Marge Tone saw Fadjur for the first time when he was a colt of 6 months. He lived in a paddock at McCoy's with his friend, Ferzon. Although Fadjur was less expensive, he thought everyone was there to see him! Marge saw that Fadjur had something special; something in the way he showed off, in the magical way he presented himself. Fadjur was just different, and he knew he was the greatest, even at that young age. Fadjur's quality and presence so impressed Marge that she knew she must have him. Unfortunately, at $600, his price was beyond the means of a farmer's wife. Marge finally convinced Jack to buy Fadjur for her birthday, when he was 10 months old. Marge and Fadjur had a special bond of understanding and love and greeted each other every morning for the rest of Fadjur's life. Although Marge never showed Fadjur herself, his handlers were made well aware of the rules! Fadjur was always shown naturally and allowed to show off his magnificent presence.

2. What do you feel the Fadjur blood adds to your breeding program and/or performance horses?

Fadjur himself comes out in our breeding program. We feel that Fadjur and his descendants are the epitome of Arabian type. Type is more than just a pretty face -- it is spirit, proudness and athletic prowess in addition to the beauty that makes these horses absolutely Arabian. "The Fadjur Look" is a very special attitude and presence, along with a disposition that makes them your friend, rather than just a horse. Although Fadjur horses are generally very athletic and conformationally correct, it is the "Fadjur Look" and personality that make them irresistible. Fadjur was well known for improving upon the mares he bred; and he bred hundreds! We have found that our Fadjur descendants improve their foals just as predictably and out-cross exceptionally well with every bloodline tried.

3. Which attribute of Fadjur do you feel is the most consistently passed down through the generations?

Fadjur was incredibly prepotent as a sire and passed on his traits very reliably, making it difficult to determine which attribute is most consistently passed on. Of all Fadjur's outstanding qualities, we feel that the attitude and intelligence of his personality are most consistently passed down through the generations. Most of Fadjur's descendants are athletic and most are very beautiful, but that incredible heart and kindness is carried by every one!

4. What has your favorite descendant of Fadjur done to make him/her so special to you and different from other horses you've owned?

Marge has a tough time choosing one horse as a favorite descendant of Fadjur. What makes them so special, though, is straight-forward: their personalities. Marge looks at a horse and gets a feeling from him. She looks at the whole horse, rather than analyzing his conformation in separate pieces.

Fadjurs Hana (x Bint Mehanazem) and Frolik (x Saki) are very special daughters of Fadjur. Fadjurs Hana is Marge's favorite because she is so much like Fadjur, except feminine. She's snooty like a pretty girl, and intelligent like Fadjur. Marge loves both mares for their looks, their personalities, and their ability as broodmares to pass on their strengths.

And the boys: Fadjurs Prize (x Marjianazemtu), Hi-Fad (x Hi-Natta) & American Fad (x La Fana). Marge loves Fadjurs Prize because of his magnetic personality and powerful good looks; he shows off and carries himself more like Fadjur than any other we've known. She loved Hi-Fad for himself, plus he was Hi-Natta's son. When Hi-Natta died, Marge cared for Hi-Fad and became close to him as a foal. (Hi-Natta was Marge's personal riding horse, foundation broodmare, and good friend.) Marge loves American Fad for his personality and attitude, but also because he reminds her somewhat of Hi-Fad.

5. Tell us the story of some special times, events and memories you've shared with your Fadjur descendant.

Some special stories from Marge Tone and Fadjur:

One day, Marge discovered her 2 year old grandson was missing. The whole family was searching the house and yard when Marge happened to glance out to Fadjur's paddock. To her horror, she found young John ("Boo") sitting calmly between Fadjur's front legs! Fadjur looked at Marge with an expression saying, "What'll I do?". She and Jackie, Boo's mother, rushed to his rescue, whereupon Fadjur began running around, kicking, bucking and playing as if to tell Marge, "See what I could have done?"! Fadjur showed how truly sensible and considerate of people he was with this accident. He was a 4 year old breeding stallion at the time.

Another special memory is of Fadjur greeting his new foals. His stall was situated opposite the foaling stall in the Old Barn, separated by the waiting room with folding doors. Somehow, Fadjur always knew when a foal was born and popped open the doors to take a peek. Once the foal was safely delivered, Marge always sliced a carrot for her proud "Pappy".

2 fillies (2 yr. olds) were in the next pasture; somehow they got in with Fadjur(he was a young stallion at the time). One of the fillies was in season & trying to get to Fadjur. Marge ran out & told him to go to his corner. He ran to the corner, but the filly was trying hard to get to him. Fadjur just stood there popping his eyes & looking around until they caught the fillies and took them home.

It was amazing to Marge how she would tell him something & he immediately understood it.

Kindest, gentlest horse she's ever seen, so fiery in the show ring that if he saw one hand that wasn't clapping, he would turn on even more. He lived for the love of the people, and he sure had it all. Received standing ovations everywhere shown; longest standing ovation of any performer, human or animal at the Cow Palace (including Elvis).

6. Please list your Fadjur relatives' most significant wins and/or accomplishments.

Fadjur's most significant wins for Marge:

Marge keeps Fadjur's first Reserve National Champion Stallion trophy in the house. It is a beautiful carved wooden bust on a tall, square base with a bronze placard. This win was so special because it was so new and exciting. It was a huge, significant win, and it was before the Tones got used to all the winning!

Marge's other favorite accomplishment was when Fadjur was chosen as a Living Legend of the Arabian breed. Only ten horses were chosen, and they were presented at the U.S. Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fadjur brought down the house with a standing ovation! He loved every minute of it, and the feeling in the crowd was of awestruck appreciation. This was a very significant accomplishment and will always be remembered as special by Marge and the rest of the family. What makes it even more special is how Fadjur has transcended "Living Legend" status to become a Legend for all time. Even though he was young at that time, the Living Legend status really proved out with him. Although great horses, and truly living legends in their time, the others did not carry on nearly as strongly as Fadjur. None of the others have stamped their descendants like Fadjur. Fadjur is a legend for all time, and his mark carries on very strongly down through his descendants.

Interview questions asked of advertisers for the 1995 Arabian Horse Times Fadjur feature, with answers by Marjory F. Tone; written up by Kathleen Tone Hammer & Marjory F. Hammer Pope

"Take me back to the Main Barn, Fad Red"