Shuwaiman Al Rais
(AHSB Vol. XIX)
Chesnut Stallion born February 2000. 15 hands 2"
By Krayaan Dilmun out of Shuwaimeh Bint Warda. Bred by Jenny Lees and retained by the stud
Pure Bahraini stallion (Asil), full brother to Shuwaiman Al Bahrain and half brother to Al Reeh Janoob, Rais comes from a very talented family. During 2007 Shuwaiman Al Rais began his Endurance career. Accompanied by older half brother Al Reeh Janoob, as the steadying influence, we set off in the Spring to complete several 12 to 15 mile "fun" rides as basic training. I am not sure that I would have called them "fun" as on two occasions Amanda (on Rais) and myself (on Janoob) were soaked to the skin before we had clocked up the first two miles. Little did we realise the rain was a forerunner of what was in store for us later that summer! However Rais threw himself willingly into his new career, slithering down muddy hillsides, cantering over grassy meadows and getting used to working in the company of strange horses. It was an exciting education for Rais as not all "Fun" riders ask or warn you when they are overtaking and on several occasions Amanda found herself facing the way she had just come as Rais tried to see exactly what it was thundering up behind him! To Al Reeh Janoob anything coming with speed from behind transported him back to his racing heyday and I sat some exciting "racing starts".
The floods of summer 2007 followed by the Foot and Mouth outbreak meant a very short Endurance season and it was October before Rais could compete in his first EGB Graded ride and this he did at the Tintern Ride. Not the best place to do your first 25 mile Graded as there are a lot or rocky trails and steep hill work, but Shuwaiman Al Rais, with Al Reeh Janoob by his side, was loaded onto our lorry and on a gloriously sunny autumn day he set off to do his best. He presented for his first ever vetting and as the stethoscope went on to his side to check his heart rate, two horses clattered down the ramp of a lorry close by, the noise was enough to send Rais into a spin. The vet patiently reapplied the stethoscope, I was deciding whether to ask for a short break so that Rais could settle after his fright when the vet called out to the vet writer "37"....I was astonished to say the least, 137 would have surprised me less after the scare Rais had! Then came the 'trot up' Rais took the opportunity to show off so the vet asked him for a second trot up, then turned to me and said "another fantastic stallion Mrs.Lees, how many more have you got tucked away?" laughing I warned him about "the twins", full brothers to Rais. Shuwaiman Al Rais completed his 25 miles and returned fit and sound, vetted out on a pulse of 40 and gained top grade a red rosette and a Grade One.....extra hugs that day and a bag of Dates to share with Al Reeh Janoob.
Stud Fees are £500 (AI available) Purebred/TB £350 others/partbred.
Jenny & Tony Lees, Mill Farm, Preston-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK, HR2 9JU
Phone: 01981 500225