You had to be there... The 30th anniversary of the Egyptian Event was as always, a special occasion - my Mecca, as I put it. You can count on it to be full of interest and surprises. There was the usual international attendance, with a healthy gathering of Arab sheikhs, British, Scandinavian, European and Australian accents were sprinkled amongst the southern, eastern and western American accents.

Judges for halter classes were Debby Cain and Francine Desmuke from the USA, and Joanna Maxwell from England. While they didn't seem to agree on all points, these ladies stood strong in their intolerance of violations in "make-up" rules. Many of the horses were closely inspected and strong warnings were given over the public address system. I was a bit amused at the change in tail carriage between the first couple days and later in the show. If your horse was shaved too short around the eyes, you could expect your placement in the class to decline noticeably.

For the first time in my life, I saw a real Pegasus. The liberty class has often provided us with unexpected entertainment. For example, just a very few years ago, a 20+ year old stallion owned by Barbara Johansen flew over the out gate and cleared the line of people standing next to it, all frozen with shock. This year an incredibly athletic horse, Enkil X, owned by Chez Moi Arabians took flight right in the middle of the arena. While cantering, he suddenly sailed into the air with an "airs above the ground" movement. I couldn't describe it as a jump - he simply left the ground and sailed through the air for an amazingly long distance. Every person in the audience let out a loud gasp. Needless to say, he won the liberty championship without challenge, with Imperial Al Kamar in reserve.

We were provided with what I would describe as diversity at this show, seemingly more than in past years. There were some of extreme type and some that, well, just didn't fit my description of an Egyptian Arabian. Perhaps some contrast made the best of them shine even more, as there were some extremely beautiful horses there.

Count Federico Zichy-Thyssen proved his skills as a breeder once again with several lovely entries bearing the ZT prefix. Most noted of these is the breathtakingly beautiful ZT Sharuby. This mare returned for the second time this year with celebrity status that would lead one to believe that Elizabeth Taylor was on the grounds. Sharuby is not only very extreme in type, when she moves her grace and balance is magnified. As she moves effortless, almost as if floating, her elegant neck and silken mane is echoed with her high, arched, waving tail.

Sharuby is classified as Egyptian Related, with both grandsires being straight Egyptian. Her sire, ZT Sharello is by Ansata Shah Zaman out of an AN Malik daughter. Her dam, ZT Bint Ruby is by Ansata El Mabrouk, a son of Ansata Ibn Halima and Ansata Damietta of the Bukra tail female line. The dam of Bint Ruby is a Bask daughter out of a Ferzon daughter - an admixture of bloodlines that has blended into cream.

However, it was another very lovely ZT mare, ZT Shakjamara, who took home the Supreme mare title. She too is Egyptian Related. Her sire is El Shaklan and she is out of ZT Jamara, a Jamilll daughter out of an El Hilal daughter. Reserve went to the Nabiel daughter, Prima Bella Ka, who also won the Hunter Pleasure Championship. Both were unanimous decisions.

The Junior Champion Filly class was won by yet another ZT beauty- the typey ZT Fahmiy (Anaza El Farid x AK Zafoura).

Leading the pack of stallions and winning the Supreme World Class, and Supreme Futurity Stallion title, was Imperial Baarez, a son of PVA Kariim out of an Orashan daughter. He is exquisite and represented Imperial well.

Reserve supreme stallion honors went to the young Imextreme, who had won the Futurity Finals of SE colts of '97, and was Junior Champion colt. This colt, by Imtaarif, boasts a double Deenaa female line, as his dam is AK El Sanaa, by Mosry out of Deenaa. Reserve Junior Champion colt was Xtreme Xcitation (Tcheser Billa Bay x HFS Dream Girl).

To highlight some of the other classes, Get of Sire went to Ansata Hejazi, and Produce of Dam to Ansata Dia Halima. Once again, Ansata proves themselves as master breeders. Most classic head was the extreme, AF Cassidy. This young steel gray son of Thee Desperado, out of a Ruminaja Ali daughter, is one to keep your eye on.

Two changes made noticeable differences in the remaining classes. The Egyptian Breeders Challenge, which had previously been an extremely large class of top quality yearlings, saw much smaller entries this year.

In an attempt to attract more participants in the Stallion Breeding Auction, the rule was made that only the produce of the purchased auction breedings may participate in the Breeders Challenge classes, plus a representative from the donating stud farm, from the same stallion. The results was a higher percentage of donated breedings, but with no option of choosing the best yearling to represent the breeder, the quality of the class was not the usual top level entries, as was the numbers in this class.

Seven colts and eight yearling fillies competed with Shah Zaire by Shahdal winning the EBC colts class, and Kamere by Imperial Al Kamar, winning the EBC fillies class. Both were lovely, deserving individuals.

On a positive note, a nice purse was available for the first time for winners in performance classes. These classes were judged by Jim Payden, Gene Reichardt and Corky Sutton

This year, the Top Three performance horses of the Event shared center stage and a $10,000. Bonus! This served well to accelerate entries in those classes, covering the grounds with beautiful Egyptian horses under saddle.

Classes included Country Pleasure Driving, won by Almas Al Nisr; Country English Pleasure - JTR was Thee Outlaw, amateur winner was El Gohara+/, Open winner was Almas Al Nisr; Western Pleasure Championships, JTR winner was Razaki+/, Amateur was Fancy's Rashimba, and open was Dal-diaur. Hunter Pleasure Championships winners were: JTR, Shai Vision, Open was El Gohara+/. Show Hack Champion was El Gohara+/ and Native Costume was Almas Al Nisr.

There were 11 dressage classes, ranging from Training Level one, to Third Level test of choice. Shalom Feyah won all 4 training level classes, with 5 to 8 per class. In first level, Noribba won Test 1. Test 2 was won by Abraxas Halimaar, Test 3 and Test 4 went to Wind Khufu, Test 3 and 4 and Third Level test of choice to El Gohara+/. Walk Trot class was won by TDF Kit Kat.

The Stallion Showcase has always been something of importance. It is a great aide in the selection of a stallion for future breeding. Breeders are able to compare a host of stallions, young and old, side by side, and make evaluations that are not possible through photographs or on a one on one basis.

The showcase was huge this year, with stallions traveling from as far away as Canada and both American Sea coasts, not to mention the ZT horses from South America. I dare not start naming them, as there were so many and of such high quality - but some of my favorites were, the lovely Imperial Al Kamar with his outstanding son Imperial Kamilll, and Imperial Baarez. From our own cyber-family there were the stallions Ansata Hejazi, Ansata Iemhotep, Norriba, Makhnificent KA, Marquis 1, and The Renagade. Let's also not forget the black dressage stallion AK Khazar. He is such a lovely boy and his kind nature steals your heart.

Not only is the Egyptian Event a world class show of Egyptian Arabian Bloodstock, it is also the place to be to meet many friends, old and new, and enjoy some true hospitality. With numerous Farm parties, an art auction and a violin concert by the world renowned Daniel Heifetz, it is a place to enjoy and learn.

Seminars are a daily happening, covering subjects such as breeding, training, care and health. The Event ends with an extensive Judging seminar - paneled by many of the world's finest Arabian horse judges. It is not only an outstanding lesson in judging it is a great tool for teaching conformation and the workings of a horse. Well worth the trip to Lexington, in itself.

Our many thanks go out to Count Federico Zichy-Thyssen who funded all new, and extremely efficient lighting for the arena. It is a great improvement over former days. If you have never been to the Egyptian Event, make it a point to go! You won't regret it.