6 replies to this topic

[lucylu]

I think it is extremely important that as a breeder, you have someone whose opinion you value and trust when beginning a breeding program.  I consider myself fortunate that I began my breeding career when the historical significance of the se was important. And the number of breeders of se's was much smaller than it is today.  Unfortunately, I find most of the breeders today of se's following what is winning in the show ring instead of having their very own dreams and goals of breeding the perfect se Arabian horse in their minds eye. If you are a new breeder of se's, who is your mentor, the person or the farm that you want to learn how and why they arrived where they have within their breeding program?

[Heidi]

One of mine was Maryanne Hacklander, She was such a lovely sweet woman.And Kent Mayfield has been helpful.I don't think you'll find a better croup in Se's than you do in the Hadaya herd.

[VanAlma]

I'd have to say I stumbled upon 2 people who I consider mentors: Homer and Tina of Treff-Haven Arabians. Wasn't looking for it but got 'em anyway and am thankful every day for the knowledge and patience they have gifted me. They are they type that don't feel the need to force their ideals on you but when you go to them with a question/concern/issue/observation they will answer you honestly - good, bad or ugly - and, if they don't have an answer, will either research it or will let you know they don't know (which is RARE).
I have learned lots of the ins and outs of many bloodlines and they are not only focused on the non-Nazeer component. They have observations and knowledge about many lines and, considering Homer has been breeding for 40ish years, he's seen lots of the horses many of us only get to see in pictures.
They are gracious with their time, their knowledge and their home. Doesn't get much better than going to pick up 2 mares and having a coffee and egg breakfast waiting for you before wandering around and talkin' horsies all day.

[Tom]

For us that would be Al and Jane Bohn of Ravenwood Ranch. They were the ones that we got our start with and taught us how to treat others in this business. Thay are the ones that we rely on for so much and know that no matter what time of day or night tha they will always answer our call.

[Phoenix]

Hi All,

We must say that D.J. from Rapture Arabians has been a great friend. She is a straight shooter and is so very, very honest.

Sue from Hope farm has also been wonderful as well as Steve and Cyglenda Miller.

[Jill Erisman]

lucylu, on 11 July 2011 - 03:25 AM, said:

I think it is extremely important that as a breeder, you have someone whose opinion you value and trust when beginning a breeding program.  I consider myself fortunate that I began my breeding career when the historical significance of the se was important. And the number of breeders of se's was much smaller than it is today.  Unfortunately, I find most of the breeders today of se's following what is winning in the show ring instead of having their very own dreams and goals of breeding the perfect se Arabian horse in their minds eye. If you are a new breeder of se's, who is your mentor, the person or the farm that you want to learn how and why they arrived where they have within their breeding program?

Great question and maybe it isn't directed at me but
I'll answer it anyway as the longer I'm involved the more
wonderful people I encounter....

I've been fortunate to meet many Arab horse enthusiasts
in my life who were kind enough to share a small portion of what
they knew with me at the time and I'm eternally grateful for each one:
past, present and future!  I'll try to list them here in no
particular order, but my point here is to encourage others
to ask questions when given the opportunity as you may
be surprised what you might learn from those with whom
you share your genuine enthusiasm:

John & Betty Fippen, Charles & Jeanne Craver, Rosemary Doyle,
Carol Lyons, Joe & Sharon Ferriss, Carol Shultz, Darryl & Ruby
Purdue, Joyce Gregorian-Hampshire, Tzviah Iden, Lorriee Golanty,
"Max" and Marilyn Lang, Caryn Rogosky, Walter Schimanski, RJ Cadranell,
Hansi Heck-Melnyck, Billy Sheets Jr, Anne & Michael Bowling, Arlene Magid,
Georgia Cheer, Carol Mulder, Homer Watson, Howard Marks, Esperanza Raswan,
Frank Hanneslager, Mark Mayo, Edouard Al-Dahdah, Bill Winter, David Meyers,
Lee Bernier & his daughter Joyce, Chuck Siemon, Teddy Lancaster, Marion
Richmond, Henry & Christine Metz, Jody Cruz, Majid Alisayegh, Karen Kasper,
Monika Savier, Polly Knoll, Karsten Scherling, Jane Ott, Jenny Krieg,
Patricia Lawrence, Cathy Rochon, Julia Kerneghan, Linda Wescon
Georgia Martin, Tom & Jessica Maiyer, Hector and Gail Carmona,
Mari Silveus, Lisa Rettke, Kim Cooper, Monica Respet, Debra Dirks,
Megen Detweiler, Carol Maginn, Holly Reuter, Paula Fatjo, Loy "Sonny" Thompson,
Ken Keele, Jay Gormley, Jean Jennings, Edna Weeks, Ellen May,
Kim Cooper, Rivian Gardner, Kim Davis, Bruce & Diana Johnson,
Anita Enander, John Michael, Kent Mayfield, April Johnson, Jan Senneker,

well, and the list goes on, and I am sure I've butchered
some spellings and left many out -- my sincere apologies.
I guess what I want to express in this exercise is that each
person you meet is an opportunity to learn at some facet,
and that each is valuable for the knowledge that
is there should you ask for it....take the chance!

I have to say, ultimately, that none of these opportunities
would have been open to me without my ultimate and for all
times mentor:  Pam Studebaker.

I highly recommend her.

Jill

[Marilee]

I agree that this is a great question. I made a similar response to the thread about SEs in performance on the other website, about education.... and the importance of trying to carry the torch forward and trying to find others out there of any age, to inspire and to re-charge our own batteries.........The person above and her mother are 2 whom I have never met, but feel conected to by our love of the horses both past and present. I can say "Serag or Ansata Azalia or Ra'adin Inshalla" or other names to her or her mom and we immediately have a connection of what they look like or how they are in a pedigree, or how we wish they were still around to see and touch.

I can now add Joe Ferris to my list, as I had heard of him obviously and read some of his work, but had not met him until he came to Las Vegas for the World Cup, sponsored by The Pyramid Society to speak and show his wonderful historical visuals. Never had met him, but through mutual friends and other mentors from our pasts, had a connection.

Also the Cruz family (Rancho Bulakenyo), who met us back in the early 80s at the Reno Fair and the EE in 1985 and the West Coast Egyptian Event, and who saw how loyal and sincere we were even back then, and who invited us into their booth to sit for classes and then took us back for a very close viewing of El Halimaar and ET Crown Prince, who was there too. We had an El Hilal son and an Ansata Ibn Sudan son, and an AK El Maleek daughter (*Refky X Fa Halima), and a Fadjur daughter., and leased a Fa Daalim daughter.

So thanks always to Julia Byfield and Gary Marx of Sonoita, Arizona/REA,we met in 1979 (next door neighbors to a paint horse farm there). Loved paints, but never dreamed we would be so accepted, loved, and educated about Egyptians by Julie and Gary--- bloodlines, strains, show ring bads and goods, the reality of breeding (happiness and sadness). Their knowledge and teacher/mentorship-------answering our questions and then sending us back out to learn more and compare and contrast and make up our own minds, not pushing their ideas as truth or as our truth, but letting us grow and learn on our own. That is a trait of a real mentor, instead of telling you everything and then not letting you think for yourself or question them. Macho REA and Hishah REA were proof of their vision and their caliber of breeding choices, and both lived out their long lives with me here in Las Vegas.

John Affolter owner of AK El Maleek (Skeeter),  who gave us photos and memories of this young stallion who was lost too young on his way to the Canadian Nationals, and who only had a few foals, one SE, including our precious Silk Maleek, again proving the power of the SE as an outcross to the Arabian. She was awesome. Had her from 3 to 26.

Sunbird Heiress (Fa Daalim X Hadmia) from Sunbird Farm, terrific pedigree, leased through mutual friends.

Dawns Early Light (Fadjur X JDAR Yankee Dawn) who I saw at 3 and did not get until her late 20s. Shelived to be 32. A huge mentorship from Jack Tone Ranch, for their friendship, support, and honesty.

Thann Hanchett of Las Vegas, now of Utah, who met us in 1978 and changed our minds about dressage, and whose mind was forever changed about Arabians after he saw Macho REA in hand and under saddle in 1981.

Jon Wall of Las Vegas. who rode with us and who had *Almudaffar (Shakhs X Atallah), one of the few SEs around here

Mike Neal (early trainer for Rancho Bulakenyo and Glorieta Ali Sudan), great to watch him doing halter and driving a horse.(Campbells and Gibsons too)

Gibson Arabians--so friendly to us in our formative years, showing us horses and answering our questions.

Ron Palelek---halter and performance, and El Hilal (he also showed Julie and Gary's Ansata El Alim in the very early years before we met him) Saw him here at the World Cup show this year and he still remembered me from many years ago.

Barbara Lewis-who knows I love her stallions(now and passed on) and their bloodlines, and her artistry and her honesty.

Liz Dieter ----who knows so much and who is so honest, and who produced my closest approximation to attempting to replace Macho REA in looks, movement, and behavior.

And to Judith and Donald Forbis of Ansata Arabians, who answered our call in 1985, met us at the Egyptian Event, welcomed us to their farm in Arkansas, drove and walked us around, answered all our questions, and showed us every horse we asked to see. There was no prejudgement on their part by our youth, our newness to this, or to our obvious lack of financial wealth. They saw the enthusiasm, the fire in our hearts, and our desire to learn, and again that is the trait of real mentors. Those who take you in and share with you, but who send you out to learn more, and make your own conclusions, successes, and mistakes, as they have done
.
Thanks again for a great question. I have also mentored a lot of people here. I was a 4-H leader for many years, and am a teacher, and did the Las Vegas Farm Festival from 1999 (3,000 children and adults over 3 days) to 2008 ? (10,000 over 3 days), hands on learning about Egyptian horses with my wonderful guys and girls (now all playing in heaven). I hope to do more of that education. There is a hugeneed locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally---to do more of this education and mentoring with our horses, and as I am doing so much better now in my personal and professional life, that I hope to continue............