Photo: Daisuke Schneider

Assad, the first son of Ansata Halim Shah

In 1985 the following younger brothers of the delicate filly Malaka and typey Assad are born: El Thay Maheer (x El Thay Maheera), El Thay Kayed (x 19 Kayed), K.E.N. Mashari Ibn Halim Shah (x K.E.N. Malaka), Motassem (x Messaouda), Orayan (x Ora), El Thay Ibn Halim Shah (x Mahameh), Maysoun (x Maysouna), Amoun (x Ashraff), Sindibad (x Sabah), Neshan (x Noha) and, finally, Salaa El Dine (x Hanan). In 1986 the mare El Thay Maheera gives birth to another colt, El Thay Mansour, and in March of the same year Bushra delivers Ibn Bushra.

Photo: Kerstin Anders

Salaa El Dine shortly before the Stallion Licensing in 1987

As it turns out, every mating with Ansata Halim Shah produces solely greys, no matter whether the mother was a grey herself or of a different colour. Notably, however, all of Ansata Halim Shah's offspring share their sire's characteristic presence of type and fulfil even the highest hopes of their breeders. Sadly, Orayan dies before reaching maturity and Ibn Bushra is sent at his dam's side to the United States. The other colts, however, grow up into promising young horses.

Almost as a matter of course, no more than two years later the first of the brothers pop up at the German Stallion Licensing. The young stallions presented are Assad, El Thay Maheer, K.E.N. Mashari Ibn Halim Shah, Maysoun, El Thay Ibn Halim Shah and Salaa El Dine. Maysoun, El Thay Ibn Halim Shah and Salaa El Dine even receive an premium award, meaning they are "specially recommended by the German Stallion Licensing Committee".

Photo: Irene Hohe

Maysoun at the age of three

While El Thay Ibn Halim Shah already boasts 153 centimetres and is the sturdiest of the brothers, Maysoun and Salaa El Dine still show quite immature traits. Despite a respectable height of 150 centimetres and a cannon bone of 18 centimetres, Salaa El Dine, the youngest of the lot, appears particularly "unfinished". Only one centimetre taller than Salaa El Dine but otherwise of identical measurements, the ultra-refined Maysoun emerged as the Supreme Champion of the entire event.

Photo: private

Maysoun as a gangly youngster several months before the Stallion Licensing

Many years went by and all colts matured into wonderful stallions. Over the years, quite a few of them have been exported overseas. Others providence did not favour with a long life. All of them, however, will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. Only Salaa El Dine and Maysoun are still located in the places where they were born nearly twenty years ago. In 1987, at the Stallion Licensing they were looked upon as promising youngsters. Today they have achieved an undisputed reputation as sires. Their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren are found in the most renowned breeding farms in every different corner of the world...

Photo: Erwin Escher

Maysoun enjoys his daily outing

Two colts and one filly were born from Maysoun's first foal crop as a two-year-old. One of them is Orashaan (x Orasha), who like his father still has a home at Maiworm Stud. In the following year fifteen foals sired by Maysoun were born, among them Shahil (x Shahila) and Madeen El Shah (x Mesoudah M). The breeding season of 1991 was not over when his fiftieth foal came into the world, a number that had already doubled in 1994. In 1999 there were already two hundred foals by Maysoun on the ground.

For many years Maysoun was one of the leading sires in Germany. He was sought-after by experienced breeders as well as less experienced ones who just wanted to have a cute, home-bred friend.

Photo: Stuart Vesty

In 2004/2005 Shahil (Maysoun x Shahila) is on lease to Michael Byatt
He was Reserve Senior Champion Stallion at the Egyptian Event in Kentucky/USA

Maysoun is known to pass on colour to his children - chestnuts, bays as well as blacks and greys are frequent. This is part of his dam's heritage. Maysouna, a small but powerful chestnut, was the result of the mating between the chestnut stallion Ibn Galal and one of his own daughters. In addition, her tail female line went to the chestnut "queen of the Nile", Moniet El Nefous. When bred to mares from the Ibn Galal line, some of Maysoun's foals show a bit of white in their eyes now and then. They are, however, splendidly proportioned horses with a particularly free and light way of moving.

In general his offspring stand out for their great balance and harmony. An excellent topline, a long neck, small ears and a very high tail carriage contribute to a delightfully exotic charisma. Very very often their disposition is of a splendid nature. They are preferably "one-man-horses", willing to give all for their chosen friend.

Photo: Carola Toischel

Orashaan, Maysoun's first-born son

Visitors of the Maiworm Stud, where Maysoun was born on April 25th 1985, will find a serene, amiable and slightly majestic stallion residing in a generously sized box. The late Günter Maiworm strived to keep his horses in comfortable as well as appropriate surroundings. For him it was natural to accommodate his beloved friend Maysoun in the best possible way. In his native stable, the stallion leads a fulfilled as well as calm life, surrounded by his loved-ones yet with his box as a territory of his own. A front of windows provides light, air and a view on pastures, forest and other horses. Is it any wonder that Maysoun is such a content horse?

This extraordinary care is also extended to visiting mares that are known to be in the best hands at Maiworm Stud. Owner Karin Maiworm has rare skills with animals and a heartfelt approach. And so she tends lovingly to the most problematic of mares that literally blossom in her hands.

Photo: Gigi Grasso

Hamasa Nafila (Maysoun x Hamasa Bint Nafteta)
is living at the "Arabian Horse Center" in Kuwait

Günter Maiworm shared a very special relationship with Maysoun. When the stallion was but a yearling, he often took him for a walk, taking him on extensive strolls through forest and pastures. By and bye and as if merely playing, he taught Maysoun funny little tricks so that the stallion could bow upon request and - sometimes - even count.
At the end of the eighties Maysoun and Günter Maiworm demonstrated their skills in many a show. Whoever saw them perform together will take pleasure in remembering this very successful couple. Günter Maiworm, no longer a youngster, presented his young, playful, gorgeous colt to the judges in a manner both disciplined and straightforward. Maysoun would move proudly, with enormous momentum and fabulous strength, yet considerate of his master walking beside him. The memory of this era is a happy one, though slightly tinged with melancholy.

Photo: Bert van Lent

Maysoun at home