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Professional photo by the late John Watts |
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Professional photo by the late John Watts |
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He was by the Polish stallion Banat (El Azrak/Bandola), a successful racehorse who proved his quality by gaining the British National Champion award in 1977 while on lease over here.
His dam Chantilla (Crabbet -Fari II/Enchantment) won countless showing awards including Reserve British National Champion.
He was purchased in his first year by Lesley as a future stallion for her two part breds. His early showing included a 3rd in a class of 33 at the main A.H.S. show at Ascot.
He was backed at 3 and gently hacked and
schooled as a 4 year old and in his first two outings he achieved
a 2nd in showjumping, 3rd in cross country, and won his first
dressage competition. He has competed in many different classes,
many of them open to all breeds and types of horses and he has
excelled in them all, being a bold and natural jumper. This is no
mean achievement as there is considerable prejudice in the UK
against Arabs in competition.
As a 6 year old Bonanza started competing in long distance rides and by the time he was 7 he had won a golden horseshoe award for the 75 miles course over Exmoor. His average speed was 8.75 miles per hour. Later in the year he also attempted the Arab Marathon for the first time. A tough 26.25 mile course on this occasion over one of its toughest courses, again over Exmoor. He came a close second in 1hr 29 mins.
By 1986 he was fit for serious long distance, winning the Breamore 50 Mile and the Red Dragon 100 International race rides. Towards the end of the year we were talked into trying him on the racetrack. He won easily first time out over 3 miles at Newbury and was second over 2.5 miles at Kempton in his only other race that year.
In the autumn he attempted the Marathon for a second time, achieving an easy win over the flatter course presented at Belvoir Castle.
Bonanza finishing the 1986 AHS Marathon about 40 seconds clear of the second placed horse.
That year he had won over 3, 26, 50 and 100 miles. The 100 and 3 miles being only two weeks apart!
Two years on he was retired to light work and
stud duties after a racing accident.
An interesting later event was taking him to Buckingham
Palace, as part of the evening entertainment for a visiting
Sheikh. He was there representing the Arab Marathon and
Endurance. He received a pat from the Queen and from the Duchess
of Kent! (Well he did look a nice quiet dobbin alongside current
top show horses).
Unfortunately we lost him at the early age of 17, his sons
Ferdinanz and Chatanz having to step into his shoes for stud
duties at short notice.
Last Revised 21 November 2006
