Zoebeida
(Beida) was born in a village in Yorkshire called Kettlesing.
The second daughter of Shireema and The
Searcher – a
sweet, friendly, angelic bay foal, never any trouble
and always happy to see people.
Beida was part of our family for nearly
29 years – moving
with us to Scotland and eventually to the Midlands. She spent
a little while in Wales with my friend Jennie and used to
go on picnics with Jennie and her children. Eventually she
returned to Scotland in foal to Ablak (Ben Rabba x Rose Flame)
producing her first child a grey colt called Paskinnell.
Beida was a wonderful and patient mum – even though
this son was “a handful”.
Beida’s second foal was Saskiah by Santanna(Rheingolde
x Raqqasa) – a lovely bay filly, with her mum’s
wonderful temperament and floating action. She was
sold to a showing family in Scotland.
Whilst living in Scotland Beida developed
grass sickness. Thankfully we had a very knowledgeable
vet and after nursing
her 24 hrs a day, tubing with food/liquid and nutrients – eventually
she recovered.
Our family moved south to Worcestershire
and Beida’s
third and final foal was Shemona by Diamond Star (Indian
Star x Dalika) – this foal took a while to conceive
but was never the less worth the effort. Although sold to
our good friend Justin Harrison – she still resides
here at Auchmillan.
Whilst living in the Midlands we heard
that daughter Saskiah had fallen on hard times. Unbeknown
to Chris, I raided my
bank account, borrowed a trailer and drove with a friend
to Scotland. Eventually Saskiah was purchased and came
back home. On arriving at Auchmillan, the first horse to
greet
her was Beida – she took her to her side and seemed
to introduce her to everyone else – it was amazing
to see, I’m positive she knew it was one of hers!!!!
In her latter years she developed arthritis
in her front legs but at 28 she was called upon to do a
great service
by fostering a neighbour’s orphaned thoroughbred
foal. Beida (or Grandma as she was called) did a
magnificent job,
giving Millie love and manners.
Beida came home in the autumn of 04, her
arthritis was getting worse. Medication, magnetherapy boots
etc in the end couldn’t
help. She has enjoyed the mild winter in her field
and shelter along with her friends.
I knew once the weather changed I had to
make the hardest decision of my life. She called to me as
I went to collect
her – we had our last hug. Farewell my
very special friend, I will never, ever forget you. Thank you Chris
for being there.
There are different ways of becoming a “Mare
of Distinction” –
Some
achieve this by show ring success
Others by producing offspring with show ring success.
My mare Zoebeida is humble in these awards
and yes she’s
only ever produced three offspring BUT in her 29
years she has always welcomed me everyday with a whinny,
never,
ever
been any trouble. Been the most patient and wonderful
mum. Let me do anything to her without a bad reaction.
This
little write up is for all the “special, wonderful
and genuine mares”.
THE
