The Chief went angry and said that if the Union of Breeding didn’t pay 500 000 USD more – because, according to him, the mare was worth 650 000 – he would go to court. And Wizja returned to Michałów! He never accepted orders, when he had his idée fixe. And he loved Wizja more than anything. The Chief taught me that, while coming into the stable, horses should stand like if it was a beautiful picture. It is supposed to be elegant. Just like at a parade: you can see 400 horses and they won’t impress you. But you can also see 400 horses and remember them for life. Some kind of direction is necessary as well. For example, El Dorada (by Sanadik El Shaklan, out of Emigrantka/Eukaliptus) would begin the parade, and the whole stake of Monogramm daughters would end it. The Chief taught us that even the register should be written the elegant way, with nice writing, and the documents shall be well-stamped – because it also worked on the company’s reputation. Because the company, Michałów State Stud, is the most important. In our private and working life.

M.L.: How the horses’ names are being chosen in Michałów?

A filly 2009 out of Wieża Marzeń, by Wiesława Bałut
A filly 2009 out of Wieża Marzeń, by Wiesława Bałut

U.B.: Director Jaworowski used to “baptize” foals. But now it is my task. And it is an enormous responsibility. “Big deal”, my husband says. So I answer: “Sit down, take a pencil and try to find out a couple of names”. When I read or hear something, I always write it down. That’s why I buy various encyclopedias. I sometimes create names by myself. There are too many horses so I don’t focus the same way on every name. However, when there is a foal that I really like, I try to find the most beautiful name for it. I sometimes continue the tradition – for example, chief used to give ‘desert names’ – Pustynna Tarcza (Desert Shield), Pustynna Burza (Desert Storm), but I shall admit that I lack the ideas… now we have Pustynna Fiesta (Desert Feast). It is very difficult indeed. I recently bought the Ancient World Atlas. We sit with my son and he says: “Wow, look at this name, it’s great!”. I look at it, but, unfortunately, we already have a foal that has such name. Sometimes names just come to my mind. I came up with Wieża Babel (The Tower of Babel) because the mare has such a mixed pedigree, there are so many horses from the whole wide world, that it seems the Tower of Babel! However, it is really difficult to keep going and to add something to this ‘Tower’. My uncle used to call horses in a very funny way, so I sometimes copy his ideas. He used to have Mości Książę (His Majesty Prince), Poszum (Rustle), Ali Baba… For me the name should be pretty, especially when the horse is pretty itself. This year we have Mateusz (Matthew) – my husband did oppose, he even asked me: “Will you say to someone: I will castrate Mateusz”? Tough luck! I will! There is Eustachia, Wieża Marca (Marc’s Tower), Luidor, Labirynt, Dama Karo (Queen of Diamonds, we already have Dama Kier – Queen of Hearts), Forlandia out of Formia… she actually had a terrible adventure, because three days after she was born, she broke her jaw. However, immediately after it was wired, she started sucking, as if nothing occured. And everything healed over, without any mark. Then, Dębowy Gaj (Oak Grove)… now, I also lack ideas with all those ‘Oak’ names, I called one colt ‘Drogowiec’ (Road Mender), because I couldn’t find another name. Pustynny Rajd (Desert Race), Gazania, Editha, Zachodni Brzeg out of Zatoka Perska (West Bank out of Persian Gulf), Trojanka out of Tonacja. El Capitan, Gaolian out of Galilea. When names for one year are confirmed I start thinking of names for another season – with my notebook. Next year, a foal no. 3000 will be born in Michałów.

M.L.: Which foals, born in 2009, will be the best ones in your opinion? Did a new Emandoria appear?

U.B.: There is a new Zi, but I won’t say anything more! A mare. I am superstitious and I don’t want to jinx it.

M.L.: How do you react to new promoting ideas, like, for example, selling an inexistent Pianissima’s embryo on the Janów Podlaski auction?

U.B.: Indeed in the beginning I was astonished… I don’t know a thing about virtual horses! Besides, there were many questions: is she supposed to be a mother, or the embryo should be rinsed out and carried by another mare? But, why shouldn’t we, if this effect was achieved (2010 Pianissima Produce was sold for 175 000 EUR)? We shall go with the times. If I had had enough money, I would’ve taken part in the auction because I’m a great fan of this mare. In my opinion, she is one of the most beautiful mares in the world and I’m really glad that she gave birth to a filly by our Ganges. I felt deeply moved while watching pictures of the baby Pia. We only can envy the breeder who will have the future foal.

M.L.: So who needs Arabians in Poland? They are an indicator of a certain status, they are fashionable, valued. In Poland there is only a handful of people that have a passion for Arabians. Does the future belong to Arabians indeed?

Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emigracja, by Mateusz Jaworski
Mrs. Urszula Białobok with Emigracja, by Mateusz Jaworski

U.B.: My uncle used to buy faulty Arabians from the Chief, Ignacy Jaworowski. And those horses were walking in harness. Every day! They were walking a dozen kilometers, to let off steam. It was a tiny carriage, with very delicate scrubbing harness and the horses really looked beautiful – working every day. Because, when they stand still during two or three days, it’s impossible to manage them. So when I hear that the Arabians are not suitable for harness, I immediately know that these words are being said by someone who has never used them in a carriage. If he had tried using them, he would’ve found out what a wonderful view it is! There are no such horses, maybe except for the Friesians, that would also have something devilish and endearing simultaneously. What I really love about Arabian horses, is watching them, but also their friendly character. If people had known more about them, I would’ve been calm about their future. Because an Arabian horse is the most splendid animal that a man can own!

Share this:

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Email
Ad
Ads

Newsletter

Ads
Equus Arabians
This website uses cookies to provide services at the highest level. By continuing to use the site, you agree to their use.