| Contributed by Cary & Georgia Tachoir
In 1980, while attending the IAHA Annual Convention, I met a horse that changed my life. During that convention I had the opportunity to go to a party and presentation at Zodiac Arabians. This was more that a mere ranch promotion; it was the celebration of *Muscat achieving the Triple Crown of the Arabian Breed. He had just been chosen U.S. National Champion Stallion. Needless to say, he captured my eye, my heart, and my soul.
At that time I certainly did not have the money, the mare, or the means to book a breeding to this wonderful horse. I was, and still am, a small breeder but then especially. As the mid-80's rolled around, my paths would cross with this wonderful big red horse. At the time, because of my involvement with IAHA and its Arabian Horse Fair Board, I found myself in Scottsdale. The likes of Amber Silk and Amber Satin drew me even closer to *Muscat. I was constantly at Karho just admiring my horse hero and, thanks to Rick Nab, came to know the horse on a first name basis as I talked and scritched on his proffered neck and back for pets. I still did not have the means or mare to even think about a breeding but his vision never left my dreams. Between Scottsdale and the Fairs in Reno and in Madison, WI, I garnered all the information I could, secretly harboring a dream that someday...someday...
In 1993 I attended yet another IAHA Convention, (I haven't missed one since 1979) and, once more, a convention trip brought me to *Muscat's domain--this time at Lasma East. On a cold, rainy night, busloads of us were taken to the big show barn for the presentation and sale. Being a little more brave, I ventured to the office and obtained a buyer's card. Really, what I was after was a chance to talk of possibly breeding a mare but had to consider shipped semen as I had no way to move a mare to Kentucky and to maintain her there for a breeding season. Yes, I had the mare. But, again, I was thwarted--this time by the fact that they would not consider shipping his semen due to his advanced age and the fragile nature of the results. Beg as I may, it wasn't to be. And, at the time, I was told that due to the cold and rain, we would not be treated to seeing *Muscat and *Aladdinn, his new stablemate. Undaunted, I went to the show barn and eagerly watched the goings-on. After a while, I grew tired of the presentations and went exploring. Way in the back stalls, completely hooded and blanketed were my long lost buddies, eagerly awaiting company and a little mental TLC--*Muscat and "Laddy." My heart skipped a beat. Maybe we would see them after all. And, we did! In the period of time between presentation and sale, they were brought out, as planned, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. We were in the presence of greatness and we knew it! From that time on, I was a determined, frustrated breeder with a fine mare and no way to achieve my goal.
But, fate intervened. The following year, while at a local horse show in October, I found out that *Muscat was now going to the Taylor Ranch in Utah. I was astounded and immediately sprang into action. I contacted Rick Taylor and told him of my quest, of my mare, and of my dedication. Who is the mare? My absolutely wonderful multi-Regional Champion, U.S. National Top Ten Half-Arabian Trail Horse, TCE Annie+/. Yes, a Half-Arabian! I felt my chances were remote at best but her record and pedigree could speak for itself. to continue - |
She is by TC Expression+/ (by *Bask) x Baby Grand (the mother of Damn the Torpedoes, U.S. National Half-Arabian Futurity Gelding and Half-Arabian Gelding.) I FAXed a letter, followed with a posted letter, sat back and waited. The day before Thanksgiving I received a letter from Rick saying in a brief handwritten note, "We will be proud to breed *Muscat to such a fine mare." Needless to say, I was in tears of joy.
Over the winter we made the necessary plans, took Annie to Scottsdale for the first time, took a Top Ten in Trail, and hauled to Utah the first of March. What a marathon. What a wonderful place. Taylor Ranch was all and more than I expected and..here was *Muscat, a happy, loved old gentleman. Annie was at Taylor for eight months. She was difficult to settle being eleven years old and *Muscat being 24 but persistence and patience paid off. In late August she was finally in foal and on October 30 we brought her home. During her stay we went three times and visited and in wet April, hot summer, and delicious fall I was allowed to get really acquainted with *Muscat--playing with him in his stall, his paddock, and even in the arena where he was allowed to run and play. My pictures and memories will forever be cherished.
Believe me, eleven months is a long time. At seven months pregnant, Annie traveled to Las Vegas for the Region Seven Championships. "She's just pregnant, not sick" joshed my vet as I worried about my decision to take her on a 450 mile trip with such valuable cargo. So, we went. She literally had not been ridden or shown for a year! And, being her own great self, she once again "wowed" the crowd being named Region One Reserve Champion with the only difference in scoring being a second under the call judge instead of a first. We were elated as this finished her Legion of Supreme Merit.
On August 10, in the middle of the night between two show days of an Arabian Show I was running, Annie foaled. Her offspring was a great chestnut colt! Because of the timing of his birth, he became Muscatannie Showtime and he really is Showy! He is as loving a Annie, has the presence of *Muscat, and is exactly what I wanted. I know I have fulfilled my long time dream. It is sad that just before Showy's birth, *Muscat passed away from this world. But, I'm sure he's looking down at all he left in his legacy with pride. I for one, have pictures and memories AND a wonderful part of his existence and I am proud to say, even a little breeder with desire can achieve great dreams.
- Thanks to Georgia Tachoir for sharing her story with us. Your stories welcome, too. -Stacey Mayer, AWH Webmaster.
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