As our documentary, "Fate of the Stallion," nears its 150th TV broadcast, I have been asked to make a few comments about the horse in the film.
Although I have written many stories about Nahgua, the stallion on which the story is based, it isn't Nahgua that I'm being asked about these days. I'm being asked about the horse portraying him in the movie, and how we found such a stallion.
Our "star search" was a journey of "life imitating art" and, as it unfolded, I was reminded of the novel itself at different times. Has that ever happened to you? Just like the character in the story, Dan, who is searching for lost love, finding the right horse for our film wasn't easy.
There were some wonderful Arabians out there, of course. But, he had to be a horse of the right color and markings to match Nahgua in the story … and we had another challenge to meet – a problem of my own making! When I painted the illustrations for the novel, you might say I depicted Nahgua as "larger than life." I guess, back then, I wasn't thinking about the story ever being made into a movie, and so I took what is known as "artistic license" and painted him taller than average. (OK, maybe I painted him a lot taller!).
There were other criteria on our list, too. To begin with, the horse had to be a stallion (Not always so easy to find) … and, because it figures significantly in the story, this stallion also had to have the mark of a white star on his forehead. But, there was one more thing … he had to like people. That was "most" important!
Anyone who has ever loved or raised Arabian horses knows how difficult it can be to find one that stands higher than 14.2 or 14.3 hands tall. (For those who don't already know, a "hand" is just another way of saying 4 inches, and the height of a horse is measured at its withers, which is – you guessed it – another way of saying "shoulder").
As people become taller and taller with each generation, they need horses that suit them and Arabian horses in this category are quite sought after. Yes, there are "die-hards" who say "there's no such thing as a 16 Hand Arabian!" or, at least, that there is no such thing as a 16 Hand Arabian who really looks like an Arabian. But, I am here to say, that just isn't true. Just ask a breeder in Michigan by the name of Jim Andreson, and he'll tell you.
Jim – who stands 6'3" tall, himself – made waves in the horse community when he purchased the world champion stallion, *Furno Khamal. Offers in the millions of dollars came to Jim for this stallion (a national show champion in several European countries, and also a gold medalist in the German government's evaluation program for breeding stallions) and Jim turned them all down. Why? "Because I had searched ten years for a stallion like this and I needed him for my mares."
We called Jim, asking if he had any horses that might fit our requirements for the film. To our surprise, he did. "He's the closest thing to Khamal I've produced so far. When I look at him sometimes, I get goose bumps!" From the beginning, the colt had a lot going for him. "His dam was a big mare," said Jim. "She had no problem delivering such a tall colt. And he knew he was special. He would look at you, as if to say, 'I know you're here just for me.'"
We were in business! Sight unseen, the young stallion was purchased. He was three years old, bay with the right markings, 16 hands tall, and he loved people. What more could we ask? We had found our star and his name was Selket Louchiano.
Right away, I was impressed by Louchiano's powerful, ground-reaching stride. As a rider, I knew how good that would feel and I looked forward to the day when I could ride him, but Louchiano was already into his show career at that point. A winner on the Regional and Futurity levels, he was slated for national competition and all which that entails.
Not only was Louchiano seriously on his way in a show career, but his young sire, Da Vinci FM, had just been named U.S. Reserve National Champion (for the second time). "Show business" was calling and it was calling big-time. But, we were on a production schedule. Filming of our documentary was to begin in just a few months and Louchiano had to be shipped to the East Coast, to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the story takes place.
He did well in his class at the Nationals; well enough for several of the country's top trainers to ask about taking him on to other important shows. I think a lot of people were surprised and disappointed when I said, no, he's got a movie to make first. He had to be ready and under saddle in time for the filming. Perhaps I should explain.
Louchiano, like many Arabian show horses, had never been ridden. He was being shown in what we call "Halter Classes" which are for breeders to see a horse's conformation. Personally, many of us believe the real test of a horse is in the riding classes, but in Halter, the horses are shown without a saddle or rider hiding any part of their body. Just as it is with handlers at dog shows, the horses are trotted into the ring on a long lead and set up for the judges to evaluate according to the breed standard for their physical correctness, and, to some extent, for their temperament as well. Louchiano had to be trained under saddle and there wasn't much time to do it.
Because of how he had been raised (on a country farm, with lots of small animals, other horses and people running around) it was imperative that we find a place where Louchiano would feel natural and at home. It had to be a place that was comfortable handling stallions, as well. We found that connection in WaterGap Stables, right in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country where we would be filming. And we felt lucky to meet Judi Scott and her daughter, Christi.
The Scotts loved Louchiano and they were a great choice for him. Not only did they have him happily under saddle and ready for filming on schedule, but, he was ready for the East Coast Arabian Championships. All of the footage taken of him in the film was after only two months of being under saddle!
Even though Louchiano was a film star now, and making public appearances at stores, shows and horse & pet expos, he was still an important part of the Selket Arabians breeding program. As we worked in developing "Fate of the Stallion" into a good feature film or television series, some of the best mares were bred to him and we waited eagerly for their foals. When spring came, we were not disappointed.
These days, I am spending much of my time at the farm raising and training Louchiano's sons and daughters. There is "Regal," his new son by an 18 year old mare who I was lucky enough to find at the farm of a sheikh. Regal is very friendly and loving. I can see "Spatz" (named for his high white stockings). What a classy dressage horse he could be. Not far away, is "Serenade" (very special to me) with the lop-sided star on her forehead … and, of course, there is "Big Truffles" (daughter of a 24 year old mare of rare bloodlines named Raspberry). Anyone who knows me, knows how much I like dark chocolate – and Truffles is certainly that color.
"Nahgua" (registered name, Nugui El Khamsin) was the real-life horse who inspired the novel, "Fate of the Stallion." But, 20 years later, it is Selket Louchiano who has picked up the story and carried it all the way across the finish line.
Author/Artist RON HEVENER specializes in animals and the romantic, adventurous people who love them. An accomplished artist who started by selling handmade souvenirs and telling stories to tourists at Pennsylvania Dutch farmers’ markets, Mr. Hevener’s studio is now an official tourist attraction and his collectible figurines and the prints from his novels are bought and traded throughout the world. His original paintings and sculptures are sold in galleries, displayed in museums and can be found in many private collections.
