A Tale of Two Stallions
Dark Storm, looking handsome as usual.
At Arabian Nights, we are extremely proud of all our performs – those with two legs and those with four. Our Al-Marah Arabians come from a long family line of beautiful, impeccably-bred horses, just as some of our human performers come from families with deep roots in the equestrian arts. However, while our human performers often have the chance to spot their families in the audience, it’s rare that one of our equine performers gets a note from mom and dad.Until last week.
The Princess rides bareback on Dark Storm.
Meet Dark Storm. Well, actually if you read this blog regularly, you already have. Storm is a fourteen year-old black Arabian stallion who has been performing at Arabian Nights since the summer of 2000. In that time, he has become a great favorite, both with our stable staff, and with our audiences. Storm performs at liberty and is also part of the special bareback finale in our new show, The American Princess.
Dark Storm performing at liberty.
Just like all purebred Arabians, Dark Storm comes with a pedigree documenting his Arabian lineage. Of course, we keep it on file, and can trace Dark Storm’s ancestry back for generations. So when we got a call last week from Stephanie, the fond caretaker of Black Storm, we were able to compare registration papers in a heartbeat and discover that her Storm is our Storm’s sire.
Black Storm, all saddled up and ready to go.
In our digital age, this exciting news meant one thing: photo fest! Stephanie and I happily exchanged photos of Dark Storm and Black Storm, and let me say that the resemblance is striking. Stephanie was kind enough to allow me to share these pictures of Black Storm, who loves long rides and getting caught in the rain.
Black Storm looking just as handsome as his son.
Got a personal connection with one of our horses? Do you have pictures of yourself with a “relative” of one of our four-legged stars? We’d love to hear about! Tell us about your Arabian Nights connection in the comments. We’d love to feature more of our gorgeous horses gorgeous family members!
Black Storm, winning hearts. It must be a family trait!
hmmm…my Arabian Nights connection is a little bit different…I was the very first apprentice at Al Marah Micanopy, and I worked closely with Kim Barteau and Suzee Charles, trainers there at the time. I started in the spring of 1980 and was actually there the night that Mark and Galen brought Hannah home. I spent 13 months at Al Marah, and some of the life lessons I learned with them have helped shape who I am today. Yes, I still have horses! It’s been a joy watching and reading about their success with Arabian Nights. I live in California now, but my mom still lives in Inverness, FL, and one of these days, I am going to come visit for sure!
Wow, Susie, what a great story to share with us! Are any of your horses of Al-Marah ancestry?
I have a standard bred mare, and an older Arabian gelding from a more Egyptian line. I do occasionally run across an Al Marah bred Arabian, and they are without fail, always impeccably behaved and with that AM gleam in their eyes! Please tell Mark and Galen I said hi, and I think of them often!
When I worked at Arabian nights years ago I mainly rode Firefox. I also got to ride Fond Friar. Lucky was one of the horses I was responsible for also. She was just learning to lay down before I left. I loved working there!
Rhonda, isn’t Lucky just the best? She is the only horse I’ve ridden here – because of her good temper and sweet nature, she’s perfect for a beginner like me!
I own Sabre’s (Chances R GMF) grand sire, RB Cavalier++. He has actually participated in events giving kiddie rides at festivals- many of the kids called him The Black!
Fond Friar is descended from Donna Tondelayo, the only full sister to my fabulous Don Bandido, a Donoghue bred Arabian with strong Al Marah blood (Casanova and Erka). I visited his dam, Chango Tondelayo at Al Marah in 1988 and rode around with Tiffany Tankersley and chatted with Bazy who showed Dreamazon to me. Tondelayo will always remain my “Goddess” as her son Bandido, was the epitome of the magnificent Arabian horse, and we did absolutely everything together, that a rider can do on a horse!!!! Thanks for the magic…… Bazy and Gerald Donoghue!