1968 Reserve U.S. National Champion Stallion at age 16, the fabulous Fadjur! (with Kathleen Tone Hammer)

Those who know me well are probably expecting to read an article about a Straight Egyptian Arabian -and are they in for a great surprise! I, just as most horse people I know, favor a specific line within my favorite breed. As you may have gathered my Arab bloodline of choice is the Egyptian one. Then, once again as most I know, I am simply awestruck every once in a while by a unique horse or breeding program, no matter if they bear relation to the Egyptian lines or not.

In this day and age when (in the authoršs opinion) many Arabians seem more like crosses between giraffes and American Saddlebreds (not that therešs anything wrong with either creature, but theyšre not Arabs), my wish is to introduce the model horse hobby to an Arabian that in so many ways was the epitome of type. He may have been gone for 17 years, but his influence on the breed is not, in so many ways thanks to his devoted owners. Enter Fadjur and the Jack Tone Ranch.

The Jack Tone Ranch was founded in 1849 by John H. Tone, and it is currently the oldest continuously family-operated horse ranch in California as well as a California historical landmark. The farming operation is presently run by Mr. Tonešs grand-son John H. "Jack" Tone and two of his son-in-laws whom he taught to farm; while Marjory F. Tone and Kathleen Tone Hammer carry on the famous Jack Tone Ranch horse breeding operation. Both crops and horses remain as good as ever.

Jack's wife Marjory F. "Marge" Tone is the special lady behind the Fadjur saga. She first saw Fadjur at a mere 8 months of age when visiting the Frank McCoy ranch, and it was a case of love at first sight. Ferzon, another colt destined for future fame, was in the same pasture and Marge spent much time filming these two weanlings. Both Mr McCoy and Jack thought Ferzon to be the better one of the two (Ferzon was priced at $10, 000 and Fadjur at $600!).Marge's heart told her Fadjur was the one, but his price was just too much for a young farmer's wife in the early 1950's. Back home the movies were played over and over again, and Marge finally convinced Jack that Fadjur was a necessity. He lovingly bought her Fadjur as a birthday gift when the colt was 10 months old.From then on and until his dying day the stallion which became a legend never left the farm except for the occasional show and exhibition.

Throughout his life Fadjur and Marge shared a special connection. Marge would speak to him and he would immediately understand. This was evident in the breeding shed. Throughout his lifetime Fadjur bred over 800 mares, all by natural cover and he did it without a halter -- as in completely loose! He obeyed the whispered commands given by Marge and never failed to behave in a gentlemanly and intelligent fashion.

Marge had her priorities straight, so Fadjur spent most of his time at the farm breeding on his wonderful traits. He did enjoy a spectacular show career spanning over an incredible 19 years (!) up until his fourth year by Mr V.F. Stull to his first halter championships and driving wins, and from then on by the Tone's son-in-law Paul Polk. Per Marge's adamant instructions, Fadjur was always shown naturally without any type of abuse or intimidation. He was free to prance, snort and show off his magnificent presence in abundance. He lived for the admiration of the crowds, loved the applause and to put on a show, never failing to keep his head and tail high no matter how many hours he was in the ring or whether it was hot or cold. He never lost his joie de vivre and pride. In combination with his wonderful features of a classically chiseled and dished head, proudly arched neck and tail, explosive movement, beautiful substance and clean strong legs it is no wonder he was so loved by an entire breed community.

The accomplishments of Fadjur and his descendants are so extensive that I can only tell you of a few, but those I mention are grand indeed- not just for an Arabian but for a horse of any breed. Fadjur himself was Reserve National Champion Stallion twice and eight years apart at that;- the last one won when he was 16 years of age! He was named a Living Legend of the Arabian Breed by vote of the membership of the International Arabian Horse Association. This accomplishment together with his first Reserve National Championship remain among Marge's very favorite moments.

In 1999 he was voted into the Arabian Horse Trust Hall of Fame for his influence on the breed, and in the same year Western Horseman magazine honored him in their book Legends of the Arabian Breed. Since his first Top Ten award in 1959 (he won 5 US Top Ten Stallion awards in all), Fadjur's descendants have been represented by Top Tens or Championships in halter and performance every year! Fadjur was the Leading Living Sire of Champions, a title he passed on to his grand-son Khemosabi who still holds that title to this day. Incredibly enough, the Tone foundation mare Saki held the same title for mares and passed it on to her grand-daughter Amurath Kashmira; naturally a Fadjur descendant. How is that for incredible?

The two Arabians who have won the highest number of National championships are both Fadjur descendants, and others have held World Records and National Championships in many disciplines and divisions all over the world -including halter, endurance, racing, working western and dressage. Fadjur's granddaughter Autumn Fire is the Leading Dam of National Winners today. TW Forteyna is the current Leading Living Dam of Champions. Sierra Fadwah (Fadjur son) is a Hall of Fame Endurance Enductee, National Champion Endurance Stallion and sire of many race and endurance winners, among them Fire Mountain Flicka, on U.S. Endurance Team at World Equestrian Games, was 6th in last World Championships. To name just a few of Fadjur's other descendants that have made their mark in Arabian horse history is like writing a "Who's Who" of the breed: Ali Jamaal, Excelladinn, Top Contender, TW Forteyna, Shahteyna, Amurath Bandolero, Barrister Rex, Keepsake V, Moonstone Bey V, Bey Teyna, Afire Bey V, Kharben, GA Honisuckl Rose.

Together with Marge's three foundation mares Fer-Natta, Hi-Natta and Saki as well as a few other families of note, Fadjur created a fantastic dynasty at the Tone Ranch. Of all the Fadjur's, Marge feels that Fadjur's Hana (x Bint Mehanazem) is her favorite of his daughters as she is so much like Fadjur, just feminine. As for the stallions Marge especially loves Fadjur's Prize (x Marijanazemtu) who carries himself more like his father than any other horse she has known.

So just exactly what made Fadjur and his descendants so special that they have made this impact on an entire breed? According to the Tone family, it is a combination of factors. They feel that Fadjur was the epitome of Arabian type, not just by physical beauty but through spirit, proudness and athletic prowess. Fadjur was extremely prepotent as a sire and the 'Fadjur Look' can be described as a very special attitude and presence. His descendants are very intelligent with wonderful personalities and that very trait is regarded as the most important one that Fadjur has passed on, combined with type, conformational correctness and athleticism. To keep on preserving all that was Fadjur, the Tone family continue to line- and in-breed their horses in combination with careful outcrossing to other lines. I would say they have done well indeed. - Fadjur's dam Bint Sahara was recently named one of the ten most important Arabians in America in the 1900s by Arabian Horse World magazine! Need I mention that a large part of her story was taken up by details about Fadjur?

Fadjur himself passed away shortly before his 31st birthday in 1983, having bred mares well into his 30th year. His resting place on the ranch is marked by a beautful bronze sculpture by artist Madeleine Johnson as well by eucalyptus trees planted by Marge when Fadjur was a young colt to give him shade on hot summer days.

I would like to extend infinite thank yous to Marjory F. Tone, Marjory F. Hammer Pope & Kathleen Tone Hammer for granting me permission to write about the fabulous Fadjur. Without their kind and gracious assistance, which included providing photographs, information as well as proof-reading and final approval, this article would not have been possible. Išm honored to have been able to share the story of Fadjur with the Horsing Around readership, and urge you all to visit the Jack Tone Ranch website at http://www.FADJUR.com if you want to read much more than this article could cover. You may also email at JackTone-Ranch@bigfoot.com

If you do not have access to the Internet you are welcome to write or call at:

I recall reading a poem some years ago, ending along the lines of "I cannot be defeated even in death, for my spirit lives on in my children's children." I cannot think of a more fitting note to end this article, and look forward to seeing more of those very children for many years to come.

Mariah Hjerppe/Kalaa Studios kalaa@telia.com http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/jinx/397/index.html http://www.astroarch.com/modelhorse/Hjerppe/MHhome.html

"In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends." -- Churton Collins

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