Equestrian Centre
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Stables for 16 horses
Secure riding track
Dressage arena
English and Western tack
Professional equestrian guides
Paddock
Horses
Almasi
Almasi is a Thoroughbred and therefore registered with the Jockey Club and issued with a
passport. His passport name is The Stuart Line. His name was changed to Almasi which means
“diamond” in Swahili as he has a beautiful big diamond in the centre of his forehead.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
October 13th, 1999
Gelding (neutered male) although he thinks otherwise!
15.3 hands high
Dark Bay
Thoroughbred
Northern Quest, a USA stallion
Royal Relation from Ireland
History
He is a relatively new addition to the Sasakwa stables, and arrived from South Africa in May 2005.
Although he is a thoroughbred, he has never raced. He was being trained as a show horse with the
intention of competing in Show Hunter and dressage competitions. He has a very correct
conformation and is a striking horse, with excellent paces and would have gone far as a
competition horse but we were fortunate enough to be able to add him to our string.
He is still young and very cheeky, like a naughty teenager and we constantly have to outguess him
as to what he will get up to next! His best friend is a pony called Picaroon. He is a very bold horse
to ride and is proving himself to potentially be one of our lead horses. This is a difficult type of
horse to find and it is surprising to find the confidence for such a role in such an untried
youngster. Lead horses have to be brave enough to stand down a charge from an elephant, buffalo
or lion and be confident enough to be separated from the other horses should the need arise.
We anticipate that he will be a very popular horse in time to come.
Kubwa and Almasi
Argi
Argi is a Thoroughbred and is therefore registered with the Jockey Club and issued with a
passport. His Passport name is Argentate.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
November 17th, 1987 which makes him 18 years old going on 2!
Gelding (neutered male)
15.3 hands high
Bay
Thoroughbred
Markham from New Zealand
Grey Satin
History
He began life as a race horse and had a respectable racing career with several good wins in
Zimbabwe. All race horses have a limited time on the race course and when his racing career
ended, he went on to do dressage and show jumping. He came to Sasakwa in 2003.
He is a horse with plenty of character. He loves to play in the field with his two best friends, Batian
and Shamwari. You can often see them chasing each other playfully round the field and rearing
dramatically as if in a real life fight to the death, but they are all very careful to keep their
dangerous hooves tucked away so as not to hurt each other.
He recently had his one eye removed by a South African vet due to an injury he received in 2004
which had been plaguing him for considerable time.
Although he is a lively ride, he has excellent manners under saddle. He is not for a novice rider but
is a great ride for the more experienced.
Asanja
Asanja is a thoroughbred mare and is registered with the Jockey Club in Kenya. Her Passport
name is Parisienne. We changed her name to Asanja, which means “sweetheart” in Kimaa, the
language of the Masaai tribe.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
October 23rd, 1990
Mare
16.1hands high
Bay
Thoroughbred
Steel City
French Beige who is by Pelgar from the UK
History
She raced as a two year old and did quite well on the Kenyan race tracks. She then went to stud
and had several foals.
She has been used as a general riding horse and competed in Kenya in dressage and show
jumping. She arrived at Sasakwa on the 17th January 2006.
She is a lovely, solid ride, sensible but forward going, and will be a very popular horse.
She was a little unsettled on her arrival, but Batian took her under his wing and she soon recovered
under his gentle guidance. However, she has played fast and loose with her favours and her best
friend now is Shamwari.
Batian
Batian is a Thoroughbred cross, with his mother being a thoroughbred and his father a traveling
salesman. His original name was Money Box. We renamed him Batian, which is the name of a
famous and wise Masaai chief. It is also the name of the highest peak of Mount Kenya, the second
highest mountain in Africa.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
1989
Gelding (neutered male)
16 hands high
Bay
Thoroughbred Cross
Unknown
Thoroughbred mare
History
He has been with us since December 2005. We first met Batian (then Money Box) by accident when
we went to assess another horse for the stables at a polo yard. We were immediately drawn to this
wise old man with the cauliflower ears and roman nose, standing quietly in his stable with an air of
melancholy about him.
I looked over the door and could see this horse had had a hard life, he had lumps and bumps all
over the place and a huge scar on one hind leg where he had had an argument with a cattle grid.
Apparently he and the cattle grid fell over and he lay there for hours unresisting until he was
found and cut free.
His whole life has been dedicated to playing professional polo and he has served many people with
the great generosity which we have found to be typical of this delightful old horse. He was
reaching the age where this demanding game was becoming too much for him. It took just a few
minutes for us to decide that he had to join us at Sasakwa.
In the few months since his arrival, he has come out of his shell and developed a great character,
and whinnies for attention. Argi and he are the two reprobates in the field, acting as though they
are two years old, instead of the senior members of the string.
It is wonderful to see an old horse who has given his best his whole life so happy and full of the
joys of spring both in his work and in his play. He loves his new job and strides out
enthusiastically with his funny ears pricked forwards.
Kubwa
Kubwa is a Thoroughbred and is registered with the Jockey Club in South Africa. His Passport
name is Pullowski. We changed his name to Kubwa, which is Swahili for “big”.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
1993
Gelding (neutered male)
16.3 hands high
Chestnut
Thoroughbred
Mistral Dancer
Sweet Prerogative who is by a famous sire, Royal Prerogative.
History
He is another recent arrival from South Africa, joining the Sasakwa stables in May 2005. He would
have raced in his early life but we have no record of how successful he was. He was a show jumper
in South Africa and competed successfully to Grade B level.
He is a gentle giant and takes good care of his rider. He settled immediately into this new life here
and was fairly unfazed by all the strange beasts he had never seen before.
He is a popular horse and is very versatile in the level of rider who will enjoy him. He is remarkably
steady with a more novice rider, but brightens up considerably with a more experienced rider.
He is fascinated with zebras, and if we come across herds on a ride, he will often gaze longingly
towards them as though he might like to join their herd.
He loves all the other horses in the stables and can’t understand if he is rejected for any reason.
Lengai
Lengai is a Namibian Warmblood gelding. His previous name was Gitana. We changed it to Lengai,
after the nearby active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai which means “mountain of god” in Kimaa, the
language of the Masaai.
Born
Height
Sex
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
October 10th, 1994
16.3 hands high.
Gelding (neutered male)
Grey
Namibian Warmblood
Not known
Not Known
History
He is a very recent addition and arrived at Sasakwa in January 2006. Warmbloods are bred
specifically for competitive riding and are not eligible to race. He has been competitive in dressage
and show jumping in South Africa for a number of years and is beautifully schooled with perfect
manners both in the stable and under saddle – he is certainly not explosive as his new name might
imply.
He has settled into this new environment without any trouble and is interested in what he sees,
but takes it all in his stride. He is a big, solid, comfortable ride and will be a very popular horse
who will be versatile for a variety of different levels of riders.
His paddock mate in South Africa was William, but his best friend is now Rafiki. They traveled to
Sasakwa together, and this was obviously a hugely bonding experience for them as they now go
everywhere together.
Selous, Rafiki and Lengai
Picaroon
Picaroon is a part bred Welsh pony, which is a very popular children’s pony breed. Not being a
Thoroughbred, he will not have raced.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
December 3rd, 1996
Gelding (neutered male)
14.3 hands high
Dark palamino
Part bred Welsh pony
Shareena Piekanien
Manilla Golden Garden
History
Picaroon arrived at Sasakawa in May 2005. He has had a very successful competitive career in
South Africa, in the children’s classes in the dressage and show jumping disciplines. He is a really
bright and cheerful pony with a huge personality and a confiding, friendly nature which will endear
him to everyone.
He is a bold pony to ride with a big heart and will determinedly stride out to keep up with our
bigger horses. He is beautifully schooled, and although he is sensible and steady, he also has a
cheeky side to him which makes him great fun to ride. He is a very popular ride for smaller adults
wanting a smaller horse and our younger riders.
He and Almasi are best friends and partners in crime, and it is amusing to see the contrast in their
sizes as they plan and execute the days mischief together. He goes out to the field with six other
very large horses, but is totally unafraid to have his say in all the paddock activities.
Puddle Jumper
Puddle Jumper is known in the stables as PJ.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
Estimated around 1993
Mare
14.1 hands high
Bay
Mixed breed
Unknown
Unknown
History
She arrived at Sasakwa in June 2003. We unfortunately have very little information on PJ prior to
her arrival at Sasakwa, but judging by her level of training, she was most likely used as an all
round, low level competition pony competing in the dressage, show jumping, and possibly
eventing disciplines.
She is a very uncomplicated and generous little pony, and a sensible ride, who strides out well. She
is easy-going and friendly with all her paddock mates, but gets on especially well with Argi.
Rafiki
Rafiki is a Thoroughbred and is registered with the South African Jockey club. His Passport name is
What Magic. His name was changed to Rafiki, which means “friend” in Swahili.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
October 26th, 1995
Gelding (neutered male)
15.2 hands high
Bright Bay
Thoroughbred
Rocky Marriage
What A Game who is by Silverware.
History
Rafiki is a new addition, having arrived from South Africa in January 2006. He was competing in
South Africa in E grade show jumping classes and being used as a general riding horse.
He is doing well in his new life, and should be a popular horse with the more experienced riders.
He and Lengai traveled to Sasakwa together, and as a result of this experience, they are now the
best of friends.
Rafiki and Lengai
Selous
Selous is a Friesian X. Friesians are Flemish carriage horses that have become very popular over
the years as riding horses. They generally have excellent temperaments for trail riding and are a
very smart looking horse with a comfortable gait.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
2002
Gelding (neutered male)
16.3 hands high and still growing!
Black
Friesian X
Unknown
Unknown
History
Selous is a new addition, and arrived at Sasakwa in January 2006. He is the baby of the barn.
Despite his youth, we decided that he should join us based on his easy temperament, good looks
and comfort.
It will take a year or two to train him, but he will be a lovely horse once he has developed and
matured a little. We have begun training him here, and he is proving to be everything we expected
of him.
Picaroon and Selous
Shamwari
Shamwari is a Thoroughbred from Zimbabwe, but has unfortunately lost his passport and we do
not know his breeding. His name, Shamwari, is a Zimbabwean word for “friend”.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
Estimated around 1993
Gelding (neutered male)
15.3 hands high
Dark Bay
Thoroughbred
Unknown
Unknown
History
Unfortunately, we do not have any information on Shamwari’s earlier life. He was a top polo pony
in Arusha, Tanzania, but had an injury to his right eye, which took him into early retirement. He
arrived at Sasakwa in June 2005.
He is a bold horse to ride, and is currently used as one of our lead horses, but is also very popular
with more experienced riders. His paddock companion is Tilbury, and he is very fond of Asanja.
Sherry
Sherry is a neat and tidy pony mare. She is a non Thoroughbred but has a competition passport.
Her passport name is Sheherezade.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
1991
Mare
14.1 hands high
Dark Bay with four white stockings
Arab X
Bojangles
Silver Streak
History
Sherry is a relatively new addition, and arrived at Sasakwa from South Africa in May 2005. She has
had a very successful life as a competition pony in South Africa. She won many championships in
the children’s dressage and show jumping disciplines, as well as in the show ring, and has been a
member of provincial children’s teams on several occasions.
She is a delightful pony with charm, character and a friendly nature. She is very pretty and dainty,
with huge doe eyes, and epitomizes the idea of a little girls dream pony. Having Arab blood, she
can be feisty and fun to ride for a smaller experienced adult or junior.
Her best friend used to be Picaroon, but with all the recent arrivals, she has moved stables and her
best friend is now Shusha. She is rather flirty in the paddock, so no doubt she will find a new
boyfriend soon.
Shusha
She is a South African Warmblood mare with a competition passport. Her passport name is
Dramatize.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
December 1st, 1996
Mare
15.2 hands high
Bright Bay
South African Warmblood
Dramatic
What a Crystal who is by Crystal De Roche
History
She was a successful dressage and show jumping mare, and competed at elementary level
dressage and Adult D grade in South Africa. She arrived at Sasakwa in May 2005.
She is very well schooled and a lovely, lively but well mannered ride for the more experienced
rider. She used to be Almasi’s girlfriend, but she recently moved stables and is now very good
friends with Sherry. Together, they are integrating with their new paddock mates.
Star
Star is a Thoroughbred, but unfortunately has no passport and we have very little information on
his life before he came to Sasakwa.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
Estimated between 1986 and 1989
Gelding (neutered male)
15.3 hands high
Bay
Thoroughbred
Unknown
Unknown
History
Star arrived at Sasakwa in June 2003. Before coming to Sasakwa, he had been playing polo in
Zimbabwe.
He is a kind, unassuming and easy going horse who keeps himself to himself most of the time.
With his relaxed attitude, we often use him to settle a new horse in as he can be relied upon to
show them the ropes.
He is a steady, kind and sensible ride for less experienced riders, but can liven up and put on a
good turn of speed if required for a more experienced rider. He is a very popular horse - Star by
name and Star by nature.
Tilbury
Tilbury is a Thoroughbred from Zimbabwe but he has lost his passport. He has kept his racing
name.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
Estimated 1992
Gelding (neutered male)
15.3 hands high
Bay
Thoroughbred
Unknown
Unknown
History
Tilbury arrived in May 2005. He was a very successful Zimbabwean racehorse and then went on to
play top level polo in Zimbabwe, and later, in Arusha, Tanzania.
Upon his arrival, he walked off the lorry, went for a ride and saw his first giraffe. He was totally
unfazed by this experience, and even his first sight of an elephant left him unconcerned. He is a
great horse for Sasakwa, fun but reliable, and he walks out well and has comfortable gaits. He has
always been a very popular horse with guests.
His best friend is Shamwari, as they were stabled together in Arusha, but he is often seen playing
with the senior citizens, Argi and Batian.
William Penn
William Penn is a Thoroughbred/Warmblood cross so he has not been a racehorse but he does
have a competition passport. He is known in the stables as William – we only use his full name if
he is in trouble.
Born
Sex
Height
Colour
Breed
Sire
Dam
December 19th, 2000
Gelding (neutered male)
16.3 hands high
Dark Bay
Thoroughbred/Warmblood cross
Sidney, a Holsteiner stallion
Across the Stars, a Thoroughbred mare by Starcutter (USA)
History
William is a new addition to the barn, and arrived in January 2006. He is very much the aristocrat
of the stables and knows it too! He is a great character, and rather full of himself, however he
never forgets he is a gentleman.
He loves playing and considers life to be one long game. As a youngster, his best friend was a
large bull mastiff dog, by the name of Brutus. Even after William moved from Zimbabwe - where he
was bred - to South Africa to begin his competitive career, he never forgot Brutus, and they spent
hours playing together in the field and stable, after they were reunited months later. Hopefully he
will not mistake his first lions for Brutus!
He loves attention and responds to his name being called. His favourite treats are carrots and
bread. He had just started his competitive career, as a show jumper in South Africa, and was
showing great potential in this discipline.
He is doing extremely well in his new life, and should be a very popular horse with more
experienced riders. He is very good friends with Selous as they made the plane journey to Sasakwa
together, but he will socialise and play with anyone who is game for a game.
William and Selous