Skowronek Archives | Crabbet.com

Risslina (Rafeef x Rissla) 1926 chestnut mare. Photo from the Crabbet Arabians by Cecil Covey.

Margaret Murray and the Painswick Lodge Stud: Part 1, 1932-1967

August 25, 2019 Angela1 Comment

By Emma Bennett. Perhaps the inspiration to own and breed Arabs came from Margaret Murray seeing her mother drive a pair of South African Arabs in a phaeton, for in 1932 she bought a grey two-year-old colt from Mr. T.C. Armitage’s stud at Taunton in Somerset. This colt was Sahban, by *Aldebar 1864 (bred by the Prince of Wales) out of the Crabbet mare, Seriya (Skowronek x Somra). Sahban was the start of a long friendship between Margaret Murray and Tom Armitage who was president of the Arab Horse Society three times. Sabhan was used mainly on pony and Thoroughbred mares and only sired a few purebred foals as at that time Arabs were used mainly to improve other types of horses.

*Count Dorsaz

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019 Angela2 Comments

The story of *COUNT DORSAZ and his descendants is one ideally suited to the writing of an entire book, rather than just an article. It is a tale of international success, as his descendants appear in pedigrees all over the world. His influence on the breed in America is a combination of chance circumstances: the exchange of breeding stock between the Crabbet and Hanstead studs, the sudden demise of Miss Gladys Yule shortly after the death of Lady Wentworth, and the foresight of the American breeder Bazy Tankersley in acquiring the cream of Crabbet and Hanstead horses, only available due to the high death duties on the estates of Lady Wentworth and Miss Yule.

Rissla (GSB) Chestnut Arabian Mare at Crabbet Park, England

Rissla – The Legacy of Crabbet

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

From the Crabbet Convention Organisation. Continuing the series begun in the March issue we feature this month the most famous mare of the great RODANIA female line – RISSLA. RODANIA was a celebrated mare in Arabia and the Blunts first heard of her on a journey through the Nefud two years before they saw and bought her. Lady Anne Blunt described her as “having extraordinary strength and style of going” and the mare had been so much sought after that she became the object of a feud between the Sheykh of the Roala and his kinsmen.

Gaffi

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Arlene Magid. GAFFI represents the best of the breeding program of master breeder Dan Gainey, who carefully linebred to Skowronek through his sons *Raseyn (with the inbred Ferseyn son Ferzon) and *Raffles. Her dynastic influence on the breed is remarkable, and extends to virtually all disciplines in which Arabians compete, including halter, working western and sport horse in the show ring and endurance ride winners. Her influence can be seen in breeding programs worldwide, from North America to South Africa, from Europe to Australia!

Three Great Crabbet Sires: Serafix, Silver Vanity and *Raffles

April 13, 2019May 3, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Georgia Cheer. Have you ever wondered what is so special about the Crabbet Arabian? Could it be their wonderful dispositions, their tractable minds or tremendous athletic ability, their prepotence for passing these characteristics through several generations, or that they excel in everything they are put to? Well, you could say that about nearly all Arabians, but here in the United States, Crabbet Arabians were some of the earliest and largest imports to our country, going back to 1893 when the bay stallion *Bedr 239 (Azrek x Bozra) was imported by W.H. Forbes. Altogether, about 145 Crabbet Arabians were brought to the U.S. from the years 1893 to 1976. So, what was the origination of the Crabbet Arabian?

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.

Dominar

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Lucille Singer Gallant. Dominar #41240 was foaled March 21, 1967, and was an integral member of the first foal crop bred by the Waltons of WWW Arabians of Corpus Christi, Texas, from their imported and quite breathtaking all Crabbet line stallion, *Golden Domino. *Golden Domino was a son of Blue Domino and Crystal Dew (by Rifari out of Gleaming Gold by Indian Gold), and so possessed a truly royal pedigree, rich in the blood of the finest Crabbet lines.

Antezeyn Skowronek 5321

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 AngelaLeave a Comment

By Rick Synowski. Antezeyn Skowronek was the third ranking son of Abu Farwa for the number of foals sired (just over 100) and the number of Class A halter champions sired. However, he heads up the list of Abu Farwa sons whose sons have sired Class A halter champions. Quite a number of progeny of Antezeyn Skowronek matured to become the truly deluxe showhorses of the 50s and 60s in the Pacific Northwest. These were real beauties, tauted for their versatility, whose heyday has perhaps come and gone since the advent of the specialized horses which come to a show to be exhibited in one event or class category.