It’s a horsy week with Equitana beginning in Sydney on the 10th so what better way to join in than celebrate what we love about horses. As a horse person, there are many moments that define everything you strive to achieve as an Arabian horse breeder. Sometimes it’s a show win, sometimes it’s the birth of a foal, maybe it’s a trail ride, simply enjoying nature or even comfort from a beloved mare. I’ve experienced them all and I’m sure many of you have as well.

Here’s a paragraph I’ve never forgotten. It’s from the book Arabian Exodus by Margaret Greely and it describes perfectly the wide eyed, crashing palpitations of awe, we experience at the sight of a magnificent horse.

…In 1946 the first two All Arabian Shows were held in England – a Spring and a Summer show. People who knew a little about Arabs, came out of curiosity to see ‘something out of a picture book’ or an undersized pony – horse Though several studs were represented, the winning horses with four exceptions came from either Crabbet Park or Hanstead Stud.
It was here that the author saw for the first time, GREY ROYAL, that exquisite daughter of Raktha. The entries in the class had been lined up by the judges; a class which included Rubiana, Carlina and Selma II, all beautiful fillies who drew murmurs of admiration from the crowd, and then making a late entrance, Grey Royal floated in.

There was an amazed hush in the crowd. The arch of neck, the carriage of her tail, and her light, airy almost weightless action were incredible. Together with her perfectly dappled coat, dark mane and tail, she made a picture that must always live in the memory. Grey Royal won the class, and was never beaten in her show career though she met all the best mares in the country.