Illusion GA++/ and Leanne Roberts, Murfreesboro, TN
Following a very successful 2007 show season, Leanne Roberts with her
stallion Illusion GA++/ are coming on strong for 2008 with multiple wins at
Region XII and Region XIII. With these scores, Leanne has earned her USDF Bronze
Medal and Illusion will earn his Legion of Excellence this year.
World's
Greatest Horse
We are all familiar
with the Arabian horses who are considered the "greats" of the breed. Their
names are household words within our industry. Then there are the others, lesser
lights perhaps in the annals of the industry, but who are nonetheless wonder
horses in the hearts and minds of their owners. They are no less valuable than
the horses whose names are inscribed on National Championship trophies because
these horses are what initially bring us to the breed and what sustains us once
we arrive there. I am proud to have one such horse in my life. His name is Faax
El Din (Fakher El Hamal x Kimbrook Kameo by Al-Marah Count Rascal) and he has
been a constant and abiding joy in my life for the past twenty-year. At
thirty-one years young, he still goes about doing whatever job is asked of him
in a quiet and un-assuming manner. There is an old saying among horsemen that
while you may ride and enjoy many horses you will have one horse, two if you are
very, very lucky, that is "the" horse, the horse that all others must aspire to.
Faax, to me, is just that and because he is, I have entrusted him with the very
important task of teaching my young daughter to ride. This past week-end he
delivered in spades when he walked off the trailer like the seasoned campaigner
that he is though he has not been off the farm in years and carried my daughter
to a first place ribbon in a judged lead line competition at a local horse show.
Strictly speaking, this accomplishment is small potatoes compared to a wreath of
roses but we were all smiling, horse included, as we accepted the ribbon, My
daughter and I are both sold on this horse who wears the title "World's
Greatest." This letter then is a thank you, Faax. Thank you for instilling a
love of horses in my child, for safely carrying her wherever her heart desires,
for our years together and years to come. Proud parent of both horse and
daughter? You bet.
Hope Ellis-Ashburn
Whitwell, TN
Hope Ellis-Ashburn (handler)
and Maddie Ashburn aboard Faax El Din.
Abu's Fancy
Ben celebrates 33rd birthday at Brookhill Farm
Abu's Fancy Ben, the
first "Brookhill" horse who has been with the family since 1976, turned 33 on
March 26. Ben was shown on the Class A circuit in the Midwest in the 1970's and
in open and 4-H shows in Pennsylvania in the
1980's. The picture at right is Ben in 1977, with Mitzi Brooks riding, Jeanne's
Grandparents Jack & Mamie Brooks, and Jeanne at 7 years old!!
To celebrate his birthday, Ben has been nominated for the Tennessee Co-op Golden
Equine Registry in the 30+ category. Here is an excerpt from his nomination:
"Once I went off to college and started my career, my mother once again became
his primary care giver until he came to Brookhill just before his thirtieth
birthday. Now, he enjoys a life of leisure as a “great uncle” to our beautiful
straight Egyptian Arabian horses. He lovingly nurtures the foals through weaning
and teaches them their “horse manners.” This socialization is crucial to their
development and well-being, and Ben takes his job very seriously.
It is my pleasure to nominate Ben for the Co-op Golden Equine Registry. We have
spent 31 of his 33 years together (31 of my 37) and there is no way one could
overestimate the impact he has had on my life. He taught me just about
everything I know about horses, and inspired me to share my life with them and,
through our farm, show other people how much these wonderful animals can enrich
their lives."
