By Marci de la Torre
** Sent to us by Marci de la Torre, author, and owner of SX Staleys Gemini and SX La Quinta. Originally published in Arabian Horse World magazine.
SX Staleys Gemini and SX La Quinta, both children of the revered Crabbet import, *Serafix, have passed to greener pastures. During their long and productive lives, they realized the nearly impossible. On April 14, 2002, they each competed at the Sierra Empire AHA Show at Pomona, CA, and they each won.
SX Staleys Gemini (x Neecheza) won the 15 and Over Stallion class and the Narab Perpetual Trophy awarded for that class. SX La Quinta (x Cobah) won the 15 & Over Mare class and the Ferzahna Perpetual Trophy awarded to the winning mare.
They each had their names and the year of their wins engraved on the 3-foot-tall perpetual trophies. SX Staleys Gemini went on to win the Reserve Champion Show Stallion against the younger horses.
He was now qualified for the California AHA Region I Championships and, in a feat nearly unheard of, Gemini went on to win Region I Top Five Breeding Stallion on June 2, 2002, at Del Mar, CA. Gemini competed against youngsters that would go on to USTT honors, that year.
Both SX La Quinta and SX Staleys Gemini were 29 years old. Both were born on the same day – July 11, 1973. Both had been living a happy life of semi-retirement with Cory Sayen, in Michigan. In early February 2002, they traveled together to Pegasus Park Arabians in Temecula, California, where they were to spend the rest of their lives.
Although the hope existed to be able to show them, in particular, at the SEAHA show, the “kids” arrived with extremely long, heavy coats from the cold climate in Michigan. There were serious doubts as to whether they could be slick and shiny by April.
The California climate helped tremendously and their coats were lost in record time. A very kind and caring young lady by the name of Melissa Feather was found to show them. We were on our way!
Life’s previous training remembered and their show ring skills brushed off – no problem! Baths, clipping, manicures and pedicures later, they were glorious. A crowd followed them from the moment they arrived at the show.
SX Staleys Gemini spent his early years as a show horse. He won multi-championships at Halter, English Pleasure, and Western Pleasure as well as numerous Hi-Point awards for his efforts. Moving from Manitoba, Canada, to Michigan, Gemini gave up his show career.
When he was 19, Gemini’s owner, rode “Gem” on the rugged 230+ mile Michigan Shore to Shore Trail Ride, completing the ride and being awarded the Official Michigan Trail Horse Plaque. During his life, “Gem” sired many beautiful foals and was a Breeders Sweepstakes Nominated Sire.
SX La Quinta was the 1976 US Reserve National Champion mare. She produced 14 foals during her lifetime. Among the most recognizable are Lyphard (x *Padron), Brazilian National Champion and Leading Living Sire in Brazil.
She is also the dam of Vaguely Noble (x *Muscat), US Top Ten Futurity Stallion. He was syndicated in the United States. Between these two sons they have sired over 600 foals in La Quinta’s second-generation progeny.
Dr. Gaye Graeler, “LQ”’s last owner, purchased her as a young mare and entrusted her care to Cory Sayen in 1992. La Quinta had several foals by SX Staleys Gemini. A feminine, regal mare, La Quinta came back to the show ring after a 26-year hiatus as a broodmare to claim her due.
To coin a phrase that was used in Cory Sayen’s advertising for Gemini, “Excellence That Stands The Test Of Time!!!”
SX Staleys Gemini and SX La Quinta did, in fact, live out their lives at Pegasus Park, entertained many visitors, and were so much loved by all who knew them.
SX La Quinta died in 2004 at age 31. SX Staleys Gemini died on February 29, 2006, at age 33. Gemini leaves behind as his legacy to Pegasus Park, the beautiful SX Geminis Glory (aka “Gracie”) conceived when Gemini was 30. It is believed that Gemini was the last living *Serafix son. This truly was the end of an era.
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