Aesir Arabians

Anyone who has ever shown horses will agree nothing compares to the exhileration of watching their pride and joy do well in the arena, regardless of placing. Months of conditioning and training, and sometimes hours of preparation on the day come together at last, the stress of the lead-up seems totally insignificant. I hope you enjoy this pictorial tour of our shows as much as we enjoyed the journey.

"Zahli" is the first-born at Aesir, arriving amid torrential rain at 8 o'clock on the evening of Australia Day 2005.  He is an Anglo gelding, by Kanandah Sanzar (Hamil [A K Sirhalima] x Rianda's Czarcora [Gai General]), out of Tanza Grand. He was an athlete from the second he was born - he practically galloped his way out! With his magnetic personality, height, and good looks, he has far more potential than I will ever be able to achieve with him. However, it would have to be an exceptionally ridiculous offer for me to part with this boy, as I envisage him being my riding horse for many years to come.

 His show career began at 15 months old, and by the time EI brought the 2007 show season to a screaching halt, 4 B-class and about 7 A-class shows later, I'm very proud of his achievements. We've managed five 3rds, four 2nds, five 1sts and 2 Champion sashes.

  Possibly the proudest moment for me was watching Zahl's get a Runner Up in his age group at the 2007 Pan Pacific Championships. (I'm easy to pick, I'm the one pacing up and down the side of the arena and hissing instructions which are totally inaudible to the handler! Talk about nervous show-mum!)

2008, and Zahl's is still my number-one-son! Due to many other commitments we have only managed one show this year so far, the inaugural CQ Arabian Classic. Maybe more later in the year...   The handler assigned the job of running him out for me had injured herself earlier in the day, requiring me to enlist my already busy friends to finalise his prep while I made a hasty costume change. Wayne Backhouse of Global Equine Marketing ran him, I did his stand-up. Despite not being conditioned as well as I would normally like (my own fault), he performed very favourably, eventually taking Reserve Champion Anglo, Derivative Male Classic Trot, and several others including behaving well enough to get me my first ever "Amatuer Owner Handler".  He also received very positive feedback from several sources throughout the weekend. To say I'm in love with this horse is an understatement - but then I am a little biased...

 Photos, Steve Vit Photography

Handled very ably by Wayne Backhouse of Global Equine Marketing (big thank you, guys!), Debbani made her debut at the inaugural CQ Arabian Classic, placing second in 2yo Purebred Filly behind the luscious Shannonbrook Psyuede. For a first outing, I'm very pleased with the outcome. Deb' won her class for Classic Arabian Neck - Female, as well as picking up several other placings that day.

   Photos, Steve Vit Photography

Little Astara trotted out magically for handler Leesa Bickers in her first show at the start of July 2008. She stood up quite nicely considering her crash-course in show stands only the day before, well exceeding my expectations. She has been a delight to handle, and with her super smooth movement is steadily maturing into what I believe should be a lovely riding horse. 

      Photos, Steve Vit Photography