LOS ACRES "HAPPY HORSE DAY" May 28, 2006

by Jackie Tone Polk

It was another glorious day in the country, with friends, family, happy horses, and the smell of freshly baled hay in the air!

SPANISH is "the language of love", and these Spanish horses, led by our 32 year old *SIDI-BRAHIM (Jacio x Dalia Iv), are truely loved by their human families and those who came to admire them. Colorful flags of all the countries of W.A.H.O. encircled our large outdoor arena, as the Opening Ceremonies began. *SIDI-BRAHIM, led by his best friend, our daughter Terry, appeared together to the cheers and applause of his audience. We owe a great deal of thanks to our friends from Spain. "SID's" breeder, Don Diego Mendez Moreno, Helga Woodward, and the late Maria Paz, for directing our family to him in 1977. At that time, *SIDI-BRAHIM was the 3 year old Gold Medal winner of Spain!

Our friend, Jennifer Smith, of the New Christy Minstrels, was introduced and sang the National Anthem while the incredible duo of JULIO BRAHIM (*Sidi-Brahim x Fatima Ala Bahr), ridden by the Portuguese Cavaliero Joao SerraCoelho, proudly carried the American Flag. What a sight! Little grandson Josef then paraded into the arena, dressed as an authentic midevil Viking, carrying the blue and white Arabian flag of W.A.H.O., welcoming all to this annual Happy Horse Day. Los Acres is part of our old original family farm, dating back to 1849 - and we are now in our 7th generation of horse breeding and farming.

Three happy judges, a man, lady, and teenager were surprised and chosen from the audience, to score the 12 horses entered in our "Liberty Challenge", where we have a "no rules" challenge at Liberty! They were seated in the judges tent, with score cards - 1 to 10 for the horse and 1 to 10 for their music . Then the "sometimes hysterical" excitement began! As the music would blast, some contestants would either lead their horse, or come in on horseback, then jump off and let the horse go - to run fast to the song! These Spanish horses love it, and can't wait for their turn!

Some Liberty entrants were Pure Spanish, other Half Spanish - crossed with Egyptian, Crabbet, Russian, Polish, Fadjur, and Pony! The music chosen by 8 year old Josef, as he wildly danced on a dance floor in the middle of the ring, while his black pony GYPSY, and baby "CLOVER" by *SIDI-BRAHIM circled around him, was a sight to see and hear--------

Each entry paid $20.00 into the "winner take all", and the judging was close! Here are the Liberty Challenge participants:

1. GOOD LUCK CLOVER (*Sidi-Brahim x Gypsy)
2. THEE SUNDANCE SID (Thee Desperado x Jfarah Brahim)
3. JESIDIA (Thee Jesidi James x Sidia)
4. MACARENA BRAHIMA (*Sidi-Brahm x MA Halima Rouge)
5. AIRE MAGIC (Jair Tamaal x Magic of Sid)
6. MAJESTYK EMPRESS (CB Majestyk x Spanish Meca)
7. HOLLYWOOD SIDSATION (Sidsational AA x Solana de Plata)
8. FATIMA BRAHIM (*Sidi-Brahim x Fatima Ala Bahr)
9. AIRISS (Jair Tamaal x Magic of Sid)
10. CASTALANA BRAHIM (*Sidi-Brahm x *Galana I)
11. BENITO SIDIAGO (*Sidi-Brahim x CoCoa)
12. JULLIETTE (Julio Brahim x Fadjurs Suzanne)

When the various exhibitions and varieties of music ended, the beautiful silvery grey 4 year old AIRE MAGIC was named the winner, with his patriotic song "American Soldier". His sire is the gorgeous seal bay JAIR TAMAAL (Tamaal x Sidcerely Yours) currently bullfighting with his rider-owner Joao, in Portugal and Spain. AIRE MAGIC's dam is the snow white beauty MAGIC OF SID (*Sidi-Brahm x Fadjurs Magic). The happy winner of the pot of money, was my dark haired, blue eyed neice Beth!

Suddently, the lovely sounds of Classical music filled the air, and leading everyone to the indoor arena was the dark liver chestnut HYMN OF JOY (Jair Tamaal x Sidi of Joy) ridden by the classical rider, Joao SerraCoelho. This beautiful stallion is owned by the Burl Ives Family of Washington, and three family members flew to California to ride and admire their horse! My sister Joanne's 16 year old granddaughter, Jenna, and HYMN OF JOY, gave an inspriing Classical riding demonstration, taught by Joao. Jenna will be attending a Riding School of Equestrian Art in Portugal this summer!

Thank heavens we have a large family to wash, groom, manage the music, and show these horses. Terry is at her happiest bringing out the mares and foals! So far, we have 3 fillies and 2 colts this year. She named SIDIA'S beautiful chestnut colt JAMES BONDI, as he is sired by our THEE JESIDI JAMES! The 3 weeks old beauty knew he was a great one! Another crowd favorite was the dark grey 2 year old filly QUEEN MAIRIA (Jair Tamaal x Queen of Brahim) - named after the Queen of Portugal who demanded no killing of bulls during bullfights. MAIRIA has the largest eyes, and face of a beauty queen. She is a WOW!

PRESIDENTE POLK (*Sidi-Brahim x Sassazi) and THEE JESIDI JAMES (Thee Desperado x Jfarah Brahim) did special exhibitions, as past Liberty winners ----- and tryed to out-trot each other! The last exhibition was the children vaulting on the lovely chestnut mare SPANISH FLARE (*Sidi-Brahim x Dulce Sorpressa). I gave her to my first red headed granddaughter, Polly. Taught to vault by their hero, Joao, the four boys ranging in ages of 5 to 15, and finished off by the petite 16 year old Jenna. The smiles on the children's faces, and those of the happy visitors watching into the indoor arena warmed my heart. I truly look forward to every Happy Horse Day, and welcome all to join us here in California each Memorial Day Sunday. There is no cost to attend! Come enjoy the farmland, Spanish Arabian Horses, secret garden by the creek, great music and comradery with old and new friends!