After a ten-year absence from the show ring, Negma Al Shaqab captured the 2010 Arabian Breeder’s World Cup Reserve Champion Mare title in Las Vegas, Nev., USA, as the oldest mare in the championship.  At age 14 the gentle and refined mare rose above a class of world and national champion mares to claim her stake in the competitive Senior Mare Championship.

Like her maternal sibling Gazal Al Shaqab (Anaza El Farid x Kajora), Negma Al Shaqab is born of royal Egyptian and Polish heritage. Foaled in 1996, this stunning grey mare is sired by the straight Egyptian stallion Safir, and is out of the elite mare Kajora (Kaborr x Edjora), the polish-bred US National Champion. Kajora’s influence is felt around the world through Gazal and his numerous successful offspring including his two daughters Hathfa Al Shaqab, Qatar National Champion Mare, and Negma Al Shaqab. Both mares are owned by Al Shaqab.

Negma Al Shaqab’s own breeding influence at Al Shaqab is represented by three daughters who perpetuate her excellence. The eldest daughter, Shama Al Shaqab, is a successful show horse and a nurturing and tender brood mare, just like her own mother. Interestingly, Shama Al Shaqab’s sire (Ashhal Al Rayyan) and dam (Negma Al Shaqab) are both sired by Safir (Salaa El Dine x Aisha), and Shama unquestionably exhibits the extreme type represented by this world-renowned Egyptian pedigree.  In turn Shama Al Shaqab’s first-born foal, Bilal Al Shaqab, was named the 2009 Qatar National Champion Colt.  Bilal is the extreme moving son of Marwan Al Shaqab and carries a unique line-bred pedigree.

Another prized daughter, Ain Al Shaqab, is a high quality and cherished bay daughter of Anaza El Farid and Negma Al Shaqab, making her a ¾ sister to Gazal Al Shaqab. The most recent and esteemed addition, Habiba Al Shaqab, is a 2009 filly sired by the legendary Magnum Psyche.  Currently, Negma Al Shaqab is confirmed in foal for 2011 to Besson Carol.

Residing for the last four years at Michael Byatt Arabians in Texas, USA, Negma Al Shaqab caught Michael’s eye one day as she danced across the broodmare pasture.  It was immediately apparent that she was an excellent ambassador of Al Shaqab’s 18-year-old breeding program and was destined to return to the show ring.  After weaning her foal, she commenced conditioning for the 2010 show season.

Negma Al Shaqab achieved her first show ring accolade in 1998 when she was named Qatar National Reserve Champion Filly. The following year, she claimed the Qatar International Reserve Champion Filly and Middle East Reserve Champion Filly (Amman, Jordan) titles.

Negma Al Shaqab will continue her quest on the American show circuit in Senior Mare competition at the U.S. Egyptian Event in Kentucky this June, then on to the U.S. National Championships in Oklahoma this October, being presented by Michael Byatt.

Photo:Stuart Vesty

In 2004, Al Shaqab became a member of Qatar Foundation. Under the leadership of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Shaqab’s mission is to promote the highest standards in the breeding and showing of Arabian horses and provide innovative, educational and competitive opportunities in all of the equestrian arts. The Al Shaqab Breeding and Show Department is headed by Manager, Mohammed Al Sulaiti and advisors Abdullah Al Kuwairi, Ali Abdulla Al Misnad and Hassan Al Muthawa. Based on three guiding principles - Excellence, Education and Heritage, Al Shaqab began a visionary expansion in 2006 with the development of a world-class equestrian centre.