ZADAHAN Arabian Horses

Zadahan proudly announces the arrival of our first ever filly foal!

Our precious matriarch, Pembac Arliah, has given us the ultimate gift - a beautiful filly foal born just after midnight on 24th January 2008.

The filly is very pretty and a bay-going grey with her sire, Simeon Shamai's, bright blaze and cheekiness (her paddock name is Minx) and her mother's soft eyes and trusting nature. Both mare and foal are doing very well... not a bad effort for Arliah who hasn't foaled in some 12 yrs and also a wonderful first effort for young Shamai. We are proud of both of them and we have repeated the mating.

Here is a photo of her just born... to see more of this precious baby from her very first day to her second month of life, follow these links to her albums...

ARLIAH'S FILLY MINX album1 , MINX album2 (3 and 9 days old), MINX album3 (18 days old, 1oth February 08)...

The latest update is MINX album 4 (up to 8 wks old).

PC : KatyPix

Our beautiful Arliah... March 2006

Photos by Karen Sheridan

Pembac Arliah

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Sire : Gai General impUSA (Gay Count x Gai Moonbeam)

Dam : Pembac Park Afaria (Talika Musafah x Cedardell Sharia iidUK)

Arliah is our reason for being!

The first show I ever spectated at was the 1988 East Coast Championships and it was there I saw a horse that changed the course of my life!

It was Gai General.

The incredible softness in his eyes and his distinctive beauty were captivating to me, I remember thinking right then and there that one day I wanted a horse like that, with soul in it's eyes. If I was ever going to get my dream of breeding Arabians, I wanted to start with daughters of this amazing horse!

Little did I know fate was smiling kindly on me that day...

It was a few years after that when Gai General's son Boson was crowned Australian Champion gelding, that I wrote to Pembac Park to congratulate them on the win and tell them of my dream. I didn't expect a reply let alone a warm letter back stating that there were two General fillies available with terms.

Arliah at 2 years

The pedigree of one was a stand-out to me, containing many other 'greats' I'd followed through the magazines for years, this was, of course, Arliah. When the video arrived, there was no question in my mind... she had those same luminous eyes as her sire, she moved outstandingly (she was one of the stud's two best-moving fillies, the other being Gai Chantilly who was retained) but seemed to be a 'thoughtful' type whilst handled. Something told me then we'd be soul mates and when she stepped off the transport nearly 12 months later, it was sealed! From that first day, she decided I was hers and we had an understanding.

Arliah was only two at this stage and I was anxious to ride her, so in leiu of this, I used to walk her for miles around town and country, a bit like a dog! She loved this attention and always stopped to talk to anyone who was silly enough to say "Isn't she beautiful!"! She loved to go visiting.

Arliah has always thought herself human but has never acted 'spoilt', she loves to come into the house for a cup of tea and a nibble and to watch some tv, she has never abused this priviledge in any way! She is also quite happy to lie with her head in my lap for a time, sunbaking on winter mornings.

Arliah at 3 years and at 4 years with Khalil

I actually started 'riding' her early, sitting on her whilst grooming or feeding her etc, I used to give people and especially kids 'pony rides' on her too (before she was broken in). She seems to enjoy this interaction with people, she has never been trained or co-erced in any way, it's all been her idea!

When she turned three, I saw a most amazing stallion who was able to move like Arliah was; with reach and drive, natural balance and fantastic manouverability... this was Simeon Salil and I sent Arliah to be bred to him. His pedigree was amazing too, a son of the incomparable Asfour and the wonderful mare Damirah, I looked no further! He had a lovely temperament also, I remember him being lunged in a 'round yard' that only had a fence on one side with no rein on! He did it all, right next to the paddock Arliah was in (she was in season that day!), on voice command only. A special horse, like her!

Simeon Salil at 4 years

Khalil was the result of this mating and he has exceded expectations! Right from opening his eyes, he's enjoyed attention and cuddles, just like his mum, loves sneaking indoors and wants to be involved in whatever you're doing (unfortunately, he's a pain when fencing! But! He redeems himself by trying to sweep!). Roy and I can ride him without even a halter on, it's all about attention to him!

When Arliah came home from stud, she looked a million dollars, not the scruffy paddock-kept mare that had left my place, she was thriving and looked beautiful... I decided to 'break her in' myself with the advice of some friends. Normally, this would be a terrible idea - two complete novices! However, Arliah took all this instride, and especially loved long walks on long-reins, there were no hitches, she learnt very quickly and never resisited. When I first rode her with saddle and bridle, I was very nervous but she was steady as a rock! It was very much as though she thought she was doing the training and confidence-building! We have had many, many miles together now and many adventures along the way and I feel rather blessed to say, "It's all good!". Arliah even carried me to my wedding!

"Princess Arliah" Wedding Limousine!

Being my riding horse for so long has meant no chance for another foal from her... Khalil has proven so loveable we could never part with him and is so much like his mother in temperament and attitude, he will always be with us.

If you've read our news page, you will know our sad news that Arliah lost her Orlando foal but there is now some great news...

Arliah has tested IN FOAL to our darling young Simeon Shamai, so fingers crossed she can hold on to this precious baby! We think she is due to foal around mid December 2007.

KatyC.