It is early morning and we are still a bit tired. There is silence in the desert. The sky is blue, just a few birds start to sing their songs. A new day is dawning. Suddenly the demanding call of a stallion breaks through the silence. We hear hoofbeats. Our hearts are pounding. Tense atmosphere, great expectations...

We are here to see the young stallion Ansata Malik Shah, the latest import of HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah. The third largest of the emirates, Sharjah is positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, this ancient country has a long and colorful history that traces back to over 6000 years ago. His Highness started an Arabian breeding program in the UAE long before it became "fashionable". He is not interested in the glamour of the show ring alone but breeds the Arabian horse to preserve its beauty and purity. The ruler’s horse-loving daughter, HH Sheikha Noor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, is a driving force behind the scenes of the Al Qasimi Stud, a program that unites many different bloodlines.

Photo: www.ErwinEscher.de

Ansata Iemhotep with his owner HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi
and his breeders Don and Judith Forbis in Sharjah

Ansata Malik Shah arrived in Sharjah on December 2nd along with a group Ansata mares and fillies. He joins his old companion Ansata Iemhotep (Prince Fa Moniet x Ansata Nefara), along with the previously purchased Ansata mares and a few other Egyptian imports, as a foundation for the new straight Egyptian breeding program.

Finally the demanding white stallion comes into view. Powerful and energetic, the six-year-old Malik Shah trots into his paddock. He is a complete horse, a "real" horse. A stallion you can throw a saddle onto his back and ride away. Ears pricked, nostrils flared, he storms through the sand. Then he stops and gazes into the distance. Presence personified. Then again he trumpets his call into the sky. "Here I am," he seems to say. "Take a bow – this is my new kingdom!"

Photo above and in the title: Glenn Jacobs

Malik Shah's name combines the Arabic and Farsi words for "king"
Click the image for a XXXL version for your desktop!

What a difference to the beautiful but immature horse we saw two years ago at Ansata! Like most Ansata-bred horses, and particularly the stallions, they take time to dry out and mature. Now he has come into his own. "He is very charismatic, has a wonderful disposition, is very Dahman in type, and possesses a most beautiful head," his breeder Judith Forbis says. "One sees his true essence and bold movement when he 'turns on' at play or entering the show ring."
The only times shown he achieved Top Ten at the Egyptian Event, Champion in the Extended Futurity, and when he was shown in Class A competition he won Reserve Champion Stallion at the Arkansas Victory Challenge Show.

Obviously the white stallion is in good hands in Sharjah. His groom handles him with love. They seem to accept each other. "Malik Shah is a very curious horse and eager to learn everything I show him," he says. "He is the most intelligent horse I've ever had!" The groom smiles. "We share the same character," he reveals. "We both are very strong and proud Arabic souls!"

Photo: Glenn Jacobs

Ansata Malik Shah's sire Ansata Hejazi

A true son of his famous sire Ansata Hejazi (Ansata Halim Shah x Ansata Sudarra), Malik Shah inherited his extreme type, wonderful balance, and free way of moving. His dam Ansata Malaka (Ansata Halim Shah x Ansata Malika by Jamilll), who now resides in Kuwait, is the full sister to the multi-champion mares Ansata Majesta, Ansata Malaha, and Ansata Majesty, who where all exported to the Middle East. In tail female line he traces to the "Queen Mother" of Egyptian lines in Europe, the foundation mare Malikah (Ghazal x Malacha by El Sareei x Moheba), a maternal granddaughter of Halima. The bay Halima not only produced the world-famous Ansata Ibn Halima but the lovely broodmare Moheba (by Sid Abouhom) as well. She who was imported to Germany and founded one of the strongest damlines in Europe. Ansata Malik Shah is one of the few horses in the world today combining the blood of Moheba and Ansata Ibn Halima! Indeed a priceless and a "golden" pedigree.

Ansata has reduced its herd considerably and most of the mares who were in foal to Malik Shah were sold and have delivered for their new owners. However, his exquisite daughters Ansata Bint Nefer (x Ansata Nefer by Prince Fa Moniet), Ansata Bint Serqit (x Ansata Serqit by Ansata Iemhotep), and Ansata Shahkir (x Ansata Shahrezade by Ansata Halim Shah) will continue his legacy. His very lovely daughter Ansata Malika Moneena will come to Germany this year.

Photo: Jerry Sparagowski

Ansata Malik Shah's daughter Ansata Nile Stardust

Time goes by. We watch Ansata Malik Shah's harem and all the other horses of Al Qasimi Stud. A wonderful group, carefully selected. "Malik Shah will have a unique opportunity in his new home and it is expected he will be a valued addition to the straight Egyptians now found in the Arabian Gulf," says Judith Forbis. We visit with him again. Ansata Malik Shah looks us straight in the eyes. Does he know? Does he know that a new chapter in his life is about to begin? Like his double grandsire Ansata Halim Shah before him, he was sent back to the desert to establish a dynasty of his own. "Ahlan Wa Sahlan" – Welcome to Sharjah, Ansata Malik Shah!