Mulawa Open Day 2011 - A Cause for Celebration

There are few Open Days in the world that can rival the annual event at Mulawa Arabian Stud each September. In terms of quality of horses, Mulawa is leading the continent in consistently producing world-class quality foals year after year, and turning out each successive foal crop to most deservedly earn an enviable list of show accolades at the most prestigious events in the country. In terms of venue, one would be hard pressed to find a more idyllic setting to care for horses most thoroughly anywhere in Australia, which simultaneously serving as the perfect back drop to host visitors. As for hospitality, Mulawa is unrivalled in providing access to the very heart of the breeding program and the full extent of the extraordinary facilities, with genuine warmth and sincerity as well as an enthusiastic passion and discernible dedication to the Arabian horse.

The 2011 program was expanded to include an educational seminar entitled “Authentic Type & Conformation of the Arabian Horse – Inheritable Characteristics and Developing a Breeding Program of Integrity”. I was afforded the distinct honour of presenting the seminar in conjunction with Mulawa Performance Trainer Daniella Dierks to a large and attentive crowd of almost 200 on Sunday morning in the newly expanded indoor performance arena on the Ambition side of the Sydney property. True the Mulawa spirit of involvement and hands-on dedication, Greg Farrell himself was present to handle conformation model PRINCIPESSA CCA (Versace x Pele Bey by Baskafire), a well-credentialed show mare with two Australian Reserve Mare Championships to her credit. Daniella followed up the Arabian type and conformation presentation with a superlative visual teaching tool in the form of ABER HALLO, a strategically imported Warmblood stallion from PSI in Germany, who was recently named Australian Medium Dressage Horse of the Year. To provide the audience with a more practical approach to the equine skeleton, especially those bones most involved with locomotion on both limbs, Daniella and the performance team had most creatively and colourfully drawn skeletal structures on the exterior of this magnificent stallion. Daniella’s presentation was focused principally on equine performance, discussing in detail how equine structure affects both athletic ability and usability. Comparisons were made between breeds, using multi-Australian, East Coast & National Stud Show Champion MULAWA BRONZE WINGS (Magnum Psyche x On Angels Wings by TS Al Malik) as the outstanding example of Arabian performance excellence. While conformation model ABER HALLO returned to the stables to be tacked up for the highlight performance, twice Australian Reserve Champion Mare FAMES HARMONY (Fame Maker R x Perfect Harmony by GLF Apollo) was presented with her yearling daughter MI HARMONY (by Guiliano) to demonstrate generational improvement in a breeding program. Representing the fourth and fifth generation of the Mulawa breeding program, respectively, both mother and daughter were in fine form and proved to be exceptional teaching tools for the earnest audience. The crowd was then treated to an extraordinary performance of equine talent and athletic ability in the form of ABER HALLO with Daniella Dierks in the irons. Still adorned most colourfully with the superimposed skeleton on the left-side of his body, the audience could clearly and vividly see the equine skeleton in action, performing the necessary functions of every top-level equine athlete. The crowd left armed with greater knowledge about type, conformation and breeding as well as thoroughly entertained and impressed with the quality of horses and the spectacle of the performance exhibition. 

Guests were treated to full access Open Barns on both sides of the Mulawa property during the lunch break, on an unseasonably warm, but decidedly pleasant, sunny spring day. The formal presentation of breeding and sales horses began promptly at 1:30 pm with the incredibly knowledgeable, competent and entertaining Jane Farrell acting once again as the voice of Mulawa. The performance team opened the presentation in grand style, with three of Mulawa’s most talented and accomplished performers adorned in championship garlands. MULAWA BRONZE WINGS returned in an encore performance to carry the flag for the purebred portion of the performance team with Daniella Dierks, while Arabian Warmblood SUMMERZARS IMAGERY, a multi-Australian Champion in Dressage and Ridden Gelding competition represented the derivative team with assistant trainer Annette Lowe. Katherine Farrell, Greg and Julie’s daughter, completed the trio of multi-Australian champions on OWENDALE LEMON TWIST, an Arabian Riding Pony with perhaps the most impressive show record of any show hunter pony on the continent, and a Facebook fan page with over 1000 friends. “Twister”, as he is affectionately known to his legions of fans and admirers, has been named Large Pony Show Hunter Champion twice at the NSW Horse of the Year Show with Kate in the saddle, as well as twice Large Pony Show Hunter Champion at the venerated Royal Sydney Easter Show. Both SUMMERZARS IMAGERY and OWENDALE LEMON TWIST, as well as the recently imported Warmblood gelding LUXOR, have contributed to Kate’s success as NSW Interschool Champion Dressage Rider in successive years, and her newly acquired and extremely prestigious position as a member of the NSW Dressage Young Riders Team.

The presentation of chief sires has been the cornerstone of every Mulawa Open Day since their inception. While former stars of the past, such as FAME MAKER R, TS AL MALIK, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR & GLF APOLLO, have been retired to well-deserved R & R in the lush paddocks of Ambition, up and coming significant sires KLASS and GUILIANO were on hand to wow the crowd with impressive appearances and a collection of exceptional get.

National Stud Supreme Champion and US-import GUILIANO was back in superlative form following serious surgery in January of this year. Fitter and more fertile than ever, GUILIANO will be back on the show circuit to compete as a senior stallion at all the major Australian shows. Always the consummate show horse, GUILIANO exudes undeniable charisma and commanding presence, with a bold, ground covering trot, exuberant tail carriage and an overall lofty aristocratic carriage. His long, superbly shaped neck and perfectly designed head are his hallmarks, both of which he is passing along with remarkable consistency to his foals.

Several of his best foals were on hand to testify to the genetic prowess of their sire and to provide the Aussie Arabian community with a glimpse of the current Mulawa show string of up-and-coming youngsters. Amongst the best of these was the morning’s teaching tool MI HARMONY, and magnificent young filly with an extraordinary show attitude, that embodies the best of her esteemed, multi-champion parents. Full siblings MAJESTA MI and MAXIMILLIANO (out of Mustang’s Magnum by Magnum Forty Four) were also on hand to show the success of GUILIANO on the daughters of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR. This cross was once again emphasized in the improbably enchanting PRAWIA MI, a spunky feminine filly with a fairy-tale flaxen mane and tail, who represents the very best of her extraordinary dam PARADA (Magnum Forty Four x Presence by GLF Apollo). Always a crowd favorite and affectionately known as “Australia’s Sweetheart”, PARADA was back from a year off at Alabama performing matronly duties and looking sensational, ready to take on the senior mare competition after sweeping every major title in the junior division at the Australian Championships, East Coast Championships & National Stud Show in 2009-2010.

Given that GUILIANO had sired the largest percentage of foals the year previously, the greatest number of young select sale offerings were his direct get. Amongst these were three well-constructed pretty fillies, all representing the best Mulawa dam families. Always known for exceptional geldings who can succeed both in-hand and under saddle, two outstanding Mulawa-bred prospects by GUILIANO out of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR daughters were offered in the form of BRAVADO MI (x Be Infatuated) and FORTITUDE MI (x For Choice). Following the festivities, the extremely well designed and popular FORTITUDE found a new home with long-term client Peta Meagher from Victoria, who owns an accomplished collection of Magnum Forty Four geldings known as “the 44 Boys”.

No recent exposition at Mulawa would be complete with KLASS (TS Al Malik x Karmaa by Kaborr) in multiple roles. Considered by all who have the good fortune to know him as the ideal Arabian stallion and the iconic Australian Arabian Ambassador, KLASS has amassed an unsurpassed list of show ring accolades both in-hand and under saddle in successive years that is unlikely ever to be matched. He is the modern embodiment of the classic Gladys Brown Edwards grey Arabian stallion, and adored by all for his fun-loving, always eager and affectionate nature. Well-respected horseman Rodney Brown, who has been affiliated successfully with Mulawa for over twenty years, was on hand to present KLASS in-hand together with his half-brother AMAAHNI (TS Al Malik x Aliha Bint Nizr by Anaza El Nizr), an East Coast & Australian Champion who is also the reigning Australian Reserve Senior Champion Stallion. Impressive in presence, size and structure with a distinctly modern European style, AMAAHNI was bred by Evelyn & Cameron Bonney of Parkview Arabians.

Not only has KLASS been a definitive show horse, he has raised the standard of the Mulawa breeding program to impressive new heights with several champions at Australia’s most important events to his credit. While his former show ring stars were enjoying a well-deserved year off at Alabama or off to new accolades abroad, two extraordinary young fillies from his most recent foal crop were on hand to dazzle the audience. Both are exceptionally feminine, well balanced and superbly conformed, with extremely elegant carriage, natural athleticism and gorgeous, refined, wedge shaped heads with voluminous dark eyes, small muzzles, well set ears and a generously deep jowl. The grey, nearly marking-free version of her elder superstar sister is MI KLASSIC FANTASY (x Mustang’s Magnum by Magnum Forty Four), considered by many to be the very best filly every produced at Mulawa. She is closely rivaled by the stunning KLASSICAL INSPIRATION MI (x Inpsired by Parkview Audacious), a demure young filly with an exquisite head who gives every impression of maturing into a world-class mare of magnificent proportions.

The influence of KLASS was enhanced with a special guest appearance by his inimitable dam KARMAA (Kaborr x AN Marieta by AN Malik), a former National Stud Show & East Coast Champion who has established the most important dam family at Mulawa since her importation from the USA in 1988. Looking incredibly spry at twenty-five tender years of age, KARMAA made a grand appearance with Julie Farrell, highlighting two of the most essential females behind the Mulawa success story. Snorting and blowing with an animated trot and her tail over her back, KARMAA was soon so full of herself that her former showman Greg Farrell was compelled to take the lead for a final whirl around the show ring, reminding everyone in attendance that she would always remain and had duly earned the title of “The Queen of Mulawa”. The reigning “Queen of the Australian Show Ring” joined her dam for the presentation in the capable hands of Cameron Bonney, who showed MULAWA KARISMAA (by Magnum Psyche) magnificently to the titles of Australian, East Coast, National Stud Show & Queensland Gala Event Champion Mare in the previous show season. Having returned from several months off at Alabama, KARISMAA was in brilliant form, reminding the crowd exactly why she is beloved as one of the best Arabian mares in the world. KARMAA & KARISMAA were followed by what is assuredly the next generation of champion produce from this incomparable family of Arabian excellence – KONQUEST MI. An utterly engaging dark liver chestnut colt with superior type, conformation and movement, KONQUEST takes the commanding presence of his sire GUILIANO to the next level and represents the most ideal combination of the extraordinary qualities of both his marvelous parents.

Three of last year’s superstar yearlings were also on hand, looking fit and ready to compete in the two & three year old division in the upcoming show season. The always exuberant East Coast and unanimous Australian Champion ATUNED MI (Magnum Forty Four x Mulawa Alexa by Parkview Audacious) is maturing into a fine young stallion. The regally imposing reigning Australian Champion ROMANCE MI (Magnum Forty Four x Rimaraa by Marwan Al Shaqab) has also matured beautifully, with more extreme type and scope than she exhibited as a yearling. The doe-eyed, enchantingly feminine Australian Reserve Champion MI ASPIRING VALENTINO (DA Valentino x Mulawa Aspiring by Magnum Forty Four) has improved dramatically after recovering from a series of injuries, while her grey and distinctly European-looking paternal sister VALENCIA MI (x Audacia by Parkview Audacious) is set to debut this year with panache after a year fraught with setbacks.

An exhilarating day of Arabian excellence was brought to a stirring and moving conclusion with KLASS under saddle as a Working Stock Horse. Once again in combination with Rodney Brown, who not only shares the reigning Australian Champion Working Stock Horse title with KLASS, but has earned the same title with Mulawa on three prior occasions, the pair thrilled the crowd with high-speed working gallops, “on-a-dime” stops and roll-backs, as well as the quintessential cracking of the bull whip both astride and ground-tied. With the theme music from “The Man from Snowy River” playing in the background, it was an impeccable Aussie-flavoured finish to a perfect day at Mulawa.

KLASS stayed on hand and was joined by Twister for the crowd pleasing event of “stuff-the-pony-with carrots” to conclude the day’s activities. With enthusiasts of all ages eager to get in a well-deserved pat to the reigning Mulawa superstar ambassadors, it was extremely satisfying to know that the future of the Arabian horse in Australia, and increasingly so worldwide, is in the very capable and supremely dedicated hands of the Farrell Family and the talented staff of Mulawa Arabian Stud.

20 September 2011