HORSEhorsetimesegypt.com/pdf/horse_times_06.pdf · Dr. Ashraf El Kalla Photos By Khaled Assem Sima Fares Ahmed Hussein Arabian Photos By The Professional Photographer Khaled Farid

HORSETIMESA Complimentary Magazine For Riders, Breeders & Horse LoversA Complimentary Magazine For Riders, Breeders & Horse LoversA Complimentary Magazine For Riders, Breeders & Horse LoversA Complimentary Magazine For Riders, Breeders & Horse LoversA Complimentary Magazine For Riders, Breeders & Horse Lovers

Issue # 6Issue # 6Issue # 6Issue # 6Issue # 6

It was wonderful to come back to the Arab world and compete this summer... It has also beenwonderful to witness the Arab Nations making their mark in the international showjumping circuitworldwide.... by competing, laying foundations, sponsoring shows, and fielding teams. Humans arestrange creatures, I guess over the five years that I have been away training and competing I felt asif time had stood still. I wondered what I was going to find when I returned. A whole new world isthe only way that I can describe it...I was most excited by this publication ‘HORSE TIMES’, and its implications for our equestrianfuture. I do believe that Egypt is one of the foundation stones of our sport, and the heritage thatEgypt has in equestrian sports and showjumping specifically, is parallel to that of any Europeancountry. Flipping through the pages of various previous issues, its mind blowing just how many‘real horsemen ‘ we have in this region. I look forward to learning from them in the future, throughtheir written words, and their experiences. I remember one conversation I had with my late father whenwe were discussing how much hype and excitement their was about ‘ bringing the equestrian sport backto the middle east.... ‘ That it was our tradition and now the west had passed us in the field. Hesmiled and said, ‘Our tradition never left us. It was just asleep, its your job to wake it up...’Meeting all my colleagues this summer again, and flipping through this publication makes me laugh,he was right, it never left us.... It’s an honour to be a small contributor to the magazine.

Yours,

Haya Bint AI-Haya Bint AI-Haya Bint AI-Haya Bint AI-Haya Bint AI-HusseinHusseinHusseinHusseinHussein

EditEditEditEditEditor in Chiefor in Chiefor in Chiefor in Chiefor in ChiefKhaled Assem

Managing EditManaging EditManaging EditManaging EditManaging Editororororor& Design& Design& Design& Design& Design

Ahmed Hussein

EditEditEditEditEditorororororsssssMona Adnan

Maha MaaloufSima Fares

Amina Khalifa

WWWWWritritritritritererererersssssHer Royal Highness Princess

HAYA Bint Al HusseinSima Fares

Yasmin El HabashyMaha Maalouf

Emad El Din ZaghloulHadiel Ezzat

Patricia CoupetMennat MokhtarMohamed Essawy

VVVVVeeeeet Cort Cort Cort Cort CornernernernernerDr. Ashraf El Kalla

PhoPhoPhoPhoPhotttttos Byos Byos Byos Byos ByKhaled Assem

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ArArArArArabian Phoabian Phoabian Phoabian Phoabian Photttttos Byos Byos Byos Byos ByThe Professional Photographer

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Letter TLetter TLetter TLetter TLetter To the Editoro the Editoro the Editoro the Editoro the EditorAAAAA

CONTENTSIssue # 6, January 2000

A Letter To The Editor 5

FEATURESThe Pan Arab Tour 6An Overview for the Pan Arab TourBy HRH Pricess Haya Bint Al-HusseinThe Real Experience 13A Review by some riders in team travellingand training abroad.Under 21 14Riders Profile series #3, by Sima Fareswith Egyptian riders Under 21Egyptian Arabians, The Legacy Of Kings 16Rahim Arabians, The Legacy Of KingsAnd The Dream Continues 18Andre Sakakini and his dreamBy Yasmin El HabashyLong Live Our Egyptian Arabian 23Review for the sixth National Championshipfor Arabian Horses Hosted by the E.A.OA message from a rider’s wife 30By Maha Maalouf

REGULARSEvergreen 12Veterinary Corner 21Classified Ads 22Racing Review 25SnapShots 26Dressage Review29

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On The CoverHRH Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein, with Shifaa’

And The Dream ContinuesAndre’ Sakakini Continues his dream, page 18

Introduction:Horses have taken me around the world,every corner of it, but I never knew whyreally...It was a stallion that made merealize after the Grand Prix in Fakra,what 17 years of hard work, tears andhomesickness, friends made and lost,happiness and character buildinglessons was about. I thought the easiestway for you to understand is to know hisstory.In Fakra, Lebanon I started the GrandPrix with a stallion that came into myteam in late June. I had worked in

Europe for five years with a healthyteam of nine horses, four of which werebeing fine tuned for the sole purpose ofthis Olympic Qualification. January 1999my top horse was injured, by mid-February the second and third in linewere injured.May the forth went. I was left with ateam of young horses that I had put 3to 4 years of work and patience into andcould not sacrifice their progress for twominutes of a grand Prix for the Olympichonor. My sponsors told my trainer theywould rent, lease buy or steal a horse

but that we had tofind one for the oneevent.This stallionappeared withintwo weeks to go toour dead line, I wastold to play with himfor a few days beforePaul would ask me tojump him. Themoment I sat in thesaddle I hatedeverything about hisride. Slow off my leg,he was sounresponsive to metrying to influence hisstride that I felt like Ihad no control. Heneeded time in the

air for this big slow scopey jump. When Igot the enormous jump he wascomfortable with, he left his shoulderstraight, and threw his back end in away that was truly spectacular... Yet ittook all my balance, strength, andflexibility to sit. I spent days with my headburied in my bit box and everyone else’sbit collections to try and find one thatwould just give me a little control. Finallywhen Paul came to see him jump I hadmy analysis ready for him: I like to thinkthat I can ride any horse, not just ‘girl’shorses’, I like to think that given time Ican turn them round my way and get aresult. But this one I just can’t, I need aplace to start, I need just one thinggoing for me that I can build on, I can’tfind it. I can’t bit him different, his mouthis soft his neck is like a bull.I don’t know but I just can’t do this. Pauland Aidan (my groom) where standingthere and they both agreed, thestallion’s history, his breeding, was thefinancial return my sponsor’s needed.His mind and his heart were all I hadgoing for me. ‘You have to believe inme, you can make this work.’I rode him in a national grand prix aweek later, he finished 6th. The two smallclasses I rode before each time with adifferent bit, each time I came out ofthe ring saying the same thing, ‘its notthe size of the fences, they could bepoles on the ground I have no control.

THETHETHETHETHEPANPANPANPANPANARABARABARABARABARABTOURTOURTOURTOURTOUR

THETHETHETHETHEPANPANPANPANPANARABARABARABARABARABTOURTOURTOURTOURTOUR

BBBBBYYYYYHER RHER RHER RHER RHER ROOOOOYYYYYAL HIGHNESSAL HIGHNESSAL HIGHNESSAL HIGHNESSAL HIGHNESS

PRINCESSPRINCESSPRINCESSPRINCESSPRINCESS

HAHAHAHAHAYYYYYA BINT ALA BINT ALA BINT ALA BINT ALA BINT AL-HUSSEIN-HUSSEIN-HUSSEIN-HUSSEIN-HUSSEIN

HER ROYAL HIGNESS PRINCESS HAYA BINT AL HUSSEINRIDING SHIFAA - PAN ARAB GAMES ‘JORDAN 1999’

really turn to anyone except mygroom and just say,’ I am happy to bealive.’ He was nearly in tears ‘ me too, Ifelt everything that you did when Iwatched it, ‘I cannot justify that feeling in words Icannot give it or share it but I can saythat I think everyone must feel their ownversion of it when they work with horses.When everyone I met said to me.... Youhave to help, you have to share what youhave learned, you have to debate,argue change this and that.’ I kept askingmyself, ‘Why? I am not indebted toanyone, beholden to anyone, or need togo through all this bureaucraticaggravation. What reason on earth do Ihave for putting myself through all thishassle?’However sitting outside that stables andletting go of three weeks of that constantcompanion called ‘doubt’ I knew why,if I could give this joy to just one otherperson from my region it would all beworth it. I spent the following weeksthinking, how?! This article is the outcome.I know enough to tell you that, I don’t

know much at all in the end. My ideasare as good as the next person you aregoing to ask.

And above all what I realized when Ipoured my heart out on paper is thatyou cannot divorce the past from thepresent, one part of our sport from thenext. It will work one way, and one wayonly.... If you can accept that onesimple point from me I am happy thatI need do no more. We all have to worktogether, all our branches, all ourdisciplines, all our federations, in all ourcountries. I mean deeds, not eulogieson Arab Brotherhood, I am afraid weare at that stage already....The article gives my perspective of thepast in the administrative, jumps fromwhat I saw in the three shows to a visionI have for the future. Its all a skeletonof ideas, it all asks for your input, itssupposed to provoke your reaction,when we can all throw enough goodintent in the air we will get the answers.I can’t give them but I think I knowenough to push in certain directions.Start with team work, it’s the essenceof mans involvement with horses, itwhat they ask of us. Let that be thefoundation.

’ Whatever way I got him to the fencehe tried, which made me feel worse, Iloved him for it. But I could notcommunicate with him on any level. Mysixth place I had to fight so hard for I feltno happiness, no elation, I felt beaten upand demoralized. Monday morning Ipulled the horses out to check them afterthe show, and I was itching afterspending all night reliving in my mind therounds to try something else... Lame, thevet came, and told me ten days thehorse walks, you are looking at two anda half to three months to get him to ashow again. I did not need a set backwhen I hated the ride anyway! So wewaited, and waited I tried to spend allthe time with him that I could and we didget him week by week fitter, soon helooked like a different horse than the oneI had been given to ride in June. TheTeam decided that after the pressures ofthe Olympic Qualification year and wewere about a month behind schedule tohit the top shows on our calendar forAugust, it was impossible for me not togo to the Pan Arab Games in Jordan.They all agreed I needed to do four orfive small shows that I could just enjoyand get fresh, and I needed to get thestallion, and another horse that hadbeen purchased by the sponsors thatfinally arrived five days before thehorses were due to ship. My horse forthe Pan Arabs was a seasoned oldcampaigner with Team Harmony, aspeed horse. That was the team Ishipped outwith, two basically new horses one oldone. The stallion whom was this side offit and I would work and it was makeor break. It was a lonely place to be,especially when all my Arabcolleagues where expecting this quietapproach, coupled with 5 years awaymeant that I had some miracle up mysleeve!I trained the first two days before thegames, and Lasangos felt like healways felt. I worked the horseeveryday, felt a little step forward at theend of the hour, only to take two stepsbackwards the next day. Day beforewe left for Syria, I put up a course... andtwo hours later I broke down in tearswhen I could not figure out how to adda stride on one simple tiny distance. Wewent to Latakia and I said the horse hastwo shows if he does not work there, thenI sit on him the last time in Fakra. We didjump the first class clear in Latakia. Hedragged me into to two fences in thejump off, we finished forth but I wasfurious. I went check them in the morningand he had an eye the size of a tennisball. He must have hit it in the stablesovernight, whatever it had swollen shuthe would not start again that show. Bythen I resigned myself, put him on a fitnessprogram of beach exercise. I thought if Isell him, I sell him fit. I don’t need to jumphim again I know the outcome anyway.Fakra was his swan song.... No one said itbut we all knew it. We arrived there andthe weather made a big difference tothe horse. The fitness work had paid offand I took a gamble in a bridle, I wassticking with it whatever.I jumped him for the first time in theopening class. The horse went frompower

to power, all of a sudden all the gruelingdays, the tears the fights, the cajoling allcame together into this partnership Ihave never known the likes of before.When I compete though I never forgetwhere I am or what is on the cards. Threedays I rode the stallion in the ring, I forgotwhere I was, did not hear anything butthe thunder of his hooves hitting the sand,and could not feel anything but awe andwonder at this power. It was likelightening off the ground and we justseemed to soar. I was sitting out side thestable yard after the Grand Prix, the showground was buzzing. Everyone wanted tobuy him, or breed from him, everyonesaid he was easy, you just have to sit andhe jumps. We all looked at each otherand smiled... We knew!I turned to tell someone what it felt like,but how could I say it? What I wanted tosay was that when I jumped those fencesall that kept going through my mind waswonder, at this magnificent animal, at hispower at his majesty. I wondered Godfor creating these magnificent creatures.I thanked God for giving me the honor

of riding him, of lettingme for those fewminutes feel totally asone with him. I thoughtmy instructions literallyand he responded tothe slightest tilt of mybody, I felt himprepare for a turn as Iturned my head overthe fence withouteven giving him theaids. I forgoteverything but thatfeeling that our twohearts for two minutesbeat as one and wespoke the samelanguage.It was such a simpleprofound joy I wantedto share it, I couldn’t

PAN ARAB TOUR BY HRH PRINCESS HAYA BINT AL-HUSSEIN

HRH PRINCESS HAYA BINT AL HUSSIENRIDING CERA

HRHPRINCESS HAYA BINT AL HUSSIEN WITH SHIFAA’

Administrative:The Middle East falls into FEI Group VII, asrecently as the FEI General Assembly inBerlin 1992, the Group was fondly knownas the ‘trash can’ of the Internationalbody...it was compromised of the largestamount of National Federations with theleast activities. During the Group sessionsin 1992 it was agreed that the groupshould be divided in three ways, intogeographically adjacent landmasses.Three subgroups were created. SubGroups A and B were North and SouthAfrica respectively and Sub- Group C wasArabia, Cyprus, India, Turkey, Iran andPakistan.It is important to add at this juncture thatthe lack of activity in this area was stilldue to one very specific problem, and itwas not laziness or lack of enthusiasm. Itwas practically solely due to AfricanHorse Disease. The ideologies and politicsof this fly that that remained adherent tothe borders of specific nations and notothers that were climatically identicalremained an enigma to me and manythat I discussed it with. Howeverconfusing this concern was itspracticalities were clear. We had ahandful of countries that were labeledclean all geographically separated by anation thatw a s‘infected’. Theonly way tot r a n s p o r thorses legallythrough an infected area was by plane.How to create a circuit when you had tobook a plane, for 4 horses? Some had it,some did not, those who had it really hadit more on paper. And it took all Ipossessed both in charm, cajoling, andeventually threats of quite an extremenature to persuade those who believedthat to fill out the forms, and process thenecessary paper work stating that theywere’ clean’.... Meant writing to oldcolonial powers to become ‘accepted’.More minor, but prevalent was politics,shows would be planned thencompetitors who were more often thannot friends between themselves wouldbe prevented from competing. Stresslevels ran high in run-ups to international

events

when 8 countries agreed to turn up and6 cancelled last minute.The third factor was communicationdelays in post box pickup, and federationsbeing run on a part-time basis was alsoa little to do with politics, it was a kind of;optional we are open to business if thereis a thing we areinterested indoing. But chasea n o t h e rfederation tofollow up on anu n p l e a s a n tissue, avoidingcommunicationseemed a farmore tactfulway of turningone down,rather thantaking on theissue. For those ofus who weretrying to ride and support our federationsit was tough, in retrospect I can almostunderstand the policy of selectivecommunication seeing as in those daysmost of the Arab federations were run byleading quite political figures and noteven horses managed to bridge those

gaps at thoset i m e s .It was PrinceFaisal of SaudiArabia whob e c a m e

Group VII leader at that time, whocreated the sub groups on the advise ofhis predecessor and the first Arabmember of the bureau Saad Khalifa whoremained the father of the group innearly every way, his long history in thesport helped the group steer through notonly the political hiccups from within everpromoting the fact that for the sake ofthe horse we should rise above ourproblems. But also steering all themembers through the intricacies of astamping ground he knew better thaneven most of the European delegates, FEIpolitics. And whether you care to believeit or not I was amazed at the time tocome to realize that no matter howcomplicated the Arab Israeli issue was...

FEI politics seemed to beat thatby miles! So for those two men thesubgroup idea flew and flew fast. Itworked well in elevating the issues that Imentioned in one specific way, thesmaller land masses to work with madea solution to the African Horse disease

‘conceivable’.A number ofcountries didgain the statusin a very shortperiod of time.The smallernumber ofc o u n t r i e screated akind offamiliarity thatsupercededn a t i o n a linternationalfrictions inmany cases,

and overcame even the postman. Intheir meeting s they were also bound bya common tongue, which made theshyer members of the group quite verbalindeed, and the initial Bureau worry thatthe additional five non Arab members ofthe subgroup would be ostracized wasovercome with genuine Arab hospitalityand all the necessary flare!

In the year of its conception there wasone event that took place in the Arabnations at a level they were comfortableat, CSA Latakia, Syria. There were anumber of other events in well-established equestrian nations that wereinvitational events catering mostly forinternational riders from Europe. (Egypt,Morocco, Libya.) After the GA in Berlin,the Sub Group organized as its first eventa fruitful veterinary meeting in Cyprus todiscuss the issue of the movement ofhorses across borders, In 1993 there weretwo general assemblies organized thatinvolved the Pan Arab federationmembers and the FEI representatives inthe region. ... In 1993 the number ofinternational events went from the 4above-mentioned to seven additionalInternational Horse Shows!

The FEI General Assembly in Tampa,Florida was one of the saddest times inmy equestrian career. Firstly Cyprus wasmoved from Group VII to Group II (withEurope and Israel). Undoubtedly a greattransfer for the Cypriots, but for me theyhad been an unbelievably dynamicnation working with very little and makingfrom it so very much.

They crowned this transfer in style whenthey qualified one rider Antonis MichaelPetris for the world cup finals 1995. Hisfather Michael Petris, is one of the vets inthe subgroup who had been the greatestmoving force in the eradication programof the disease. Then, to make mattersworse, having seen how well the sub-group idea had worked the furthersubdivision of the subgroups was lobbied.Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, andLibya, next Jordan Syria and Lebanon.And the last subdivision was the gulf allgrouped together.


HRH PRINCESS HAYAWITH‘LASANGROS’

LATAKIA 1999

HRH PRINCESS HAYA BINT AL HUSSIEN RIDING GHANDI

More minor, butprevalent was politics

However the motion was passed and atloss for what to do next I turned to SaadKhalifa. What we had achieved was onlydone so because the stronger countrieshad carried the weaker ones for adviseand what he said that day was tochange my life and give me some of thehappiest times I ever had since then, “Why don’t you just ride, not in the MiddleEast as you have been, but go to Europe.You have an Olympic dream, what isstopping you?”That was my last day in equestrianpolitics, there was a gradual decline inevents, and until this Pan Arab Year wewere back to 3 international shows in theregion.A number of other positive things didhappen though. Prince Faisalcommissioned the most beautiful seriesof books that celebrates the history of theregion and its involvement with horses.Its called ‘Al Furusia’ it shows photos andtexts that date as far back as the Hittites...He sent his books and an exhibit aroundthe world and educated many whomlooked upon the region as basicallyignorant. The movement to sanitize thearea continued, and there are now only

a select few nations that have not gainedthe status, disease free. Many of the reallyenthusiastic riders who saw no future intheir own region moved to Europe, totrain and ride and through solid,reasonable investments started to eataway at the ‘Arabs can only buy success‘ reputation. The Saudi’s based a teamthat competed in the Atlanta OlympicGames, and they were shadowed by thisreputation when they against all odds didso well there. They beat the reputationby moving around from Germany toFrance, now Belgium and notching upresults in their wake. The Emirates basedin France, again invested well in horses,Oman, Jordan.. What I mean by investedwell, is that for reasonable prices theytraveled around and found good toexcellent horses that is not easy at all. Iwas talking to one of the most famousdealers recently about the progress andhe said “ you know, money can buy thosehorses, but your people know them, that’sjust horsemanship,you don’t find that often.’ And its true, ‘ourpeople are showing the world thathorsemanship is not a distant memory ofthe past, it was a sleeping monster, andnow its moving.

This whole article could actually besummarized into one very simplesentence.... Sorry to put you all throughthis painful reading but (!) all the Arabworld really needs is shows! The rest of thisis all subjective supportive debate to thisfact. No more and no less at all. Notrandom shows but a circuit that suits allthe Arab countries which in fact issomething that no matter how much weall enjoy arguing and debating has to bein the end dictated by the climate. Quitesimply the question is to start firstly apermanent outdoor circuit becausethere are actually very few good indoorsin the area, on top of which the rhythmthat a rider needs to ride indoors isactually very different from your outdoorrhythm, and while we still are undecidedwhich course builders are our favorites itis actually much more difficult to causeriders serious problems outdoors in alarger space. My idea is so as to avoidrunning before you can walk and buildon the things we have.So if there is simply an outdoor circuit that

could start out by running a sunshinecircuit in the gulf countries, as far northas Egypt, for 8 weeks. And run months inthe cooler climates of Jordan, Syria, andLebanon... One could even considerlong term looking at a special spring runof shows for say ‘star spotters’ looking forexceptional young horses that could bea three or four week exhibitional title typecompetition. An idea that I have alwaysbeen amazed by is the German younghorse championships. It basically runs aqualification system that marks horses allthrough the summer season of style andway of jumping.Of course the only people who areinterested in watching thesecompetitions are real horse enthusiastsand breeders.. So they always take placeat totally unreasonable hours of themorning, all season, and the horses areseparated by their respective agegroups. Then in the end of the seasoncomes the show piece thechampionships itself. Out of this you geta three, four five and six-year-old Germanchampion. I am offering this idea as aregional competition for a simple reason,we do not have enough age groups in

one country to create a seriouschampionship, but regionally we would.

From my point of view it would create avery important asset, it would also allowpeople in our region to go in the showring and for the primary objective to bethat the horse jumps nicely and not forthem to win, going full speed at suicidalrates...learning how to produce a horseand manage it is the objective ofhorsemanship, and if we can teach thatin a very subtle, indirect way, create thatpsychological mindset, that would beone of the biggest steps forward that thisregion could take. To take this heroic,idiotic frightening approach away fromriders ethics and teach them thatallowing the horse to best express himselfin the way he performs is the ultimate isthe biggest battle. I can’t see any otherway of telling kids that their approach justis not cool... except for taking the pressureoff them and putting the spotlight on thehorse. Also you create a very importantmarket, buying and selling horses is a lotdifferent when you have a label, to thepackage. Even if one or two good horseswere produced in the region and got outto Europe word travels really fast, believeme. The gold diggers would be here inno time, and when you can say “This isthe Arab 5 year old champion” it’s about5 zero’s different to your price!The spring is obviously a low time forcrowds but the idea is that for a breedingevent and one that focuses on the sporthorse you are catering for the enthusiastsanyway, why push hard to get thecrowds?If you could aim to get two or three yearsinto the event the major Europeandealers and breeders and all of the Arabsit a real big step forward, spring is alsothe European dead season and it wouldbe ideal. Europe is in front of theequestrian world because it offers sucha huge amount of equestrian events, andactually to be realistic, in all of ourlifetimes that is not going to change. Buton another note the Europeans are alsoin front because they have the market.Americans, Mexicans, Arabs, everyonegoes there to buy horses...

The sellers hold the cards if you are notbeholden to the dealer you are buyingfrom himself, you are beholden to theagent, or the ‘friend ‘ who for 10% or afavor somewhere down the road who willgive you some totally irrelevant advicethat makes you decide yay or nay. Wecan do that too. No I am not kidding youin two years we will not be a Holland or aGermany producing sport horses in thethousands. I see countless good horsesin Europe every day in my workplace, butI noticed that no Arab has ever asked me“ How many bad horses do you see?” Ifthey did they would be surprised to knowI see as many bad horses per capita as Ihave here in the Arab world for sure.What the premeditated production ofthe sport horse would do is simply this,breed a kind of respect that so far is nonexistent here, and the most important tome as an Arab is it would primarily breedself respect and conviction in ones ownknowledge.


Urgently needed ! !Urgently needed ! !

Jordan:The facility in Jordan is brand new.Actually, from the point of view of theGames that was half the problem, therewere magnificent stables 4x4 m , in a wellventilated cement block, in a large horseshoe shape. All separated by a servicearea for each set of ten stables, with tackrooms and feed rooms. Electricity socketsevery second box.Wash boxes included. Showersand bathrooms for the groomsand riders, and an administrativearea. The recent birth of thefacility (completion date 11 daysbefore the start of the games. Iwas that usage quickly illuminatedthe drawbacks and weaknesses.Unmistakably unacceptable wasthe ground. The first team inpointed it out, but as the Ammanmunicipality worked around theclock for 4 days and ripped theground up and replaced it 6 timesbecause every other person hada new idea.... We did end up withan acceptable surface that wasunfortunately far from great. Theproblem being that the sand we haveabundantly is just too fine, it lacks somesort of a cohesive agent, that if wateredwould somehow hold it. What we haveslides when the horses take off and rollsaway as they land. It was hard to walk in,and if I had not been under so muchpressure at the time, I would havelaughed with my sister’s at the picture ofall these Arab riders wandering aroundthe ring with Jordanian stewards andengineers keen to listen and try andunderstand this weird breed of peoplewho called themselves riders... who wereall slipping sliding and stomping aroundthe rings, jumping in the air and trying todemonstrate how horses take off andland. I was actually surprised that themunicipality, and the major took this allso seriously, not only that but that theyturned up and watched the event,cheered for all their ground experts!The location was picturesque, in the heartof the city of Amman. The plans were onthe books for 15 years now, but it is dueto the Federation and its PresidentPrincess Alia who finally secured it fromthe various other ‘serious’ sports who kepteating little bits away over the years.

She fought hard for herplot and securedequestrianism as thepulse of the Sport City. Itis now undeniable.Probability and possiblywould nearly guaranteethat we will never againhave a swimmingcompetition at the sametime as show jumping...But unfortunately the waythings went the OlympicPool found its peak timesas equestrianism did. Sothe riders had to copewith the cheering andmusic throughout their

rides. I am a fan of consistency though,and the good part was the events rantogether all the time, and there wascheering all the time. Actually I did notreally notice it the second day!The main thing that I would change is thedrainage in the stables, I actually saw thesame system in Syria, so I am guessing itcomes out of some book like ‘ ten bestways to build a stables’. But there arethese open grid drains that are about 20cm wide that run directly outside eachstable door the full way around the yard.

If you follow it its tunneled undergroundto the sewage down the hill into the mainlines. The idea is that any liquids passedby the horses run out of the stables intothe drains, out to the main system. Realitydictates though that contractor’s shouldget rid of the book! Any liquids passedby the horses stay in the wet shavings andare removed by the grooms, as theyusually are. But what does go into thedrains and blocks themcreating this frighteningstill, stagnant, stinkingwater are the shavings!Easy to fix though, andthey did not ever get tothe stinking stage butthey would have... Blockthe drains up, as in coverthem completely withcement, and have aclosed muck heap, at therear end of the stableyard where the refusecan be collected anddoes make excellentagricultural fertilizer, infact in Europe they evengo so far as selling it.

If I had three wishes from agenie in a magic lantern I would havesaid, build me a car park that facilitatesthe Olympic pool and the Equestriancenter on the right hand side of thefacility if you stand with your back to thestables. Directly in front of the stadiumbuild me an indoor arena that’s 35mx70mincluding seating for 6,000 people, so wecould run our own indoor shows andcreate a Middle Eastern World CupLeague. Extend the seating all around thestadium, as a higher more enclosedentity, that would help block sound andcreate much more atmosphere andcharacter to the ring itself. And leaveroom on the long side behind the royalbox for underneath administrativeoffices. And a play area for those childrenthat come with their parents to the showsand love to do things that make yourheart stop like,’ lets touch that horseywhen you are passing them at fullgallop... or scream because you hit afence, or scream because you did notbut they are bored. I don’t always blamethem, horse shows are boring, buthopefully if they can have fun there theywill drag their parents along more often!And this was a generous genie.

Syria:I took great pleasure in watchingthe mouths of my German trainerand my groom drop open in awewhen they saw the stadium inSyria. It is certainly impressive, andit is an asset to our sport. It is afootball stadium that they use forthe event, I was told when pushedthey seat 45,000 people. Six yearsago when Major Basil Al Asad wasriding there I remember thestadium being pretty much full,there were a good thirty thousandpeople at a conservative guess.This year we managed 10,000 forthe main event. Besides Aachenand Dublin that is probably one of

the most awe inspiring rings I have everridden in my career the way that thestadium and public tower over you asyou perform makes you feel really veryinsignificant. It is not a place to take aspooky green horse at all. The nice thingis that they do have a multipurposeathletics track around the football pitchat minimum viewing distance, the crowdis close as they can be to the sport itself,


VIEW OF THE STADUIM - LATAKIA 1999

VIEW OF THE STADUIM -LEBANON 1997FACILITIESFACILITIES

VIEW OF THE LATAKIA COAST

and horses and riders do not get lost whileperforming in that ring. The course builderan Italian ****** managed to be buildrelated distances and nice courses in thering without getting lost by its size. He alsoused the whole ring in a way that was anice consideration of space withouthaving courses that felt like marathons toride.

In all three countries I would criticize theuse of fence material, which wasbasically plain standards with advertisingboards and flowers in all three shows. Noreal special picturesque or culturalfences.The warm up was a little on the hard sideand in both Jordan and Syria there werethese watering systems that were actuallyvery dangerous. They look like these littleflying saucers that sit randomly in theground and you don’t know they are inyour way unless you are about to be orare on top of one. Either way itunpleasant for the horse, if you see it intime, you don’t need to send for the horsedentist for a while as you practically ripthe horses molars out to avoid them, orelse you step on one wrong and get aninjury. I think that we should justremember to cover them over.The stable is a good kilometer from thering in Syria, and since Icompeted there lastthey built a very modernnew stable area, whichis altogether cooler,better aired, and anorganized structure tolook at. With a largewash area, and good3x4m boxes. Theycreated their own slidingdoor system, with localmaterials that was veryfunctional, safe for thehorses, and would becheap to duplicate. Itdidn’t look at all cheap,or function cheaply untilyou really study thematerials and look at thedesign. It would marketwell in Europe if theypatented it!The show ran four weeks later than itsusual calendar date due to the Pan ArabGames. I was worried about the humiditythat I remember well from years past, butthose four weeks made a big difference.The climate was good to ride, and witha little extra care and notice to the fluidintake of the horses I saw no markeddifference in their performance at all.

Lebanon:I never in my whole life saw use andcohabitation of nature and landscapecombined with human design as I diduntil I saw this facility. The rock formationin the hills around Fakra is practicallycomparable to stagnates andstalagmites that grow in caves from theceiling down as systoles. Except theserocks grew from the ground up in hugeclosely coupled formations. It wasbeautiful and very rugged landscape, ifsomeone where to take me up there withno buildings in sight, I would have thought

that man could never carve or build inthese mountains. So raw and so stunning.However the Lebanese did, they createdan area of chalets a hotel, and the ridingfacility and I understand that they arecompleting golf courses and other resortfacilities. In complete contradiction withthe landscape in a way that was trulycharming their facility is neat, tidy,compact and very very civilized. There iseverywhere you look from the outskirts ofthe bring that are made up from the cutaway piles rock totally symmetrically laid,but totally in character with the scenery.To the ring the nestles into the mountainside, to the tiers that on one level havethe warm up ring and the next two levelshave pine and cement stables there istotal undevoted attention to detail. Somuch so that I could hardly manage tostudy it all, and could not hope to dojustice to it in words. The facility matchesany and every international specificationand would honor any rider to ride there.The climate is fantastically fresh, vergingon cold they told me 4 weeks after theshow the area would close and horsesmoved down to Beirut because the snowwould claim it. Indeed the fogthreatened rain, and I was not the onlyone who frowned from the saddle andglanced at the sky, but we got none.

All three facilities matched internationalspecifications.

None of the three facilities organized theirevents up to international specifications.All three had their charming Arabhospitality, and if any rider had asked fordove’s milk the organizing committeeswould have bent over backwards toprovide it.

None of the facilities had one or moreserious or even half-serious professionalsrunning their show. It’s not a personalcriticism at all, just an observation.

All three had hours of technical meetingsthat involved discussions over the mostirrelevant issues, classes did not start ontime, start lists appeared or did not at allonly moments before the classes.

Judges and stewards walkedaround pulling out highly obscure rulesthat really were not relevant to anythingat all, but just gave them something tosay. While at the same time they ignoredbasic safety like having 20 people whoreally had nothing special to do butinterfere in the warm arena andalternately either nearly got kicked or runover by riders, and amazingly still werenot more careful.There was also this attitude that really wasunstomachable were administrators ranaround with their FEI rulebooks andwhipped them out as soon as yougreeted them. Every sentence beganwith, “According to article.... YOUCANNOT...” I am used to it, but I found itthe hardest thing to come back to afterEurope, my trainer made me laughthough when he looked at me in our lastshow and sighed, “ I just cannot figure itout, THERE IS NO SPORT HERE.THERE IS NO SPORT! There areless than 16 horses in the big class, whydo they keep throwing out rules, theseshows can’t even be classified asInternational. Are you guys trying to makea sport or kill it?” He is right, so right its notfunny. So many people are just caughtup in their own self-importance walking

around, surgically attachedto the FEI Rules andRegulations, it was scary.They change the categoryof the show itself, in order tofind another rule that suitsthem better at the time. Ithink it’s clever actually, inEurope they wouldprobably be lessimaginative and saysomething uncouth like itscheating. There was such athin line though it was hardto separate all the time. Ithink that there is one reallyimportant sentence in thatbook, it says “translate theabove mentioned rules in asporting manner.”The thing is we have got tobuild the sport before we

throw the rules around, I am sorry that isthe only way I can say it. Again, not I orany other expert can help the regionunless that is faced. If we can’t see wherewe are then we can’t take any stepforward.If you were a professional trying to doyour job, it was grueling, hard, and veryunpleasant.

I humbly suggest that the Arab countriesinvest in marketing companies like BCM orSEPA, to organize one or two or three yearsworth of events, riders have to train butorganizing committees too. Its actually inthe organizers interest to invite anunbiased third party to do that job for awhile so that they can learn, and theyunpopular job of saying to complainingdelegation heads that they should just ,”Shut up and enjoy the show...” as well asjust professionalize the whole event andmore importantly prioritize changes, sothat its not such a big daunting mess, butwe have achievable, progressive goals.


SUMMARYSUMMARY

A knight in shining armour. A movie star.A natural charmer with a smile to die for.Sima Fares was privileged to meet the man whointroduced the equestrian sport into the Egyptain actingscene.

Ahmed Mazhar remembers how his passion for horses began.As a child, Ahmed Mazhar began riding donkeys in his farm, whenever he got the chance to travel to the countryside. He lovedriding and taking care of horses himself. Of his most pleasurable times, Mazhar recalls taking the horses for a swim in the riverto cool off the hot summer days. His slender build and physical fitness helped him excel in riding, and at the early age of 20 hejoined the Military college as a student, to be able to ride under constant supervision. He began riding religiously anddeveloped an interest in show jumping. With a heart as brave as a lion’s, nothing could stop Mazhar from riding any horse, nomatter how dangerous or stubborn it was. Riding in the army Mazhar recalls one of his many braveheart stories.At that time, for official ceremonies and funeral parades only black horses could be ridden. They were largely built powerfulhorses with a lot of energy; but since they were seldomly used except in training for the occasion, they became impossible tocontrol. On that day, 4 of those horses were harnessed to acarriage, waiting for a volunteer to drive them to theirdestination. After several failed attempts to stop the evercharging horses, the mission was called off. But that’s whenMazhar took it upon himself as a challenge that he had to win.He sat in the carriage, took hold of the reins, and off charged the4 horses with full speed. Mazhar did lose control and found itimpossible to stop the horses from taking the lead. Thespectators were expecting to watch another failing attempt,when Mazhar began directing the horses towards a wall - a deadend that is. They had no choice other than stopping, thoughtMazhar to himself, because horses are smart animals and wouldnot hurt themselves. And that is exactly what happened. Afterseveral rounds of cantering around and stopping against thewall, Mazhar gradually began bringing them to a halt away fromthe wall and the ride ended in a peaceful finale where all 4horses obediently stopped in the middle of the arena. Thespectators and officers present cheered hysterically for Mazhar,as he stepped down the carriage full of self-satisfaction andjoyful pride.

Whilst Mazhar was still in the army, the director of the Arabic movie, “Zohoor El Islam,” or “The Beginning Of Islam,” asked fora good looking rider to act in his film. He auditioned for the role and was immediately given the part - the start of a brilliantcareer. Most of Mazhar’s movies involved horses and revealed his equestrian talents. Eventually his acting career took overmost of his time, but Mazhar’s love for horses remained the same. He always owned horses, which he rode for pleasure on a

regular basis. However, Mazhar still remained active and madeappearances in many international and local shows. He was asked tojudge constantly in competitions, as well as help design showjumping courses.Talking about his equestrian career, Mazhar recalls Salli Alla El Nabias his favourite mare ever. He was the one who broke and trainedher, then rode her for some time before Mohamed Selim Zaki begancompeting with her. Mazhar was head of the Egyptian OlympicEquestrian team from 1952 to 1960. He was also Commander of theArmy Barracks for a certain time.

About his favourite way to train horses, Mazhar prefers the freegentle way to the controlled method. A horse that has been treatedharshly in its early years will always reluctantly submit to discipline,as it will have visions of the ill treatment in its memory forever.Whereas, a horse handled gently with care at a young age, will bewilling to perform at its fullest to satisfy its rider.

Ahmed Mazhar is the definitive graceful horseman, theperfect star and so he shall remain: evergreen in thehearts of the Egyptian people.

My name is Mennat Mokhtar, I am 18 yearsold. Last summer I went to Holland on ariding trip organised by my trainer KhaledAssem. It lasted two weeks and involved anintensive riding program as well as someother activities. This trip proved itself verybeneficial concerning both riding andpersonal pleasure.

On August lst, we arrived at the hotel of asmall town at noon. After all theaccommodation arrangements were through,we drove up to the stables, anticipating thearrival of the horses. During the followingtwo days each of us tried out the assignedhorses and after everyone was settled, thetraining began. We had a dressage trainer, ajumping trainer and a stable managementteacher. We trained on regular basis; andaccording to a schedule, put by our jumpinginstructor Arno Neessen. We rode dressageand jumping everyday, and sometimes twicea day, throughout the two weeks. Besidethe normal riding lessons, we went outhacking (forest rides) and took a stablemanagement lesson. By the end of the twoweeks I learned how to tack, shower andgroom the horse, clean the stable and thetack and much more. Because there wereno grooms, every time we rode, we practicedeverything we learned all over again. At theend of every week, we had a competitioneither inside or outside the riding centre.After this intensive training session, Iacquired a better understanding ofhorsemanship and many techniques which Inow know are the essential basics to becomea good rider.Arno once told me :‘It is not a matter ofjumping high, but of being in total control ofthe horse, yet harmoniously,” .For me, this trip was my first ridingexperience abroad. Besides riding, I verymuch enjoyed the company of the group,especially the six little “munchkins’ (or so weused to call the kids on the trip), who wereall very helpful, co-operative and funny. Thewhole group soon became friends whichmade us enjoy the trip even more.

My name is Mohamed Essawy, I am 10 yearsold. Horseback riding is my favorite sport, Itrain almost 5 times a week. Last summer,my trainer Mohamed Khalifa suggested tome a Riding camp in Holland. Of-course Iagreed and was very excited to join. Ithought it would be just a fun trip to Hollandwith some horseback riding !! But there Idiscovered that it was a real course ineverything related to horseback riding. Welearned how to groom our horses, how tofeed them and how to saddle them up. Wehad learned all this before, but theequestrian life abroad is very different. Thehorse is totally dependant on the rider andnot on the groom. So we used to spend mostof our days riding and caring for the horses.Riding different horses in a different placewas a big experience. The biggestexperience was attending internationalshows and meeting international riders ‘we met Rodrigo Pessoa’.This clinic made a real team out of us.In October when my trainer told me thatArno Neessen is coming to our center“Stallion” we all attended on daily basis,although we had exams. We went to school,studied hard and still attended the clinic.What really mattered was the reunion.

October was a month full of activities, hard work and training formost riders. El Obour tournament was held at a different club everyFriday during that month.For some riders it was more intensive, as they attended a trainingclinic during the last week of October, just before the finals.The clinic conducted by the professional rider and trainer Mr. ArnoNeessen, who was invited to Egypt by Khaled Assem, took place in3 different places. Gezira club, Police head quarters and StallionEquestrian Center.

In the (Stallion Equestrian Center) clinc, it was a combination ofStallion , Ferosia and Abdel Kader Academy riders, a total of 20horses hosted by Stallion Equestrian Center.

Mohamed Khalifa, owner and General Manager of Stallion did all thenecessary arrangements to have a successful clinic. He managed tohost all visiting 20 horse at his stables, built and painted extrafences and lit the sand arena since the clinic started at 6:00pm.

The riders showed a very nice team spirit, although they were fromdifferent clubs, yet their trip to Holland has developed theirfriendship. Most of the riders’ parents were there almost everydaywatching their children’s performance, as well as to enjoy the nicecompany of the group.

Although riding does take a bit of time, especially during schooldays, yet it motivates and inspires them when it comes to studying.The clinic days flew like wind, and ended by a nice birthdaycelebration for two of the riders.

The intensive one week clinic of jumping and flat work provedfruitful during the finals at El Obour tournament. Mr. Neessenattended the show with his trainees, gave them his instructions aswell as his feedback after the competition.

Well this is just the beginning; it was the first clinic, but not the lastone. Waiting for more clinics.

TTTTThhhhhis Is Jis Is Jis Is Jis Is Jis Is Just Tust Tust Tust Tust The Behe Behe Behe Behe BeginnigginnigginnigginnigginnigTTTTThhhhhis Is Jis Is Jis Is Jis Is Jis Is Just Tust Tust Tust Tust The Behe Behe Behe Behe Beginnigginnigginnigginnigginnig By Hadiel EzzatBy Hadiel EzzatBy Hadiel EzzatBy Hadiel EzzatBy Hadiel Ezzat

MISMISMISMISMISSION IMPOSSION IMPOSSION IMPOSSION IMPOSSION IMPOSSIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: TTTTTo get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on theiro get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on theiro get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on theiro get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on theiro get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their

minds) to build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fminds) to build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fminds) to build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fminds) to build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fminds) to build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fares succeeded. ares succeeded. ares succeeded. ares succeeded. ares succeeded. MISMISMISMISMISSIONSIONSIONSIONSIONIMPOSIMPOSIMPOSIMPOSIMPOSSIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: SIBLE: TTTTTo get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their minds) too get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their minds) too get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their minds) too get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their minds) too get 10 teenage riders (with more than Spice Girls on their minds) to

build a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fbuild a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fbuild a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fbuild a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fbuild a pyramid, pose and smile. Sima Fares succeeded.ares succeeded.ares succeeded.ares succeeded.ares succeeded.

Name: Mohamed BoraieAge: 15 years old

Riding Club: SportingTrainer: Samir Abdel FattahHorse: Renville, a 5.5 yr. oldDutch gelding - Matador, a 9 yr.old Dutch gelding -Cartago, a 6yr. old German mare -

Casanova, 6.5 yr. old Dutchgelding - Cappucino, an 11yr. old Dutch mareTraining schedule: Rides 3

times a weekCompetes in: Under 14 years, under 18 years and NewcomersBest Achievement:Role Model: Thierry PommelHoroscope: CapricornWants to be: BusinessmanFavorite food: ChineseOther hobbies: Listening to 2 pac, Ramadan El Berence and movies.Riding Comments:

Name: Mohamed BoraieAge: 15 years oldRiding Club: Sporting

Trainer: Samir Abdel FattahHorse: Renville, a 5.5 yr. old

Dutch gelding - Matador, a 9 yr.old Dutch gelding -Cartago, a 6

yr. old German mare -Casanova, 6.5 yr. old

Dutch gelding -Cappucino, an 11 yr. old

Dutch mareTraining schedule: Rides 3

times a weekCompetes in: Under 14 years, under 18 years and Newcomers

Best Achievement:Role Model: Thierry Pommel

Horoscope: CapricornWants to be: Businessman

Favorite food: ChineseOther hobbies: Listening to 2 pac, Ramadan El Berence and movies.

Riding Comments:















Riding Comments:

14















Riding Comments:















Riding Comments:















Riding Comments:

RAHIM ARABIANSRAHIM ARABIANS

Egyptian ArabiansEgyptian Arabians

Dr. Ali Abdel Rahim, owner of Rahim Arabians, with his mare “Hager”,reserve champion of Egypt, EAO, for both years 1998 & 1999.

Founded: 1974Owner : Dr. Aly Abdel RahimLocation: Bordering the Western Desert, next to the

Temple Of The Sun, And Abou SeerPyramids, Giza - Egypt.

Mailing : 1 Sphinx Square - Mohandessin 12411,Address Giza - EgyptTel. : ++2 (02) 388 3602 / 03Fax : ++2 (02) 388 4350E-Mail : [email protected] : 10 Brood Mares, Total 30 Top Quality Striaght of Horses Egyptian Horses, with outstanding performance

at the Halter Shows and Race Tracks in Egypt.Rahim Arabians Stables

The Egyptian Arabian Horse is a priceless heritage that has been handed down to us by our ancestors, andit is our duty to keep that legacy intact. Our goal and aim is to pass on the ecstasy and pride one achievesin breeding that noble animal in its natural surroundings and conditions on to the next generation.Quality surrounds the Egyptian Arabian Horse, in fact quality has but one definition and that is theEgyptian Arabian. Grace, beauty, elegance and pride are all manifested in it and it was for these qualitiesand more that this noble animal was from time immemorial cherished.We are ardent admirers and devotees of that breath taking animal, and Rahim Arabians are honoured andproud to belong to that world wide family that is passionately dedicated in preserving them.Rahim Arabians are situated in one of the unique sites of the world. Situated between the ‘Sakkara StepPyramid’ and the ‘Great Pyramids of Giza’, Rahim Arabians borders the ancient Solar Temple of ‘AbuGhorab’ and its pyramid. Hence, providing that noble animal a haven in its natural peaceful surroundingsinfluenced by the positive energies of this peerless site.It is at Rahim Arabians that you can see examples of these breath taking beauties as they prance proudly,with flaring nostrils and proud tilt to their necks looking towards the desert that runs in their veins. It iswith great pride that Rahim Arabians offspring have brought fame to their new owners such as the legend-ary stallion ‘El Ameer’, champion of Egypt for 1993 & 1994, and the colt ‘Negm El Din’ Reserve Cham-pion of Egypt International Competition at the EAO, Oct. 1999.

Bint MaamounaChampion Mare - March 98

Nile AllureChampion Most Classical Head & Reserve Champion Mare - March 98

Bint El-NilChampion Filly - Feb 99, Champion Fillies and Mares - EAO Oct 99

And tAnd tAnd tAnd tAnd the Drhe Drhe Drhe Drhe DreameameameameamContinues....Continues....Continues....Continues....Continues....

Andre Sakkakini joined the Egyptianshowjumping team for the first time, torepresent his country, in Jordan at thePan Arab Games, that took place from... to....... “It was an amazingexperience to ride with the team, ratherthan competing alone,” Sakkakini statedwith delight, “It was a different feeling!”

Since he has moved to Europe to goprofessional, Sakkakini hasaccomplished the unimaginable, andmade it through thick and thin tobecome the international well-knownrider that he is today. Driven by hispassion to horses and the sport, he hasfulfilled most of the requirements of hisdreams, but by joining his fellow ridersof the Egyptian team, he has tastedvictory in a special way.

“I believe the success of ourteam was mainly due to ourstrong moral support for eachother,” Sakkakini insists, “ournerves were incomparable tothose of our competitors, eventhough some had better andmore qualified horses than us.”

As for preparing for the games,Sakkakini continued his routineof shows in Europe, and justworked the mare “Dutchesse”less than usual for the threeweeks prior to the event. “Shedid well!” he satisfyingly mentioned, asthey both earned that silver medal.

But reality bites. Soon after his returnto Germany,S a k k a k i n i ’ss p o n s o rdecided to sell“Dutchesse”and his othercompetitive horse “Eastern Night” thathe competed with in Rome for the WorldEquestrian Games, leaving Sakkakini ina disappointing shock. “It’s a sport ofmoney and business,” he explains, andas for the time being, Sakkakini is busypreparing his own

horses for future competing on theGrand Prix level. Nevertheless,the rumours are going aroundthat Sakkakini is moving backto Egypt, and that he isopening up his own ridingschool, where at he will giveclinics for our riders. As muchas many of us would dreamof that day, Sakkakini is not r e a d yfor that big change just yet.

However, he did mention that startingup coaching in Egypt depends a greatdeal on what the country has to offer.He believes that we have excellentyoung riders with talent and that it’s atotal waste not to teach them correctly.Technically wise Sakkakini could without

a doubt add much to the sport in Egypt.As for the system, Sakkakini seems tothink that it could be much moreefficient and successful than it is at

present. Theaccomplishment ofreaching the PanArab Games shouldonly be the start ofenhancement for

both the system and the level of riders.Sakkakini stresses on the fact that talentunfortunately isn’ t enough forprofessional quality. It is extremelyimportant to correct the level of riderstechnically wise in order to improve,which can only happen if the systemreturns to its old pathology.

Sakkakini explains how the SaudiArabian team approached the sport

correctly to build up a goodbase for themselves, “Theygot good horses, got goodtrainers, and travelled aroundcompeting in order to get thenecessary experience.”

“We need to change oursystem if we want toimprove!” Sakkakini pointedout. He explained how thecountry is in need ofdesperate alteration andvariation so that we don’t getstuck right where we are atthe moment, which is......where?!

Our country is full of talented riders,and we could easily have theopportunity to compete on high levels.Nothing beats success- and hey, resultsspeak for themselves.

“Victory is sweet! It’s even tastierwhen it’s an outcome Of teamwork!”

By YBy YBy YBy YBy Yasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashyyyyy

And tAnd tAnd tAnd tAnd the Drhe Drhe Drhe Drhe DreameameameameamContinues....Continues....Continues....Continues....Continues....

“Nothing beats success- and hey,“Nothing beats success- and hey,“Nothing beats success- and hey,“Nothing beats success- and hey,“Nothing beats success- and hey,results speak for themselves”results speak for themselves”results speak for themselves”results speak for themselves”results speak for themselves”

By DrBy DrBy DrBy DrBy Dr. Ashr. Ashr. Ashr. Ashr. Ashraf El Kaf El Kaf El Kaf El Kaf El Kalla - - alla - - alla - - alla - - alla - - Ph. D Of EqPh. D Of EqPh. D Of EqPh. D Of EqPh. D Of Equine Hyuine Hyuine Hyuine Hyuine Hygine and Epidemiologygine and Epidemiologygine and Epidemiologygine and Epidemiologygine and Epidemiology

Most commonly affects the front feet,but in sever cases all four maybeinvolved.

(1) Animal may lie down OR standingand in too much pain to lift a single foot.For this reason the animal does not moveeven when pushed or pulled.

(2) Early no lamness but short stilledtrot.

(3) Later gait stilled at a walk.

(4) Standing of horse pulled the hindlimb forward under the body to takemuch of the body weight off the frontfeet.

(5) The front feet pushed far forwardof their normal position.

(6) Anxiety and muscular tremblingmay be observed from the sever painof laminitis, rise of respiratory rateand body temperature.

(7) Muddy mucous membranes.

(8) Tenders of sole area of the hoof.

(9) Rotation of collinbone in severcases with 12hs. That means thelaminitis must be treated immediately.

(10) The hoof may slough.

(11) Death may be seen.

IMMEDIATELY

(1) Laxative.

(2) Antihistaminics.

(3) Antibiotics

(4) Antinflamatory.

(5) Intravenous fluids.

(6) Soak the hoof in cool mud.

Treatment ;Symptoms ;LAMINITIS (II)LAMINITIS (II)

?Who ? How ? Where ?

A lot of question marks Vs. A lot of ideas . . . . . . . . . . .

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ARABIAN HORSE BREEDERS-Mr. Omar Sakr, Tel: (018)500318/319-Mr. Fathy Badrawi,Tel:(202) 3603755-Mrs. Lulua El Sabah Tel:(018)800125

HORSE ASSOCIATIONS-Egyptian Equestrian FederationTel: (202) 4029265-Egyptian Arabian Horse BreederAssociation (EAHBA) Tel:(202)3839434-The Arab Horse Society Of EgyptTel: (018) 800125-E.A.O. El Zahraa StudTel :(202) 2983733

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12

n the 22nd - 23rd of October 1999,the Egyptian Agricultural

Organization (E.A.O), El Zahraa stud, heldits sixth National championship for theEgyptian Arabian Horse.‘It was a great success,’ says El ZahraaDirector General, Dr. Khalil Soliman,proudly. All in all approximately 60prizeswere distributed besides thechampions and the reserved championprizes.In this yearly show, two differentcompetitons are held. First the localEgyptian Arabian, and secondely, theexported, or internationally, one. For bothtypes, the same procedures take place interms of judging methods and scale ofpoints.There are 5 different classes that compete inthis event; the one year olds (class 1), the 2year olds (calss 2), the 3 year olds (class 3),the 4-7 yaer olds (class 4), and the 7-and upyear olds which are classified as class fire.In every class a 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd prize isdistributed, while sometimes if the class hasmore than 8 horses, a 4th and 5th prize areincluded. These prizes do not include thechampions and the reserved championsfrom each class.While talking to Dr. Khalil Soliman, hegave a brief explanation as an internationaljudge what to look for in the Arabian horse,and how there are five categories eachmarked from 10 to 20 leaving the total outof 100.First the horse is judged upon its overall

positive and beautywhich is refered to asthe type, then theexpected dish facedhead and long arched neck. The bodytopline expresses the whole upper body ofthe horse with respect to muscles and howevened out the horse is.As for the legs, which is the most difficultarea to judge if the person is unexperiencedin field, alignment is the key point.Last but not least the movement of the horsetakes the final 10 to 20 points uponcharacter as well.

‘To our honor this year we were lucky tohave the judges Mrs. C Chazel from France,Mrs. Joan Ratchiff from England, andMajor Pat Maxwell from England. HRHPrincess Alia Bint Al-Hussein from Jordancould unfortunately not make it this year,’Dr. Khalil said.As for the organizers of this event, ElZahraa Director General Dr. KhalilSoliman, he has been in the business at ElZahraa for 41 years. He is a member ofECAHO and WAHO organizations, as well.... and an international judge. He organizes2 auctions every year at El Zahraa stud andon the overall he’s responsible for the 400Arabians at the stud as well as monitoring185 private farms which brings the totalnumber of Arabians to 3500 horses inEgypt.In this last show only one Libyan farmparticipated as opposed to our 45-50Egyptian farms, but even though mostcountries were invited, none of them couldmake it due to transportation difficulties.In general these shows for the past six yearshave had an amazing impact on the marketof our Egyptian Arabians, bote locally andinternationally. Dr. Khalil Soliman proudlysaid, ‘ in abroad shows like ‘Salon deCheval’ last year, most of the winners hadEgyptian blood in them.’ He explained howin Egypt we concentrated on the whole ofthe horse, while in other countries the facialbeauty of the Arabians is more important.Of course he also mentioned how hard itcan be as a business since it’s a sport of

money. People withmoney buy best bloodand in 2-3 years they tryto wipe out competitors

that have been in business for 30-40 year.Before we closed up the conversation, Dr.Soliman made a point in that the health ofthe horse is the most important. Thecleanliness of the place, and the punctualityand quality of food should be at the utmostimportance to a breeder who wants to besuccessful. L o n g l i v e o u r E g y p t i a n A r a b i a n!

Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !Long live our Egyptian Arabian !

By YBy YBy YBy YBy Yasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashasmin El Habashyyyyy

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The cleanliness of the place, and the punctuality andquality of food should be at the utmost importance to

a breeder who wants to be successful.

Dr. Khalil Soliman proudly said, ‘ in abroad shows like‘Salon de Cheval’ last year, most of the winners had

Egyptian blood in them.’

The new season for horse racing in Cairo, started Mid October.

A visit to the Gezira Club and a glance at the Horse Track and the renovated stands, willsurely be appreciated and welcomed by all race-goers.

The chairman and the members of the board of directors of the Gezira Club together with theracing sector, the racing committee and their delegated member Mr. Mourad El-Shahed havesucceeded in ameliorating considerably the turf Track and the services related to running thehorses at the club.

There will be a horse racing meeting on the 27th and 28th of November 1999 and futuremeetings will be alter the holy month of Ramadan which is due at the beginning of the secondweek of December.

The entry fee is 10 L.E, and the most popular form of betting are the trifecta and the triple. Thedividends paid are usually high and on more than one occasion they exceeded the 7000 L.Emark for a ten pounds ticket.

There are racing forms that could be obtained at the entry. A day at racing is amusing,entertaining and usually thrilling and exiting.

We therefore invite you to witness for yourself Horse Racing at the Gezira Sporting Club.

Chairman of the Racing Committee,

HORSE RACING ATGEZIRA SPORTING CLUB . . . . . . . . .HORSE RACING ATGEZIRA SPORTING CLUB . . . . . . . . .

SNAPSHOTS PAN ARAB GAMES “JORDAN1999”

His Majesty King Abdallah Ibn Al-Hussein,HRH Queen Rania and HRH Princess Alia Bint Al-Hussein

Andre’ Sakakkini and Gen. Saad KhalifaThe Egyptian Silver Medalists Team

Hadi Gabr and his Love Tale...

HRH Princess Alia and Eng. Khaled AssemHRH Princess Haya and Eng. Khaled Assem

Terry, Petra & Sakakkini “What A Team !”

Mr. Jan Bouman after a pool party following the Grand Prix Mr. Bisharat and Mr. Hammad ‘Mr.Assem followed Mr. Bouman’

Seham Esayli from Lebanon & Agyad Qabanni from Syria

Assem, Moussa, Hammad, Gabr, Sakakkini and Camanen

Adham Hammad and a “Compromise”.........

Khaled Al Eid, Individual Gold Medalalist...Petra, German Vet. Dr. Gertzan S. Zeeun & Dr. Ashraf El Kalla

Karim Fares from Lebanon with Egypt’s Hadi Gabr

GENERAL SNAPSHOTS

Carine Maged Shawky

Omar Shawky and Mohamed Essawy in Holland

A Gathering in Shams Club, Friday 26th of November 1999

Yehia El Tony and Ekhnatoon

Riders of Arno Neessen’s Summer Clinic in Holland with John Whitaker & Geoff Billington,Pulsar Grand Prix Of Valkenswaard “Sunday 15th Of August 1999’

A Gathering at the Police Head Quarters ‘Basatin’ during the 120/130/140 Show, Friday 3rd of December 1999Luc Geoffery and Sami Negm El Din12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890127

Snapshots is a regular that everybody waits for, we try every time to come up with somethingnew, at least we hope we are, so please feedback is very important to have an interestingsnapshots page and a varitey that everybody can share in, awaiting your feedback.

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Our late professor general Yossef Ghorab taught us that the art of riding is

“To let you“To let you“To let you“To let you“To let your hor hor hor hor horsrsrsrsrse pee pee pee pee perforforforforform wrm wrm wrm wrm whahahahahat you ask him fot you ask him fot you ask him fot you ask him fot you ask him for, wr, wr, wr, wr, with pleasuith pleasuith pleasuith pleasuith pleasure”re”re”re”re”

By Emad el-din ZaghloulBy Emad el-din ZaghloulBy Emad el-din ZaghloulBy Emad el-din ZaghloulBy Emad el-din Zaghloul

1.The object of dressage is the harmoniousdevelopment of the physique and abilityof the horse. As a result it makes the horsecalm, supple, loose and flexible but alsoconfident attentive and keen thusachieving perfect understanding with therider.

2.These qualities are revealed by:2.1 The freedom and regularity of thepaces.2.2 The harmony , lightness and ease ofthe movements.2.3 The lightness of the forehand and theengagement of the hind quarters,originating in a lively impulsion.2.4 The acceptance of the bridle, withsubmissiveness throughout and withoutany tenseness or resistance.

3. The horse thus gives the impression ofdoing of his own accord what is requiredof him. Confident and attentive hesubmits generously to the control of hisrider, remaining absolutely straight in anymovement on a straight line and bendingaccordingly when moving on curved lines.

4. His walk is regular, free andunconstrained. His trot is free, supple,regular, sustained and active. His canteris united, light and cadenced. His quartersare never inactive or sluggish. He respondsto the slightest Indication of the rider andthereby gives life and spirit to all the restof his body.

5. By virtue of alively impulsionand thesuppleness of hisjoints, free fromthe paralysingeffects ofresistance, thehorse obeyswill ingly andw i t h o u thesitation andresponds to thevarious aidscalmly and withprecision, displaying a natural andharmonious balance both physically andmentally.

6. In all his work, even at the halt, the horsemust be “on the bit”. A horse is said to be“on the bit” when the neck is more or lessraised and arched according to the stageof training and the extension or collectionof the pace, and he accepts the bridlewith a light and soft contact and

submissiveness throughout.The head should remain in asteady position, as a ruleslightly in front of the vertical,with a supple poll as thehighest point of the neck,and no resistance should beoffered to the rider.

7. Cadence is the result of theproper harmony that a horseshows when it moves withwell marked regularity,impulsion and balance. Therhythm that a horse maintainsin all his paces is an integralpart of cadence. Cadence

must be maintained in all the differentexercises and in the variations of eachpace.

win a President Mubarak cup, thatwas won by Captain\ Amr AhmedMagdy (Equestrian Army Club).Followed by what they call ‘thepopular horseman parade’, an Arabianhalter show, a Dressage event and apolo match between Gezira club andthe Police Force with the Policewinning the trophy.The Sharkia festival turned out to be areal sucess and an interesting day notonly for horse lovers, but for the bigcrowd that attended the show.

Sharkia Festival for Arabian HorsesSharkia Festival for Arabian HorsesSharkia Festival for Arabian HorsesSharkia Festival for Arabian HorsesSharkia Festival for Arabian HorsesThe Governorate of Sharkia hashosted and organized on September11th, 1999 the eighth festival forArabian horses on its grounds. Thefestival has become more and morepopular, not only for Egyptians but forforiegn visitors as well.The program included many interest-ing musical and dancing shows givinga flavor of the Egyptian Folkloric life.The festival was open to bothprofessionals and amateurs.It included a showjumping event to

It so happens that 90% of our friendsare Riders, so the conversationsusually contain the followingterminology; It is a barage...4faults... stirrups, reins, bits, this is ahigh Oxer... The course design ispretty tough... he gotlaminitous etc... and theconversations would go onendlessly, and I bet neitherI, nor my poor fellow wivesunderstood a word of whatwas said. But with time wemade the effort ofunderstanding more aboutthe sport and itsterminology, by reading,asking, attendingcompetitions. Simply bygetting more involved.

I wouldn’t blame peoplewho think that wives haveabsolutely no role in thatsport, I would tend to agreewith them from the (What appearsto be ) point of view, but I so muchdisagree with them when it comesto the hidden role we do.

Let me explain.We give full support andencouragement to the sport, we tryto sympathize when things go wrongin competitions or at training times.We accept the fact that after a verylong working day, there still is 2 to 3extra hours at the club to train, careand feed the horse. Accepting theextra expenses that this sportrequires, feeling that is not spentonly to enjoy a hobby as such butit’s really worthwhile.

Attending competitions on regularbasis, not only for mental support,but I guess we cannot deny that wealso grew to enjoy the tournaments.And again I would say we Simply gotmore and more involved.

I could list more examples, butmaybe if I do, you might think that Iam portraying riders’ wives as beingmartyrs, that is definitely not thepoint, because all this is done withheart and contentedness.

Let me not forget the little ones, as iteven gets nicer when they comealong. Unlike other children who areprimarily introduced to their firstanimal friend being the cat or thedog, the rider’s kids -goes withoutsaying- first animal friend is the horseor the pony. They start riding withtheir parents as soon as they are fewmonths old. No matter what

size or height the horse is, you canhardly see the little one up there,but with time proportion starts toadjust itself. Baby Riders or maybe Ishould call them Future Riders, oreven better The new generation for

the Equestrian World,grow to love horses astheir little baby braingrows and develops.

This precious friendshipbetween the horse andthe child wouldn’t haveexisted if the wife wasnot Simply involved. I’vealways joked about myhusband’s love for hishorse by saying that, inorder of priority his horsecomes first and then me.A wife who’d accept thisjoke with an open heart,I believe has gottenherself involved too.

To sum-up my personal experience, Icould easily say that Horse Back Ridinghas gotten first my husband, then I andnow our little one is also Very Involved.

By Maha MaaloofBy Maha MaaloofBy Maha MaaloofBy Maha MaaloofBy Maha Maaloof

It is true we do not ride horses nor do we jump fences, yet ourhearts jump and pound higher and faster than a horse’s gallopwhen our husbands or even one of our friends is competing. Weprobably got so involved, emotionally, that we feel that we’re theones performing.Probably most of the wives of Riders, just like me, knew nothing abouthorses except the little we saw on television or the unfortunate horsesseen on the streets, ill-treated and mal-fed. But the real world of

Equestrian is not that... It is such a beautiful animal, and the sport itselfis an elite and sophisticated one that in-plants good qualities in thepeople surrounding it.

Documents

HORSEhorsetimesegypt.com/pdf/horse_times_06.pdf · Dr. Ashraf El Kalla Photos By Khaled Assem Sima Fares Ahmed Hussein Arabian Photos By The Professional Photographer Khaled Farid