Alexia Ross Archives | Crabbet.com

RAS Bint Vanity (Silver Vanity x Blue Sal) 1977 grey mare owned by Rhodes Arabian Stud.

Long Live Crabbet: A Tour of Straight Crabbets in the American North East

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Alexia Ross. The good news is that there are a small number of breeders in America who are still trying to preserve a resource of Straight Crabbet Arabians and are doing so with some very nice horses. Standards vary, as in any bloodline group, with some plain heads and rough couplings in evidence but good temperament and athleticism is pretty standard with more than enough exotic heads and smooth bodies to offer a positive future. On the whole, limbs, length of shoulder and movement are better than the norm that is accepted in the show ring these days with long ground covering strides on offer instead of the stylized, but not particularly functional, high knee action which is becoming fashionable now in Europe.

Ben Rabba: An Exceptional Influence on the British Arabian

September 15, 2019September 15, 2019 Angela2 Comments

By Alexia Ross. Ben Rabba’s visible debt to the Nasik son Rifnas appealed to many of the breeders of Crabbet lines at the time. It reintroduced a factor for extreme shoulder and front structure that was hard to find within the surviving Crabbet gene pool in the UK. Less obvious to the English eye was his debt to other early American influences, notably the Davenport importation. It is to this influence that Ben Rabba owed his good hindquarter and exceptionally well muscled loin, the latter a trait often overlooked by Arabian breeders for the show ring but essential to genuine athleticism in any horse of any breed.

Klinta Arabians, Ireland – UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Georgia Cheer. Fortunately for me, there is one pure Crabbet breeder in Ireland, Klinta Arabians. This was my first visit to Ireland, and I will certainly not forget the wonderful time I had with Gunilla and Geoff Hamer. Gunilla is a very interesting, lively, humorous and unique individual. Gunilla is Swedish by birth, but has traveled the world, living prior to her move to Ireland in Buch b. Frauenfeld, Switzerland, where she and Geoff kept a pet donkey named Oscar, who was raised by the Hamer’s from age nine days old through to his accidental death at age 21. Oscar was a donkey who thought he was human. Stories about Oscar could fill a small book, like his pension for gin and tonic. Sadly he passed away a few years ago so I did not ‘meet’ him. Gunilla also owns a Skye Terrier by the name of Paddy. Paddy was a champion show dog in his younger days and is her constant companion.

Imperial Arabians, Wiltshire – UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

April 6, 2019April 7, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Georgia Cheer. My experience as a guest of Barbara and Geoffrey Plaister was wonderful. Their hospitality and sincere love of their animals shows in every square foot in their home and in our discussions. I found myself wandering into the mare fields on my own just as one might find themselves sneaking another helping of a favorite dessert – the pleasure of these Crabbet mares was just that appetizing. When you have a chance to visit England you must schedule Imperial Arabian Stud as a must see.

Azrek GSB 70 (A Saqlawi Jidran DB). Grey stallion purchased in the desert in the spring of 1887 and imported to England in 1888.

Queen of Sheba and Azrek

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Alexia Ross. The word ‘Crabbet’ conjures visions of the gaudy, flaxen chestnuts preferred by Lady Wentworth but the Blunt legacy also came in other shades and types. The elegant bays and browns descended from Queen of Sheba and Azrek were one inheritance whose survival owes much to breeders outside Crabbet Park.

2002 Crabbet Convention: My Impressions

March 5, 2019April 5, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Georgia Cheer. I drove the 45 minute journey to Guildford from where I reside arriving at the Holiday Inn about 7:45 am. I wished to meet with many of my American customers, and also friends from Australia and New Zealand. These people have emailed me to tell me they were coming to the event.

The Most Beautiful Little Horse

February 3, 2019February 6, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Alexia Ross. “That is the most beautiful little horse I have ever seen.” This was the comment of Sir Alfred Munnings on seeing Naseel at Roehampton. A legend in his own time, Naseel was one of the few examples of close double breeding to Skowronek to remain in the British Isles. Yet, circumstances conspired to make his descendants today more conspicuous for quality than quantity.

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