Haleb
Haleb, or affectionately known as the Pride of the Desert, had traveled many miles to America and in his short-lived life, had an impact on many lives. Homer Davenport had imported approximately 27 horses, including Haleb. It was 8 August 1900, when he started his journey to the U.S, but in his homeland, he was loved and almost worshipped by the people who bred and knew him. Davenport had bought Haleb from the governor of Aleppo and Syria, Nazin Pasha. It was said that this Pride of the Desert was born in the southern desert, from a mare that was the last living horse form the Maneghi Sbeyel mares, a bloodline that could be traced back for over 500 years. His sire was from the Sueyman Sebba family. Davenport imported his handpicked horses in 1906 from Arabia, and his horses have become famous for their strong physical build, incredible endurance capabilities and the beautiful shine to their coats. And Haleb was one of them. Davenport had ridden Haleb across the desert to meet the people in the area where Haleb had originated from. Grown men had bowed in front of Haleb and wept from their hearts, as they were forced to say good-bye to this magnificent horse. They were not ashamed of their tears, and gave Haleb their hearts as he left.
Haleb only stood just over 14 hands in height, with brown and white
coloring, a short back and strong muscular legs and buttocks. What he
lacked
in size, he made up for in courage. Davenport loved Haleb, and was
heard
calling him “Our great horse”. Even America’s most famous and respected
horse painter of the time, George Ford Morris, said that Haleb was the
only
horse he had ever viewed, that he could not find any fault with or deny
the
beauty and exquisite features of this horse. Haleb was without a doubt
Davenport’s pride and joy.
On the 17th of June 1907, the gutsy Arabian horse, Haleb, was
entered
into the Morgan Cup, to race against the best race horses to set foot
on the
course, and on the home ground of the Morgan Horses. Haleb won the race
and
in doing so, made history. Davenport considered this horse invaluable
and
every one had said Haleb to be one of the most amazing horses ever.
Haleb had only sired a few offspring, as shortly after winning the
Morgans Cup, on 10 November 1909, Haleb mysteriously passed away.
Davenport
was devastated. Haleb was only eight years old, and it was suspected
that he
had been poisoned.
