A Conversation with Nayla Hayek of Hanaya Stud
by Denise Hearst
For as far as she can remember, horses, especially Arabians, have always been in Nayla’s life. Here she speaks frankly about her decades as a breeder, lover, and judge of Arabians, from her farm in Switzerland.
What is your earliest memory of horses, and how did you know that the Arabian horse would be a part of your life? Who else was “horsey” in your early life?
My grandfather and my mother were horsey and doggy people. My earliest memory of a specific horse was my Half-Arabian pony named Darling, which I had to work for to being able to buy him at age of nine. My first “big horse” was an Anglo-Arabian mare from France. So Arabian blood was always there from the beginning of my life – not always the easiest horses, but the best characters. From the beginning I was attracted to horses like this – beautiful, very intelligent, but not too easy, and with very special characters.
Wadad Zamani (Laheeb x Zena Al Buraq) 2011 straight Egyptian mare, 2022 Arabian Horse Weekend Gold Senior Female Champion, 2018 World Bronze Champion Senior Mare and 2018 Straight Egyptian World Silver Champion Senior Mare.
You are an international judge and breeder of Arabians for over 40 years. What have been the most special moments, both as a judge, and as a breeder?
I don’t think my horse life can be divided into “judge, breeder, rider.” My whole life,as long as I can recall, is filled with so many special moments with horses that the list would be too long to tell – a never-ending story.
HA Barbarella (AJ Nawash x Bianca AL) 2023 filly, 2024 Prague Intercup Gold Champion European Yearling Filly and Silver Champion Yearling Filly.
On the subject of judging, are there any issues in today’s show ring that concern you?
Yes, for sure. Everyone who has spent more than five years in the so-called international show scene must be concerned with what is happening now. I resigned from judging some years ago because I no longer wanted to be part of this community. It is more a Las Vegas Casino show attitude which is growing, rather than an elegant presentation and judging of our excellent breed.
Qaysar RJ (Ghaith Al Zobair x Qamar RG) 2023 colt, 2024 Doha International Gold Champion Yearling Colt.
We remember photos of you visiting the EAO in the early 1980s. At that time you imported some really interesting Egyptian horses from Egypt, and also a lovely Spanish mare, Kanita, who was closely related to Estopa. Did you keep anything from those horses?
All my Egyptian lines are kept with me. All my horses at the farm in Switzerland with me are Egyptians. I’m an Egyptian Arabian breeder and I will always be. Unfortunately, there are no shows and no market for Egyptians in Europe anymore. Therefore my Egyptian horses are apart – they are no longer visible in the show ring. But nothing changed for me, only that I added other bloodlines to my program that fit in more with today’s show horses.
D Aziza (Ajman Moniscione x Midnight Kiss) 2009 mare, 2021 Menton Gold Senior Female Champion and Best in Show.
You have also purchased some Egyptian horses from the U.S. and after decades of straight Egyptians, you branched out into modern show horses. First it was just HL El Ganador. How did you find him and what attracted you to him?
I was absolutely not searching to buy or look for anything else than my horses but one day I got a little very short video from Elisa Grassi of a colt foal and I felt in love with this horse, it was love at first sight; I had to buy him no matter which bloodlines. He was not even named so we named him El Ganador, “the winner.” And I am still in love with him; he is a very special horse to me, this happens and you can’t tell why.
HL El Ganador (HP Shakir TE x Lonco Baby Maria), 2016 stallion, 2019 Gold Champion Junior Colt Chantilly AHO World Cup and Menton Arabian Horse Show, World Silver Champion Junior Colt in Paris.
Recently you have purchased show horses such as Royal Asad (El Tino x Lumiar Ethna), RD Rajan (Polidoro FC x RD Quianna), and others. What are your breeding strategies for them?
The same breeding strategy I had all my life: TRY TO BREED THE BEST OUT OF THE BEST!
Royal Asad (El Tino x Lumiar Ethna) 2015 stallion
What is the most meaningful moment that you have had with an Arabian horse? What was the most heartbreaking?
It would be too much to tell you all these moments, but one of my most heartbreaking moments was when my mare Kodwa (Shadwan x Alifa), came running and screaming to me in the field because I hit my head and fell down. I will never forget this. She was one of the very special mares I bought in Egypt, and I got many offers to sell her but she was very special from the first time I saw her in the EAO. I think all older Egyptian breeders remember her.
D Mumayyazah (FA El Rasheem x M Randy) 2016 mare, 2024 Stohen International Show Silver Champion Senior Mare and 2023 West Coast Cup Gold Champion Senior Mare.
Of the horses that you have bred, which one comes the closest to your ideal?
This question is like asking a mother “which of your children is the best?” I can’t answer.
Alsa (Kahil Al Shaqab x Alameda) 2013 mare, 2023 European Championships Gold Champion Senior Mare and Highest Score Female and 2021 Menton Bronze Female Champion.
In terms of influence on your program, which stallion or mare has made the greatest contribution?
With the Egyptian program for sure Kenz Al Baydaa (Jamil Al Rayyan x Kareemah Saqr) and Rihan, now El Ganador, and we can’t wait to see the Rajan foals and as the newest member, the Royal Asad foals.
RD Rajan (Polidoro FC x RD Quianna), 2021 stallion, 2024 Global Champions Arabian Tour, Dubai International Championships and Al Shira’aa Arabian Horse Show Gold Champion Junior Colt.
What would you say to someone contemplating purchasing their first Arabian horse?
Be very honest with yourself about what you expect from the horse you want to buy, and then let your heart speak. Hopefully you will get a companion for life.
Cyclana OS (Cyclone OS x Maryse OS), 2019 mare, 2020 Menton Gold Champion Yearling Filly
