A Magical Night in Ancient Alexandria

The evening of 8 Oct was one of celebration of the Egyptian Arabian horse and, in particular, the arrival of Thamer Al Khaled after a grueling two-month journey from Cairo.  On the Wednesday morning prior, the barn’s indoor arena was its typical functional venue and by Saturday evening, it was fitted with lights, sound, tents, Egyptian artifacts, reflecting pool, plants, etc. - in addition to serving tables and bars laden heavily in the last minutes of prep with exotic foods & beverages.  Music filled the barn and as the nearly 400 guests’ trickled in, the anticipation of things to come was titillating.  Once again, this type of an event would not be possible if not for Allison’s artistic vision combined with her talent for execution and sheer determination.      

No less than 24 of Talaria Farms’ finest horses were show-readied by our still-awesome staff, who also participated in their presentations.  Johanna Ullstrom flew in from Brussels, and Mike Wilson and Peri Tilghman from Florida, to join with our own Jose Palomera in leading these presentations. Brief intermissions were filled with a talented duo of belly dancers performing Wings of Isis Dances.  

Based upon the reaction of our guests, between the presentations of the weanlings and the pair of 2-week old newborns at their mothers’ sides, it was an extraordinary emotional experience.  Teary eyes were plentiful and certainly appropriate.  The culmination of the walk-about presentations came as Botswana, Royal Shahbaz, & Thamer Al Khaled all returned to the ring and were presented across the reflecting pool from each other.  What a magnificent trio of beautiful typey stallions, each offering his own unique characteristics.  The outcross possibilities excite our instincts as breeders.

Thanks to Jane & John for the typically stylish feast.   To Christy Hazel, Lisa Abraham and, of course, our dear friend Amy Austin – thank you all for the photographs documenting the evening, without interfering with the guests’ enjoyment.  It’s a difficult venue and atmosphere at that time of night to capture anything, we know.  Thanks so very much to Mike Couch for his help with the wildly popular golden fans, to Laura Palomera for her assistance with the artistic elements, and to John Dolphy again, this time for his dedicated and uniquely qualified support in so many details that really do make a difference.

Lastly, we extend a special thank-you to Mr. Ahmed Abdel Rasek of Al Bawady Stud of Cairo, Egypt for entrusting Thamer Al Khaled with us at Talaria Farms.  The beautiful multi-champion Botswana daughter TF Tamarind is already two months in foal to him, expecting a mid-September 2012 foal.   While she is his first US based expecting mare, we look forward to getting started in earnest with the 2012 breeding season.  

Botswana Welcomes Thamer Al Khaled to His House

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Royal Shahbaz Says Hello Too!

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