Anja Birkenhauer mit ihrem Count Sethos (Count Rubin / Schöne Nomadin), der nun schon seit 23 Jahren an ihrer Seite ist.Foto: privat
Arabian horses are known for their longevity, but to celebrate the 35th birthday in good health, is not a common thing, not even in Arabians. For that reason we wish Count Sethos all the best and – quite contrary to all the others before him – dedicate these lines not to a famous breeding stallion or mare, but to a gelding and leisure horse.
Born on 13th May 1982, his sire was Count Rubin bred from Al Marah lines, the stud of Bazy Tankersley in US, and on his dam’s side we find “old German” lines. In 1994, a chestnut Arabian gelding was offered for sale in a daily newspaper, and Anja Birkenhauer, who always loved Arabian horses, had a look at him – and it was “love on first sight”. Hence, Count Sethos moved into her run-in stable, where he lived from now on as a leisure horse. “He was of a performance type with lots of stamina”, recalls Anja Birkenhauer, “when we were hacking out, other horses had difficulties to keep up his pace at walk, because he just covered so much ground with each step. He was absolutely reliable, bold and courageous. After about two years, that he was with us, we started to train him in Western style. We attended some clinics together, and he thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge.”
At the age of 24 he was retired and enjoys since his retirement. Until recently, he did so together with his long-time friend Habub (El Abd / Kolkwitzia), but he departed on his last journey only recently at the age of “only” 28 years. Now, Count Sethos has got a new “senior” for company and we wish them both some more years together.
