A Journey of the Heart
The Arabian Horses of Silver Maple Farm
by Cynthia Culbertson

It was the pursuit of a dream that sent American pioneers blazing a trail towards the setting sun with a cry of “Westward Ho!”   They hoped to find a gentle and bounteous land where they could live and prosper, and the fortunate few who found their way to the magnificent Santa Ynez Valley in California found themselves truly blessed.  The 19 th century poet Bret Harte wrote eloquently of the hardships the hardy pioneers faced, but as he describes the sunlit hills at the end of their journey, he mirrors the excitement of all who behold this magical place:

And then that morn! Was ever morn so filled with all things new?
The light that fell through long brown aisles from out the kindling blue, The fainter stir of lower life in fern and brake and brier…
Rein in! Rein in! The quest is o'er.  The goal of our desire…

Santa Ynez has indeed been the goal of desire for many, from the indigenous Chumash Indians, the Spaniards, and pioneers, to the modern-day ranchers and vintners.  Gently rolling hills are dotted with graceful oaks and framed by the towering Santa Ynez Mountains.  In spring the purple hues of the flowering lupin fill the valleys and golden-red California poppies sway in sweet Pacific breezes. In summer and autumn the hills turns golden, and although the climate is gentle, the mountains to the east are occasionally trimmed with snow.   It is no wonder that the valley was also deemed perfect for yet another pursuit – the breeding of fine Arabian horses – and many of the most renowned breeding farms in the United States make their home in this picturesque region of central California . 

Henry and Christie Metz are opening a new chapter in the saga of Silver Maple Farm with their recent location to this beautiful valley.  But their journey truly began in 1989 when Christie Metz fell in love with the Arabian horses owned by Judy Jones of Atallah Arabians.  “Judy kindly involved me in her breeding farm life,” explains Christie, “and it seems to me, upon looking back, that the timing for Henry and I to begin a breeding program was perfect.”   The Metz children were older and Christie had retired from her career in interior design to begin traveling more with Henry in his business life.  “Some would say it was fate,” says Christie, as she reflects on the beginnings of their new life with Arabian horses.

Initially Henry and Christie purchased just two mares and a gelding from the Jones family, and they begin to learn about caring for horses, breeding and foaling, as well as the enjoyment to be had from riding a proud and beautiful Arabian.  “There is something magical about seeing a mare give birth, watching foals playing together, and seeing a young horse trained under saddle for the first time,” remarks Christie.  The Jones’ breeding program featured Egyptian bloodlines and the Metzes were captivated by the history regarding this rare strain.  They were also attracted to the idea of helping preserve these treasured bloodlines, and felt that with the type, charisma, correctness, and intelligence found in Egyptian horses they could achieve their goal of breeding Arabians of exceptional quality.

 

Glorietasayonaara

Judy Jones, ever the wise mentor, encouraged the Metzes to go slowly in selecting their foundation horses, yet Christie’s attention was immediately drawn to one of Atallah’s finest mares.  “She had an ethereal quality to her carriage that spoke to my heart,” says Christie, “and I remember being struck by her beauty and fire, but at the same time recognizing her gentle and playful nature.”  Her name was Glorietasayonaara and it took the Metzes two years to talk Judy into parting with this extraordinary mare.  Sired by Ansata Abu Nazeer, her pedigree is a reflection of the horsemen’s adage, “Let the sire of the sire be the grandsire of the dam” and she is thus linebred to the immortal *Ansata Ibn Halima.  In tail female, Glorietasayonaara traces to the Bint Sabah branch of the Dahmah Shahwaniah strain, one of three primary strains represented in the straight Egyptian mares of Silver Maple.  “Sayo” as she is affectionately known, has produced two daughters which have been retained by the Metzes and are important elements in their breeding outlook:  Sahbine, by Ruminaja Ali, a feminine beauty who is a reflection of her dam, and Samura, a lovely bay sired by Anaza El Farid.  Glorietasayonaara has also produced two stallions for the farm, Shaikeel, a black sired by *Simeon Shai, who was exported to Europe , and Ali Saroukh, by Ruminaja Ali, himself an important sire for the Metz program.   In terms of beauty, quality, pedigree, and produce, their foundation with Glorietasayonaara was wisely chosen. 

Hi-Fashion Hitesa &
Hi-Fashion TesaReekh

Of the three other family lines represented in the Egyptian mares of Silver Maple, Jade Lotus SMF also hails from the Dahmah strain.  Sired by Ali Saroukh and out of a daughter of Imperial Imdal, she traces to the Bint el Bahrein family of this famous strain.  Hi-Fashion Hitesa, another of the Silver Maple foundation mares, is from the Bint Riyala family of the Koheilah Rodaniyah strain.  One of three El Hilal daughters featured in the herd, Hitesa is a prolific broodmare, having produced a treasure trove of bay beauties, including her look-a-like daughter Hi-Fashion TesaReekh, by Ibn El Mareekh, and most recently a group of lovely greys by Silver Maple’s own Ali Saroukh.   The Hadbah Enzahiyah strain is the third Egyptian strain represented at the farm through two mares, Simply Seductive, a Raquin RA daughter tracing in tail female to Bint Samiha, the dam of Nazeer, and Ansata Haalah, an Ansata Iemhotep daughter from the same family. 

Tranquility Moon

“As our lives as breeders have evolved, I appreciate more and more the dedication of past programs which have contributed to our own,” explains Christie.  She mentions in particular the landmark bloodlines of Gleannloch, Ansata, Glorieta and Imperial, as well as the Fords of Lancer Arabians, Rinconada and Arabest through Nabiel, and the Anaza breeding of the St. Clair family.  As the Metzes continue their journey in breeding, they are relying on the strengths of this blood to achieve their own goal of creating a program which contributes to the breed in years to come.  “So much of breeding is using your eye and playing an idea out over time,” Christie believes.  “This is not a definite science, even though we employ scientific techniques.  The longer we breed, the more study it takes, but it seems the heart is what chooses the matings most often.” 

*Simeon Shai

As Christie describes the stallions of Silver Maple, it is readily apparent that these fine gentlemen have each captured her heart.  *Simeon Shai, the elder statesman of the group, hardly needs an introduction, and his feat of winning Scottsdale , U.S. , Canadian, and World Champion Stallion in the space of just ten months is one for the history books of the Arabian breed.  Bred by Marion Richmond of the Simeon Stud in Australia , *Simeon Shai is known for his charisma and style, yet is also a perfect gentleman and wonderful riding horse.  He has produced countless champions in both halter and performance, among them the elegant chestnut beauty Shaia, bred by BruMarBa Arabians and one of the queens of Silver Maple.  She received a standing ovation at the 1996 U.S. Nationals when she brought Top Ten honors home to Silver Maple for the second time, and also holds many other titles, including Canadian Reserve Champion, Scottsdale Reserve Champion and Egyptian Event Supreme Champion.  

BB Thee Renegade

BB Thee Renegade, a bay stallion of beautiful balance and style, is another of Silver Maple’s leading men.  Sired by the U.S. Reserve National Champion, Thee Desperado and out of the lovely mare PH Safina, Renegade is the youngest stallion ever to win Supreme Champion at the Egyptian Event.  He was also named a Top Ten U.S. National Futurity Colt and garnered several other impressive wins before his show career was cut short by a fractured coffin bone.  Although he has yet to sire a straight Egyptian filly for the Metzes, he has otherwise exceeded all expectations in his offspring.  One of the most flattering occurrences for any breeding farm is when another breeder chooses a herd sire from among your colts, and when that farm is the internationally-renowned Om el Arab International, owned by Jay and Sigi Constanti, one should be proud indeed.   Dreamcatcher SMF, an exquisite black stallion sired by Renegade out of Shaia now makes his home at Om El Arab, and is himself producing exceptional foals.  Renegade has also produced several other beautiful sons and daughters for Silver Maple, and showing no sign of his past injury, enjoys a thundering gallop in his paddock each day, proudly surveying the mares and foals.

Ali Saroukh

A son of their beloved Glorietasayonaara, Ali Saroukh holds a position of special importance in the Silver Maple stallion lineup.  Sired by Ruminaja Ali, one of the most influential Egyptian sires in modern times, Saroukh is a tall, elegant grey, who, like his father,  was beautifully dappled before gradually turning white with age.  His pedigree reflects a royal combination of the best Gleannloch, Ansata, and Babson breeding, and perhaps more importantly, “Saroukh has always been my best friend,” says Christie.  She delights in his playful and active character, recalling his over-enthusiasm in dropping to his knees in his stall to play with his ball, which resulted both in an injury and the banishment of this particular toy!  Siring foals of extreme type and balance, Saroukh plays an important part in the overall breeding plan of Silver Maple, and Christie is enthusiastic about the prospect of his first generation of fillies being crossed with the farm’s other stallions.  Saroukh is also trained under saddle and ridden frequently, and Christie notes that “all three of the stallions move quite well with good, round motion, free in the shoulders and well under themselves.” 

Majestic Noble SMF

How does Christie select a horse for the breeding program?  “If they capture me immediately, and my heart pounds and I get goose bumps, then it is on to the practical!” she states.  Character is very important in the Silver Maple selection of stallions, as is structure and good bone, but Christie also remarks that “they have to have a beautiful face and look like an Arab” before they are a breeding possibility.  Christie is quite excited about one of their young stallions, Majestic Noble SMF, as an outcross for the offspring of the other three.  Sired by Marquis I, a son of Makhsous and out of the Nabiel daughter Nagda, Majestic Noble SMF represents the rare Abeyyan Om Jurays strain through two crosses to the influential mare *Magidaa on his dam’s side. 

While the Metzes hope to increase their straight Egyptian production at the new farm in California , they also treasure their Egyptian-related and Spanish Arabians, and enjoy seeing the results of the Egyptian outcross on both domestic and Spanish bloodlines.  “I notice these days that I am thinking two or three generations ahead versus my earlier years when we were more focused just on that year’s foal crop,” Christie explains as she talks about the Silver Maple herd.  One of her greatest concerns with the breeding of Arabians in the United States is that too many breeding decisions reflect “the flavor of the moment” in the show ring and a small number of stallions with extensive marketing campaigns are siring huge numbers of progeny.  “This is a pity,” she says, “and I would encourage people to be responsible about not just breeding for a moment of glory in the show ring, but rather for the future of the breed.” 

Although showing is not the primary impetus of Silver Maple, the farm always has representatives at the annual Egyptian Event, makes a practice of presenting their yearlings once or twice at local or regional shows, and occasionally shows older horses to the Regional or National level.    There can be no doubt, however, for those who have had the pleasure of seeing Henry Metz show one of the Silver Maple horses in an Amateur to Handle class – this is a man who enjoys every minute of his task!  While he handles his horses with stately proficiency, and has achieved many victories, it is Henry’s incredible smile that makes his appearances truly memorable.  Yet while many of the Silver Maple horses have achieved important show ring wins, Henry and Christie firmly believe that all of the horses should be put to use, and those not destined for their own breeding program, or the show and breeding programs of others, are sold for pleasure, working cow, endurance, and dressage riding purposes.

With the move to California , Henry and Christie are enjoying living in an equine community for the first time.  “The people here are exceptionally friendly, hardworking, and livestock-oriented,” remarks Henry and although the farm is surrounded by beautiful mountains and abundant wildlife, it is just minutes away from superior veterinary facilities.  “With Santa Barbara only thirty miles away,” he contends, “we have the best of both country and city life.”  Christie is fascinated by the quality of light in her new western environment, and enjoys the stunning landscape which she likens to an ever-changing painting.  “There is a serene energy to this area that we both feel and appreciate,” she says and the Metzes look forward to building a new residence and horse facilities on their larger acreage, while keeping a second small farm they purchased as a future mare or stallion station. 

Bint Bint Sayo

Both Henry and Christie also feel especially blessed that the consummate horseman, Don DeLongpré, is now managing Silver Maple Farm.  Named U.S. Breeder of the Year in 1997, and listed annually as one of the top three breeders of Arabians in America , Don has over 40 years experience with Arabians, and hundreds of champions trace to horses which he bred.  Don greatly admires the Metzes for their family values and unwavering sense of fair play.  “When it comes to their animals,” Don explains, “whether it be their horses or canine critters, nothing but the best will do.  It does not enter their minds that there should be a bottom line – a profit at the end of the year or that the big prize is the brass ring.”  Instead they approach all with a sense of fun, devotion, and respect.  “After all these years of constant involvement in the ‘Arabian Industry’” Don concludes, “I am rejuvenated by the fact that at Silver Maple we conduct ourselves in a different way, and all are welcome to open their eyes to the new wave and have fun again!”

Suleiman SMF

The foaling season is especially anticipated at Silver Maple, and each new crop continually amazes and delights the Metzes with their antics and unique personalities.  “Every year it seems there is one of the group that makes us all laugh,” says Christie, “and most recently the clown of the group was a bay colt by Sanadik el Shaklan out of our first Arabian mare, the El Hilal daughter Isah.”  Named Izmir , Don DeLongpré quickly amended his name to “ Izmir the Great” because he was the only colt in the first shipment of twenty-three horses from Florida to California .  In “colt heaven” he was surrounded by mares, yet after he was rejected by his first love, the Reserve U.S. National Champion Mare *ABHA Gali, he competed noisily for the attention of the others.  Finally Don deemed it time to teach Izmir that he was not quite so “Great” and put him in a paddock with *ABHA Gali and Samura, both pregnant.  Christie recalls, “ Izmir quickly learned not only manners and respect, but also where and how to hide!”  Ironically, Izmir finally ended up sharing a paddock with a mare that tolerated him – her name, of course, was “Mercy.” 

The horses of Silver Maple are fortunate indeed.  They live in a magical valley with abundant grass, warm ocean breezes, and loving owners who know and enjoy each and every one of them as individuals.  The elderly broodmares, past their production years, are content in their retirement, and the present generation of breeding stock basks in the California sunshine with the promise of more treasures to come.   Both Henry and Christie have found that their Arabian horses provide a lifestyle which includes “treasured friends, interaction with a creature that never fails to please on every level, and a passion that transcends the differing cultures and religions of the world.”

“In retrospect,” Christie says, “the people who have mentored us have been just as important as the bloodlines we have chosen.  Even in the beginning when I was just learning, no one was ever rude to me or discouraged me from asking questions, and I find it amazing how willing breeders are to share their experience.”  Indeed Arabian horse lovers around the world are quick to point out that not only are the horses themselves enchanting, but it seems so many people involved with this breed are also special.  

Henry and Christie Metz

There is no better example than Henry and Christie Metz.  Generous, welcoming, fun-loving and enthusiastic, they delight both in making new friends and spending time with cherished long-time ones.  They are always available to newcomers with an interest in the Arabian, answering their questions with patience and integrity, or simply sharing the joy they find in their own horses.  The journey of the Metzes and Silver Maple Farm has been a fulfilling one – from Iowa to Florida , from Florida to California , and around the world.  But somehow, watching the mares and foals grazing peacefully in the morning mists of the Santa Ynez valley, one senses that the journey is a never-ending one.  It is, after all, a journey of the heart.