The Minstril Leaves Paradise Arabians
September 1st, 2010The Minstril has moved on to Greener Pastures!
(1984-2010)
The Minstril (Ruminaja Ali x *Bahila)
Paradise Arabians Ltd. owner Gary Kenworthy shares:
It is with a very heavy heart that we must inform the world that an icon has died. On Friday, August 27, 2010, The Minstril (Ruminaja Ali x *Bahila) left this world. At the time of his passing, he was the second-leading living sire of Egyptian Arabian horses in the world, only beaten out by his son, Thee Desperado (x AK Amiri Asmarr). An Arabian Horse World Legacy Sire, he was known for producing champion halter and performance winners around the world. The Minstril’s legacy will live on for generations to come.
His human family remembers him fondly. Longtime owner Judy Sirbasku shared, “Owning The Minstril when he and his son, Thee Desperado, went Top Ten at both the Canadian and U.S. Nationals is something I will always cherish,’ Judy says. “The Minstril blessed us with Thee Desperado and many special mares–for this we will always be grateful.” Former groom and trainer Shawn Crews adds, “I had the pleasure of qualifying him for his National competition, and he was a natural. Just when you thought he had given you all he had, he would give even more–even better.” Breeder and former owner David Gardner shares, “My wife Marion and I experienced the passing of The Minstril with deep emotions–an equal mixture of sadness and fond memories. He was a major influence in the renaissance of beautiful, elegant Arabian horses in the image of Abbas Pasha. A note of thanks to Shawn Crews for her personal love for The Minstril, and to Judy Sirbasku and the Kenworthys for their respectful care of The Minstril.”
We are honored to have been a part of The Minstril’s journey. In May, he was the featured horse at our annual May Day event, and many people traveled from around the country to meet him for the first time or to reconnect with him. He pranced proudly as the music played and he entered the arena to cheers and applause. When people posed for photos with him, he raised his regal head and even squealed as if to say, “Don’t forget who you have the privilege of standing next to! I am ALLOWING you to be in my royal presence.” He was “king” in the barn and thoroughly enjoyed his hand walks in the pasture to survey what he had produced; his “family,” which includes the very first Arabian we ever bought, his beautiful black daughter Alia Riyala (x Aliala).
Early on August 27, he was down and had no interest in getting up. When I went into his stall to check on him, I patted him on the neck, he raised his head to look at me, acknowledged my presence and then, as if to say “Thank you; I’m ready,” he laid his head back down in the straw and closed his eye. I think he was telling me that he was done.
He had fought the good fight with that leg he had broken nearly 10 years ago, but the arthritis had finally taken its toll. Having to rely too much on his good leg eventually resulted in the inevitable.
At the age of 26, he was done. In spite of his body giving out on him, his spirit and attitude belied any pain he may have been suffering. I think he was happy that he got to spend his last days at Paradise. We are certainly happy to have had him here. All the staff is deeply saddened as they had come to love him, as have I for these many years. They called him “Grandpa” and we all loved his zest for life, right up to the end.
A permanent marker will be placed near his grave in his honor and anyone wishing to pay homage to him may do so. He will be missed. It was a sad day at Paradise, and I’m sure Egyptian breeders all around the world grieve with us. Goodbye old friend. We all owe you a great debt and you will live in our hearts forever!
Our Stallions: The Singleton Scapa
March 14th, 2010 at 7:58 am
What a great honor, he is truely a larger than life personality. I’ve missed him dearly since he left Waco, and I am so glad he has made his way to a place where he can watch his grandchildren frolick in the fields.
March 14th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I am so glad that he has found a permanent home. He was at Ltd when I first started and was so sad to see him go to another home…..and now he is truly HOME.
March 15th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I was very excited to read about The Mintril’s new home. You are right when you wrote he had played an important role in todays horses.
Cheers to a peaceful retirement and I look forward to seeing him soon!
Kendra
March 16th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Hello, I will plan to attend and bring 1 guest.
I am a fan of the ali jamaal lines, and am very much looking forward to seeing The Minstril in person and seeing your farm…a trip I have tought of making on several occasions in the last several years since I got into Arabians. Thank you for this opportunity to meet such a legend. The Minstril is incredible.
I feel fortunate that you folks are not too far away from me here in N Georgia.
Teresa
March 17th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Wonderful news! He so very much deserves a lovely setting and place of honor to spend his twilight years. We are blessed with one of his daughters (wish we had more!), and she is our favorite mare. Thank you, Kenworthy’s for bringing Minstril back into the family!
March 17th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
what a horse,a living legend. i have three horses with “THE MINSRIL” bloodlines .. what beautiful offsprings he has produced…
May 22nd, 2010 at 4:46 pm
What a nice stallion,I have owned a daughter of his who passed away due to colic a few years back,now we own a 9yr old straight egyptian son of the minstril who looks very much like him,it is good to hear the minstril has finally found a forever home that he will be loved and appreciated for the great horse he is!!
May 28th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I look at him im humility.He gives us beauty inthe pure sense.
Thank You,THE MINSTRIL.
Helmut
May 31st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I didn’t realize you have given the “Legend” a home. He is truly amazing. I would love to see him in person one day if I ever get over that way. My gelding is a grandson of his from Thee Desperado. Thank you for your kindness and love for such a rare and wonderful great horse!
June 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I was so happy to see The Minstril will be living his retirement days at Paradise. What an elegant, impressive horse he is – and despite the critics- he has made a strong imprint on Straight Egyptian history. I am thrilled you are taking care of him- he deserves every bit – give him a big hug from me – a big fan.
June 22nd, 2010 at 11:16 am
I was introduced to him back in 1990 when I traveled to Waco to see one of his colts, The Boz. I was so impressed with The Boz’s personality that I had to meet his sire. That was 20 years ago and I can truely say that The Minstril passes not only confirmation and elegance but also passes great personality. I still have The Boz and can not imagine life without him. Thank you for giving The Minstril a retirement home.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Truely a very sad day for the Arabian horse World losing this piece of Egyptian History. His blood will carry on for many centuries to come. I am glad my daughter and I met him in person at Paradise on our way up to the Egyptian Event. He still had such fire in his eyes and he trotted and whinied around his paddock despite his old injured leg.
I am so blessed to have one of his sons to carry on his gentle “kingly” presence. It tears at my heart to think my Minstrils son is now 23 yrs old and in time will join his regal sire.. they are magical horses carrying on the ancient bloodlines so proudly and consistently passing it on to their offspring!
September 1st, 2010 at 3:25 pm
I was honored to see him in Ohio. And I still get a glimpse of him each day as I attend to one of his daughters (x AK Tashrifa) in my own barn. His majestic fire and gentleness combined was wonderful to experience.
We are blessed to have a part of this Legend live on.
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 am
What a magnificent horse he was. All Arabian lovers grieve with you in your loss. He was so fortunate to have lived with you and produced those who will carry his blood.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:11 am
We are so happy to have shared in the life of The Minstril. Brief as our relationship was in comparison to his wonderful lifelong career, he had a great impact on our breeding program. We have part of his legacy at our ranch to carry on, and we can only hope they will bring even more honor to his name in the future. To know him, and stand next to him was like being in the presence of one of God’s most regal and precious warriors. He was simply… magnificant, and he will live on in the history books forever. Goodbye precious stallion, and thank you for touching all of our hearts with endless inspiration.
September 3rd, 2010 at 5:28 am
Sure wish I could have met him and gazed into those beautiful eyes. What a magnificent heritage he has left us with. I have a grandson of his and he is such a joy. His daughter, Nelly Bee, is my favorite mare of all time. Thank you Wanda and Gary for making The Minstril’s last days a Paradise! God bless ya!
September 5th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
My heart is heavy with grief, The Minstril touched my heart/soul years ago and has held a special place and will forever. I will never forget the day I met him and how he came right up to me and let me love on him. I am so sorry for the pain he went through [with grace] and what a blessing that Paradise was able to give him a peaceful, comfortable, loving and forever home.
He will be with our Lord healthy, pain free and loved.. until we meet again, he will watch over us from heaven. God bless and thank you Gary, Wanda and Paradise. Minstril you will be missed, loved and never forgot.
September 6th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Words can’t describe a legend such as The Minstril. His heritage and the legacy he leaves will only grow as time passes. He contributed to the entire Arabian breed in a very unique manner.
God bless everyone who took such good care of him,
Ray & Anne
September 9th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
My heart is with all that The Minstril touched.
September 16th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I never had the pleasure of meeting The Minstril, but am blessed with one of his sons, The Apostolos, and a grand-daughter, Amiri Meliss(Say Amen x Pretty Woman) He was truly a very special horse, we hope to be blessed with his descendents for many years to come.
September 20th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I was informed of your passing today and it has filled me with great sadness……goodbye MY FRIEND.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
I am so sorry for the loss of this AMAZING stallion. I know his grandson Thee Sundance Sid and even Dance as he is formally called, has the same regal bearing that his father Thee Desprado and The Minstril all have. It is my pleasure that I get to do an amazinf drawning of Dance, and to know him not in person but through his owner, Ann, makes it even more special to know he had an amazing linage!
God Blessed Minstril when he was born and he returned that favor many times over. Rest in Peace big boy!
January 14th, 2011 at 8:56 am
what a sad moment in time. i dont know whats going on, but i know God has a plan for us all. i feel He is slowly bulding his army. Perhaps,one day the trumpet will blow, the clouds will part and The Minstril and all the others we are losing will fly out of the sky.. forever the war horses they are. True to their Master. ansawering His call to arms. God Bless you all!