New Photo of *Exochorda
A “new” photo of *Exochorda, the best of her so far, has recently surfaced on Facebook. Here it is below, with filly Suleika at her side. It shows a well built mare of good Arabian type, reminiscent of some of the asil bloodlines from the Syrian desert such as the early Davenport Arabians, and the Hamidie horses. The croup was obviously passed on to her son Sirecho. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
From the recent research, there is no doubt anymore about *Exochorda having been bred in Egypt, of two desert bred parents. Aiglon, owned by Ahmed Effendi Ibish, a Syrian race horse owner in Cairo and a native of Damascus, appears to have been bred in the Syria desert. All of Ibish’s horses came from there.
Is the research you refer to posted elsewhere on this blog Edouard? I would like to read it please, if possible!
She doesnt look as a pure arabian mare…
Teymur, many years I had the opportunity to interview in person, two people who owned Exochorda, who raised foals from her, and who rode her and I am certain that they would disagree with you. She was very much a purebred Arabian mare in provenance and in actual Arabian characteristics according to these owners.
Thank you, Joe.
This is not really an Arabian horse – without those typical ears,dish face and tail carried high?
The mare does not appear to be a classical Arabian horse.
Dear Boet, What you say can be said about many of the past desert bred Arabians in the pedigrees of some of today’s most exotic horses. The original tribal types held a special kind of “beauty” that Bedouins valued related to various qualities of physical prowess as fearlessness in battle, endurance, or powerful body movements. Early writers who visited the Bedouin concur that the Bedouin did not breed for a “classical head.”
I interviewed many years ago the daughter of a man who once owned Exochorda. She rode Exochorda and she commented on how very athletic she was and was a smooth ride, very intelligent and quick on her feet which sounds very Bedouin indeed.
If you look far back into the pedigree of handsome horses like Al Lahab, a world champion, or his sire Laheeb who was used at stud successfully in Poland, you will find this mare Exochorda, and you will also find her contemporary El Deree, a desert bred stallion of great physical success but not a horse with the looks you describe as classic. El Deree appears in many thousands of Arabians worldwide today.
Thank you for this very good analyse. It is important to put that in the head to some new asil breeders.
it is a reality :
” The original tribal types held a special kind of “beauty” that Bedouins valued related to various qualities of physical prowess as fearlessness in battle, endurance, or powerful body movements. Early writers who visited the Bedouin concur that the Bedouin did not breed for a “classical head.” “
Hello, I have some questions about Exochorda. Which of the 4 “Leila” was her dam? Who was the breeder of Exochorda? Where took the mating place? Where was the birth? It was said she was a gift from a King. Which King was it and how came she in his possession? Had he bought her? To whom was she presented? Her export papers should be different as usual papers for Arabian Horses. Why were the new papers with the strains ordered later in Egypt? Why was said she was shipped by a ship named Exochorda which was the reason for her new name (instead of Leila II) when it was one year later on another ship? If all is cleared up in the meantime it should be easy to answer my questions. Thank you so much!