From
our Arieana Notebook: We value Ferseyn's influence as one of
the most celebrated Arabian sires of his time. Standing at stud
in California during the 1940's and 1950's, he was the leading
sire of champions for a reign that spanned two decades. We are partial to this description
of Ferseyn as written in 1957 by Herbert H. Reese (his owner)
and published in his book The Kellogg
Arabians, and we quote:
"When *Ferda was
twenty-three years old Fred Vanderhoof of Woodlake wanted her,
promising to give her special care and feed, which she required
at that age. So it was arranged for her to go to Woodlake. She
had been bred to *Raseyn before leaving Kellogg's and Ferseyn
was the result of this mating.
When Ferseyn was a
two-year-old he was sent down to me along with some other Arabs
for me to sell. I liked Ferseyn right away, in fact the longer I
had him the better I liked him so I purchased him myself ~ and
have kept him ever since in spite of the fact he was so quick
under saddle as youngster that he dumped me a couple of times.
But with more training he settled down to being a fast-walking
pleasure horse with easy trot and slow 'rocking-chair'
canter. He had and still has, a very light mouth and is always
easy to control although he has plenty of animation. Led in hand
he arches his neck and tail, and struts with a springy jog that
is a joy to watch. His action is straight, and even at twenty
years of age his legs are still clean.....
Ferseyn
himself was shown only a couple of times, but he was reserve
champion and topped an entry of 27 mature stallions at the 1947
Southern California all-Arabian show when ten years of age. He
is a trifle too small, standing only 14-3, but although he has
higher withers than most of the Skowroneks, he could still stand
improvement in this department and that would automatically
bring him close to 15 hands. His head is typical of his sire
line, and his alert, appealing expression, plus his impish sense
of humor, makes him a favorite with visitors to our ranch. Ferseyn
would have made a good trick horse, for he learns readily and
does not turn sour. He loves to cook up his own entertainment,
not the least of which is turning on of lights or opening of
stall doors with resultant minor and major uproar. A typical
'classic' Arab in every way, Ferseyn is one of the
greatest progenitors of the Skowronek line in this
country." (pp. 137-139).
When Mr. Reese became so ill that
he could no longer care for his horses, Ferseyn went to
live with the Frisco Mari family and spent his last years with
them. We have no record of his exact date of death, but he will
long be remembered as a sire filling the bill for every
imaginable performance event including racing ~ and all this
with style enough to bring audiences to their feet.
Recommended reading for further study on Ferseyn
and his influence on the Old California/Reese Circle of CMK Heritage
breeding traditions include:
Parkinson, Mary Jane. The
Kellogg Ranch, The First Sixty Years. Cal Poly Kellogg United
Foundation, Inc. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona,
CA. Third edition 1984.
Reese, Herbert H. in
collaboration with Gladys Brown Edwards. The Kellogg Arabians ~
Their Background and Influence. Borden Publishing
Company, Alhambra, CA. 1958.
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Ferseyn 
