When Love Requires Honoring

By Cindy Reich

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a small group of people gathered at Om El Arab, in Santa Ynez, California to honor the lives of two beloved stallions. Atticus ENB who was born at Om El Arab but died tragically young in Europe, and his sire, *El Nabila B, who was born in Hungary, traveled the world and spent his last years at Om El.

Owners Michael Weinstein, Jean Edwards, Arturo Uribe, and Geoff Teeter, Sandro Pinha and Gil Valdez from Arabians International, Janina Merz, Bryon Bass and their son Luca from Om El Arab and others who had loved these stallions wanted to pay tribute to their lives and legacy.

Janina and the Om El crew had prepared a lovely site under the massive willow tree at the far end of the outside arena for the ashes of both horses. Ceremonial sage was lit, wine from Om El’s own vineyard was poured and everyone was invited to come up before the headstones and share their stories and memories. There were many tears, much laughter and great memories of the time spent with Atticus ENB and El Nabila B.

Afterwards, the gathering moved to the patio of the barn, where the corner stall—*El Nabila B’s, stood empty.

But Nabila’s legacy lives on, through his many sons and daughters around the world, who have established dynasties of their own. And Atticus ENB, who was just proving his worth as a sire, has provided a core of daughters who will be an integral part of the next stage of the Psynergy Equine breeding program.

Before the gathering, the group was told by a psychic that Atticus would send an owl as a messenger. Later that evening as everyone was continuing the stories and sharing memories at dinner, a call came from the farm.

An owl had just been spotted sitting on top of the horse walker.