It’s blog ‘reader of the month’ time and for July I thank Robyn Butson an enthusiastic reader and fellow writer. Robyn is an inspiration to us all. She is writing a book on Crabbet horses in Australia and breeds Arabians and Pintos. More recently she has had to confront life’s greatest challenge. She has done this with a determined spirit that refuses to concede defeat. Please enjoy reading about Sweet Honesty Arabians & Pintos.

Sweet Honesty Sierra Rebel

Sweet Honesty Arabians & Pintos is a small stud located in East Gippsland, Victoria, aiming to breed quality Arabian derivatives with the best of temperaments and sound conformation. Sweet Honesty Pintos began in 1981, with the purchase of a black tobiano stallion named Diamond Arrow Aztex Rebel (known as ‘azzie’). Bred in NSW Azzie was sired by the black APSB stallion Dandaloo Rebel, and his dam Mischief was a bay tobiano. As a young colt he won several champions in halter and saddle . A stunning 13.3hh , Azzie proved the perfect stallion and most of all Robyn’s best mate.

Sweet Honesty Cameo

In the 20 years Robyne owned Azzie, he sired over 100 foals, predominantly pintos, all with his lovely stamp of temperament, movement and his lovely head. Many of his progeny did exceptionally well in performance, both in the pinto ring and also in open. Three of Azzie’s solid coloured sons were multi champions; Pazzaz (show name Pazzaz of Rosewood) champion show hunter for many years, with the honour of qualifying for the Grand Nationals in Sydney and competing there. Tulla (show name Tulla of Rosewood) is a brilliant three day eventer for teenagers. Sweet Honesty Royal Azz (shown as Azziz) is a brilliant performer in adult riding, with many championships and the 300 point Award to his claim of fame, Azziz is still out there performing and winning. Azzie’s winning pinto progeny were numerous, main achievers being Sweet Honesty Jiemba who was a terrific pony club mare, games, halter, dressage, riding multi champion, with her greatest honour on her retirement, of winning the Mustang Lodge Challenge at a Pinto State Championship. This is a highly contested challenge with three judges, and under saddle and halter. Sweet Honesty Rain Dancer was a brilliant performance gelding, with his greatest honour winning High Point Performance Pinto for three successive years in Western Pleasure and Trail. Sweet Honesty Madonna, now a broodmare, won many Hi Points and Champions, as did Sweet Honesty Rebellious Girl, Sweet Honesty Indian Dream and Sweet Honesty Silver Arrow. Azzie was a unique stallion, being the sire of two homozygous,100% pinto producing sons: Havanna Snow Peake in Victoria, and Sweet Honesty Geronimo in W.A – a top leading sire and show champion.

Sweet Honesty Jiemba

For Robyn, losing Azzie at age 25 was a traumatic experience and she didn’t have horses for several years. But time heals and horses were Robyn’s life. She was determined to carry on Azzie’s valued line. Sweet Honesty Cameo, the matriarch of Sweet Honesty Arabians & Pintos was re-purchased. A very elegant brown 50% Arabian and a full sister to Azziz, Cameo was a daughter of Azzie, out of Royal Camille of those beautiful old Grand Royal Crabbet and Ibn Antar Egyptian blood.

More recently the five year old stallion SWEET HONESTY CZAR stands at stud. He is already proving his worth as a prepotent sire. Sweet Honesty Czar’s credentials – grandson of Aztex Rebel, daughter of Sweet Honesty Cameo, and the only entire son by Shiranna D’Artagnan, thus giving Czar beautiful unique bloodlines of Crabbet/Egyptian/Welsh & APSB.

Due to major health issues Robyn has Sweet Honesty Czar progeny offered for sale, she needs to drastically reduce numbers – Outstanding young stock and foals offered – all reasonable offers to good homes will be considered. http://www.sweethonestyarabians.webs.com email: kalari@vic.chariot.net.au