In October 2005 Nawadi Jaabir's show record was crowned with three different Top Ten dressage awards at the U.S. National Show. The gelding was the top National-winning Egyptian Arabian of 2005. He already had regional wins in all-Arabian competition and many placings in open dressage against all breeds to his credit. Nawadi Jaabir was sired by AK Nawadi, the first-born son of AK Nawaal, who had passed away at age 24 just some months prior the Nationals.
Photo: private
AK Nawaal at seven years of age
AK Nawaal was a daughter of The Egyptian Prince (Morafic x Bint Mona), who was foaled at Gleannloch Farms on July 2, 1967. Originallyl named after his family strain "Seglawi Jedran", his new owners, Bob and Joanne Thorndike, came up with a new name for their colt. "I just couldn't see yelling out the corral gate, 'C'mon, Seglawi Jedran'," Joanne remembers. "We decided to name him The Egyptian Prince, a name that certainly hasn't hurt his image over the years."
When Bob had visited Gleannloch to search for a future herd sire for his stud, he was attracted to the grey colt Seglawi Jedran mainly because of his dam, who, says Bob, "really stood out." This was Bint Mona, a grey mare by Nazeer and out of Mona (Sid Abouhom x Moniet El Nefous). The colt's sire was Morafic, sired by Nazeer and out of Mabroua (a full sister to Mona). Morafic was equally impressive to Bob and he decided to buy the yearling.
Photo: Johnny Johnston
AK Nawaal's sire The Egyptian Prince
Several years later the Thorndikes leased out The Egyptian Prince to Carousel Arabians of Don an Peggy White. He was snowy white by this time and a beauty. He had left his mark as a sire of outstanding foals already. "I still remember his beautiful black eyes," Peggy says. "We never gave him a nickname. There was a dignity about him that discouraged that. We always called him The Prince, never 'Princey' or anything cute. He was not a cute horse. He was very regal, an elegant person to live with. And he had a marvelous disposition."
Each morning, he went out on his hill in the pasture and didn't come back to his stall before evening. "He was always a gentleman. His pasture was next to mares and foals with only three-pole fence between them, but he never challenged anything," Peggy remembers.
The Prince was known for siring smooth-bodied horses, long flat toplines, very strong hindquarters, and lovely heads. Although he sired up to 49 foals a year, The Prince was bred to very few straight Egyptian mares. That changed when he was purchased by Jarrell McCracken in 1979. At that time McCracken's Bentwood Farm was the largest studfarm for straight Egyptian horses in North America.
Photo: Johnny Johnston
The Egyptian Prince at Bentwood Farm
"I had never seen him before," remembers Lisa Lacy, daughter of Jarrell McCracken. "I knew Morafic of course and I'd always thought The Prince's dam Bint Mona was one of the most exquisite mares ever. I saw her often when she was at Gleannloch. So I knew The Prince's pedigree and had seen a few of his offspring at shows. From his photos, I knew he was white and had a beautiful head, but I didn't really know what he looked like."
Of course, her father had also heard of The Prince. He was fascinated by his pedigree. The Bentwood programme was based upon the stallion Ibn Moniet El Nefous (Morafic x Moniet El Nefous) and a core of straight Egyptian broodmares. As Ibn's daughters reached breeding age, Bentwood sought a suitable stallion to breed to them. The timing was right, because The Prince was for sale. The price was $ 550,000 for a 12-year-old stallion, bought sight unseen!
The Prince arrived at Bentwood in December 1979, while the McCcacken family was at the Salon du Cheval in Paris. Lisa recalls her homecoming: "I remember racing to the barn. One look and he was everything I expected him to be. He looked so much like Bint Mona."
Photo: Randi Clark
The Egyptian Prince late in his life at Arabians Ltd. in Texas
One of The Prince's finest daughters was without any doubt the fleabitten grey AK Nawaal. Her dam was the bay Dahmah Shahwaniah (by Ansata Ibn Halima), a daughter of the famous Gleannloch import Bint Maisa El Saghira (by Nazeer), the first Nazeer daughter who was a National winner.
AK Nawaal was born on May 12, 1981 and lived her early years at the vast pastures at Bentwood. The elegant grey stood out from the very beginning. Even as a yearling, when others have to go through some rough stages, she looked like a princess. "I saw her as a yearling at Bentwood," remembers well-known European breeder Willi Poth. "I adored her and though I tried it for many years I was unable to buy her."
At four years of age Nawaal was bred for the first time and produced the stallion AK Nawadi (by Shaikh Al Badi), the sire of the aforementioned National winner Nawadi Jaabir. A year later she gave birth to the filly AK Desert Rose (by Shaikh Al Badi as well).
Although very young, AK Nawaal then was considered one of the finest mares of the large Bentwood herd. She was one of those rare individuals whose beauty is so exotic, whose temperament is so loving, whose gentle nature is so profound, it was a joy and a privilege to own her. Many stood in line to buy her but the McCrackens would not part with her.
Photo: Nicole Sachs
AK Nawaal at age twenty in Germany
At the end of the eighties Bentwood became a bankrupt and most horses were sold. On July 23, 1988 Sotheby's auctioned off 104 mares, most with a foal at foot and/or in foal. Many breeders from different countries had come to the auction to look - and to buy. Count Zichy-Thyssen from Argentina was one of them. He had admired AK Nawaal, her dam Dahmah Shahwaniah, AK Nawaal's half sister AK Salimah Sharaf (by Moniet El Sharaf) and her half brother Ibn Dahman (by Ibn Hafiza) for many years and now was the time for him to get them. But he was not the only one who had fallen for AK Nawaal...
When she appeared in the ring Nawaal looked like the epitome of Arabian type and presence. A bit shy she stood there and tried to protect her foal AK El Nawaal (by AK El Zahra Moniet) from all the strangers she never saw before in her life. Her beauty and refinement caused spirited bidding and when the hammer fell, Count Zichy-Thyssen had purchased her for $ 220 000! Needless to say AK Nawaal was the high-selling lot of the auction. She was followed by her sister AK Salimah Sharaf who was sold for $ 115 000 (she also went to Zichy-Thyssen). The average price per horse was $ 16 724 - and this gives us a hint of AK Nawaal's outstanding quality.
After the auction the whole "family" was shipped to Argentina: Nawaal and her foal were accompanied by Nawaal's daughter AK Desert Rose, her dam Dahmah Shahwaniah, and her siblings Ibn Dahman and AK Salimah Sharaf.
Photo: Johnny Johnston
AK Nawaal's half-brother Ibn Dahman accompanied her to Argentina
At her new Argentine home AK Nawaal was cherished as the queen of the farm. Never shown and never leaving the farm, people came from all places in the world to see her. Her type, beauty, graceful action, elegance, loving disposition, and extreme head, endeared her to all who saw her. She produced five foals while in Argentina. Her daughter ZT Bint Nawaal (by Ruminaja Bahjat) was the most beautiful of her get born at Zichy-Thyssen's farm.
Photo: Gigi Grasso
AK Nawaal's granddaughter ZT MARIISIY (Imperial Madheen x ZT Bint Nawaal)
Willi Poth could never forget Nawaal. He visited with her in Argentina and when he saw her again he knew he wanted her. The Count wasn't interested in money and was reluctant to sell her anyway. But Willi Poth owned the white stallion Ibn El Moniet, who was known in Europe for his fairytale-like beauty and the Count was searching for another stallion to complement his herd...
Finally Willi Poth would trade Ibn El Moniet for two mares: AK Sherifa (by Ansata El Sherif) and AK Nawaal! "She was such a beautiful creature," he remembers. "I was the luckiest man on earth. Now we had her on our farm in France. Sometimes dreams really do come true!" But dreams don't last forever. At times you have to part with horses to pay your bills. It was a tough decision. "To be honest, one of the toughest decisions in my life," relates Willi Poth. He sold Nawaal to Rosemarie Kolster, owner of Authentic Egyptian Arabians in Northern Germany. "When I close my eyes I can still see Nawaal," says Willi Poth. "She was beautiful beyond words!"
Photo: Susanne Bösche
AK Nawaa's daughter Ni'ma Abadi in Egypt
"When I saw AK Nawaal on a video, I knew this was the kind of mare I wanted to add to my breeding programme," says Rosemarie. Shortly after her arrival at Rosemarie's stud, AK Nawaal gave birth to a stunning grey filly, Nadeemah, by ZT Sahjat, a stallion used by Count Zichy-Thyssen. She was awesome right from the start and has grown into a wonderful mare whose beauty rivals those of her mother.
Photo: Susanne Bösche
Ni'ma Abadi
Rosemarie then bred Nawaal to the stallion Maysoun (Ansata Halim Shah x Maysouna). This match resulted in the gorgeous grey filly, Ni'ma Abadi. This filly was to become one of the most important Nawaal daughters, who is so exceptional, so ultra-feminine that you have to see her to believe it. "After many attempts I was able to buy her as a yearling in 1989", says German breeder Christina Krumm, owner of Tameri Arabians. She knew Nima since she was a baby. "Even when she was just a few hours old she already had an unbelievable presence," she says.
Photo: Christina Krumm
Ni'ma Abadi with her daughter Tameri Nawaal (by Al Kidir)
"Nima is a true successor of her dam. Her legacy continues. We were very fortunate that Nima gave us three exceptional daughters in a row: Amira Shahwaniah (by The Egyptian Prince son Al Kidir), Tameri Nazeerah (by Abbas Pasha I), and Tameri Nawaal (by Al Kidir)."
Photo: Christina Krumm
Ni'ma Abadi's first granddaughter by Amun Re out of Amira Shahwaniah
"Nima is everything you hope for in a broodmare. Her pedigree is exceptional, she is beautiful, has a lovely disposition, is a perfect mother and delivers one beautiful filly after another," says Christina. This year Nima's first grandget was born. "Of course a filly", smiles Christina. "She is the daughter of Amira Shahwaniah and our home-bred stallion Amun Re (by Maysoun)."
Photo: Susanne Bösche
Ni'ma Abadi with her daughter Subh Al Khaled (by Amun Re)
In 2004 Christina sold Ni'ma Abadi to Sheikh Khaled Bagedo. "At his Al Khaled Farm in Egypt she is cared for in an exceptional way", she says. Ward Bemong is the manager of the stud and his wife Mieke is taking care of the horses. "I only parted with Nima because I knew that you'll hardly find a better place on earth for your horse than Al Khaled Farm," says Christina. Shortly after Nima had arrived in Egypt she delivered a foal by Amun Re. You know it already, it was a filly! Much like her dam in refinement, gentleness and personality, Subh Al Khaled also has her beautifully-conformed body and the airy movement. "Last year I visited with Nima and her daughter in Egypt and was thrilled to see them both in such a wonderful condition," says Christina. "They looked absolutely amazing."
Last April Nima delivered her first foal by Al Khaled Farm's herd sire El Thay Khemal Pasha. A filly? Of course!
Photo: Christina Krumm
Subh Al Khaled (Amun Re x Ni'ma Abadi) at Al Khaled Farm in Egypt
AK Nawaal's next foal was born in 1998. "I had decided to breed Nawaal to another son of Ansata Halim Shah", explains Rosemarie Kolster. This time it was her own, elegant white swan El Ahhim Shah (Ansata Halim Shah x AK Athea by Ibn Moniet El Nefous), who was imported from the USA in 1997. "I believed in him and bred him to some of my best mares," says Rosemarie. It was the right decision! His first daughter to hit the ground was Nadirah El Shah, a filly that mirrored the quality and attitude so evident in her parents. "To all who know her, this lovely Nawaal daughter has the attitude of a queen; she knows she is special and demands special attention and care," says Rosemarie. Without exception she's the favorite of all visitors, from expert horsemen to interested novices. They appreciate her unique beauty. Come and have a look at her – she will send chills down your spine. International judges agreed and made her Junior Champion Filly of the Egyptian Event Europe and of the Egyptian Classic Show in Holland and Reserve Junior Champion Filly of the German National Show. All titles were won as a two-year-old in 2000.
Photo: Gigi Grasso
Nadirah El Shah (El Ahhim Shah x AK Nawaal)
One year later fate struck and Nadirah had a nearly fatal accident. "All my dreams were shattered in just one second," says Rosemarie. The filly had severe injuries and had to spend thirteen long months in the vet clinic. To Rosemarie's relief Nadirah fully recovered. "Though she is such a fragile-looking creature, she possesses an inner strength that is unbelievable!" Today she moves without problems again and looks as beautiful as before the accident. In fact, with each passing year she becomes more refined and more elegant, if that is possible! "Organically Nadirah is sound but she got traumatized and I wasn't able to get her in foal so far," says Rosemarie. "I do hope she will conceive this year. I keep my fingers crossed."
In 2003 Nadirah was awarded the "Premium Mare" title of the German Arab Horse Society, a title given to superior representatives of the breed.
Photo: Babette Krall
Even in her winter coat Nadirah El Shah looks beautiful
Rosemarie bred AK Nawaal to Maysoun to produce Authentic Ibn Nawaal, a grey stallion foaled in March 1999. His type and refinement are outstanding. When one sees Ibn Nawaal trot, one is thrilled at his tremendous balance and freedom of movement, his well laid-back shoulder, prominent withers and a long croup and hip. But maybe Ibn Nawaal's most delightful characteristic is his gentle disposition. His charming way to ask for something or to thank his people for something he received is really special. He always says "yes" to whatever you ask of him. "He is truly my idea of the classic Arabian and I believe he will leave his mark as a sire," says Rosemarie.
Photo: Babette Krall
Authentic Ibn Nawaal (Maysoun x AK Nawaal)
Authentic Ibn Nawaal has never disappointed his breeder in all the years since he was born. "He only got better," says a proud Rosemarie. He demonstrated that "getting better" quality through his show titles: Reserve Champion at the Intercup Show in Austria 2000, Reserve winner at the German Nationals 2001, "Gold" winner at the German Stallion Show 2001 (he was the youngest colt to be awarded a gold medal), Junior Champion Colt at the German Nationals 2002 and Junior Champion Colt at the International Show at Bábolna in Hungary 2002. In 2003 Ibn Nawaal was entered at the stallion performance test and passed it with flying colours. In 2004 one of his first foals, Authentic Kiyara, won his class at the Egyptian Event UK. Is it any wonder that he is in great demand as a breeding stallion in Germany?
Photo: Susanne Bösche
AK Nawaal's son Authentic Ibn Nawaal
Click the photo to see one of his foals!
In 2000 Authentic Ibn Nawaal's full sister Authentic Nawaali was foaled. But it wasn't meant to be and the little filly was killed by an accident in the pasture. "I was devastated," says Rosemarie. "When this precious little thing died I almost was ready to quit everything." But a year later Nawaal delivered another filly, this time by Nabeel II (by Maysoun) and Rosemarie gained confidence again. "She was almost too good to be true," she says. She watched over the newborn foal like a lioness. The chestnut Authentic Nabeelah developed into a gorgeous mare. Her most striking quality is her overall balance. She's a powerful mare who, as she matures, looks more and more like her elegant grandam, Dahmah Shahwaniah.
Photo: Melanie Groger
Authentic Nabeelah (Nabeel II x AK Nawaal)
Like her older sister Nadirah El Shah, she was shown lightly and won the following titles: Reserve Junior Champion Filly at the International Bábolna Show 2002 and Classwinner of the Egyptian Classic Show in Holland 2002. As a three-year-old she was awarded the "Premium" title of the German Arab Horse Society. She's the second daughter of Nawaal who got that prestigious award.
Photo: Babette Krall
AK Nawaal's daughter Authentic Nabeelah
Nabeelah presented her breeder with two fillies in a row. In this area she seems to follow her sister Ni'ma Abadi. "Outstanding!" is the collective opinion about Nabeelah's two foals. Authentic Nazira and Authentic Nafisa (both by El Ahhim Shah) were born in 2005 and 2006 respectively and almost look like twins.
Photo: Babette Krall
The legacy continues: Authentic Nafisa (El Ahhim Shah x Authentic Nabeelah)
Click the photo to see another pic of her!
"Both are adorable," says Rosemarie. "Like her mother they love people and are trying to be near you whenever it's possible. They are more like dogs than horses!" Visitors are overwhelmed by their extreme faces which go together with powerful movement and extremely upright carriage. "I am confident that Nabeelah, in the full bloom of motherhood, will present us with many more beautiful offspring," says Rosemarie.
Photo: private
Authentic Nazira (El Ahhim Shah x Authentic Nabeelah)
After Nabeelah was born, AK Nawaal was awarded the title of an "Elite Mare" from the German Arab Horse Society. This title is reserved to the top ladies of the breed. Mares with excellent conformation and type and whose get are of exceptional quality receive this accolade. An honour, Nawaal had well deserved!
Shortly before her twenty-fourth birthday, AK Nawaal died on April 9, 2005. It was a sad day for Rosemarie and all the people at Authentic Egyptian Arabians. "Nawaal was an inspiration. She was everything to me – from a friend and companion to the consummate broodmare," says Rosemarie. "No owner could ask for more."
More about AK Nawaal and her get can be read in an older
article about her. Just click here or go to the PORTRAIT section.
