From our Arieana Notebook: We value Ferseyn's influence as one of the most celebrated Arabian stallions of his time, filling all the requisites as a sire for every imaginable performance event including racing ~ and all with style enough to bring audiences to their feet.  Under the ownership and expert guidance of Herbet H. Reese at his Rancho Oscura Cañada in Pomona, California during the 1940's and 1950's, Ferseyn became 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 as 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. As Annamae Crane remembers those times, Mr. Mari bought Ferseyn when the stallion was in quite poor condition paying the then huge sum of $12,500.00 for him. The Mari daughters, Clara, Dorothy, and Rose hand fed Ferseyn at first and eventually returned him to robust health. He sired many wonderful horses while with the Mari's. Ferseyn was finally euthanized due to an inoperable tumor on a rear pastern, and as Mrs. Crane recalls his age at that time was 25. (Personal Communication from Annamae Crane,  October 11, 2008.)

Pedigree of Ferneyn AHR #2865