The majority of the northern hemisphere’s show season has come to a close, and people and horses are preparing for the long winter ahead. However, spring and thus the beginning of the breeding season is well under way south of the equator. Many people think of South America and Australia when they think of Arabian breeding programs in the lower regions of the globe, but a young straight Egyptian stallion in southern Africa is making his mark on the Arabian breed, and he is off to a very good start!

In June of 2008, a plane bearing the Israeli bred Atiq Haleeb touched down in Johannesburg, South Africa. Off stepped a bold and charismatic 15-3 hand dappled grey stallion. Atiq Haleeb had been purchased two months prior by Barakah Arabians, located several hours east of Africa’s Skeleton Coast in Namibia. After spending a month in import quarantine, Atiq Haleeb headed to El Kasun Arabians in Cape Town, South Africa for his first breeding season on the continent.

Atiq Haleeb is a tall elegant horse with a great neck and shoulder, and is a very strong mover. These characteristics serve him well in the show ring. In February of 2009 Atiq Haleeb was shown at the Worchester Show in South Africa’s Western Cape region, and was named Supreme Champion Stallion of the show. A few months later, Atiq Haleeb was moved to his home in Namibia to prepare for the nationals and for the coming breeding season. In September of 2009 Atiq Haleeb was shown at the Namibian National Show by handler David Botha, and became the 2009 Namibian National Supreme Champion Stallion!

Atiq Haleeb is sired by the extremely successful Imperial Imdal son Laheeb, and is out of the Babolna bred mare Hila B. Hila B is out Babolna’s Haniya B, a much sought after mare who spent two years on lease to Halsdon Stud in the UK. This tail female line descends through Hind (RAS) to Bint Rustem, the maternal half sister of Nazeer’s granddam Samiha. The Hind branch of the Hadban Enzahi strain has yielded the very significant breeding stallions Aswan, Ibn Galal, Khofo, and Farazdac, among others. Stallions of the Hadban Enzahi strain have traditionally done very well as sires, and Atiq Haleeb is showing much promise as well. Atiq Haleeb was bred by Idan Atiq Arabian Stud. He left four foals in Israel before he was exported; three fillies and one colt, two being straight Egyptian. His Israeli bred foals are reported by their breeders to possess refined, beautifully arched necks, small dry heads, elegant curvy lines, and to be athletic with great legs and feet. Additionally, Atiq Haleeb’s first South African bred foal was born just a few weeks ago, and it was another filly! This most recent filly is out of an El Shaklan daughter, and is also beautifully refined and balanced.

In addition to his breeding schedule, Atiq Haleeb is presently being trained under saddle. He has proven to be a natural athlete, and a really nice, good minded horse to ride.

Africa has gained an excellent young sire and show horse, and breeders will be looking forward to Atiq Haleeb’s career with much enthusiasm.

To learn more about Atiq Haleeb or his foals, contact David Botha.

Article by Laurie Schmelzle of Al Badia Arabian Stud, Contributing Editor at StraightEgyptians.com.

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