With the determination of a kid with a non-horsey family. Donna grew up on the back
side of a excersize track for Standardbred Racers. The barns there also housed the Belgium Hitch, Prairie Farms
Horses. Donna and her sister visited the barns frequently learning how to drive the sulky cart horses.
One Standardbred pacer in particular was named Captain Court. A Weekend before Donna's eleventh Birthday her
Family took a picnic lunch with friends to Navoo, IL. along the Mississippi river. Instead of heading
home after the picnic, they drove up to the Quad City Downs, surprising Donna. Captain Court was going to be running
in a race that evening. Standing by the fence her heart in her throat ,she cheered on Captain. Boxed in on the
inside second to last Captain and his owner pulled back to last. Donna ,tears swelling up inside, couldn't watch Captian
lose. Donna's Mom yelled "Donna look He's coming up on the outside". With great joy The whole family screamed
"GO Captian GO"
Flying across the finish line Captian WON!!
His owner drove past Donna and her family, Mrs. G and friend Kathy. Calling out
You girls want to come and get your picture in the Winners Circle? Captian Won today for you!!!
Now if That doesn't give a person the Horse Virus I don't know what would? Do You?>
Donna's first horse at the age of 23 was a little grey Arabian named Hakeen- Keener
was a wonderful old gelding that started Donna off by taking care of her.
Keener was only in our lives
for 2 short years, most of which Keener was ill, We learned so much about horses and what it takes to be the care taker of
these magnificent animals. Keener bless his heart after a Vet had told us He should be put down. Another
Vet Saved his life. Even Though once he had his health again for about 8 months Keener had an aneurysm while out on
the trail and died in Donna's arms.
Then Donna and Jim searched for Months for just the right horse to procede with
for Donna's horse companion and bought CF Chesapeake Bey,a Bey Shah grandson.
He was the first of our Show horses. Soon after we acquired Aysa Gambler Rose, a Raffon
bred 2 year old filly. With her we received a breeding to an Egyptian bred Stallion. Along came
Leelah Rose from the match, my husband's first horse that gave Him the Horse Virus. After 7 years, Her Daughter
Hallie is going to have to replace Jim's first horse Love, Lee died 7 days after Hallie's arrival of Colic June 7th, 2006.
Chessie was showing so well for Donna He became such a great partner for her. We had
him qualified in 1999 for Regionals in several classes. But unfortunately he developed EPM. After so much time
and trial and error of the new medications they were developing He survived and is doing well. Now he is only
used for walk trot classes and trail. We are just very happy he is still in our lives.
During those years Donna went to Illiamo Arabians and with a years worth of payments bought
4 Horses to add to our farm. Illiamo Zorro, Illiamo GI GI( Now owned by Waynette Wallace and what a great home she has),
Xennon, And Salina Raffon.
Also, Aysa had 2 other foals both have incredible homes one in MASS that was sired by Illiamo
Zorro and the other Sired by Wallstreet Journal, and owned by My very good Friend Sandy Thomas. Big Beautiful
Shaka Rose.
Since, We have been inspired to breed equally incredible animals as our beloved
Chessie.
We found Bey Shahn to breed Aysa to a Bey Shah son and the match brought us Mya Shahlah
Rose.Now Halter Champion Iowa Gold Star 3 year old fillies in 2004. We were so impressed by the outcome.
Jim strollling the stalls at Salem Childrens home in Flannigan, IL found LD Echshahlon our
Bey Shah Son by Canadian National Champion Halana. When we first discovered him there, we could not
believe our good fortune.
Jim and I barely had a chance to discuss the turn of events. And WOW Echshahlon Sweepstakes
Nominated Sire, by Bey Shah was ours. We received a long stem rose as a thank you from the Salem Childrens
Home for your purchase. Jim and I always refrained from buying each other flowers. So this was
my first Rose from my husband, In 15 years of Marriage, IT WAS REALLY WORTH THE WAIT. The rose was all we had for
a week to remind us of our exciting new purchase.
Echshahon has become a wonderful addition to our horse farm. He has been getting acquainted
with some of our broodmares.
The 2005 foal crop was so beyond our humble expectations, Gi Gi the exquisite Black mare, that is related to Zorro, bred to Echshahlon produced June 2nd
2005 a Beautiful Seal-Black Colt.
Now 2006 We were blessed by 2 foals out of Aysa and Lee by LD Echshahlon. Aysa Produced
April 9th 2006 a brand new Champion AW Khan Shahlon, Big, Black & so Very Handsome.
Now AW Hallie Bey You Can't Miss her She is at the top of the page. Lee really
left us with her gift of such a grand little girl by LD Echshahlon..
In 2004 We decided to branch out and add some color to our fields.
Aysa was bred to SS Painted Intimidator. Pleased with Half-Arab Pinto AW DUQ - 2004 Jr. Champion Res.
at the American Royal in Kansas City. another Pinto by Aysa's daughter, Leelah Rose was Born April 2005
Colorful Arab Cross, He is reg. Half-Arab and NSH(pending) with a fantastic matching markings and Hooky Neck.
Be sure to check back with us to see all of our updates on our site, keeping you informed about all
the exceptional horses here at Arabian Woods
