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Archive Article #15 - 08/11/06
Serenity Anamnesis by Barbara (Lewis) Bowden I came across your web site during my lunch hour at work. The memories just came flooding back. I was a student at Serenity Farms in 1971. Family responsibilities in the States called me back amid many, many tears. I still have the letter of reference that Mrs. Heck (-Melnyk) wrote for me. I had worked with QH, Morgans, Saddlebreds but I LOVED Arabs. I started subscribing to the Arabian Horse World when I was still in junior high school. That’s where I found a small classified ad looking for young ladies (had the young down) to learn and work with Arabians. Letter replies only. So…I sat down and spent at least 3 or 4 hours writing and rewriting my “resume.” It didn’t contain much since I was right out of high school. When that letter of acceptance came in the mail, I was jumping up and down and crying I was so happy. I arrived in Canada in January, 1971. Mrs. Heck picked me up at the airport. I was so nervous and excited; she probably thought I was a complete idiot. She had not one but TWO barns of Arabians!!! Beth was there (much older girl, 21 at least) and had worked through the quarantines. Mike (Michelle) arrived just a few days later. Jerri joined us in about 3 months. All of us were starry-eyed. Putting names with those gorgeous faces—Khofo (ALL boy), Sabra (soft eyes), Luftia (‘pocket pony’), Sonbi (the peppermint thief), Montaha (THE Queen), Mamlouka (the grand old lady), Nadia (my favorite—I’m pretty sure this is where my love of old broodmares started), Abu (gangly teen), Noha (bouncing ball), Sagda (sad sack-she’d look sooo pitiful if you didn’t stop and pet her) and Shahra (big cuddly). Soheir II, Shook, and Fawzan were in quarantine then too. Oh, can’t forget Ingo—he was huge and Hanoverian. Or Caleb -- a pretty bay gelding that could do anything and everything well. And to top that all off -- the mares were going to have babies like -- right now!!! I remember Nadia having Kamila. I think it was Mamlouka who had Shahwa during the day. Montaha had Menkaure. They were all so good to work with. When we went out to the pastures to bring them in at night, you’d have all these little faces wanting to be scratched while their moms were grabbing those last few mouthsful of grass. I really had a good time after Barry came to train. I remember going to one show and Barry showed Khofo in Halter, English, Western, and Costume! He did very well in ALL of them!! And so did Barry riding Caleb without a bridle at a Queensville gathering. Mrs. Heck didn’t know he was going to do that. Caleb was perfect. When I was told that I would be going to Oklahoma City for Nationals, I could hardly believe it. Sonbi stayed at Ansata in the stall next to Ibn Halima (what a sweetheart!). Watching Bob Hart show her was awesome. She was so on for him. And she knew what her job was and loved showing off when she did it. Barry showed Sabra and Mrs. Heck showed Luftia. Khofo went too. They all looked wonderful. Can you tell that I loved every minute of it? Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and stay here to live. I’m the same way about legs as Mrs. Heck. I did some competitive trail riding back in the day and I wanted my horses to last. I learned so much and still use many of those practices with MY OWN ARABIANS. Yep, it’s a passion (i.e. addiction). I couldn’t manage (afford) the Egyptians but mine are special. I’ve come a long way since I bought my first Arabian in 1978. And because I have to work to support my ‘horse habit,’ all of my horses must have good dispositions, possess a good brain, and be easy to work around. Or, put another way--sweet, sound and sane. Just like the Serenity horses.
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