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Why
is it that every time Arabian horse people talk about versatile
Egyptian Arabians they inevitably mention the stallion Orashan?
Well, there must be a reason! 
Photo: Javan Schaller Orashan in his prime Just
a handful of Egyptian horses can compete with Imperial Egyptian Stud's
multi-talent. Orashan won cheers from show judges and spectators in
Germany, North America and Canada. The proud and eager stallion had
a profound impact on many breeding programs. He won ribbons and glory
in several halter and performance disciplines at Class A Shows, Scottsdale,
the Canadian and U.S. Nationals. Through his show ring performances
and his influence as a sire, he gained international prominence in
the Arabian horse world. Orashan was seen under saddle (English and
Western), in harness and at liberty. Several different judges made
him Champion or Reserve Champion at many different occasions.
His humble beginnings were in Germany at the Maiworm stud. There he was born in 1983, son of Messaoud and Ora, the grandaughter of the famous broodmatron Om El Arab (Alaa El Din x Tifla). Heinz-Rüdiger Merz brought her from Egypt to Germany where she gave birth to several outstanding foals.
Orashan’s sire, Messaoud (Madkour x Maymoonah by Hadban Enzahi), is one of Germany’s top sires – in terms of both quality and quantity. His daughter Oraya (full sister to Orashan) is the dam of the late European Reserve Champion Stallion, Orayan (by Maysoun).
At the beginning of the eighties, Eileen Verdieck (former Imperial trainer and manager) searched the world for an outcross stallion to match Imperial’s daughters of Moniet El Nafis and Ansata Imperial. She found the right one in Orashan - and also picked his younger half-brother Madhin. Both colts came to North America and the two-year-old Orashan was immediately prepared for the showring. He collected several titles and in 1989 won the ultimate for Egyptian stallions in the US – he was declared Supreme Champion of the Egyptian Event, thus making him the first imported stallion to receive this honour. In 1991 he emerged as Top Ten Stallion at the US Nationals – the third German stallion after El Shaklan and Jamilll.
During
his show career the spectators noticed Orashan's calm demeanour. On
demand he was all snort and blow but his nature dictated a gentle
and kind behaviour. The grooms at Imperial love him and everyone who
gets in touch with him raves about his softness and intelligence.
Orashan isn't a small and delicate stallion with tiny bones and fragile
legs. In fact, he can trot out any given Russian "moving machine".
Someone put it like this: Orashan resembles an athlete more than a
ballet dancer. All the more impressive is his devotion to people he
loves - then the tall stallion switches into a soft lap-dog. You will
never find a better nanny for your child than Orashan...
Orashan isn't just cute he's also a talented mount. Clear-minded and spirited, he wishes to please in every demanded discipline. In 1990 alone he won a Canadian Top Ten and Scottsdale Reserve Champion title in Country English Pleasure. Not to mention the numerous performance championships at Class A Shows. Even when pulling a cart, Orashan looks perfectly collected. Always alert and eager with pricked ears and flagged tail, he was regarded by many as one of the best ambassadors for Egyptian bloodlines. In his heydays, you always could count on him hissing the banner for Egyptian horses in the performance ring. Question is: Who does this today?
Daniel Hölzel |
