2021
EGYPTIAN EVENT b y Rebecca Rogers
T
he morning mist hung heavy over the lush green fields dotted with picturesque farms. I was driving to The Egyptian Event, as I have done for decades, but this time it was not in Lexington, Kentucky. Instead there were majestic purple mountains surrounding the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The debut of a new location for The Egyptian Event, a departure from its longtime home at the Kentucky Horse Park, was derailed by Covid in 2020. Our Pyramid Society family had been too long without a “Gathering of the Tribe!” Everyone was eager to see beautiful horses and good friends again. The Egyptian Event held at the scenic Virginia Horse Center did not disappoint. The Event classes were held in an outdoor arena with a nostalgic wooden Grandstand and white fencing. Those beautiful mountains were the backdrop for equally majestic straight Egyptian Arabians, vying for prizes reflecting years of planning by their breeders. The Egyptian Breeders Challenge and the Pyramid Society Futurity classes awarded over $120,000 in prize money
to the lucky winners this year! Sporting a snappy Gatsby hat in center ring was none other than the capable judge and long time Egyptian Arabian trainer and breeder, Steve Dady. This location provided a unique opportunity to the exhibitors, as they could take advantage of entering their horses in four different shows, all during the same week. The Eastern Arabian Horse Show and East Coast Championships, both run by The Pennsylvania Horse Association, were our gracious hosts. And following our Egyptian Event, showcasing the straight Egyptian Arabian horse, was the East Coast Egyptian Classic featuring classes for Straight Egyptian and Egyptian Heritage horses. And we all love a farm visit! What could be better than driving through gorgeous Virginia countryside to see a group of ethereal Straight Egyptian Arabians living the life of luxury on emerald green hills? Even if we did miss the turn, those few miles were breathtaking, literally, over hill and dale and rivers! Superb horses, views, friends, barbecue, - thank you Amethyst Acres for your hospitality.
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STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN STALLIONS LEFT: Gold Champion Straight Egyptian Senior Stallion, Most Classic Head Stallion, and Gold Grand Champion Straight Egyptian Male MAYAAN AL NADIR SA (Ramses Mishaal Nadir x MB Maymaara), owned by Empire Egyptian Arabians of North Carolina LLC, and shown by Mike Wilson.
STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN MARES RIGHT: AMER RAADIYAH (Caiiro x AACinderella-I), Gold Champion Straight Egyptian Senior Mare, owned by Tribunal Arabians, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and shown by Mike Neal.
Upholding the educational tradition of the Event, everyone was invited to an interesting lecture by noted historian Cynthia Culbertson. Cynthia wears many hats these days, serving not only as the featured speaker but also as Vice President of The Pyramid Society and a director of The Pyramid Foundation. It is the latter organization, The Pyramid Foundation, that kindly sponsored the presentation which was titled “Romance and Reality: The History of the Straight Egyptian Arabian and its Relevance Today.” Did you know that Egyptian Arabians adapted to eating dates and camels milk because of food scarcity in the desert? I do now. The quality of the horses was terrific! The Gold Champion Junior Mare and Grand Champion Straight Egyptian Female was the simply stunning coal black Amer Sucar, who was literally created out of the ashes of tragedy. The Stallions four and Over class was a sight to behold, with eight gorgeous stallions competing. The snow white Mayaan Al Nadir, who appeared to step straight out of the desert, was eventually crowned the winner of that class as well as
Gold Champion Senior Stallion and Grand Champion Straight Egyptian Male. Saturday afternoon unfurled with bright sunshine for the Parade of Stallions, where everyone enjoyed eleven shimmering steeds while noshing on ice cream. How many future winners will be born from the twinkle in the mare owner’s eye while watching one of those stallions strut his stuff? I cannot wait to see those foals in the future. Amidst the hugs and congratulations, Pyramid Society members and Egyptian Arabian aficionados, reflected on what makes this horse so special. It is not only the fact that they are indeed unique “Jewels of the Nile” and we serve as “Guardians of the Treasure,” but also the spirit and passion we all love to share at the Gathering of the Tribe! Until next time.
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STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN JUNIOR COLTS Gold Champion Straight Egyptian Junior Colt, Most Classic Head Colt and Silver Grand Champion Straight Egyptian Male ADNAN AL JASSIMYA (Nisr Al Rayyan x Athena Al Zobair), owned by Peaceful Haven Arabians, Bridgeville, Delaware, and shown by Mike Wilson.
STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN JUNIOR FILLIES LEFT: AMER SUCAR (Justynn x Amer Sorreya), Gold Grand Champion Straight Egyptian Female, Gold Champion Straight Egyptian Junior Filly, Most Classic Head Filly, and Grand Champion Female, owned by Doubling Gap Ranch LLC, Newville, Pennsylvania, and shown by Ted Carson.
BOTTOM LEFT: GIGI D AZUR (Shaheen Al Waab x Jamila TF), Champion Two-Year-Old Futurity Filly, and Silver Champion Straight Egyptian Junior Filly, owned by Al Azure Arabian Bloodstock, and shown by Ted Carson.
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EGYPTIAN BREEDERS CHALLENGE TOP: KLA ATIGUN (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Luna Thee Cielo), Champion EBC Yearling Colt ATH, owned by Kleio Arabians, LLC, Lambertville, New Jersey, and shown by Michaiah Carson. MIDDLE LEFT: HA MAYAAN MARRAKESH (Mayaan Al Nadir SA x HA Majiids Marrakesh), Champion EBC Yearling Filly ATH, owned and shown by James Harvey, Seville, Ohio. MIDDLE RIGHT: TF KAHLUA (Scapa x TF Kampalah), Champion EBC Two-Year-Old Colt ATH, owned by Talaria Farms, Newnan, Georgia. BOTTOM LEFT: VALENTINA IMPERIAL CA (Bellagio RCA x Kamilah Rose), Champion EBC Two-Year-Old Filly ATH, owned by Caledonian Arabians, Inc., Clearwater, Florida, and shown by Gwendolyn Soong. BOTTOM RIGHT: BELLATOR (Bellagio RCA x CLM Ali Mareekha), Champion Two-Year-Old Futurity Colt, owned by Kyrie Arabians and shown by Ted Carson.
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Amethyst Acres Open House: b y Shawn Crews
It was special to have so many come out to Mark their beautiful horses presented was a treat. and Deb Burke’s on Friday afternoon during the East The mares presented were predominantly Coast Championships/Egyptian Event/Egyptian daughters and granddaughters of Thee Desperado, Classic week. Although it turned out to be one of *Mishaal HP, The Sequel RCA and Bellagio RCA. Most the most hot and humid afternoons that I have ever of the girls are also closely related through a number spent in Buchanan, Virginia, even the weather could of my favorite straight Egyptian female lines. They not put a damper on the mood for the party. go to *Deena, Imperial Mistill, Dahmah Shahwaniah Fantastic horses, a magical farm, great food and through Shahsria (from her sire AK Shah Moniet), warm hospitality from all the Amethyst Acres Equine Maar-Ree, *Hanan and Rhapsody In Black. family, and the first time in a long time so many of us Following the mare showing we were treated to an had gathered to share our horses and the friendships amazing dinner. Even if you happened to be what we we cherish so much. call a “dragee” (you don’t love horses and came only In true Amethyst Acres style, the afternoon started to be nice to your spouse), you would have considered with cocktails while strolling through the main barn. dinner worth the drive. More than one dragee has Next, Mark and Deb presented an impressive group come back to the farm for Mark’s famous barbeque. of their clients’ resident horses. What struck me was On that afternoon it was fantastic and most of us that the Amethyst Acres Equine Center’s programs went back for seconds and thirds. are laser focused During dinner on their clients’ Mark and Deb mares, fillies, and the presented the occasional colt that stallion Magic shows an abundance Elixir (The Elixir x of reasons to give Rhapsody In Black) them a chance. and four of his get. During that In Magic’s normal showing, a longtime style he was loud, successful breeder boisterous and leaned over and animated. After said, “We need more showing off, he farms like this.” I looked around will venture to say for someone with that most of the AA whom he could client family would trade a nose kiss not have considered with for a treat (or breeding at the two, or three). quality level that DW Midnight they have without Magic (who has the unbiased a legacy all her management they own, productioncan count on from wise) and Magics the Burkes. And to Sammadah AAEC, Mark Burke with the stallion MAGIC ELIXIR (The Elixir x Rhapsody that point, seeing now three years old, In Black). A H W > 86 < F A L L 2 0 2 1
SOONG PHOTO
2021 grey colt, sired by Magic Elixir and out of Shaharas Sequel RCA.
SOONG PHOTO
SOONG PHOTO
Deb and Mark Burke, owners of Amethyst Acres Equine Center, LLC.
SOONG PHOTO
LADY SINAN RCA (*Mishaal HP x Pimlicos Lady RCA), pictured with Allison Mehta and Missy Head with Beverly Smith (center) who co-owns Lady with Gwen and Warren Soong.
Filly GCA MISHAHS STORME (Shah Mishaal RCA x Shaharas Sequel RCA).
2021 filly sired by Magic Elixir and out of Desperados Hala.
both of whom trace back to *Deena through Amiri Sanaa and both exotic, represented Magic’s mature offspring. Yet it was his 2021 colt and filly that stole the show – the grey filly out of Desperados Hala (who goes back to Dahmah Shahwaniah through Shahsria), and the colt out of Shaharas Sequel RCA, The Sequel RCA’s first foal (who traces back to Hanan through Bint Shahara). It was an honor to have each and every one of you out to visit Amethyst Acres. A huge thank you to Beverly Smith who out of the blue so generously offered to sponsor this get-together and Missy Head, who helped as well. None of what we do would ever be possible without our “Purple Gang.” Many thanks also to Gwen, Susan, Angel and Vicky for your help with the horses, to Tammy, Terry and Greg for welcoming all, and Pam for all you do! Thank you to photographers Sara Phillips, Michael Stylianos and Suzanne Sturgill.
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