The Beginning
Homeland Of The Arabian Horse
Kuwait has always served as the gateway to the Middle East due to its geographical location. It was the main harbor for shipping Arabian horses that were purchased from the Arab tribes to India, where they were used, among other things, for racing in Bombay and in the service of the British army.
As an example of the courage and sacrifice of Arabian horses and their riders, the Battle of Jahra in 1920 is noteworthy, during which Sheikh Salem Mubarak Al Sabah was besieged with six hundred Arabian horses at the Red Palace in the west of Al Jahra. When water, food, and ammunition were almost depleted, he sent two knights on two Arabian horses asking for the help of Kuwait, which was then defeated by his nephew Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaber. The two knights on horseback succeeded in breaking through the barricade rows despite the shower of bullets fired at them.
Kuwait’s princes were interested in breeding pure Arabian horses because they symbolized originality, courage, and sacrifice. Breeding of Arabian horses reached its extreme peak during the period between 1919 and 1921 when Kuwait was ruled by the late prince, Sheikh Salem Mubarak Al Sabah.
Later, the breeding further developed during the reign of the Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jaber Al Sabah, between 1921 and 1950. During his reign the city of Al Ahmadi also witnessed the first modern horse race held in Kuwait.
Following the discovery of oil, this nation of fishermen and traders has become one of the richest and most developed nations in the world that offers state-of-the-art amenities, secure infrastructural facilities, and technical excellence and is respected around the world.
The Kuwaitis’ pride in their history, heritage, and national progress has given rise to an identity that is uniquely Kuwaiti. As the centuries pass, traditions have not changed. Although the country has been modernized, the people’s links with their heritage are as strong as ever. Kuwaiti people have retained their traditions, cultural identity, and character traits. The Arabian horse is the native horse of the Bedouin tribe that has roamed through the Arabian Peninsula and the bordering countries to the north for several thousand years. Forged in the crucible of the Arabian Desert, these unique creatures evolved in the harshest conceivable conditions. The Arabian horse is part of the Arab world’s history and tradition, and particularly in Kuwait, it is considered the Arab duty and responsibility to preserve the breed and further its importance worldwide. Over the past thirty or forty years, the Kuwait Arabian Horse Center has taken a key interest in breeding Arabian horses and in particular concentrating on Straight Egyptian bloodlines as a nucleus for preserving Arabian horse heritage in Kuwait.
The Foundation
New Breeding Programm
Imports From Germany In 1992
Determined to restock the stud farm, the PAAFR committee again contacted Dr. Olms and the Asil Club in Germany, and as a result, six mares, including five from Dr. Olms and one from the Netherlands, came to Kuwait. One of the mares, Hamasa Safina, died before registration and is not listed in the studbook. All were Straight Egyptians except Hamasa Mahuda, who fit into the Asil Club’s special categorization of authentic Asil Arabians.
Dahman Shahwan — El Dahma/Sabah Line
HAMASA TARIFA, an attractive refined gray broodmare of the Bukra family by Farag x Mehna by Mohawed. She came in foal to Hamasa Khazzan (Kasr El Nil x Nafteta by Kaisoon), a stallion of Saglawi Jedran Moniet El Nefous lineage, and produced the very lovely white mare LATIEFA, who is still at the Center and has founded her own significant family.
Dahman Shahwan — Bint Obeya Line
ASHAMAH SALAM, a rather plain gray mare by Hassan "S" x Monieta "S" by AK Khattar Moniet, her lineage extended through Bint Fayek to El Yatima and Bint Obeya. Her production was not retained. She was sold in Kuwait and died in 2006.
Saglawi Jedran — Om Dalal Line
HAMASA TARIFA, an attractive refined gray broodmare of the Bukra family by Farag x Mehna by Mohawed. She came in foal to Hamasa Khazzan (Kasr El Nil x Nafteta by Kaisoon), a stallion of Saglawi Jedran Moniet El Nefous lineage, and produced the very lovely white mare LATIEFA, who is still at the Center and has founded her own significant family.
Saglawi Alabd — Urfa Line of Syria
HAMASA MAHUDA (Masir x Hamasa Kahila by Kaisoon), a bay mare tracing through Shar Turfa to Davenport’s desert-bred Syrian mare Urfah, who was imported to the United States. She was not a Straight Egyptian. Her production was not retained, and she was sold in Kuwait.
Count Electra
(Gai Parada x Grande Ferzida by Grande Duke), an import from Argentina as a gift in 1993 to the ruler, Emir Sheikh Jaber. He was a handsome bay Gainey-bred stallion tracing to the Davenport mare Urfah. He was not a Straight Egyptian, and none of his offspring remain at the Center.
Imports from the United States in 1998–99
In 1997 the Center was placed under the umbrella of the Hunting and Equestrian Club, which operates under the auspices of Kuwait’s Sports Authority. A limited budget was set for the Center to acquire more Arabian horses, and a short time frame was allotted for them to be bought and imported. Coincidentally Usamah Al Kazemi, a member of the Center’s organizing committee, had recently visited America and purchased horses from Ansata Arabian Stud.