A bay Hamdaniyah Simriyah mare of Ibn Ghurab in 2007

This photo, also from Kina Murray, is from the 2007 WAHO conference in Syria, from the post-conference Tour to North Eastern Syria. In Kina’s words: “[This photo] was taken when we had many horses presented to us when we were hosted by the Tai [Bedouins].  She was a lovely mare.  […] I do remember that the owner of the mare (sorry I know he was an Ibn Ghorab but dont have his first name) was not only holding his mare so proudly, but also 2 mobile phones, and a large gun which you can just about see in the photo! “  Below a photo I took of Ibn Ghurab’s mares in Rumaylan, North Eastern Syria, near the Iraqi border, two years earlier, in 2005. Click on it to enlarge it. Happy times…

Kina Murray on Reem al-Oud in 2002

I love this photo of the desert-bred Ubayyah Suhayliyah Reem al-Oud in Bedouin gear with Kina Murray riding. It was taken in the North East Syria in 2002. Here’s Kina’s description of this moment: “Attached is me having a gentle walk on an elderly mare on the trip when we went to do the investigation on all the horses that were added to the studbook, in 2002. […] I can’t remember her strain, possibly Obeyah Seheilieh, I rode her when we visited the home of Sheikh Mezer Ojail Abdull Kareem of the Shammar in Al Hassaka, as far as I recall.  One of my best memories ever. In fact she had just taken part in an impromptu 5km race across the desert!   Here are a couple of quotes from the report I wrote about that trip:  “At the home of Sheikh Mezer Ojail Abdull Kareem of the Shammar in Al Hassaka, a slightly longer  race  across  the  desert  with  about  5  mares taking  part  was  arranged  for  our entertainment, it seemed that this was a regular activity. One of the mares taking part was 22 years old. The ‘finishing line’ appeared to be exactly where our group was standing, and it…