Artesan, a 9-year-old Arabian
McArthur, who had not ridden since the 1960’s, decided to get back into showing in 2003 .
“I hadn’t shown Arabians for 35 years, so I didn’t recognize any of the (current) bloodlines,” she said. “Then an ad caught my eye, something like ‘last son of Khemosabi.'”
Bred, raised and later syndicated by Bert and Ruth Husband, Salem, OR, Khemosabi, by Amerigo out of Jurneeka, was a show ring superstar and the leading sire of Arabian champions for most of his lifetime. Foaled in 1967, he maintained his status during a period when imported stallions began to dominate the Arabian industry in this country.
Khemosabi’s classic Arabian “type” combined with a flashy bay coat, blazed face, and four white stockings for a stunning package. He also had a special charisma that appealed not only to the judges, but to the general public, as well.
Susie McArthur drove to San Diego to have a look at the Khemosabi son from the ad. “When I got out of the car and saw his kind eye, I knew he was mine,” she said.
McArthur rode Artesan by herself for a year, concentrating on dressage. But her goal was to become good enough to compete at Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, so she contacted trainer Patience Prine-Carr, Castroville, CA.
“We didn’t have a goal to campaign him,” noted Prine-Carr. “We only go to shows that we enjoy. His show schedule just evolved, and he kept winning. Finally, he had done so well, we had no choice but to take him to Sport Horse Nationals.
“Artesan is elegant and marked just like his sire,” she added. “He is a beautifully moving horse, very correct, fluid and elastic. He has the same showy bay coat and four high white stockings as his sire, plus his legendary show ring panache and sweet disposition.”
Khemosabi died in 2001, having sired more than 1,200 purebred Arabian horses that have competed successfully in the show arena, racing, competitive trail riding and endurance. Khemosabi Day at Cal-Poly has been preserved online.