This year was especially exciting for me.  I was blessed with the company of cherished friends and was able to enjoy seeing some wonderful people and friends reap the rewards of years of dedication and service to their horses.  As is always the case, there were disappointments as well, but the highlights overshadowed everything.

Unquestionably the ultimate supreme winners were well deserving of their titles.  It was a beautiful lot, and the crowd roared with excitement when the beautiful stallion, Farid Nile Moon burst into the ring.   Sired by the desert dry bay beauty, Anaza El Farid, and out of the lovely chestnut, GA Moon Taj Halima (x Imperial Imperor), this horse represented the cream of his pedigree. 

Being personally acquainted with both his sire and dam, I couldn't help but reflect on the qualities he gained from both.  To see him enter the ring, one was reminded of Ruminaja Ali - head up, quivering with excitement, mane and tail flying - elegance afire.  When he slowed for a better look, one saw Anaza El Farid, only better.  To my eye, Anaza El Farid had a head like no other - bone dry, full of expression, and reflective of the greatest desert beauties that bring men to their knees.  I never saw a photograph that came close to capturing his beauty. 

Never thinking I would see this again in a son or daughter, I fought tears of joy, as standing before me was his reincarnation.  We have Farid back with extra blessings.  May God protect him. 

Equal to the fire that his sire gave, is the gentle nature of his glorious mother.  He is kind, and gentle when the call arises, exactly the type horse we all would hope to have in our barns. 

Karen Henwood and Ron Shimer, Sandybrook Arabian, have dedicated themselves to the Egyptian Arabian horse and the Pyramid Society for many years.  Their tireless work, dedication to quality, and eye for beauty culminated into a record setting year for them and for the Egyptian Event.  For the first time in it's history, the Pyramid Society awarded the supreme titles of both straight Egyptian stallion and straight Egyptian mare to a Sandybrook Arabian.

Several years ago, I enjoyed a visit to Karen and Ron's home, where I was particularly impressed by a very special young mare that was there in the field.  Her name was Deserree, and to this day her beauty has stayed etched in my mind.  With a head to die for, short, wide, and expressive, she is all things possible - beautiful, feminine, big, powerful, and elegant.  It was only fitting that she be awarded the Supreme Champion Mare title, next to the sire of the foal she carries. 

Reserve titles also represented horses of great elegance, with the extremely beautiful True Colours running close with the lovely gray Gatsby Cc.  Ultimately, it was True Colours who won the reserve title.  Both he and Deserree are by the stallion, Thee Desperado, who made quite an impact at the Event this year with some of his best get.  Also members of this site, he is proudly owned by Victoria and Vaughn Snellgrove, our Canadian neighbors. 

Like Deserree, the lovely young mare, Valour Sadeea, was hailed as Reserve Champion mare by unanimous choice.  It was a beautiful foursome at the end of the day.

There are more coming who deserve special recognition, but first I must tell you about a very special yearling that was well represented.  Her name is Antara Shalima (x Ansata Hejazi).

In the Futurity Finals of Straight Egyptian fillies, 2000, Shalima ran a close second to the beautiful Imperial Baaraah, an "own daughter" of her sire, the impressionable, Imperial Baarez.  It was a popular decision, as Shalima, a little chestnut blondie, was a real crowd pleaser.  However, it was not the Futurity Finals that brought her attention, but the most classic class that struck controversy.

Apparently no one consulted the rule book until AFTER she was awarded the unanimous title of Most Classic head, just ahead of the well known stallion, AF Cassidy.  The crowd and judges agreed that this frisky little yearling beauty deserved the title, but competitors disagreed.  The rule against yearlings entering this class was brought to everyone's attention, setting AF Cassidy in the drivers seat. 

On a personal note, I have to tell you about the owner, whom I have known for many years.  Nancy Gates, who frankly is one of the nicest, kindest people you will ever meet, acquired a gelding from Ansata several years ago.  This gelding is the apple of her eye and she has cared for him and been a loving companion from the day he entered her life.  For years this gelding was her only horse - but like us all, she eventually couldn't resist the temptation of getting a mare - one mare.  Biting the bullet, she bred her mare to the beautiful Ansata Hejazi, and Antara Shalima is her first foal.  Can you imagine the excitement of such success!  It is SO well deserved.  AF Cassidy had better move over when she enters the ring again!

One last small breeder who I would like to mention is Jennifer Parsons.  I met Jennifer a few years ago, when she became a member of this website.  Her generosity was immediately evident, and the hard work and dedication has paid off time and again.  With her stallion, Noribba, Jennifer earned the coveted High Performance Award.  Noribba is truly a versatile horse, adapting immediately from one dicipline to the next, and placing well in all.  Our congratulations to Jennifer, who will deliver her own produce just in time for Nationals, 2001. 

The small breeder ruled at this show - farms without trainers and handlers, farms where the owners do all the work from mucking stalls to handling breedings.  It is a show where the horse is the important one, it is a breeders show, plain and simple.  While blue ribbons are worn with pride, it is the individuals with certain qualities that are receiving the eye of the crowd.  People are there to observe breeding characteristics, and to choose to whom they will breed - regardless of their placements.

The Egyptian Event is laced with informative seminars, talks on Arabian history, a specialty show for the desert bred Saluki dog, numerous farm parties with great food and personal presentations of horses.  It's a great place to purchase art and gift items for those who love the Arabian horse, and most of all to meet beloved friends who you may only chance to see once a year.

This year, I enjoyed attending again with my dear friend and partner in this website, Marty Garrett, Garrett Arabians.  Marty has been a breeder in Egypt for many years, gaining many National titles with his beautiful Egyptian Arabian horses.  He will be expanding his breeding program into the UK where the home office of his business is located.

Another of our guest was our friend, Hassanain Al Nakeeb, who has farms in Jordan and England.  Hassanain owns some of the breeds most beautiful horses, and is in the process of locating them all on his estate in England.  He with his lovely wife Lynda, are a great asset to the breed, and will make an impact on the Egyptian Arabian community in England. 

If you are not yet a part of the Egyptian Arabian community or have attended the Egyptian Event, please accept the invitation of this website and the Pyramid Society to attend.  I believe, like myself, you will be very glad you did.

Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lewis - President
Marty Garrett - Vice President
 Golden Ring Associates 
dba Arabian Horses of the Great Pyramids and Arabians International