Strong and powerful in body yet gentle and companionable in spirit, the horse has served both kings and peasants in war, work, and play for thousands of years. This lavishly illustrated volume features 100 images of equine excellence, capturing the magnificence and grace of the horse, from photographs by Alfred Stieglitz and Steven Klein to paintings by Da Vinci and Delacroix, presenting a complete study of the elegance and nobility that the horse embodies.
"As old as time itself and as fleet as its flying moments," the Arabian horse has remained practically unchanged throughout the more than 3,500 years of the history of the breed.
Prized for their stamina and their acclimation to the harsh conditions of the Arabian deserts, the ancestors of the horses that are now recognized as the Egyptian Arabian purebred horse entered Egypt centuries ago, establishing the valuable bloodlines of the breed there. The breeding programs in Egypt therefore became the root source for the finest Arabian horses, attracting passionate enthusiasts from all corners of the world. Artists, poets, and historians have for centuries been inspired by their great beauty and romantic legacy. Nasr Marei is the third-generation owner of a stud farm in Giza, Egypt. His love for and knowledge of the Egyptian Arabian horse, coupled with his sensitive and striking photography, have inspired this visual tribute. His extraordinary photographs, accompanied by text that traces the history and evolution of the Arabian's journey into Egypt, celebrate the lineage of this living treasure of Egyptian heritage.
The Arabian, one of the oldest pure breeds, was predominant in founding the thoroughbred, and there are few breeds today which do not contain Arab blood in varying degrees. This book traces the history and development of the breed from the desert to its worldwide role today.
Co-authored by HRH Princess Alia, the eldest daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, and the artist and author Peter Upton,ERoyal HeritageEtells the story of the Arab horse in Jordan, from the early days of the Bedouin tribes to the 21st century, a story closely associated with the Hashemite family of Jordan, direct descendants of the Prophet. The account also tells of the Arab Revolt of 1916, in which the Emirs Ali, Abdullah, Feisal and Zeid, withET E Lawrence, drove the Ottomans out of the region, and how some of the Hashemite mares became the foundation stock of the Royal Stud in Jordan.ERoyal HeritageEcovers many other adventures including the traumatic events which nearly led to the loss of the StudOs precious mares and describes how, despite these setbacks, the Royal Stud has flourished. In 1987 Princess Alia, Director of the Royal Stud, organised the first Arab horse show to be held in Arabia entitled OThe Arab Horse at Home.O It was an event which inspired other Arab countries to organise horse shows of their own. Princess Alia includes many fascinating personal reminiscences: about the horses she holds so dear, the people involved in the Stud through the years, the famous and infamous, family and friends, heads of state and handlers. The work is richly illustrated with paintings, drawings and rare photographs from old archives and private collections, as well as up-to-date portraits of the Stud and its horses. Peter Upton gives an in-depth account of the horses themselves; the breeding, lineage and preservation of the hugely important Jordanian bloodlines. A story of legend, romance and war,ERoyal HeritageEtells with passion for the first time the remarkable saga of the Arab horse in Jordan.
