As
a young boy growing up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Bagedo remembers the first time he
saw a horse as if it were yesterday. “I knew instantly
that I wanted to be close to it,” he recalls, “and not
only that, I was determined to ride the horse right from
the start.” Many of the onlookers on this auspicious
occasion thought the boy was far too small to ride and
would likely be terrified the moment he was put atop the
horse. Yet the horse’s owner, a member of the Saudi
Royal family, allowed the child to climb aboard and take
his first ride. As with many who have experienced that
magical feeling, the joy the young Khaled felt was
indescribable.
After a lifetime with horses,
including tremendous success as an owner and breeder of
winning Arabian racehorses, Sheikh Khaled turned his
attention to perhaps the most challenging of all equine
pursuits – developing a serious breeding program. Today,
a visit to Al Khaled confirms his dedication to this
goal: the paddocks and stables are filled with beautiful
horses, and, more importantly, a group of exquisite
foals which herald the promise of a bright future.
As
a renaissance of interest in Arabian horse breeding
sweeps across the ancestral homelands of the breed, many
in the region have looked to the straight Egyptian to
foster their cultural heritage. The breeding program of
Al Khaled Farm is an excellent example, as Sheikh Khaled
has selected horses from some of the finest Egyptian
breeding programs in the world to shape his own program.
Before choosing his bloodstock, Sheikh Khaled often
visited the breeding farms he admired, carefully
observing what families and crosses were successful. “My
own philosophy in acquiring horses was not to duplicate
exactly what others were doing,” he explains. “I did not
want to limit my options by beginning inside a ‘box.’
Instead, I gathered a variety of bloodlines and families
so that I might begin to shape my own program and
determine over time what is working well and what is
not.”
An interest in the Arabian breed does not stop with
just the breeding program for Sheikh Khaled Ahmed
Bagedo, as he strives for excellence in every endeavor,
and believes that education is always the key to
success. These high standards are reflected in the way
his horses are cared for and led to his selection of
Ward Bemong and Mieke Opsteyn to manage the farm.
“Sheikh Khaled has collected some of the finest straight
Egyptians Arabians to be found,” remarks Ward, “and for
Mieke and myself it was a huge challenge to work on a
daily basis with these top quality horses.” Mieke, who
handles the breeding at the farm, traveled to Ansata
Arabian Stud for three months and also attended a course
at Colorado State University to learn more about the
reproductive management of a breeding herd. “Together
with our main groom, Abbas Khan,” continues Ward, “we
believe we have a fantastic team that is responsible,
respectful and loves the horses. Mieke and I are very
thankful to have been given this opportunity to work
with this special group of horses and especially to work
for someone like Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Bagedo.”
A recent event hosted at Al Khaled, entitled, “The
Arabian Horse in Art and Life,” is a perfect example of
the synchronicity of breeding, education, and
appreciation for the Arabian horse embodied by the farm.
While a group of breeders from around the world were
treated to unrivalled hospitality, including a
magnificent dinner and showing of the Al Khaled horses,
they were also introduced to Sheikh Khaled’s patronage
of a landmark art project by Karen Kasper in a perfect
blending of art, education, and the living cultural
heritage that is embodied by the Arabian horse. Combined
with a preview of the first results of Al Khaled’s
second foal crop, there was a shared sense of
anticipation about the future accomplishments of the
farm. With such a marvelous group of horses there is
every expectation of extraordinary results, and indeed,
a recent filly sired by El Thay Khemal Pasha out of an
Adl daughter is a perfect example – the type of foal
that creates excitement even in the most discriminating
program. Yet Sheikh Khaled understands that breeding is
not an exact science. He knows the joys of success are
often tempered with disappointments and set-backs, and
to triumph take patience and time. When asked about the
future of his program at Al Khaled he simply answers
with a smile and says, “We’ll see….”
Al Khaled Farm -
owned by
Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Bagedo
As
a young boy growing up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Bagedo remembers the first time he
saw a horse as if it were yesterday. “I knew instantly
that I wanted to be close to it,” he recalls, “and not
only that, I was determined to ride the horse right from
the start.” Many of the onlookers on this auspicious
occasion thought the boy was far too small to ride and
would likely be terrified the moment he was put atop the
horse. Yet the horse’s owner, a member of the Saudi
Royal family, allowed the child to climb aboard and take
his first ride. As with many who have experienced that
magical feeling, the joy the young Khaled felt was
indescribable.
As
a renaissance of interest in Arabian horse breeding
sweeps across the ancestral homelands of the breed, many
in the region have looked to the straight Egyptian to
foster their cultural heritage. The breeding program of
Al Khaled Farm is an excellent example, as Sheikh Khaled
has selected horses from some of the finest Egyptian
breeding programs in the world to shape his own program.
Before choosing his bloodstock, Sheikh Khaled often
visited the breeding farms he admired, carefully
observing what families and crosses were successful. “My
own philosophy in acquiring horses was not to duplicate
exactly what others were doing,” he explains. “I did not
want to limit my options by beginning inside a ‘box.’
Instead, I gathered a variety of bloodlines and families
so that I might begin to shape my own program and
determine over time what is working well and what is
not.”
An interest in the Arabian breed does not stop with
just the breeding program for Sheikh Khaled Ahmed
Bagedo, as he strives for excellence in every endeavor,
and believes that education is always the key to
success. These high standards are reflected in the way
his horses are cared for and led to his selection of
Ward Bemong and Mieke Opsteyn to manage the farm.
“Sheikh Khaled has collected some of the finest straight
Egyptians Arabians to be found,” remarks Ward, “and for
Mieke and myself it was a huge challenge to work on a
daily basis with these top quality horses.” Mieke, who
handles the breeding at the farm, traveled to Ansata
Arabian Stud for three months and also attended a course
at Colorado State University to learn more about the
reproductive management of a breeding herd. “Together
with our main groom, Abbas Khan,” continues Ward, “we
believe we have a fantastic team that is responsible,
respectful and loves the horses. Mieke and I are very
thankful to have been given this opportunity to work
with this special group of horses and especially to work
for someone like Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Bagedo.” 
A recent event hosted at Al Khaled, entitled, “The
Arabian Horse in Art and Life,” is a perfect example of
the synchronicity of breeding, education, and
appreciation for the Arabian horse embodied by the farm.
While a group of breeders from around the world were
treated to unrivalled hospitality, including a
magnificent dinner and showing of the Al Khaled horses,
they were also introduced to Sheikh Khaled’s patronage
of a landmark art project by Karen Kasper in a perfect
blending of art, education, and the living cultural
heritage that is embodied by the Arabian horse. Combined
with a preview of the first results of Al Khaled’s
second foal crop, there was a shared sense of
anticipation about the future accomplishments of the
farm. With such a marvelous group of horses there is
every expectation of extraordinary results, and indeed,
a recent filly sired by El Thay Khemal Pasha out of an
Adl daughter is a perfect example – the type of foal
that creates excitement even in the most discriminating
program. Yet Sheikh Khaled understands that breeding is
not an exact science. He knows the joys of success are
often tempered with disappointments and set-backs, and
to triumph take patience and time. When asked about the
future of his program at Al Khaled he simply answers
with a smile and says, “We’ll see….”