Zaraband

Here are some pictures of Zaraband, Nikita's filly foal, born at 3:30 am, 29 December 1997. She is by Arabian Park Saiyid.

Here is a photo of Nikita Bint Kopoola and foal taken Monday, 29 December. Zaraband was only several hours old, but already very mobile. Photo: L.S.

Here she is again. Photo: L.S.

Here a close-up of her pretty face. It's tiring being a foal! Photo: L.S.

Zaraband and proud mother Nikita. Photo: L.S.

Another sleepy foal photo. Photo: L.S.

Mother and daughter in the evening sunlight. Photo: L.S.

Another mare and foal photo. Photo: L.S.

Another mare and foal photo. Photo: L.S.

Zaraband is now seven weeks old and growing nicely. Photo: L.S.

Even at seven weeks of age, Zaraband's legs are still sooo long compared with her neck. Photo: L.S.

Zaraband is going for a walk. See how dry the paddock is, and how there is no grass. Thanks El Nino! Photo: L.S.

Here Zara is standing proudly. See how much she has filled out since the first lot of photo's. Photo: L.S.

More photo's will appear here soon.

Here is an article I wrote.

Nikita's Treasure

Bay filly foal "Zaraband" (pending) by Arabian Park Saiyid (Mustafa x Ellenna) out of Nikita Bint Kopoola (Currawong Kopoola x Chipala Brigida).

After inspecting and assessing some forty-two Arabian stallions with a view to breeding my Endurance mare Nikita, I finally settled on the sire of my partbred gelding Shadrach. Most of the forty-two stallions were quite lovely, but my criteria for selection were strict, and some sort of performance background was mandatory as I was aiming to breed a horse with high performance potential. I was searching for a sire with progeny proving themselves in a performance sport, a horse of good conformation and action, good type and bold temperament. Nikita had also previously advised me that she was particularly keen on bay stallions.

Shadrach was growing up to be a nice type of horse, and I knew of several horses by his sire who were successful Endurance competitors, including the 1992 Tom Quilty Gold Cup Heavyweight winner Tarrangower Irish Monarch. Eventually I chose Rosemary Dumbleton's Arabian Park Saiyid. This stallion was the winner of numerous championships in hand and under saddle, a highlight of his career being the award of Champion Senior Stallion at the 1983 Victorian Arabian Classic.

I watched with delight as Nikita blossomed with impending motherhood, relaxing after two extremely intense years of endurance competition. In 1995 and 1996, she was Hi-points and Distance Heavyweight Horse for Gippsland Zone and Victoria. In 1996 she also achieved Hi-points and Distance Heavyweight Horse for Australia, having completed 1614 km in competition for that year, and 3000 km without a vet out in two years. I then considered her to be more than worthy to pass on her genes.

Early on Monday morning, 29 December 1997, Nikita presented a very lively bay filly. She was the most wonderful Christmas/New Year's gift I could have imagined. This delightful creation is indeed the treasure for which I had hoped.

Written by HorseBloke, 19 Jan 98