An Extraordinary Era with a Lasting Legacy
Navarrone “P”
1987 – 2015
“Life is a beautiful collage of priceless moments and memories, which when pieced all together creates a unique treasured masterpiece.”
This Melanie M. Koulouris quote perfectly defines what Navarrone’s life was to her owner, Mrs. Martine Van Hee of Dion Arabians. Navarrone was the quintessential Arabian mare – she was an enchanting show queen, prolific broodmare and an icon for Arabian femininity. Yet for Mrs. Van Hee, above all of these, she was first a friend and a companion – she was family. Together they faced life’s ups and downs for 24 years – their friendship a foundation for the success that Dion Arabians experiences today. When Mrs. Van Hee purchased this regal mare from her breeders, Philips Arabians in 1991, she knew she was special, but the legacy Navarrone was to create was unfathomable by all…
There is much to say about Navarrone’s pedigree, but one term puts it all into perspective – Golden Cross; a perfect blend of Spanish and Egyptian blood. A breeding philosophy that is lauded around the world for producing what many refer to as the ‘ideal’ Arabian. And when one thinks about ideal, Navarrone is at the very top of the list. Cathy Schoukens-Tamsin, long time friend of Mrs. Van Hee who is also involved in managing many of the Dion Arabian show stock, describes Navarrone perfectly: “Navarrone was beyond special; with her incredible black eyes, perfect body and amazing movement, plus an indescribable portion of something extra (which I think can be called Spirit), she represented Arabian Type to the T.”
It is the coupling of her phenomenal phenotype & genuine genetics with the masterful and meticulous breeding decisions of Mrs. Van Hee, that saw and continues to see that ever-famous and beloved ‘-D’ suffix flourish in the show ring and breeding barns around the world. One such a time among a countless number of others, which deserves to be mentioned, was during 2004 and 2005. Both World Champion Stallions, Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D (by Ansata Sinan) and Escape Ibn-Navarrone-D (by A.S. Sinans Pacha) were out of Navarrone, making her the only mare to have produced two World Champion Stallions.
World Champion sons were not Navarrone’s only forte. Her ability to produce daughters in the form of prolific broodmares and show stunners are second to none. Five dazzling daughters – Nabillah-D (by Alidaar), Miss Navarrone-D (by Sanadik El Shaklan), Farhana Bint Navarrone-D (by Ansata Selman), Sarai Bint Navarrone-D (by Ansata Sinan) and Poppy Bint Navarrone-D (by Fever Ibn Eternity-D), remain at the mother stud carrying the gauntlet of success passed down from their dam.
When writing about any horse, show results, pedigree and progeny only cover part of the horse’s life. Real emotion is felt when you delve into the life of that horse and of the people around it – you get to know the struggles and the joys, the good times and the bad. I appreciate what Cathy Schoukens-Tamsin shared with me:
“Mrs. Van Hee called Navarrone ‘Poppy’. She was her favourite mare and they shared a very special bond. Poppy was extremely clever and knew a lot of words and commands that when asked by Mrs. Van Hee, she would do immediately. Trot, turn around and blow were a few of the things I had witnessed on many a visit to Dion Arabians; it was always amazing to see! Poppy loved carrots and horse candies that were kept in a special little box that she knew very well.”
Cathy adds: “During the last couple of years, she had some medical issues, therefore it was decided not to breed with her anymore. She lived in a stable fit for a queen that was in the middle of the barn. She went out to the field every day and was treated like a Princess.”
Throughout the last 24 years of Mrs. Van Hee’s life, ‘Poppy’ was always there – once a Wish, always as a Blessing and now as one of the Greatest Losses she has ever experienced. Navarrone has given both Mrs. Van Hee and the entire Arabian Industry a beautiful collage of priceless moments that when pieced together creates a unique treasured masterpiece. A masterpiece on which a foundation was built; where dreams became a reality – a masterpiece that has thrust forth an unparalleled legacy of beauty. Thank You Navarrone “P”.
