By Terry Polk
We have a map of Europe hanging in our kitchen here at Los Acres, that everyone enjoys looking at when they enter my mother and fathers home. My mother, Jackie, marked the map showing the MANY miles our two stallions, THEE JESIDI JAMES and JAIR TAMAAL traveled - while going through Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. I was very lucky indeed - to have been with them on this journey!
We left our homeland here in the states, from Los Angeles, and headed off for our landing spot of Amsterdam. My gosh, what a sight seeing them being lifted up high in an enclosed box, then the box rolling into the plane! I was able to ride in the back of the airplane with the stallions the majority of the time. We flew KLM Airlines, which is direct from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, Holland - about 14 hours! This is a passenger flight, with cargo and horses in the back. Believe me, what a shock the passengers had every time I came through the back door, and JESIDI JAMES' loud whinny sounded off! They were horrified! I had to quickly get back to him so he would stay quiet and be happy. I did meet so many people that always wanted to talk to a "real horse person". They also commented that they never thought they would see the day they would fly on an airplane with a horse! THEE JESIDI JAMES (Thee Desperado x Jfarah Brahim, by *Sidi-Brahim), "Jesi" demanded my presence by his side at all times, while JAIR TAMAAL (Tamaal FA x Sidcerely Yours, by *Sidi-Brahim), "Airy" acted like he flew in planes everyday. The airline stewardesses were so kind during the flight. They even set up a little table from an old box and fixed it up for my meals. I was then able to be next to both stallions, and feed and water the boys when they needed to be. Oh my, what a sight seeing my Jesi crunching on his hay with his head hanging over the stall, looking through the window, and seeing the beautiful land below. As I perched myself up alongside he and Airy's stall, and looked outside at the clouds, then back at those two beautiful stallions (our family have bred the dams for 5 generations) I thought "I wish my family was here seeing this sight and feeling this moment with me!"
We landed safely in Amsterdam, Holland. My love was there waiting! My love, Joao SerraCoelho of Portugal, drove his 6 horse truck from Portugal, along with his close friend "Mr. Fan". Joao was happy as he said his hellos and hugs to me and Jesi - but he then got teary eyed as he saw his new "partner in life and in battle", JAIR TAMAAL. "Airy" was of course happy to be reunited with Joao too.
Our first excitement of the trip was to show at the All Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany. Wow. What a show that is. Mr. Klaus Beste is incredible with his planning and all his hard dedicated work for this wonderful event. Klaus Beste asked us if we would put on an exhibition with JAIR TAMAAL and Joao
,
and tell the horse loving crowd of the future plans of theirs. "AIRY" and Joao
did indeed impress the crowd, while Klaus Beste read the words of the future for
these two. The crowd CHEERED when they heard there is no killing of the bulls in
Portugal! After their presentations, AIRY and Joao were surrounded by many
people from foreign lands. Many of the Arab countries asked if they could buy
AIRY! Of course Joao kindly said he was not for sale, so they then asked if Joao
could make them a video showing his training of Bullfighting horses!It was now time for THEE JESIDI JAMES to compete in his halter class
.
How exciting to be showing in Aachen! The music was INCREDIBLE, the horses were
shown HAPPY, and the crowd was HUGE! We placed Top Ten in his division and we
both had an incredibly fun time in the arena. JESI found many new admirers. We
were honored also to be asked to carry the American Flag
in the ceremonies for the All Nations Cup. We were so proud, Jesi and I
together!After the show, we said our good-byes. Some friends from the States asked me if we were going to U.S. Nationals. I said "Where are they this year?" They were surprised at my comment, and I proceeded to tell them we were now off to Portugal! They said "What is in Portugal"? Now - isn't this horse life exciting. Why is it that some people just cannot explore a little more, and experience life at its fullest? I then told them that JESI will be competing in Portugal for the Gold Medal. Their response was "Oh......."
We loaded up, said our good-byes to my most favorite aunt in the whole world, Joanne Gyr ("JoJo") who flew over to Germany to watch her two stallion loves, JESI and AIRY, and be the "groom". JoJo is the best groom in the entire world. And Joao said good-bye to his favorite aunt, Mizu, and her husband Victor, that came from Belgium to see Joao.
We are off! The two stallions alone in Joao's huge 6 horse truck that carries Joao's bullfighting stallions. The trip from Aachen, Germany to Tomar, Portugal was a trip that will never be forgotten. The stallions were relaxed and happy, drank water and ate food the entire trip
.
Riding up in Joao's truck with him driving was an experience of my life that
will forever be in my memory. Riding with him by my side made me think of all
the trips in my childhood with my father, Paul Polk and mother Jackie in the 11
horse van years ago carrying so many horses, and lots of family members all
across the United States and Canada.Our route began in Aachen, Germany, then through Brussels, Belgium, and included Paris, Tours, and Bordeaux France, then through the "scary" area of the beautiful San Sebastian, Spain, on to Salamanca, Spain, then on to our destination of Portugal. The reason I say "scary" was I had heard about the terrorist problems in that part of Spain. Two days after we left a stop in San Sebastian, 5 trucks were blown up by the terrorists. At the exact spot we stopped at for lunch!
I Listened to Joao tell stories of history and battles (with his strong deep Portuguese accent) while driving through the ancient and beautiful European countryside - dotted with castles, centuries old homes, churches and ranches, still gives me shivers ---------- Joao loves the history of Europe, and especially the battles of warriors on horseback. I feel sure there is an ancient connection with Joao, as he Bullfights on Horseback in the old arenas - of this era. When we arrived in Portugal, Joao's friend Mr. Fan asked Joao to stop the truck. We were not sure what the problem was. Mr. Fan jumped out of the truck and kissed Portugal's land! Mr. Fan spoke no English - and I speak no Portuguese - but we made the most fun conversations! Mr. Fan owns a lot of horses in a beautiful area of Portugal near the blessed town of Fatima. He also lives near the over 5 million year old Dinosaur Footprints! These are two very sacred places in Portugal. And what a character Mr. Fan is.....
The stallions came off the truck happy and full of energy. AIRY stood up high on the truck overlooking Portugal with so much Nobleness in his huge dark eyes
.
How beautiful to see AIRY step foot on to his new found land. Joao's tears were
beautiful too. AIRY will not only be Joao's partner in the bullring, but will
also leave his mark through the foals he will sire.JESI had a schedule too. Joao started him under saddle, and did JESI love every second of it! The next step was showing JESI in the St. Martins Fair held in Golega, Portugal. JESI was looking real good from Joao riding him - so he was ready! How beautiful to see the both of them walking down the cobblestone
streets
together on the way up to the arena. Joao in his Portuguese suit, and JESI in
his dapples.....The time was here! JESI and Joao went high stepping into the arena! They were both admired by so many of the people of Portugal, and other countries of Europe. JESI had heads turning! So many people told Joao they did not know Arabians were so tall, and could trot like he trotted. After announcing the score, JESI won the GOLD MEDAL! This is quite an honor since the horse is judged on conformation and movement. JESI returned in the evening for the Medal Ceremonies, and again another sight that will never be forgotten. Wonderful distinguished breeders from families that have bred top Lusitano horses for centuries, encircled Joao and JESI. These incredible breeders were amazed at him. They thanked Joao for presenting to Portugal a horse of such beauty and grace. Still to this day, breeders, riders, and all horseman say "They will never forget the sight of the dapple grey Arabian from the United States" .
The St. Martins Fair is not just a Horse Fair, but a celebration of the "Horse". Portugal is an incredible country for supporting and loving the Horse. The Classical Riders bring a feeling of true love of horseman and horse. Thousands of horses and riders dressed in the Portuguese attire not only compete, but go to the Fair to show the onlookers what great horses are. Many of the horses are sold for movies during the Fair, and also sales to people all over the world. I remember Joao reading to me the newspaper of Golega for the final weekend of the Fair "Over One Million People Expected This Weekend". WOW. Now thats a crowd.
I had been joined by family members: My brother John, his wife Susan, my niece Polly (Jackie), my nephew John. And also JESI's owners, Bob and Ann Hoff - who are John and Susan's closest friends, and they were the owners of JESI at the time. Joao, John, and Polly and I had the greatest time riding in the St. Martins Fair on Joao's Bullfighting Stallions! We rode all hours of the nights, and even ended up in ancient bars on horseback!
I was so exhausted after the Fair was over. The Hoff's along with Susan and John, decided to tour Lisbon, Portugal, and see the sights of Portugal. They loved Lisbon! The Hoff's called our family in U.S.A., and said they had a great time and lots of fun in Portugal and had decided to sell THEE JESIDI JAMES while he was in Europe -------- The Hoff's have 2 beautiful daughters and own a lovely Spanish daughter of *SIDI-BRAHIM, and felt "girls"were best suited for them. Guess what ------ my parents bought him! I can't explain the feeling of joy and excitement!!!!
I remember a late night phone call from my mother saying "I hope you are getting ready to leave soon, JESI has to be on the plane in Amsterdam to come home in 3 days." My tired heart just fell. Everyone had gone home except for my nephew John, who was staying . I don't know what we would have done without him, and also the kindness of Joao and his parents. All of a sudden we were packing up FAST. I had totally lost track of dates, times, countries. You name it - I lost track of it! Within an hour, we left. We were off again. This time it was Joao, John Lewis, me, and JESI. Thank goodness the snow had not arrived yet in Europe - but the rain sure did. As we traveled our route back to Amsterdam, Joao started getting tired while in Spain. So John Lewis learned how to drive a huge truck at 3:00 in the morning in a heavy rainfall driving through the Pyrenees. These mountains are BIG. I was so nervous that they pulled over and made me ride in the back of the truck - but thank goodness there are comfortable beds so that was nice! I guess it was hard for Joao to give John Lewis driving lessons while I was coaching at the same time. I did pout awhile, but I soon fell to sleep.
After so many long hours of driving, we finally arrived. JESI looked like he went for a 2 mile horse trailer ride. He never cared about a thing. He just loves life, and loves where life takes him. We arrived just in time to be in Amsterdam for the required time before he was to leave.
I said my sad good-byes to Joao (John had to go by train back to the hotel in Amsterdam for Joao's cell phone he forgot - poor John - he ended up on a train going to Brussels - after hours of Joao waiting and worrying - John finally did find his way back to Joao - and they then headed back to Portugal). We were now off again for our trip back to the good old UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! JESI was so funny on the airplane as we took off. He LOVES his red grain bucket. As we take off and land the plane shakes and gets very loud. I put his grain bucket (empty) up by his head, and he ducks his face inside of it! As we were taking off, he quickly stuck his head inside of the bucket. He is such a character. And such a kind horse. I love every second of his life.
We returned home to Los Angeles, and spent a few days in quarantine before my father Paul Polk and my favorite uncle, Walt Gyr arrived to pick us up. How exciting to see them! As we drove home and I was telling the stories of our trip, we ended up somehow getting off of the freeway in Los Angeles. We were lost in DANGER LAND. We quickly called my brother John who has a Construction business in Orange County, and he said "turn around fast". It took us awhile, but we did manage to get back on the freeway. I thought to myself "Me and Jesi survived the terrorists in Spain" - we can survive L.A.! It was great to arrive home at Los Acres, in the farm country near Stockton, and share the stories with my family.
This is a trip that will never be forgotten. My favorite thought is remembering the people in Portugal seeing JESI. Witnessing people for their first time seeing an Arabian. This trip was worth every scary second, every exciting second, every happy second.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my trip with two Arabian Stallions. They will both forever be in my heart....
Terry Polk