*SIDI-BRAHIM (Jacio x Dalia IV)

During these past few months, when I listen to the sounds of the Spanish guitar being played by Joao late at night after a long day, I cannot help but think of our Spanish love, *SIDI-BRAHIM.....

The year was 1977. We were honored to be escorted through Spain with our wonderful friends, Maria Paz and Helga Woodward. As we began our journey, they both kept telling us we have to see this special colt everyone is talking about. They told us he was named Champion of Spain this year, and he is going to probably be the next National Champion of Spain. Our stops included meeting the magnificent legends, JACIO, GARBO, ZANCUDO, UZACUR, and also the young NUMAA, along with so many other great Arabian horses of Spain. My angelic aunt, Joanne Tone Gyr, who I don't know what *SIDI-BRAHIM or our entire family would do without, my grandparents Marge and Jack Tone, and myself enjoyed every second of our Spanish adventure! The hospitality of the Arabian owners was unforgettable as each person showed us with pride their wonderful horses. The Pedro Domecq family and their beautiful well kept horses, are cherished memories. What a wonderful time my grandfather and Pedro Domecq had together, sipping the delicious Spanish wine.

Seems like it was just yesteday when we first saw *SIDI-BRAHIM. As we drove fast through the narrow cobblestone streets in the magical city of Seville, Spain, our hearts were pounding! I thought "where would a colt live in these narrow streets?" We then came to a fast stop, as two large doors opened to a beautiful courtyard. There stood our smiling new friend for life, Don Diego Mendez Moreno. He greeted us with his life long Spanish Class, walked us over to a solid white wall, where stood tied the most beautiful sight. A very dark grey colt with glistening healthy dapples, named *SIDI-BRAHIM appeared. As those huge Spanish eyes on his short head turned slowly to greet us with his beautifully shaped neck, along with his strong smooth body, we all were in love! From that day on, both *SIDI-BRAHIM and Don Diego has been a part of our life. He was the creator of our *SIDI-BRAHIM, and a true friend of the Arabian Horse. *SIDI-BRAHIM arrived in the United States later in the year of 1977. He was not shown at the Spanish Nationals because of his journey to the States. Though in our hearts, he was our Spanish National Champion.

Over the years our love for him grew. A true Gentleman, a true Beauty, and especially a true Sire. He sired many International Champions in both Halter and Performance. His blood lives on in the countries of Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Ecuador, France, Holland, Mexico, Oman, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA, and Qatar. . *SIDI-BRAHIM's frozen semen was bought by the Sultanate of Oman, where now a son of his lives! Even our California Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger, once fell in love with him. His strong demanding voice once said to me "I want this Horse". I thanked him and told him *SIDI-BRAHIM is our family's love, and we could never part with him.

*SIDI-BRAHIM was ridden, brushed, bathed, fed, and shown by many members of our family. I still believe he was at his happiest when I led him in the Leadline Classes with young four year old Kassidy Polk on top of him, riding Sidesaddle in her beautiful red Spanish dress! *SIDI-BRAHIM was the easiest horse to start under saddle, as he enjoyed every second of being ridden. I showed him Western Pleasure, though the Sidesaddle classes were our favorite. We won a Regional Sidesaddle Championship together, as *SIDI-BRAHIM wore his Spanish attire in both the clothing and the beautiful Spanish brand on his left hip. He was a Champion at Halter, even though he would look at me when I held him, and beg me to jump on him bareback. We enjoyed hundreds of hours together riding bareback through the farmland. He enjoyed going near the tractors working the fields, looking for my father, Paul Polk, wondering if this was his lucky day to breed a mare! Paul always handled him for breeding, as he handled all the stallions since the 1950's. My father delivered *SIDI-BRAHIM's babies, and also all the foals since the 1950's. I remember my father always saying after each of *SIDI-BRAHIM's babies were born "I cannot believe how strong built his foals are, and how fast they all get up!"

*SIDI-BRAHIM's favorite mares were the color bay. His love was our FATIMA ALA BAHR. Together they produced 13 incredible foals. On April 2nd of this year, which was his 33rd Birthday, he somehow opened his gate at 5:30 a.m. I received a frantic call from my mother Jackie, whose bedroom window faces his paddock so she can start off her days admiring him, asking us to please come help, "*SID is out!" My new husband Joao ran to help. I of course was not as fast as him, but as I approached the sight, I could hear loud laughter from my father. He could not believe the beauty and grace of *SIDI-BRAHIM trotting so free and happy - and on his Birthday! The three of them, Paul, Joao, and *SIDI-BRAHIM agreed FATIMA better get bred that day to satisfy *SID, since FATIMA was also admiring his beauty. Our 33 year old *SIDI-BRAHIM, bred his bay love by natural breeding, the 22 year old FATIMA ALA BAHR. And guess what? She is in foal.. for 2008!

This year has been difficult for our family of both horses and humans. We lost three of our greatest loves, my grandfather JACK TONE, our *SIDI-BRAHIM, then my precious father, PAUL POLK. My wish to all who is reading this is to enjoy and cherish the times you have with your family, and with your loved animals. Our horses depend on us for their happiness. They trust us to give them a long happy life. And our family of humans are so precious. Most of all, keep your memories refreshed with beautiful happy moments....


Terry Polk


Terry Polk and Family here at Los Acres