Happy Horse Day 2003

By Jackie Tone Polk

Held each year at Los Acres on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 25th 2003 was a stand out! Family members and friends scrambled to wash the last horses, hang flags and banners, and set up the welcome area. Our start time was 1 pm.

We started the fun day inside the Los Acres arena barn, with our good friend from Portugal John (Joao) SerraCoelho working with the young vaulting mare BLESSID, (called to action when I sold my good vaulting mare to Arizona 2 months before -----------) Joao had been teaching the young Los Acres riders the art of vaulting from horse back, and began with my sister Joanne's granddaughter Jenna Campili (wearing her bright red "Happy Horse Day" shirt with riding britches) and her beautiful smile. Next was Spencer Ryan Lewis, great grandson of Jackie and Paul Polk - and 7th generation horseman, tracing to Jack Tone I. Joao finished the vaulting demonstration with moves taught to the young men of Portugal before they move on to become a "Cavaliero", riding horseback into their bullfighting arenas. (Due to Queen Maria's orders, they do not kill the bull while bullfighting in Portugal).

Next, the flag atop the tall flag pole near *SIDI-BRAHIM's stall and paddock became the focal point as Jennifer Smith belted out the National Anthem in her beautiful voice, and then out came the silver white *SIDI-BRAHIM, at 29 years of age - to be admired and photographed by the crowd - and loved by the young mares in the near by pasture!

The first gorgeous bay mare and filly to be led out was JULLIETTE (first daughter of JULIO BRAHIM) and her petite 3 day old bay filly by QR EXCEL! (He lives in Italy). JULLIETTE was in Scottsdale, Arizona at the show when she first saw EXCEL, and they whinnied to each other. It was love at first sight. (Our first son John - Boo - and wife Susan took care of the details).

Next was the dapple grey QUEEN OF BRAHIM , daughter of *SIDI-BRAHIM, and her lovely grey colt PRINCE JULIO. They have been sold, and will leave for Texas later this year. GG CATALANA, a white Spanish mare of Greengate Farm breeding and owned by Terry Polk, was next, with her black/grey pretty colt by JULIO BRAHIM (her first daughter by *SIDI-BRAHIM, is an export to the country of Qatar, and her full brother CATALAC is the pride and joy of the Polk's daughter in law, Dr. Linda Lauper-Polk, and currently Jumping with the best of them!) Next came the tall grey mare, JFARAH BRAHIM, a *SID daughter to "die" for, and her eye catching liver chestnut colt by the beautiful THEE DESPERADO. He has been named "THEE SUNDANCE SID", and is a full brother to the multi Champion grey 3 year old "THEE JESIDI JAMES". Next was the snow white MAGIC OF SID, by *SID and out of FADJURS MAGIC, with her lovely black/grey filly by JAIR TAMAAL. When weaned, this "leased" mare's filly will be leaving for her new home in Temecula, California.

The last mare and foal presented to the crowd was *Sid's favorite bay FATIMA ALA BAHR, and her spirited liver chestnut filly, LAURA BRAHIM, by *Sid. LAURA was not finished when her time was up! She strutted her stuff - then ran and slid and snorted and blew - and refused to follow her dancing and prancing mama! By the time she was back in her stall, we were ready for a break - door prizes - and snacks.

WOW! What came next was more exciting! We all headed for the back outdoor arena, passing by the Moshier Creek,its waterfall, and the Polk families outdoor picnic area under the Oak trees. The judges stand was set up near the south end of the arena entrance and bales of straw outlined the arena for seating. Polk grandchildren ran the incredible stereo sound system, and coordinated the music for the "LOS ACRES LIBERTY CHALLENGE". Wow! The excitement was mounting for the "anything goes - no rules - 3 minutes of frenzied competitors and their horses".

Three unexpected judges are chosen from the crowd each year. A lady, Sandra Ferreira, a gentleman (name unknown - was here because of his wife), and a youngster, Rachael Geiszler. They were given a seat under the black tent. Each is given a score card, pencil, ice water and wine glass full of jelly beans (owning a horse is not a priority in order to be a judge). Attached to each judges clip board is a short history of the Arabian Horse, and their love for humans. The rules for judging are listed in 2 categories. Score each horse from 1 to 10, as to which horse would you love to own, and score each song (chosen by the contestant) from 1 to 10, as to which song went best with the horse. Sometimes hilarious outfits on the contestants and their horses ad to influencing the judges! (This year one entry had a stuffed monkey and a bunch of real bananas tied to its back).

Family and barn folks can choose any Los Acres horse, supply their "secret" song on CD, and put $20. in the pot. Previous years winners (horses only) are not eligible to compete again, but they are asked to put on their winning demonstration during breaks. The festive arena is decorated all around with flags of foreign nations, as I had sewn them years ago, and my daughter Nancy painted their insignias!

Since we have "no rules", my son Mike and wife Linda (Dr. Lindi - horse vet and surgeon) asked to be first, as they had "props". WOW. I wasn't prepared - and late getting to my microphone (I'm the non official announcer and off the cuff yappity yapper). As we all arrived at the arena, jumps were already set up! Mike and Lindi entered the arena riding two "SID KIDS", the tall greys HALIMA BRAHIMA and CATALAC in their jumping attire, and both wearing their red "Happy Horse Day" t-shirts. They had a choreographed routine, timed to the Music "Jump", and went over the jumps together, then unsaddled the horses, and the horses continued to work together running free to the music! WOW. When it was all over, it was fun to see that they had come close - and tied for second place.

One after another the contestants entered the arena, music blaring, crowd cheering - and some I never did recognize - dressed like the Sheik of Araby, and a floozie with a blonde wig and fur coat. When my 5 year old grandson, Josef, trotted into the arena with his Half Arab pony, complete with a black mask, white hat and silver six shooters - then got off and chased her, to the haunting melody of "The Lone Ranger", I couldn't quit laughing long enough to talk! The pony stopped for a minute, and Josef ran up and poked her in the seat of the pants with his silver" shooters, and off they went - "faster than the speed of light".

One years Los Acres Liberty Challenge winner, JAIR TAMAAL, out of SIDCERELY YOURS, gave an exhibition, competing under saddle with the real bullfighter, Joao, demonstrating the moves while the "fake" bull attacked! (His music was "Bad To The Bone"). We at Los Acres gifted JAIR TAMAAL to Joao SerraCoelho, and he will leave for Portugal this fall.

One after another, the horses and contestants charged into the arena for their 3 minutes of glory! Someone asked me for more time to prepare - so a surprise exhibition quickly appeared. It was Cody the dog, attacking the Bullfighter Joao on foot - charging his red cape - skidding and charging again and again to the original music of Cielo Andaluz (bullfighting music). Then all of a sudden a tiny tiny Chihuahua dog named Cornut, dressed in a tiny black Spanish hat, and an embroidered bullfighting jacket streaked into the arena, and saved the Matador from the charging "Queensland Heeler", Cody the Dog..........

When it was all over, the 19 contestants had been judged, there was a unanimous winner entered by Nancy Lewis. Believe me, I was surprised when my big grey two year old colt PRESIDENTE POLK came prancing into the arena, to the music of "Hail To The Chief". With stars glittering from his halter and sparkle spray glittering from his shiny coat, he was a sight! He stopped - posed - and behind him driving slowly inside the arena was a big, dark Presidential car, with American flags on the fenders, and a huge Texas flag on the back! Behind dark tinted windows could be seen a white cowboy hat, and a hand waving pretend President Bush, driven by a secret service agent in a dark coat and glasses, as the music then changed to the beautiful country song "Mr. President". What a day we all had, and the many visitors had a ball. Nancy won the $400. pot of money for her realistic entry! In 2003, 300 visitors came from out of State, four countries - and next door neighbors. We all hope you will plan to save the date of May 30th 2004 for another "Happy Horse Day" here at Los Acres. PS - PRESIDENTE POLK is sired by our white Spanish stallion *SIDI-BRAHIM, and out of the white Russian beauty SASSAZI.