In depth In depth

contact Maria Paz Murga, the Secretary of Estopa from nose to tail, ears to hoof and the Grunewald, the forests around Berlin. * the Spanish Registry. Maria then introduced then they asked us to turn her loose. Estopa Estopa was the most beautiful horse in the us to her niece, HRH Teresa de Laula danced and floated and, with neck held high stable. When a delegation from Animex, de Bourbon. Teresa was kind enough to and tail over her back, she cast a spell on her the horse sale organisation in Poland, organise and accompany us on a visit to inspectors. It was on that day that the legend came to the stable during a visit to Berlin, the farms of several breeders. of Estopa first began. Estopa was shown, captivating another Before we arrived on the group of experts. Estopa farm of Don Miguel Osuna In the fall, Heinz and I travelled Escalera, she explained that he to Egypt with the goal of was a very difficult person, but adding some straight Egyptian a wonderful breeder. It was on blood to our new herd. There The Om El Arab Story that day that I met Estopa. She we purchased the *Morafic son was dirty, full of scars and very Shaker (ex Zebeda) and five Words by Sigi Constanti thin. She had some wounds . When Shaker arrived photography om el arab on her legs from the hobbles in Germany we renamed archives unless stated she wore daily to keep her him Shaker El Masri, which from escaping the unfenced translates from Arabic as fields. But there was a special thankful to Egypt. radiation about Estopa, even In 1971, Heinz and I married. We y feelings about *Estopa in that condition. On Teresa’s took over my parents business and El Shaklan run deep, recommendation and with and formed a partnership with to the core of my being. her help with negotiations them for their horses. I named Both have had a profound because Miguel didn’t want our new horse business Om Meffect on my life. Both left to sell her, we were able to El Arab, which means Mother an indelible imprint on my heart. Both purchase Estopa. of Arabians in Arabic. In the have given me the inspiration and passion On that trip we purchased meanwhile, we had moved to make the breeding of Arabian horses my 18 mares from five different Estopa from the riding stable life’s ambition. El Shaklan, born the same farms. When these mares in Berlin to one of the stalls year as my daughter, was always like a son. arrived in Germany, we were at my parents place at Rastatt. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when Estopa in Santa Ynez. scoffed at by other breeders for To give all of our horses and I think of him, like the parent of a child who university with my boyfriend, Heinz Merz. scattered. Breeders were sceptical to buy buying the “Spanish Armada”; our new breeding programme has risen to prominence. I am immeasurably The Arabian horses being bred in Germany these Arabians for fear that WAHO might we knew we were taking a a proper home, my parents proud of El Shaklan’s achievements, both as at that time were few and quite expensive. not eventually approve the reconstructed risk in buying so many horses bought a charming, romantic a show horse and a sire. Mostly breeders were using Crabbet, Polish records and refuse to endorse their pure- because WAHO had not yet farm in the nestled in the dense My feelings about *Estopa are equally and Egyptian bloodlines. We were aware bred status. approved the Spanish Registry. woods of the Black Forest. My intense, but different. She enriched my life that there were Shortly after the mares arrived, parents lived there and enjoyed in ways beyond what my words can describe. several Arabian five were quickly purchased by managing the farm. Heinz and I credit: April Visel Her personality is woven inextricably breeders in Spain my parents. One , Mecca spent our time working on the into the fabric of my life. She inspired and and that their V, went into my ownership. Om El Beneera (Sharem El Sheikh x Estopa) Last foal of Estopa. business in Rastatt during the enchanted countless breeders and admirers marketing had Our mares went to be boarded on a farm Later that year we went to Poland to see week, travelling 75 minutes every weekend around the world. She gave selflessly, been hampered in Schwaebische Alp owned by the family what was available for our new-found to be with the horses on the farm. protected fiercely, and fully appreciated a over recent years Schule, about 2½ hours from where we breeding programme. We purchased the Estopa was bred in the spring of 1972 on scratch and a soft word as a gift grander with an outbreak lived. My parents kept their mares at home *Naborr son Laos and the two mares Zbroja her new farm to Shaker El Masri. We were than all else. In the December 1999 issue of African horse in their remodelled garage in the town of and Campina. delighted when we received the news of Arabian Horse World, *Estopa was selected sickness closing Rastatt, where I grew up and my father In the spring of 1971, Estopa was transported that she was in foal. Estopa quickly rose by writer/researcher Bette Finke as one of Spain’s borders would lead them to neighbouring pastures to the farm of Carl-Heinz and Constanze to become the alpha mare of the herd, at Europe’s Top 10 Most Influential Mares of to exportation. to graze during the day. Doemken in Northern Germany for times behaving like a , challenging the Century. I would have liked to convey Breeders across We wanted to breed Estopa (Tabal x Uyaima breeding to their Nazeer son, Ghazal (by and teasing the other mares. My father to *Estopa, in our own private way of Europe were also by Barquillo), but before we could do so she Bukra). Three months later, Estopa lost her thought that this behaviour might trigger communicating, the profound significance aware that the had to be evaluated by the authorities of the foal so we decided to bring her to Berlin, hormones that could affect her pregnancy, of that wonderful honour. But, she probably Arabian horses German Registry. We bathed her for her first where we were at university. We found a so he brought her out of the herd and into wouldn’t have given it more than a moment’s being bred in debut in Germany and transported her to riding stable and enrolled her in dressage the barn. He rode her every day out into the thought. That was *Estopa. Spain had not Shaker El Masri. the location of her official inspection. It was training. I rode Estopa nearly every day. forest – my father was an excellent rider and *Estopa and I met in 1970. I was 19 and yet been approved by WAHO. During The trip to Spain that pivotal summer for our impression that these inspectors were She was a hot mare and I an inexperienced Estopa enjoyed the rides as much as he did. Estopa was five. I was in Spain on an Arabian the Spanish Civil War, registrations and my life was inspired by the famous writer Egyptian breeders who were sceptical of rider; when she felt like it, she bucked me As everything was moving smoothly with horse buying trip during summer break from records were lost or burned and horses Erica Schiele, who recommended that we Spanish-bred Arabians. First they evaluated off. Despite my fears, I loved to ride her into Estopa and her pregnancy, I received a gut- Estopa62 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 63 In depth In depth wrenching shock. A German businessman my heart. Just as important, whatever caused previous years seemed to have vanished. enjoyed the experience, Shaker El Masri did was the most beautiful colt I had ever seen. seductive. Her eyes were large, round and offered Heinz a huge sum to purchase Estopa’s reproductive difficulties during With Estasha at side, Estopa went quickly not and that was his one and only show. Estopa had created another masterpiece. I soft black. Her character was a contradiction Estopa. The amount was many back into foal with Shaker El Masri. Estopa’s second foal was of terms. She could times more than was paid for her In the fall of 1973 we took Estopa, another filly even more have, at times, the and WAHO had not yet made a final Shaker El Masri and eight other exotic than Estasha. nature of a nurturing decision about the purity of the Arabians to the first horse show held When she was born, I babysitter or the Arabians bred in Spain, so Heinz was in Germany, held in Verden/Aller. We thought that she had fierce demeanour of ready to agree to the sale. I argued were total novices to showing, washing the most beautiful face credit: Kimerlee Curyl a warrior. Estopa was that we should never sell Estopa and the horses at home and showing them I had ever seen. When very people oriented believed that she was our best mare. in-hand with bridles and bits; we she started moving this and loved being the I prevented the sale and to protect wore our riding pants and had two of precious little girl was centre of attention. her from ever being sold, Heinz and our drives help show the horses for poetry in motion. She Shaker El Masri was I formally completed an exchange of us. Estopa and Shaker El Masri both was also shorter in the much smaller, finer assets that resulted in Estopa going earned Top Tens, but while Estopa back and longer in the boned and somewhat Om El Shaina, Om El Jimala and Om El Beneera. into my name alone. We drafted a hip than her older sister standoffish. The formal contract and sent this document and had a wonderful combination of to the German Registry. From that time, shoulder. It was evident these two different Estopa was registered in my name and later that Estopa produced individuals produced all her offspring as well. In the summer of large foals – Estasha offspring that were 1972, we travelled once more to Spain to had developed into a taller than both and attend the first official WAHO Conference tall yearling filly and the Bint Bint Estopa (Sanadik EL Shaklan x Bint Estopa). more exotic than held in Sevilla, Spain. It was during that new filly, Estawa, was also big. With Estawa named this colt El Shaklan, taking the “E” either with shorter backs and longer hips. conference that WAHO acknowledged that at side, Estopa went back in foal to Shaker from Estopa and the “Shak” from Shaker It is my belief that Estopa was the dominant their research of records proved the purity of El Masri. What had parent, with Shaker El Masri adding the Arabian horses bred in Spain and Estopa become apparent refinement and his dose of fiery character. was officially granted pure-bred status. was Estopa’s ability to Together, Estopa and Shaker El Masri In 1973, I experienced the biggest tragedy out-produce herself. produced a new dimension of Arabian horse of my young life. My mother had developed Her combination for Europe, a dimension that had previously Hodgkin’s Disease two years before and credit: Kimerlee Curyl with Shaker El Masri only danced on the pages of books of artists passed away in the February. She was only 39 produced sheer magic. or were frozen in bronzed animation on years old and I was 22. My mother had been Estopa was a big mare coffee tables. the focal point of our family and I was grief for her time, standing With El Shaklan at Estopa’s side, Estopa stricken. My father eventually moved away 15.1hh. She was a little went back in foal to Shaker El Masri. The from the farm and we hired a farm manager. long in her back. Her Estopa daughters Estasha and Estawa were A ray of light came into the darkness, a face, like the Mona developing into spectacular young mares blessing in the shape of Estopa’s delivered her Lisa, was arresting, growing up in pasture. What would later be first foal, a filly. We named her Estasha. We enchanting and regarded as the Golden Cross of Spanish were still spending our weeks in Rastatt so Estopasan (Rastano x Estopa). and Egyptian bloodlines, we couldn’t see the filly until the weekend. I El Masri. In September Estopa the Estopa dynasty was remember thinking what a beautiful face the needed breeding and our farm taking shape. But so far filly had and such long legs. Estopa amazed manager was on vacation. It the breeders in Germany me with her ability as a mother. She cleaned was getting late in the year and the rest of the world and licked her filly and had an abundance of and I had to get Estopa back in were largely unaware of milk. She always stopped whatever she was foal. With minimal breeding their existence. doing to let her foal drink. When her foal skills and the assistance of Estopa’s best friend was slept, Estopa stood patiently overhead, with a friend, we covered Estopa Mohena: in the spring her muzzle just inches above the little body. with Shaker El Masri day and of 1971, we had brought In the truest sense, she guarded her foal with night for six days. Our amateur seven mares to Marbach her life. When Estasha got old enough to eat efforts paid off and Estopa was State Stud to be bred to hay and grain, Estopa would always allow checked in foal. the Nazeer son, Hadban her filly to eat what she wanted first and The result of that breeding Enzahi. The very first foal then she would take her turn. It may have arrived in August of 1975 as Om El Arab produced been partly from my feelings of losing my Estopa delivered her first colt. was a very pretty filly

mother, but Estopa, with her kind character, credit: Darryl His face was delicate and fine, we named Mohena (ex her fierce protective nature and strong sense as pretty as Estawa’s, like a filly’s Morisca V) by Hadban of nurturing, had truly found her way into Sanadik El Shaklan. face. I was in awe of this colt; he Om El Exquisit by Sanadik El Shaklan. Enzahi. Estopa and Estopa64 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 65 In depth In depth

Mohena were stabled next to one another his wife Johanna of Lodge Farm in England. 1976, we brought Estopa, Estasha, Estawa watch El Shaklan show, where he gained heritage with the refined Egyptian qualities to share the great news. We were told that and they would spend all day grazing and The Maxwells were captivated by our horses and El Shaklan to the show in Paris. The show international stardom winning the title of of Shaker El Masri, was my life’s goal and Estopa had just foaled: El Shaklan had a baby socialising together out in pasture. Notably, and about a month later, they visited our farm. was simply called in those years the Salon Supreme Show Champion. This was also destiny. brother. We raced to the farm that Sunday Mohena is the dam of *Sanadik El Shaklan afternoon, a 10-hour drive from the show (by El Shaklan). Both Estopa and Mohena and I imagined another exotic little face like were heavily in foal in the spring of 1976. El Shaklan’s. When I first saw this sturdy little Mohena was due earlier and delivered her fellow – there was nothing feminine about foal in the stall next to Estopa. The walls of him – I was taken aback. My mind still held the stalls came up only chest high, so Estopa images of El Shaklan, elegant and ethereal, watched Mohena deliver her foal. Within a winning the championship just hours few minutes, Estopa lay down and began to before. By comparison, I remember thinking deliver her own foal. Unfortunately she was that this new colt was even a little homely. only eight months along and a lovely filly was With El Shaklan away, I was determined born too premature to survive. We believed to make friends with Estopa’s newest little that it was Estopa’s sensitivity and sheer will boy. In time he developed characteristics power that caused her premature delivery. resembling Estopa, where El Shaklan and This was a huge loss for us and from then his sisters were more a unique combination on Estopa was kept away from other mares of sire and dam. I named the little boy Ibn during foaling season. And once again, she Estopa and he moved like a dream, quickly was put in foal to Shaker El Masri. turning white. Estopa again went back in foal In the August of that year, the horses of Om El to Shaker El Masri. Arab made an impact at a small international In 1978, our breeding programme, show that would set events in motion Om El Shaina (Carmargue x Estopa). which had been enjoying a steady rise that would bring our relatively unknown They were spellbound in international acclaim with many breeding programme into the international by El Shaklan and tried championships and El Shaklan’s popularity spotlight, and would quickly have a profound desperately to buy him. spreading like wildfire in England, suffered effect on Arabian around the Heinz was prepared its first major tragedy. Shaker El Masri died. world. We brought Estopa, Mohena, Estasha to sell him with the He was out playing on a hilly pasture and and El Shaklan to the international show in reasoning that Estopa reared, lost his balance and fell badly onto Vlimmmern in Belgium. At show’s end, and Shaker El Masri his back. He injured his kidney and lived Mohena was crowned Champion Mare, could produce another only a few days. I was devastated. My dream for our breeding programme was shattered. The fairytale story of Estopa and Shaker El Masri was over. For a while, I questioned my commitment to be a breeder. Losing horses was just too painful. Rachel Kydd, a breeder in England, helped rally my spirits. She said that breeders are not only involved in giving life, but Om El Bashara (Om EL Shahmaan x Om El Bandeira) 2008 chestnut filly. they too must experience loss and du Cheval, Paris; the same show is now the Om El Shadiva (Sanadik El Shaklan death. I thought of venue of the World Championships. Estopa x Om El Shaina). Estopa, with her was crowned European Champion Mare. u n c o n q u e r a b l e Estasha and Estawa both won their classes one of my life’s galvanizing spirit, who gave us with named European Junior Champion moments as I realized that living masterpieces Mare with her sister Estawa reserve. El Estopa and her family were an and asked for little Om El Beladeena (Al Lahab x Om El Benedict), half-sister to Om El Bernadette. Four-year-old mare, Shaklan placed fourth. The Maxwells were extraordinary gift bestowed in return. Based who will compete in Las Vegas this year. exhibiting in Paris also and El Shaklan was upon us. While many breeders upon that spirit, Estopa placed second in her class, Estasha colt like him. I objected and fortunately El loaded onto their van after the show and in Europe were being swept our breeding was Junior Champion Filly and El Shaklan Shaklan was not sold, but we agreed to lease started his journey to their farm in England. along with the breeding straight Om El Shahlimar (Sanadik El Shaklan x Om El Shaina). programme went on. placed second in his class. Also exhibiting him to the Maxwells for three years. In August 1977, we travelled to the Egyptians, I understood that the Estopa While we were at the show all aglow with We were without a stallion for the 1978 at the show were Major Pat Maxwell and A couple of months later, in December of international show in Vlimmern again to family, crossing Estopa’s robust Spanish El Shaklan’s triumph, we called the farm breeding season, so the Maxwells graciously Estopa66 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 67 In depth In depth returned El Shaklan to us even though one day infuse the blood of Estopa into the result of that promise Izabella had made 22 to Bint Shaker, to Paris, the first year that the oak trees and the weather was ideal. I heard in the mould of his sister, Bint Estopa. He their lease was not yet over. He arrived Polish breeding programme. Years later, she years earlier. show was billed as the World Championship. that this area enjoyed mild weather year was also a pretty, almost feminine colt, and back on our farm in the summer, fresh after accomplished that goal with the importation Estopa took a break from raising foals during he reminded me of his sire as a newborn. We winning the title of British National Junior of frozen semen of Sanadik El Shaklan to 1978 and 1979. In 1980, she conceived to named him Estopa Son. Champion Stallion. About that time Estopa the Janów and Michalów Studs and the her son El Shaklan and in 1981, she foaled I couldn’t get my experience in the United delivered her final foal another lovely filly. States out of my mind. Santa Ynez seemed with Shaker El Masri, The filly strongly like the perfect place for Estopa to recover another pretty filly. resembled her mother, from her illness and she could hopefully live Overall the filly was so we named her Bint a very long life there. The horse shows were high quality, but she Estopa. It was about huge, with a different type of Arabian horse was not as exotic as that time that Estopa’s being shown. The country was abuzz with her sisters were; we health began to Arabian horse activity and perhaps it was named her Estara. In decline. We had been time to join this new frontier. After breeding December, Germany plagued for several to a full book of mares in 1982, El Shaklan was host for the years with some our left Europe for America. He went to the kind, WAHO conference, mares developing a capable care and training of our friend Doug providing a special chronic cough. It was Dahmen in the Santa Ynez Valley. Doug, as opportunity for only among the mares young trainer from America, had visited Om German breeders that came from Spain El Arab for the first time in 1974 when I was to showcase their and we believed that pregnant with my first child and Estopa was Arabian horses and they developed an pregnant with El Shaklan. Doug returned a the German National allergy to our hay couple of times to help us show horses. We Show was scheduled and for some reason, initially wanted to send Ibn Estopa over to in conjunction with these mares seemed America to show and keep El Shaklan at the conference. We Al Azeem (Al Lahab x Om El Beneera, out of Estopa). less adaptable to home where he was so busy breeding. But brought Estopa, with the change in climate Doug had fallen under the spell of El Shaklan Estara at foot, El Shaklan and Bint Shaker 2000 Polish National Champion Filly and from Spain to our cooler, wetter weather in and felt that American breeders would (Shaker El Masri x Estasha), our first second European Champion Filly El Dorada is a the Black Forest. For years, it didn’t seem become spellbound as well, so we decided generation and inbred to to bother Estopa, but our veterinarian to send El Shaklan and seven relatives to join Shaker El Masri, as well diagnosed her ailment as emphysema, our show string in the United States. as several other horses cautioning us that she was not likely to live *El Shaklan became very popular and many to the show. In front of long with that condition. It was necessary to American breeders were seeking out our a gathering of thousands keep Estopa’s environment dust free. Our bloodlines. A photograph of Estopa graced of international breeders credit: Kimerlee Curyl pastures were lush, deep grass and her stall the cover of the March 1983 issue of Arabian and spectators, Estopa was not dusty, so the only source of dust was was crowned National our hay, which we began to soak. But it was Champion Mare, El clear that that Estopa was losing the battle Shaklan won the titles with the damp and cold climate of the Black of National Junior Forest. Champion Stallion We were very pleased with Bint Estopa and National Reserve and our inbreeding to Estopa, so we rebred Champion Stallion Estopa with El Shaklan. While we were with Bint Shaker taking breeding her, I recognised that Estopa’s the honour of National behaviour with teasing and breeding had Junior Champion Filly. changed. When she was teased and bred with An Om El Exquisit colt out of an Al Lahab daughter. Estopa, El Shaklan and the Shaker El Masri, she was very cooperative El Masra was awarded with the first World Estopa family had won and she seemed to like her chestnut mate of Champion Mare title ever given. the hearts of breeders all those years. When we began teasing and In February 1982, I travelled with a around the world. One breeding her with her son El Shaklan, she girlfriend to see the big show in Scottsdale. of the spectators, Izabella became very hostile. El Shaklan was a large, The magnitude of competition, the size of Zawadzka representing imposing stallion, but he was intimidated by the classes and the level of excitement at the Poland, confided years his mother. From then on, Estopa became show was thrilling. After the show, we drove later that when she be a very difficult mare to tease. It was as if to California and visited the Santa Ynez saw Estopa that day in she had a love affair with Shaker El Masri Valley. I loved the romance and charm of the 2010 colt (Om El Exquisit x Om El Shanelle by Al Lahab). Hamburg, she vowed Om El Jinaah (Al Lahab x Om El Jimala-two time US Reserve National and now he was gone, she wanted no other. Black Forest, but there was a western magic round; Santa Ynez had enchanted me. Later Horse World. Then publisher Nat Gorham to herself that she would Champion mare). In 1980 we brought El Masra, the full sister about the softly rolling hills studded with that year, Estopa delivered a colt very much wrote an article on the Om El Arab breeding Estopa68 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 69 In depth In depth programme and Bette Finke wrote an article her. A solution presented itself: embryo and never came back. Her stablemate *El Shaklan was immensely popular and his the Om El Arab breeding programme. The Heinz shipped his horses back to the titled The Estopa Family. We decided it was transfer. That year a fertilised egg from was her favourite friend, *Mohena. For dam was flourishing in the warm California second era begins with the move to the German farm. There he began the task time to buy a farm in the United States and *Estopa was implanted into a big, plain the first time in her life, *Estopa became climate. Our horse endeavours were running United States and *Estopa’s recovery from of nullifying my ownership and erasing we purchased land in Santa Ynez in 1983, quarterhorse mare. an easy keeper; my heart danced. It is my smoothly, but my marriage with Heinz her long-term illness. Against formidable 15 years of work and breeding efforts. He *Estopa’s recovery belief that the move to Santa Ynez saved was at an end. In the summer of 1985, we odds, I began to piece together a breeding visited the office of the German Registry on her new farm *Estopa’s life. decided to go separate ways. What I thought programme with the few horses I had left and removed the contract between us that in Santa Ynez was In 1985, an elegant colt was born to his might be an easy divorce turned out to be which included 50% ownership of *Estopa had formally put Estopa in my name. For nothing short of surrogate mother. He was the first of a bitter battle. Unlike most divorces, our and 25% of *Sanadik El Shaklan. There were tax reasons in Germany, we had a division of miraculous. Over *Estopa’s pure Spanish offspring and we disagreements concerned more the custody many wonderful individuals in our breeding business and personal property. Heinz had credit: Kimerlee Curyl her years with named him Estopasan. I was so pleased of the horses than custody of our two programme on the Black Forest farm such 97.5% of our business assets and I had 2.5%. children. At the centre were *Estopa and *El as the *Estopa children, Ibn Estopa, Estopa The personal assets were put in my name and I was the owner of the Black Forest farm. Our agreement stated that if either partner were to leave the company, the other partner would receive everything. Prior to moving to Santa Ynez, I had left three blank

credit: Kimerlee Curyl pages signed by me, but not dated, for our farm manager on the Black Forest farm to use for farm necessities. Using one these Ridden gelding by Shahmaan. blank pages, Heinz forged a contract in building a large, Spanish-style barn there the which we supposedly applied the terms of following year. the laundry business to our horse business. Estopa did not conceive to *El Shaklan It was backdated to January 14 1973. With in 1982 after delivering Estopa Son. In this contract, Heinz petitioned the German 1983, *El Shaklan was in the US and courts to award him the entire breeding Estopa’s health continued to deteriorate programme on the Black Forest farm, in Germany. Transported semen was not roughly some 60 horses. This ploy proved available and I didn’t want to further stress victorious for him and the Registrar of the Estopa by taking her to another farm for German Registry removed my name from breeding. With no options, Estopa was 15 years of breedership. I won one small left open in 1983 for the second year in a Om El Shahmaan. victory, fighting in a German criminal court row. I was relieved in March 1984 when Shaklan. In the United States all the horses Son and Estasha. With the addition of some to prove that the contract used to remove we could arrange to transport Estopa, with had been put in a corporation and during of the horses in Germany, I felt that I could my ownership was a forgery. I won, proving her best friend Mohena, from the cold and our divorce proceedings, Heinz found a dampness of Germany to the warm, dry buyer for *El Shaklan. I tried to prevent the Mediterranean climate of Santa Ynez, very sale arguing that even though our marriage similar to the climate in Spain where she was over, each of us could continue to breed was born. horses and that *El Shaklan was vital for On a previous visit to Estopa’s birthplace, both of us. Our attorneys battled in court credit: Kimerlee Curyl Don Miguel Osuna Escalera’s farm to and it seemed as though I could prevent the Spain, I saw a beautiful mare, snow white sale, but with a sudden change of legal tactic, and very refined, with a beautiful face. the judge agreed to the sale and *El Shaklan Her name was Arilla (Malvito x Kayan). was swept out of my life forever in February She had produced a yearling colt the year 1986. Later that year, *Estopa delivered a before and I wanted to buy him for our second colt by *Rastano. Eventually, the breeding programme, but he had already rest of our horses in America were divided been purchased by an American breeder. between us with the exception of *Estopa That colt’s name was Rastano (by Jaguay). and *Sanadik El Shaklan, whom we agreed When *Estopa arrived in Santa Ynez, to share custody of. In the division of *Rastano was on another farm nearby and horses, I was able to keep two *Estopa the choice of for *Estopa was easy: children, Estopasan and *Bint Estopa. it was time to preserve her Spanish heritage I feel like my breeding programme and my and the perfect opportunity presented itself Om El Bellissimo (Om El Shahmaan x Om El Benedict) 2007 colt. life as a breeder has two distinct eras. The Om El Shahmaan. with a handsome stallion bred by *Estopa’s emphaseyma, she had a chronic cough and with this colt and so happy with *Estopa’s first era involved the discovery of Estopa rebuild a smaller, but similar, breeding with authentic handwriting samples from breeder. *Estopa was weak from her illness was always a little thin. Within weeks, she overall well being that *Estopa was bred to and Shaker El Masri, the birth of the Estopa programme to our original one. 1973 that they did not match the signatures and I desperately wanted another foal from was filling out and her cough went away *Rastano again to carry this foal herself. family and the international recognition of After the division of horses in America, on the contract. Heinz was ordered to pay a Estopa70 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 71 In depth In depth penalty and admit his forgery. Unfortunately, the teasing and breeding procedure. With proven she could produce with Egyptian Malik was the senior stallion. *Estopa had In 1988 *Estopa delivered a lovely filly by and I wanted to see this stallion in person for the German civil court would not reverse its this method of breeding with no teasing or bloodlines. A magical opportunity was lost rarely been out of my care until that stay and *AN Malik. It was wonderful to see her in myself. At first glance, it was obvious that he verdict because the time for an appeal had association with the stallion, I knew that with both mares failing to conceive – the I was worried that she would be stressed in her glory of motherhood again. The filly was everything he was described to be: very run out and so all of the breeding stock in *Estopa would not conceive. result may have had profound effects on a new environment, away from home and was *Estopa’s only pure Spanish daughter typey, charismatic, ethereal, a porcelain- Germany was lost to me. It was unbearably hot and humid in Texas, breeding today. her regular companions. white stallion. I took an In 1986, *Estopa delivered a second colt so we thought it best to bring the mares In 1987, the decision was made to once The staff at Greengate did a immediate liking to his by *Rastano. She had no difficulties during home after ovulation and within a few days, more breed *Estopa to a Spanish stallion wonderful job of caring for owners, Alun and Mary gestation, had an easy delivery and she loved we were back home. As I feared, neither to preserve her heritage. This time, the *Estopa and she came home Prothero, and not mincing being a mother again. The California climate conceived. *Estopa suffered a slight colic choice was *AN Malik (Galero x Ispahan), in perfect shape and in foal words, Alun advised and her happiness on the farm brought her after one cycle of breeding. me that Carmargue was to a level of health I had never seen – she was While *Estopa was carrying simply not for lease. He 20 years old and looked and behaved like a her *AN Malik foal and told me the story of how mare half her age. She was still blossoming. enjoying her 22nd year in Carmargue had nearly Her rule in the herd was undisputed. If the company of her equine died on lease in Spain in anything had changed, it seemed as if she friends, Heinz decided that 1985 and barely recovered derived immense satisfaction in observing. he wanted to move her to in time to compete and win She would watch the foals or just gaze into his girlfriend’s backyard the World Championships. the mountains. She preferred her time out in or possibly to a farm in After getting Carmargue pasture and began to fret in her stall when Minnesota, 2,000 miles back home in England, she had to come in at night, so we decided away where it is cold and Alun had promised his to let her live outside in a covered paddock snowy. He also petitioned stallion that he would during the night, which she preferred. The the court to grant him the never need to travel again. vision that I have of Estopa is of her staring right to sell *Estopa at public But after some discussion, for long periods at the mountains. Each auction. We fought another Sanadik El Shaklan who’s legend continues at Om El Arab International. Alun surprisingly agreed to day we would spend quiet time together; battle in court and this time, I prevailed. and would be a tremendous breeding asset, allow Carmargue come to the United States she liked to rest her head on my shoulder The court supported my right to object to but unfortunately, because she wasn’t in the – *Estopa was the key. Alun philosophised and almost purred when I would pick small any sale of *Estopa and I was awarded the division of horses and could not be divided that it was a great honour for Carmargue to scabs from her coat. *Estopa had been my physical custody of her. I pointed out that at into two, this unique filly, Malika Estopa, win the World Championship and it would constant companion for over 15 years and it be an even greater honour for Carmargue to warmed my heart to see her feeling so well. have the opportunity to breed *Estopa and In 1986, we didn’t have the convenience of the *Estopa family. shipped semen and mares often had to be credit: Kimerlee Curyl *Carmargue arrived and *Estopa was transported great distances to be serviced covered by him in 1988. The following by the chosen stallion. At 21 years of age, it year, she delivered another filly, another was obvious that *Estopa was in optimum masterpiece. This filly was everything I had health and could tolerate one last long hoped for: ultra-typey with a finely-dished trip to an ideal stallion somewhere in the face, long legs and she was well balanced. country. We decided that Ruminaja Ali credit: April Visel After making sure that *Estopa and filly were (Shaikh Al Badi x Bint Magidaa) was that fine, I left with our children for a few days ideal stallion. Besides his overall quality, he of summer vacation. When we returned, the was straight Egyptian and I hope to produce little filly was near death, having developed a another Golden Cross superstar. Ruminaja terrible diarrhoea during *Estopa’s foal heat. Ali lived in Texas, a three-day drive from us, The attending veterinarian wasn’t aware so we purchased two breedings so that we of how serious the condition had quickly could transport one of Estopa’s friends on become, with our usual veterinarian also the trip with her. We loaded *Estopa and her just returning from vacation. With one look Om El Beladeena displays the extreme ‘type’ that Om El Arab has become known for. daughter *Bint Estopa into our two-horse at the filly, we loaded her in the back seat of trailer and drove them to Texas. Both mares 22 years of age *Estopa’s robust health was had to be sold. our truck and drove her to the clinic. She arrived in good health and in heat and we maintained by careful daily management. The previous year I had travelled to was barely alive and her kidneys had shut went to the location where the collection was I also argued that a forced sale of *Estopa England to see a stallion that had been down. We all slept with the filly through to be done. A veterinarian prepared them, Om El Jimala (Sanadik El Shaklan x Om El Jazira). would be an emotional hardship for our receiving praises for his exotic type. His the night with drips and monitors attached still in the trailer, and bred them without on the trip back home and that underlined a previous Spanish National Champion two children who had known and loved her name was Carmargue (White Lightning x to this precious little girl. The following unloading them. The breeding was done our decision that the trip to Texas was to be Stallion of extremely high quality and all of their lives. I believe this verdict gave Velvet Shadow) and he had been awarded day we had the good news that her kidneys and neither mare seemed much aware that *Estopa’s final long trip. Looking back now, I already the sire of many regional and national *Estopa several more wonderful years of life. the title of World Champion Stallion in had started again and she was showing anything had happened to them. *Estopa still believe that Ruminaja Ali was the ideal winners. I transported *Estopa for the one- Heinz moved back to Germany and has not 1985. I understood that many breeders had some interest in life. As the days went by, had always been a very active participant in choice to create what *Estopa had already hour drive to Greengate Farm where *AN returned since. tried unsuccessfully to lease him after his win she recovered. We named the filly Om El Estopa72 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 73 In depth In depth

Shaina for our two daughters, Shannon suspensory ligaments were weakening in her and carrots. In time, it became difficult for acupuncturist marvelled at Estopa’s overall day for granted. On 7 July that year, *Estopa guardian of the pasture. and Janina. Shaina can proudly brag that hind legs. I had always paid close attention to *Estopa to push herself off the ground to condition and attitude for her age. After delivered a precious little filly. She foaled And she will always remain the guardian of her sire is a World Champion and her dam *Estopa’s diet and tried to include a variety stand after taking a nap. We had a sling made hearing of her infertility, he gave me a bottle without the need of assistance, and, for the the pasture. *Estopa passed away in 1993 and of things that she for her out of wide nylon webbing that she of women’s precious tea pills from China first time in years, *Estopa pushed herself off we buried her alongside her pasture. A white enjoyed, such wore, with large rings that we could hook to try with her. I ordered many bottles over the ground with ease and stood to protect marble gravestone bears the words you are the as watermelon, onto. We built a hoist in her paddock. After a the coming months and added them to and mother her newborn daughter. We wind beneath our wings. I believe that Beneera

credit: Wojtek cantaloupe, apples, nap of about three hours *Estopa would wait *Estopa’s evening feed. couldn’t believe our eyes. Summoning the was her farewell gift to us and somehow, lettuce and carrots. for us to hook onto her sling and hoist her In the summer of 1991, we imagined that we incredible strength of character that I knew she found a way to enjoy motherhood one In *Estopa’s later on to her feet. We did the same with our detected a change in *Estopa. Everyday we well, *Estopa was defying her years. As we last time. During the 23 years that *Estopa years, I began to tractor when *Estopa napped in pasture. walked the tall chestnut graced my life, we rarely add fresh garlic We would lift her up, she would give a big stallion, *Sharem El Sheikh spent a day apart. She for her arthritis, shake and whinny, and off she would go to (El Shaklan x Samanna), was my closest friend, grinding it up join her friends. by *Estopa’s pasture. It my truest confidant. and adding it to a I continuously tried to find ways to seemed as though *Estopa She is still my life’s warm bran mash help *Estopa feel better. Thinking was beginning to show credit: Kimerlee Curyl longest companion. in her evening that acupuncture might be of help, we interest in him. We asked During those 23 years, feed with apples enlisted a specialist to treat *Estopa. The our veterinarian to check her personality was her again and to all of our inextricably woven into surprise, the old follicle the fabric of my life. was gone and a new one And she still is. was building. *Estopa was A visitor from the in heat for the first time Middle East came to in three years. She began our farm several few to walk to the fence to years ago. He described nicker at Sheikh when he their family’s belief walked by. She was telling that the name given to us that her reproductive a child imparts some years were not yet over. special chemistry, She was telling us that some energy of its own this chestnut stallion to the child. The name reminded her of her mate and the child become of so many years ago, entwined. And so a Shaker El Masri. During grey filly was born in that heat cycle, we bred the Andalucia region Sanadik El Shaklan aged 25 years old. *Estopa with the mate of Spain in 1965. She a National Champion and producer of a she had now chosen, was given the name World Champion. *Sharem El Sheikh. She “Estopa”. From what I With Om El Shaina at her side, *Estopa was was quiet and nickered have been told, estopa 24 years old and her heats were becoming during breeding, unlike is a very strong fibre more irregular. Though *Carmargue stayed the ferocious manner she that can be used to with us until 1990, we were unable to had rejected the advances make rope. On her produce another pregnancy with this cross. by other stallions for hip, she was branded After *Carmargue returned to England, years. When we checked with an elongated we covered *Estopa with *Sanadik El *Estopa a few weeks later, circle with a ladder Shaklan, but still no pregnancy resulted. she was pregnant. Our crossing through it. Our veterinarians advised us that her veterinarian was shocked, Looking back over reproductive days were over, that she would but reminded us that *Estopa’s life, it is clear have no more foals. *Estopa seemed to agree although *Estopa was to me that the strong with them. She developed a large follicle pregnant, it was unlikely Bint Bint Estopa (Sanadik El Shaklan x Bint Estopa). fibre was a golden on one ovary that just stayed there month that she could carry the foal to term at had named *Estopa’s previous filly for our thread that would be woven through my after month. *Estopa refused to be teased by her age. two daughters, we called her newest filly life and through champions and breeding any stallion. I just couldn’t believe that she In February of 1992 I formally purchased Om El Beneera for Benni, our son. In the programmes around the world. The ladder would have no more foals. *Estopa thrived the other 50% of *Estopa back. At last I was months that followed, *Estopa became a on her hip was symbolic of the climb that

on motherhood and she blossomed caring credit: Kimerlee Curyl confident that no one could ever take her young mare again; there was much work to *Estopa would make to become one of for her foals. She was showing more stiffness away from me. I was unsure how many years do as a mother. She loved the company of the greatest mares in the history of the from arthritis and it was evident that her Om El Jinaah (Al Lahab x Om El Jimala). she had left, but I would not take even one the other mares and their foals. She was the Arabian breed. v Estopa74 • The Arabian Magazine • May 2010 May 2010 • The Arabian Magazine • 75