ARAB HOOFBEATS

In the Old West, a man's success was largely measured by the quality of his horse. If this concept was applied to Arizona cities, Scottsdale might well have top ranking.

"The West's Most Western Town" has long prided itself on an abundance of the world's finest horses. Local ranches provide a wide variety of breeds which perform annually at spectacular horse shows, parades and rodeos. Yet it is the cream of the equine crop the Arabian which has provided the greatest measure of success.

Within the past decade the Scottsdale area has gained an international reputation as one of the foremost Arabian breeding grounds in the United States. Approximately 15 of the larger ranches are operated here and in adjoining areas. In addition, 100 members of the Arizona Arabian Horse Association maintain horses throughout the Valley.

The first Arabian horse ranch appeared on the Scottsdale scene during the 1920's. The next two decades saw the establishment of such sprawling landmarks as Ed Tweed's Brusally Ranch. Its picturesque Spanish colonial home, green pastures and white corrals stand in stark contrast to the barren desert. The scenic pink adobe McCormick Ranch, the Gainey spread and the late Robert Aste's ranch also claimed desert acres and began to sow the seeds of a new industry.

But it was not until the 1950's that the Valley's Arab boom really began, as Dr. Eugene LaCroix, Hal Clay, Guy Stillman and others added ranches to the scene.

More and more national show championships were claimed by Arizona's Arabians, and the horse world took note of these breeders. The high caliber of their stock attracted additional Arab admirers to Scottsdale and in the 1960's more ranches were founded. The names of Tom Chauncey, Dr. H.J. McKeown, Rex Allison, Don Chandler, Bill Owens and others became linked with Arabians.

Right, a proud Arabian mare and her young colt frolic in the pasture of Lasma Arabian Ranch.

Dr. Eugene La Croix readies champion Arabian, Gwalior, for exercise while daughter, Mrs. Tom Chauncey II, takes Gdynai for a swim in the unique pool at Lasma Arabians. Horses are led into the water via ramp at one end of pool, which goes from ground level to 13 feet deep. The handler walks around pool's perimeter, with the horse swimming on the end of a leader line. After egress from the pool, excess water is removed and the horse placed on automatic walker to dry.

Mrs. Tom Chauncey II shows off the affectionate personality of the Arabian as she works with Gwalior.

ARAB HOOFBEATS: A Sound of Scottsdale's Success

This area has virtually become an Arabian horse mecca primarily due to the desert terrain and climate, which are similar to the breed's homeland. The origin of the Arabian horse has been traced back some 4,000 years to Libya.

Highly prized by ancient Bedouin tribesmen, this spirited horse with the small head and classic neck arch has been a symbol of wealth and royalty for centuries. The Arabian has fathered almost every breed of "light" horse we know today, including the Thoroughbred, American Saddle-Bred and Standard-Bred.

The Arab's intelligence, fine lines, versatility and stamina have placed him in growing demand by modern horsemen. Dr. LaCroix notes that when he came to Scottsdale in 1944, there were 3,100 Arabian horses living in this country; now there are more than 99,000.

The growing popularity of the breed is attributed to several factors. Local ranchers report that some people want to own Arabians because it's fashionable, others are attracted by the Arab's affectionate personality which makes him an ideal pleasure horse and family animal.

Many admire the endurance and great versatility of this breed both in and out of the show ring. They use him as a practical ranch horse, trail horse, jumper, hunter, pleasure horse, harness horse and even as a race horse.

The increased demand for Arabians has been a contributing factor to the success of local breeders, who have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to produce both championship show animals and versatile pleasure horses with classic beauty.

In an effort to improve upon existing bloodlines, these horsemen have augmented their stables with imports from Poland, England, Egypt, France, Germany and Sweden. A buying trip to Europe once or twice a year is considered a normal part of the business. So are the 30,000 miles logged annually on the horse show circuit by most successful Arabian breeders.

Far from "hoofing it" like their ancestors, Arizona Arabian horses travel in modern.four-to-nine-horse vans and even chartered airplanes.

In order to fulfill the potential of its regal heritage, each show horse receives meticulous care which includes specialized feeding, extensive training, exercise and grooming.

As with most large businesses today, Scottsdale's Arabian ranches are battling increased costs. In addition to expenses of travel, maintaining stable facilities, salaried trainers, riding tack and veterinary services, breeders are faced with the soaring costs of hay and grain. Some of the larger spreads, which have about 100 head, spend an estimated $7,000 per month on feed.

To economize, some ranches have turned to innovative measures. Brusally Ranch has an indoor arena which can be cooled to a comfortable 70 degrees, enabling the training program to continue during the peak heat periods of 120-degree summer days. During the sizzling months, other desert ranches must limit training and exercise sessions to early morning and evening hours. Lasma Arabian Ranch has its own surgical table to facilitate veterinary work and also maintains a 25x50-foot swimming pool for the horses. According to owner Dr. LaCroix, "Swimming gives greater exercise to more muscles in a horse's body than galloping, with far less chance of injury. It saves us a considerable amount of time and expense. and the horses love to swim." The facility is one of several in the nation.

Despite their problems, Scottsdale breeders believe that the end result a magnificent Arabian champion is worth all that effort and expense. Evidently other Arab admirers agree. In February, a dispersal sale at one of the big ranches attracted more than 4,000 people from all parts of the U.S. and several foreign countries.

Arabians range in price from a few hundred dollars to more than $100,000. However with show prizes and stud fees of $500 and $1,000, it is not unusual for a top stallion to more than pay for himself in a short time. The same can be said of a good mare who can produce champion foals with regularity.

In recent years several of the big ranches have been dissolved and their horses sold to both local breeders and noted Arabian ranches throughout the country. It was during one of these sales in 1969 that Naborr became the most valuable Arabian stallion in the world. Auctioned off from the estate of the late Mrs. Anne McCormick of Scottsdale, he was sold for $150,000 to Phoenix broadcasting executive Tom Chauncey and singer Wayne Newton.

Chauncey now has full ownership of the famed Arabian stud. He is kept in elaborate quarters at Chauncey's Scottsdale ranch and is constantly monitored by closed-circuit TV.

In addition to the large Arabian breeders, there are numerous Arabian fanciers in the Valley who just keep a couple of the majestic animals for riding pleasure or show. Others maintain a small stable primarily for show purposes.

Some feel that the day of the big Arabian ranches is passing from the Scottsdale scene due to the growing scarcity of land and various economic factors.

Famed Champion Arab stallion, Bask, (ridden by Gene La Croix, one of the nation's top Arabian trainers) pleases horse show crowds with the classic spirit and beauty of his breed.

"The backbone of the industry is becoming the small owner who insists on fine breeding in both show animals and those used in participation events such as trail rides," says Marcq Cosenza, president of the Arizona Arabian Horse Association. "For many of us, raising these horses is a family affair. It provides a common interest in which parents and children can share the work, fun and excitement," he adds.

Yet new large Arabian spreads continue to spring up on the desert surrounding Scottsdale. Newcomers include New Yorker Leon Rubin's Sir William Farm and Royal Court Arabians, owned by former Californian Ms. Loretta Gaither.

The Arabian ranches and their allied industries bring great economic benefits to the Scottsdale area as well as thousands of visitors. Yet it is probably the Association-sponsored All Arabian Horse Show, held annually in February, which has the greatest single economic impact on Scottsdale.

Tourists and Arab fanciers fill local hostelries as they flock to the show. Some stay to buy horses and property.

In addition to providing a colorful showcase for the versatile Arabian, this year's four-day show raised $10,000 to benefit Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. The famed institute specializes in research and treatment of diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system.

Rated as the nation's number one accredited Arabian horse show, the Scottsdale competition is outranked only by the U.S. National Arabian finals. This year's 19th annual event attracted 712 horses from all parts of the United States. Some Arabians participating in the spectacular competition are owned by such notables as Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, movie producer Mike Nichols, singers Wayne Newton and John Davidson.

Living up to their reputation, local Arabians once again claimed top honors. Trained and co-owned by Lasma Arabians, (and Town & Country Farms of Florida), The Judge pranced off with the coveted Supreme Park Horse Championship . . . and a $3,500 purse. This horse also holds the title of 1973 U.S. National Arabian Champion Park Horse.

The list of national Arabian champions who reside at Scottsdale area ranches is lengthy and unequalled by any other part of the nation. Among those in the Valley are Bask, Orzel, Naborr, El Mudir, Le Bask, Zbrucz, Naborro and Klusin; all are names synonymous with top quality - and it is that quality which brands Scottsdale with success. ☐ ☐ ☐

OPPOSITE PAGE

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, Phoenix, introduces for the first time, in Micro-Color, the new Landers Blue spider web turquoise. America's newest gemstone was discovered by Ouija board indication in an area previously explored, researched and overlooked by geologists and professional mineralologists. The Landers Blue on silver reproduced on the opposite page represents the creative genius of Indian artist Preston Monongye who is currently designing an exclusive Collector's Series for Saks Fifth Avenue, Phoenix. The bracelet, top, and yoke necklace are from private collections. PHOTOGRAPHS BY NAURICE KOONCE, RAY MANLEY STUDIOS.

On A Clear Day, You Can See For A “Week-And-A-Half”

The two photographs reproduced on this page were taken in late January, 1974. Top, from Glendale, Arizona shows Tucson's Mount Lemmon, upper right-center. Lower, from south Phoenix, shows the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks, approximate center, north of Flagstaff. The distance in each photograph represents 140-150 miles, which little more than one hundred and fifty years ago might have been travelled by covered wagon, in about “a-week-and-a-half.” The main thoroughfare, upper photo, is Grand Avenue which cuts a diagonal from beyond Sun City to downtown Phoenix. Interstates 10 and 17 skirt southern and western parts of Phoenix. The tiny “Building Blocks” shapes of Phoenix' Central Avenue change month by month. The concepts of city's planners portend one of the world's cleanest and most attractive boulevards. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARKOW STUDIOS

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Typical of the Arizona desert in springtime with saguaros crowning the flower studded landscapes. MARVIN W.COX