Pilgrimage
to Crabbet Park - Report on the Crabbet Convention 2002
Crabbet
past - the passion of a noble literary family
Like a modern-day Canterbury Tales, the devoted pilgrims
flowed to Crabbet Park in Sussex for the opening of the Crabbet Convention.
The only problem was that Crabbet Park is now less Canterbury Cathedral and
more Bodiam Castle, just a shell of its former glory and purpose. This did
not deter the delegates, however. This was the ancestral home of their beloved
horses. For a few moments all of the memories from countless books and film
clips and for a lucky few actual time spent at the stud came together through
the magic grout of the imagination. We walked where the horses had walked.
We saw what Crabbet Stud founders the Blunts and their daughter Lady Wentworth
saw.
Crabbet
Convention delegates 2002 at the Coronation Stables at Crabbet Park (Tiffani
McCarthy)
Sadly, this may be the last chance to stand beneath the
crumbling Coronation Stables gate, as developers have targeted the site for
demolition and erection of a casino to complement the hotel and leisure club
already occupying part of the once-pastoral estate.
A bit of background for the uninitiated: the Crabbet
Stud is the starting point for breeding pure Arabians in the West (for their
own sake rather than to improve other breeds through outcrossing) and has
had the greatest influence on the Arabian breed world-wide of any single stud.
It is even possible that the Blunts saved the purebred Arabian horse from
extinction threatened by the tribal wars ravaging the Arab world around 120
years ago.
In the late 1800's, Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and his wife
Lady Anne Blunt made regular journeys to the Middle East, no small feat in
those days as they rode through the wildest parts of the Mesopotamian and
Arabian deserts combating extreme danger from desert raids and storms. The
first European woman to travel extensively in the desert, Lady Anne was an
accomplished Arabic linguist and gained high respect amongst the Arabs. Over
a 20-year period she and Wilfrid negotiated the purchase of nearly 50 purebred
Arabian horses to export to England.
Rosemary Archer, celebrated Arabian breeder and scholar,
wrote of the Blunt's purchases during their visits to the main horse-breeding
tribes. "The Blunts were aware that high quality asil (pure) Arabs were
already becoming scarce in Arabia and they chose their foundation stock extremely
carefully, both as to antecedents and for quality, conformation and general
soundness."
Wilfrid was also a friend of William Morris and Winston
Churchill. Lady Anne's mother Ada Byron (after whom the universal computer
language ADA is named due to her mathematical discoveries) was the daughter
of Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, who was herself related to Lord Godolphin
and to the Darcy's, both importers of Arabian horses as early Thoroughbred
breeders.
The Tennis
Court at Crabbet Park (Tiffani McCarthy)
From 1877 to Lady Anne's death in 1917, Crabbet Stud
had become a world-famous supplier of high-quality Arabians. The Blunt's daughter
Judith, Lady Wentworth, further improved the breeding programme, and for another
37 years until her death, Crabbet flourished. As her children were not particularly
interested in running the stud, it was continued on a smaller scale by Cecil
Covey, who finally disbanded the stud in 1972 when the M23 motorway was built
right through the heart of Crabbet Park.
We could have no better guide to Crabbet Park than Convention
committee member Caroline Sussex. Her mother Rosemary Archer and her father
raised her and her sister Elizabeth in Crabbet Park just a stone's throw from
the Blunt's house. Through her eyes we glimpsed its past glory. Fortunately,
the main house and tennis court have been purchased by a software company
which may preserve them.
The house
at Crabbet Park, designed by the Blunts (Ralph Stewart)
Crabbet
present - the living legacy of horses parade
Not since 1985 have so many Crabbet-descended horses
been together. The parade featured nearly 120 horses of at least 75% Crabbet
blood, defined as 'descended from pure Arabian horses purchased, owned or
bred by Wilfrid Blunt, Lady Anne Blunt, Lady Wentworth or Crabbet Stud'. Independent
judges viewed and selected horses nominated by their owners throughout 2002.
Nearly 600 parade tickets were sold to delegates from
the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Argentina, Israel, South Africa, Canada,
Sweden, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. Horses were shown in family groups
interspersed with ridden displays of the athletic disciplines in which these
horses are the undisputed top of class. Many show ring, endurance and racing
stars and well-known sires and dams represented the strength of their family
bloodlines, and of equal interest were many horses who rarely appear publicly.
Celebrated sire, champion and working sheep-horse Imad
with rider Jane Harries proudly carried the Union Jack to open the parade,
leading in the display of ridden show stallions which included Al Mesdam,
Bright Cavalier, PHA Silvern Risalm, Ikoni, Silver Satyr, Ariosto, Indian
Banner, Samhire, Silent Storm and Vivek.
Parade
of ridden stallions - l to r, Imad, Ikoni, PHA Silvern Risalm, Bright Cavalier,
Al Mesdam (Tiffani McCarthy)
The first seven in-hand family groups represented Rissla
(1917), one of the greatest Crabbet mares having world-wide influence through
such sons as Rissalix and Irex and daughters such as Risslina and Rissalma.
Her first representatives were the Indian Flame II group, her double great-great
grandson, represented by his descendants Star of the Seasons, Zou Zou Bint
Zaphelia, Bhavna, Dreamfields Mahkasite, Fairwinds Jedi, Risali (the last
four all by Kasadi) and El Sharluke. Rissla's next family group descended
from her great granddaughter Gleaming Gold and included Nations Cup champion
stallion Shogun, Prince Iman, Razina Gold, Nafisah, Mareesah and Autumn Sunlight.
Rissla's great grandson Ludo (Supreme Riding Horse Royal International) was
represented by Nashaal, Indian Idyll, Sa'ira, Rosaliah Gold, Shiffalia, Selene
and Bey Sheba. Great granddaughter Farette's group followed with UK national
supreme ridden champion Chalyska, Spey Crystal, Kamilla Crysta, Nilah and
Silver Fari. Rissla's beautiful son Irex's group was next, including UK National
Champion ridden stallion and reserve in-hand Hadeir, Silouette, Imadia and
British Arabian Champion Raafiq. The Rissla group of Irex + Nuhra included
Khairho (fresh from representing the UK in under-21 endurance at the World
Equestrian Championships in Spain), Mohica, Damia, Dancing Darjeela and Moonlight
Siraya. Irex + Sainfoin descendants followed, represented by Spearmint, Imperial
Zar, Iyad (the last two being Spearmint sons), Naraan and Blonda.
Next, the ridden show geldings Chivalry, Dhahi Dancer,
Kharuss Ibn Sadik, UK International ridden champion Vikta, Raafiq, Bright
Sceptre and Sambuka gave skilful individual displays.
The eighth family group represented the famous chestnut
stallion Ben Rabba (1964), Kellogg-bred in the US from Crabbet horses and
lent back to England to restore a lost Crabbet line. His descendants inherited
his strong loin, powerful action and high neck set. At the parade they included
AHS premium stallion Aurelian, Marlak Magic Aura, Marcus Aurelius, Sunlea
Gai Hanna, Silvern Aria and Bright Sceptre.
An entertaining and educational endurance display featured
top endurance horses Khairho, AHS premium stallion Silva Dollar, Manichee,
Shaded Silver, Tigre and Shiffalia.
The influential Crabbet mare Razina (1922) sported three
family groups of descendants. The first group represented Indian Magic, the
tall, exquisite, free-moving son of Razina's beautiful son Raktha. His sons
included Indriss and Indian Silver, and descendants included Bright Crown,
Ahmoun, Haroun and Silvern Dream. At the convention he was represented by
UK international champion Bright Cavalier, Indian Fanfare, British National
ridden champion Silver Satyr, Marillion Platinum Wings, Mousika, and Dhahi
Dancer. Razina's famous grandson Oran left a phenomenal legacy. He produced
elegant smoothness and a long, refined neck and throatline. He gave Oran Van
Crabbet to the US (an original 'Park horse') and Grand Royal to Australia.
His representatives at the convention were Pharook, Oran grandson Indian Banner,
St Narreth Gay Dancer, and the racehorse Sellwyn. Razina's third family group
was through her grandson Bright Shadow, a hugely influential sire with progeny
including Masjid, Silver Sheen and Bright Wings (sire of Odessa who is the
dam of Padron). His family group at the convention included Mareschal, Golden
Idyll, Zinjadi, King of Hearts, Crystal Glitter, Imperial Silver Sunset and
Crystal Treasure.
Next came an invigorating race horse display, featuring
Indian Idyll, Razif, Rawen, The Silver Gambler and Sellwyn.
Foundation mare Nasra (1908) also founded a dynasty represented
at the convention. Her cross with Skowronek resulted in Naseem who influenced
the breed world-wide. Other descendants included Irex, Serafix, Sindh and
Indian Magic. Nasra's great grandson Indian King sired 126 foals including
Tarantella and Dancing King. He was represented by Samhire, Crystal Raj, Crystal
Lazuli, Rebekka Bey (with stylish filly foal), Shabana Mareschaya, and Crystal
Magic. Nasra's next family group was Indian King + Dargee, led by Dancing
Queen, reigning UK National winner of best family group, followed by her daughter
Queen's Topaz, Silver Blue Sunlight, Grand Magic, Echoing Magic, Daas, and
Sorrento (the last two being Imad sons). Nasra's third and final family group
was descended from her great grandson Naseel, who spent his life at stud in
Ireland and sired the phenomenal show pony Pretty Polly. His representatives
included Klinta Bashir, Ismala, Imperial Sirella, Nayifah, and British National
Team endurance horse Tigre.
Lovely individual shows by ridden mares were next, including
Chalyska, Aurellia, Sa'ira, Rosaliah Gold, Santha, and Imadia.
The final five family groups of the day descended from
Silver Fire (1926), a typey mare by Naseem and out of Somra. Her famous daughters
included Silver Gilt and Somara. Her first family group was through great
granddaughter Silver Ripple, dam of UK National Champion stallion Silver Flame
and the tall, exquisite mare Silvern Dream. Leading this group was the UK
National sire produce winner Silvern Idyll, followed by his grandson reigning
UK International supreme ridden champion PHA Silvern Risalm, Silvern Princess,
reigning Horse of the Year Show champion Silvern Enchanter, Mil Gracias, Samino,
and Bijbij. The next family group was through Silver Fire's granddaughter
Silver Grey, who with her own daughter Silver Sheen the two mares won Supreme
National UK Champion six times. Silver Grey's descendants include Bright Crown,
Silvern Sceptre and Ivory Wings. Silver Grey was represented by Rose of Bediya,
Summertime Blues, Fiyah Rhossilli, Diamond Treasure, Moonlight Farella, Seahara
Gem, Spirit of Silver, and endurance and eventer trials stallion Shaded Silver.
Silver Fire's third family group was headed by Imad, one of two living stallions
to head a group at the convention. In addition to his illustrious show career
including Horse of the Year Show champion, Imad is an AHS performance-tested
premium stallion, contributing height and scope as well as elegant action
and beautiful temperament to his offspring. Representing Imad were his sons
and daughters Ariosto, Silent Storm, Sarafiah, Sumadi, and Canzonetta. The
next family group was that of Prince Sadik, the other living stallion to head
a group at the convention, and also an AHS premium stallion, passing on his
powerful elegance and exuberant action. Representing him were sons and daughters
Ikoni, Naresh, Prince Santros, Sha'heil Ibn Sadik, UK national champion ridden
gelding Kharuss Ibn Sadik, and Silvern Pearl. Silver Fire's final family group
was through Hanif, one of the last stallions to be bred at Crabbet and sire
of Haroun, Shatir, Zarafah, and Sherifah. He was represented by grandson and
reigning UK national champion ridden stallion Al Mesdam (son of Silvern Idyll),
Imperial Silver Star, PHA Silver Heart, Silvern Starlight, and Silver Zingara.
The finale took us back to where it all began with a
native Arab costume display to rousing Lebanese and Egyptian music, featuring
a dynamic dressage display by PHA Silvern Risalm with Darren Crowe up, then
swirling performances by Chalyska with Ann Hooley, Raafiq with Stuart Fleming,
Rosaliah Gold with Stephanie Turner, and racehorse Razif with Joy Maclean,
beautifully done by all riders.
Crabbet
future - desirable qualities for now and tomorrow
On conference day, distinguished speakers included Coralie
Gordon on Australia's Crabbet horses, Michael Bowling on the issues in preservation
breeding, Alexia Ross on the state of endurance in the UK, Betty Finke and
Gari Dill Marlow on famous mares and their Crabbet ancestry, and Peter Upton
who gave an intimate and revealing portrait of Wilfrid and Lady Anne Blunt.
What all of these discussions had in common was an immense enthusiasm for
the future of the Crabbet Arab's contribution to securing quality and correctness
as well as breeding superior performance horses.
Crabbet Arabians are certainly well-known as performance
and athletic champions. What is not as well known is their influence in the
blood of contemporary halter champions. The strength of the bloodlines is
staggering. Research done by Betty Finke and Gari Dill Marlow that they shared
during their talk shows conclusively that despite far fewer lines than other
national breeding programmes such as Poland, Russia, Egypt and Spain, Crabbet
is disproportionately the top-ranking contributor blood to UK, US, European
and World Champion mares and stallions from the 1950's to today than any other
breeding programme.
This finding is a testament to the Blunts and Lady Wentworth's
rigorous insistence on exceptional qualities in the horses from which they
chose to breed. After importing horses that were celebrated for their prowess,
stamina and heart as war and raid mounts or for producing exceptional offspring,
the Blunt's strict policy was to cull vigorously any horse which did not come
up to their high standards of quality, soundness and good temperament. They
also followed the Bedouin tradition that regardless of how good an individual
mare is, her strain will be eliminated from the stud if she has not produced
a first-class sire within three generations. Hence a small number of very
strong, high-quality strains emerged from Crabbet over many generations.
Other national studs imported Crabbet horses from the
UK to improve the quality of their breeding programmes. Bloodlines expert
and writer Betty Finke explained in a recent article, "None of today’s
major breeding groups would be what they are now without Crabbet. Not Egypt,
not Russia, not Spain, not Poland, certainly not the United States. Without
Crabbet Park, there’d have been no Khemosabi, no Bey Shah, no Padrons Psyche.
Of all the great horses of the last century, there are only a few Polish-bred
horses that had no Crabbet blood at all. Nazeer, the most influential Egyptian
sire of the twentieth century, was 25 percent Crabbet." All 'straight
Egyptians' are at least 20% - 30% Crabbet blood, and most Russian Arabians
average a little over 25% Crabbet blood.
It may not be surprising that 100% of British National
Champion stallions and mares from 1953 to 2002 traced to Crabbet Park. What
may be more surprising is the disproportionate influence of Crabbet blood
elsewhere. Among US National Champion stallions from 1958 – 2001, only four
did not trace to Crabbet, and 98% of US National Champion mares also traced
to Crabbet Park. Among World Champion halter horses from 1980 – 2001, the
average Crabbet percentage for stallions is 26%, and for mares 29%. Examples
include Carmargue with 55% Crabbet blood, Monitor with 33%, Simeon Shai with
31%, Kubinec with 24%, Abdullah with 25% and Ibn Estopa with at least 12%.
These horses show many strong and valued Crabbet characteristics. Among World
Champion Mares, Aliha has 61% Crabbet blood, SHF Pearlie May 53 %, Atlantica
at least 36%, Canila at least 32% and Pilarka 32%.
Between 1980 and 2001, Nations Cup Champion Stallions
averaged 34% Crabbet blood, including Haroun with 100%, Shogun with 94%, Ravlon
Elijah with 75%, Hassan with 66%, and Plakat with 32%. During the same period,
Nations Cup Champion Mares averaged 24% Crabbet blood, with Shodina at 80%,
Mangani with 37%, Zazula with 36%, and Bint Shaklina HMP with 21%. European
Champion Stallions between 1980 and 2001 averaged 23% Crabbet blood, including
Drug with 41%, Plakat with 32%, Balaton with 27%, Emigrant with 14%, Penitent
with 14%, and El Shaklan with at least 12%. European Champion Mares averaged
22% Crabbet blood, including Crown Muscosa with 45% and Emigrantka with 13%.
Returning to the Blunt family literary tradition, like
Dickens' Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, we were transformed by three spirits
over the three days of the Crabbet Convention. On the first day we felt the
spirit of the past of Crabbet Park, where we shamefully saw how quickly a
great breeding programme and a great estate can be allowed to disintegrate
when divorce, financial wrangles and population pressures encroach. It is
a reminder to us all that what we do now will create the future, and to thoughtfully
preserve what we believe in or it may be forever lost to future generations.
On the second day, we were filled by the spirit of the present – the indomitable
spirit, beauty, strength and athleticism inherent in today's Crabbet-descended
horses. This reminded us of the importance of our present-day role as caretakers
of the exquisite equine souls who have chosen us as their 'people'. On the
third day, we were swept up by the spirit of the future – the contagious
enthusiasm and celebration for Crabbet's continued contribution to infusing
today's Arab with balance, action, substance, bone, stamina and temperament.
This reminded us that there is always time now to make good breeding decisions
that propagate the most essential qualities valued by Bedouin and Western
breeder alike that are the essence of the pure Arabian horse regardless of
strain – beauty with strength, grace with stamina, fire with gentle companionship.
Copyright 2009