Pustynna Tęcza (2003, Ekstern x Pustynna Tarçza) © Photo Courtesy: Pride of Poland
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CONCEPT: SUMMER 2010 CAMPAIGN
Behind the Ad and Concept

Interview with Gaurav Walia

Why Racing?

"Motion, racing in particular, forms a very integral part of certain foundation
lines in our program. The consistent onward breeding of Racing ability,
as a way of maintaining and improving certain qualities generation after
generation, assure us of a very strong framework to use as a basis for
the traits that we're looking to develop into our own unique style of horses, from ground up."

What does the race horse of today bring to the Aldebaran program?

"We're focused on classic beauty and racing ability itself sculpted a chief style of attributes. Without that history as a basis and foundation, we really would not have a clear direction of what we're setting out to do. Racing ability entails what a horse was specifically bred to do generation after generation. When you look at a race horse, you see it carrying conformational qualities and traits that are very unique to its style and what it was bred for. Similarly, when you look at the Arabian horses of Aldebaran, the features you expect and find in remarkable consistency are strong legs, very beautifully correct bodies and functional necks with clean throat connections - our signature elements. Historically, these features of the classic Arabian were necessary for function - nothing more was required, nothing more was tolerated. When we use this as a foundation, we have a much clearer sense of where we're hoping to progress and have a dynamic vision on what we're expecting by using those strengths. By reflecting on the past, our future path is a lot clearer than it would have been without that sense of history and understanding on where our lines come from.

Elements of racing strongly ingrained in this blood brings us many aspects, for one, it ensures a certain quality and style of movement that we look for. Most importantly, the mindset of these race horses is very unique and very important to what we need today for the contemporary horse to retain its companionability, intelligence and trusting demeanor."

What does a contemporary race horse mean?

"We have insufficient racing grounds, lacking training methods and facilities in this country at present time that really don't allow us to race these younger horses to the degree one may like to. There are far too many limitations on Arabian racing and it would really need a significant mindset in the ability of racing the Arabian horse for it to be an endeavor that is more acceptable as a part of the breeding in this region. Despite those challenges, we continually look for racing ability. There is timeless modernity and a contemporary feel to our horses that is essentially, functional; those qualities are very necessary and they really have to be left in the foundation of what we're trying to go with. Our horse still has to grow as part of what we like and enjoy looking at. The progression is that we cannot simply continue raising just race horses; if it does not fit in with our progressive ideal of classic beauty then it is just a horse; it is not an Arabian horse. Presently, Arabian horses are used as leisure sport and everyone also continues to look for where the next performance or pleasure horse will come from. We're at a point where certain bloodlines have been tested, and also over-used. The uniqueness in ability and quality of racing bloodlines, used in the correct way, restore certain traits that were always alluring in the concept of beauty, without which we generally end up with horses that fit a certain contemporary style and look but really don't remain as functional. Historically, racing ability offered a very strong foundation that was necessary more than just a preference. And looking back at these lines, athletic ability springs forth generations after generation by consistently garnering those qualities and carrying them forward."

What similarities does one see with the Classic Arabian Horse in the racing lines?

"Horses strong in racing ability are Classic Arabian horses - they were bred for a very specific reason and they needed to retain classic traits to be race horses. It is how the classic Arabian survived; it was a specific horse that needed to be certain things and over generations, if a horse did not possess those qualities it discontinued to exist, for it was no longer used. So that was the Classic Arabian a hundred years ago. Racing blood, for it to have been successful and survived over the years, needed to have those qualities and only those qualities, so today when we use that blood we're only taking elements that compose the classic Arabian horse and continue that with the contemporary progression we're hoping to achieve."

So, where does the race track lead Aldebaran?

"We don't wish to stray too far from the original purpose of the Arabian horse. Racing brings us closer to what the original intent was and by having race tracks in existence today, the Arabian breed is able to retain and focus those abilities, continually developing into every breeder’s own choice and purpose. Racing is very important, it would be necessary to have it implemented but perhaps not to the degree of a commercial venture of the performance industry.

Our horses have racing ability, have generations of consistent racing blood in them, but we don't live in a world, or society, where that is all that the horse needs to be used for. We have a certain element of compromise and flexibility where our own personal tastes and desires have to come forth. We're not sending these horses into race tracks or wars; that's not the world of today but the foundations are important. That which represents beauty to us is what we're hoping to carry forth."

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{ Gaurav Walia on the Racing Dam lines of Aldebaran }
Recorded April 2010

Continue the journey: Enter the Aldebaran Racing Section

Breeders Profile
California, USA

Gaurav Walia discusses the foundation qualities of the star Polish mares at Aldebaran Arabians:

“Inherent grace, intelligence and regal demeanor are desert-bred qualities that we aim to preserve and endeavor to present intact in our horses. The pursuit for such beauty in our mares lays a quest for individuality - originality and style are key to achieving this objective. At our newly established program, the elite Polish aristocrat *Pustynna Tarcza, in foal to Straight Egyptian *Al Maraam (by Imperial Imdal) for Spring 2010, is the embodiment of Aldebaran’s path,” says Gaurav Walia, founder of Aldebaran Arabians, USA.

“We endeavor to infuse rare antiquarian blood, primarily of Polish and Straight Egyptian breeding with contemporary Sire lines to preserve beauty, grace, balance and athletic function. We’re open-minded and recognize that certain looks and traits have evolved into being the modern Arabian horse through contemporary progression. In appreciating the ideals of worldwide breeders and giving deference to history, with a creative willingness to venture the unknown, the progress of the contemporary Arabian horse at Aldebaran emphasizes elusive desert beauty, enhanced by the evolution of modern international breeding philosophy,” discusses Gaurav, adding that in this grand endeavor, the newly-established Aldebaran Arabians program partnered with Furioso Bloodstock in California in early 2009 to lay the foundations of a mutual passion for preserving classic qualities of Arabian beauty. Creating a breeding plan is a long journey; weaving the fabric of this philosophy takes intelligent decisions and these are not always made alone. Close contact with successful breeders all over the world and understanding their programs has given Raymond Mazzei, founder of Furioso and Polish breeding consultant at Aldebaran Arabians, a true undertanding of many breeding philosophies throughout the world:

“Always thinking about ‘WHAT’S NEXT’, keeps a breeder alert and searching. The past is always the clearest and best road to the future," notes Raymond Mazzei, "With these ideas in mind very specific steps are being followed. A Straight Egyptian program is being created to blend and implement the Polish history so long associated with Furioso. We travel and see first hand, all over the world, the importance of finding, ‘WHAT’S NEXT’. Each horse is here with a purpose, a place in the breeding plan, nothing is by accident.”

“One of the most beautiful and prolific broodmares to ever leave Poland, Pustynna Tarcza is the eternal style of the Michałów mare: Majestically feminine, graciously elegant and unconditionally maternal. Perfectly balanced with cadenced athletic movement and distinctly refined with a snow-white sparsely fleabitten coat, Aldebaran’s Queen brings to life regal desert type. A strong influx of Egyptian blood with two crosses to Aswan through the great daughter Parma, ensure future generations with her elusive beauty of the desert.”

In addition to *Pustynna Tarcza, the alliance also cherishes another famous gem. Owned by Raymond Mazzei, Polish National Champion *EGZOTYKA is a dam of legendary mares. “Arguably the most beautiful daughter of legendary sire Probat, ultra-refined, very correct and charmingly feminine, Egzotyka is the ideal broodmare. Milky white with an antique fleabitten coat, she was crowned Polish National Champion in 1991 and produced daughters Eskalopka, Egna and Egzonera who are themselves legends. Her look of the desert and Queenly demeanor carry on still.”



“The unattainability, mystery, romance, history and myth are valued elements in our elite Broodmares,” concludes Gaurav Walia, “Thus, from the bearings of their past we evolve in stride to the future with our treasured mares.”

View the latest feature in the Arabian Horse World (Sep '09 - page 55-56) online: Download

Press Release Summer 2009, California.

The Elite *PUSTYNNA TARCZA joins Aldebaran Arabians USA

“Pustynna Tarcza has been a broodmare of merit in Poland. Each foal she produces for Aldebaran carries on the legacy she started in Poland. Memories are only beginning for this mare, for new owners Soniya and Gaurav are well aware of her Queen status. She is in foal to *Al Maraam for 2010 and just weaned a very exotic 2009 *Honorrs filly for Dr. Ferlita, Pustynna Heiress.”

Copper Monét

January 2009, Arabian Horse World Magazine
Multi-Champion Copper Monét presented by Gaurav Walia at the US Nationals.
View Copper Monet online