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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Templars Stud, Lancashire – UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

By Georgia Cheer. Regrettably, I was unable to view Rachelle Newnham and Keith Barnes horses at Templars Stud as a foal had been ill and it was feared that I might possibly tread a germ onto another farm so it was decided for me not to visit. However, Rachelle had sent me this list of horses as of last summer 2000 and pedigrees which I have posted on the site.

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Klinta Arabians, Ireland – UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

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.

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Combe Farm Open House, Devon – August 5, 2001, Visit

By Georgia Cheer. My first journey into Devon in early August was made expressly to attend the Combe Farm Open House and Sale, as advertised in the Arabian Link. I had wanted to attend this same event last summer when I was traveling in the UK writing farm articles for my website, but unfortunately it took place the day before my flight home to the U.S.

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Blue Moon Arabians, Essex – UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

By Georgia Cheer. It’s not often that one begins their series of farm visits by viewing a National Champion. This is how my tour began when I was invited to meet Alistair Leslie, of Blue Moon Arabians and see his mare, LALIQUE DS, who was the 1999 British National Supreme Overall Ridden Champion. Since acquiring his first Arabian horse just seven years ago, Alistair could be considered a new comer who has achieved remarkable success.

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UK Summer 2000 Stud Tour

By Georgia Cheer. The Farms that I visited on the summer tour were: Imperial Arabian Stud (Wiltshire), Klinta Arabians (Ireland), Star Arabian Stud (Lincolnshire), Al Waha Arabians (Surrey), Blue Moon Arabians (Surrey), Milla Lauquen Stud (Norfolk), Highfield Stud (Wales), Coed-y-Foel Arabian Stud (Wales), and Templars Stud (Lancashire). Combe Farm (Devon, Aug. 5, 2001). I will present a sample preview of what I will see at each farm below.

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