1992 – 2009
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.com
Classic Shadwan (Alidaar x Shagia Bint Shadwan)
By Oliver Wibihal
I have to admit that I am biased. I fell for this stallion the first time I laid my eyes on him many years ago. Although he was young and still immature, his type, presence and graceful appearance won me over in just a few seconds. He looked like a painting of Vernet. With each passing year, Shadwan became even more refined and more expressive. For me and for many of his world-wide admirers, Classic Shadwan personified the archetype of the straight Egyptian stallion: Beautiful beyond words, dry like the desert and affectionate to the people who cared for him and to those he trusted.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comSaida Bint Shahlia (Classic Shadwan x Ansata Shahlia by Ansata Halim Shah),
Reserve Senior Champion Mare in Vilhelmsborg 2007
& Middle East Champion Mare 2008
Although Shadwan was well-known for his friendly disposition and joyful attitude, there was one person in his life with whom he shared a special relationship. He and his owner, the horse photographer Erwin Escher, shared a bond of friendship, respect and mutual understanding. Although Erwin had taken pictures of literally thousands of the most beautiful Arabians in the world, he still admired Shadwan over and over again. He couldn’t get enough of his beautiful companion. "For me Shadwan was the horse of a lifetime", Erwin says. No words can express the sadness he feels at the moment when he passes Shadwan’s empty stall. "At only seventeen years of age, he was way too young to leave this world", he explains his feelings. "Annette and me miss him terribly."
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comShadwan's wonderful profile
After a tragic accident on the paddock Shadwan was put to sleep last week. One of his front feets was shattered so badly that nothing could be done to save his life. A dark day at Rothenberg Stud in Germany where the stallion had been at home for more than ten years. Annette and Erwin had imported him from France where he was born at Classic Egyptian Arabians of Willi and Ursula Poth.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comShadwan's champion daughter Elha El Nile,
now owned by Dubai Arabian Stud
Everyone had a different, a personal approach to him: There were people who saw in him the successful show star. Remember, he won the following titles (among others): Champion of his agegroup at Wels (Austria), Senior Champion Stallion and "Best in Show" at the Egyptian Classic Show (Holland), Senior Champion Stallion at the International Show at Kaub (Germany) and Champion Stallion at the prestigious Platinum Cup.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comShadwan's dry and chiselled head
Click the picture for an XXL version for your desktop
Others loved him for his exotic looks, his dry chiselled face with the huge black eyes and the elegant, well-set neck, the high-set tail and his powerful yet elegant movement.
Some were completely impressed with his "Halim Shah free" pedigree that offered unique outcross possibilities for many breeding programs. As a son of Alidaar (Shaikh Al Badi x Bint Magidaa) and Shagia Bint Shadwan (Shadwan x Samar by Shaarawi) his pedigree boasted several lines to the immortal Morafic. Through his dam, an original El Zahraa import, Shadwan was one of the very few stallions in Europe with a close link to "the desert" and this attracted many a breeder.
Last but not least people were drawn to Shadwan because of his excellence as a sire. Many of his get were shown successfully and two of his sons were awarded "Gold" status at the annual German Stallion Shows. One of them is the multi champion GR Amaretto (x Halim’s Asmara by Ansata Halim Shah), bred and owned by Rothenberg Stud. He and his black brother Maheeb (x Bint Bint Mahiba by Ansata Halim Shah) are destined to follow in their sire’s footsteps. Though still young, both are respected sires in their own right already.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comThe most decorated son of Classic Shadwan is
GR Amaretto (x Halim's Asmara by Ansata Halim Shah),
bred and owned by Rothenberg Stud
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comMaheeb (Classic Shadwan x Bint Bint Mahiba by Ansata Halim Shah),
one of the most beautiful of all Shadwan sons
Offspring of Classic Shadwan grace studfarms around the globe. His ultra-refined champion daughter Elha El Nile is at home at Dubai Stud, the typey Saida Bint Shahlia (Middle East Champion Mare 2008) lives in Saudi Arabia, GR Shawan is the young and up-coming sire at Om El Arab International in the USA. GR Bashir calls Rabab Stud in Egypt his home, GR Shadow lives in Jordan. Nasha Bint Shadwan resides in New Zealand, GR Amarillo and GR Amarilla represent the Shadwan blood in Australia.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comGR Shadwanah (Classic Shadwan x Dalima Shah by Ansata Halim Shah),
German Reserve National Champion Filly and Champion Filly of the Egyptian Event Europe
At Rothenberg Stud Shadwan’s legacy lives on not only through his sons but also through his lovely daughters Shadwanah, Amaretta and Nashidah and through several grand get like GR Shatigah (Pasha Farid x Shadwanah by Classic Shadwan) and GR Magidaa (Maheeb by Classic Shadwan x GR Marianah) and even through some great grand get.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.comHis grand daughter GR Magidaa (Maheeb x GR Marianah)
Shadwan was one of a kind, a rare treasure that comes along very seldom. Lucky are the ones who shared his life or own his offspring. He was a sparkling star but now this star has fallen and the firmament will never shine as bright as before.
Farewell, my beautiful friend.
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.com
All photos by www.ErwinEscher.com
Photo: www.ErwinEscher.com
