~ In Memoriam ~

RV Baskadin came into my life during the Winter of 2002/2003 as an abused former racehorse who's present owner had worked so hard to rehabilitate and who had dreams as big as the sky for him. Pure Polish *Aladdinn sons don't come along very often -- needless to say, I was enchanted. This was the horse of a lifetime.

"Mr B" as he was affectionately known to those who loved him was a gentle soul and an incredible sire, but he was so much more. He was the mount who taught a novice amateur owner to ride Arabian show horses and win with them. He was the horse who taught a first-time stallion owner how to handle a breeding stallion. And he was always a gentleman. An owner's dream. A trainer's dream.

Sadly, most of those dreams we had for this gallant horse will never be realized. But his blood is carried on through his get, who are spread across the country showing the world how amazing their sire was. There are more due this year. Look out, world!

What I'll miss most about this horse isn't just one thing in particular. It was the whole package. I will miss those gentle nickers as he greeted me. Those beautiful soft brown eyes. That arched neck as he talked to his girls. The flagged tail as he ran free in his turnout arena. That awe inspiring motion which destined him for center ring and the tri colors.

What a horse. Loved. Trusted. Greatly missed.

Rest peacefully, dear friend. Until we meet again.

RV BASKADIN

(*Aladdinn x RV Symphony by Kyd Bask)

1986 Bay Purebred Arabian Stallion

Proudly Owned by Sunny Brook Arabians of Hesperia, California

AHA Breeder's Sweepstakes Nominated Sire

ARAC Nominated Racing Sire

RV Baskadin -- A Pure Polish son of legendary National Champion *Aladdinn.

Bred for motion and athletic ability, RV Baskadin epitomized the Polish Arabian horse. Most knew his sire as the 1979 U.S. National Champion stallion and sire of numerous National Champions, including AAF Kaset, Strike, Almaden, Alada Baskin, SS Follow Me and many more. Baskadin's dam was sired by the famed broodmare sire Kyd Bask, noted for his many English Pleasure champions and she herself was an English Pleasure champion.

This charismatic, striking and masculine stallion embodied the often overused term "performance" -- conformationally correct, elegant and well balanced, with his outstanding shoulder, hip, depth of girth, phenomenal tail carriage and excellent legs...and he passed these qualities and more on to his offspring. RV Baskadin consistently produced his style, size, temperament and exquisite type in his foals.

REFERENCE SIRE *ALADDINN

click here for a showcase of beautiful RV Baskadin babies

I first met "Missy" during the Summer of 2007 when her owner, Lori Lopes, came to me inquiring about riding lessons. Lori's dream was to learn how to ride and compete in Dressage ~ and Missy was her willing and loving partner.

She is the horse who helped an amateur owner gain confidence shattered during a riding accident many, many years ago. She was the horse who assisted in conquering a long held fear of horses. Most of all, Missy was a teacher: Kind, patient and gentle.

In her background before coming into Lori's tender loving care, Missy was a multi champion Hunter Pleasure horse, following in the footsteps of her National Champion sire, Kelvin Lancer+/.

Truly one in a million.

Rest in peace, beautiful Missy. Until we meet again.

I became acquainted with "Ruby" in early 2005 when I first began working out of a facility in the Tri-Community town of Pinon Hills. She progressed slowly but steadily, though suddenly we discovered she was blind in one eye. That began the struggle to keep Ruby comfortable and with sight in her good eye.

Ruby was sold to a loving family and began her career as a Walk/Trot Country English Pleasure horse. With her illustrious pedigree, being sired by seven time National Top Ten English horse GA Suede, Ruby was destined for greatness. Her full sister GA Passion was a Regional Champion and a Scottsdale Top Ten, and she had several half siblings with National honors including Top Ten Se Se Celene and Reserve National Champion R Blu Suede.

Tragically, her life was cut short due to recurring eye issues. I'll never forget this beautiful, dynamic mare. She was a little girl's best friend and a dream come true.

Rest in peace, sweet Ruby. One day we shall meet again.