Ben Rabba: An Exceptional Influence on the British Arabian

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.

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Ben Rabba 1964-1990

By Jewell Cantrell. August 6, 1990, was perhaps the saddest day of my life; it was the day I had to have my dear old friend of many years put to rest forever. BEN RABBA, who lived to be 26 years old, was a charismatic stallion who became a legend in his own time. He was the most magnificent, arrogant, loving and gentle horse I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He touched the lives of many people and everyone who ever came in contact with this great horse was absolutely captivated by him and loved him. BEN RABBA was responsible for many people becoming involved with Arabians.

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Comparison Photos of Ben Rabba Horses From the 1990 British National Show

By Georgia Cheer. Pictured left is the Israeli National Champion mare ABBAH by Ben Rabba out of Azeme Bint Gleam. Pictured on right is 1990 Junior British National Champion Mare AUREME by Aurelian (by Ben Rabba) out of the same dam, Azeme Bint Gleam. Do you notice the similarities? I took Abbah’s photo in 1994 in Virginia where she lives with owner Debra Cashvan. I think then she was about age 12.

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