In our world, great things come in all forms, shapes and sizes; from the small ants to the humoungous blue whale to the majestic Mount Everest and the multi-complex amoeba. In life, we aspire for greatness in our respective fields and once we achieve it, we rise above. The Urban Dictionary defines the word greatness quite eloquently: “the status obtained when an individual or individuals contribute to an organization, team, or purpose that is greater than themselves. It is defined by individual deeds as well as deeds as a whole. Greatness is always striving to be better, no matter what level of excellence you obtain. It is not just about being the best, it’s also about bringing out the best in those around you i.e. taking time to give back and serve your community and serve the world.” In the Arabian horse industry, the true greats stand out from day one and over time the greatness within them bubbles over and saturates our minds, hearts and souls. The 22 year old El Nabila B (Kubinec x 218 El Layla Walayla) is one of those greats; not only does he live up to every meaning of the word described by Urban Dictionary, he is indeed the living form of greatness. This gorgeous U.S. National and Brazilian National Champion Stallion is one of the most captivating horses in the breed. Whether he is in the show ring or showing off in his paddock, his classic and authentic Arabian beauty, perfectly proportioned body and powerful movement all form the perfect silhouette. Couple that with deep, dark soulful eyes, a snort-and-blow attitude and undeniable charisma and you have yourself sheer perfection. El Nabila B was bred by Babolna Stud in Hungary and has travelled the world winning titles, hearts and growing his fan base. He has crossed paths with some of the most respected horsemen and women in our industry and his impact in their lives and their breeding programs has been nothing but amazing. However, El Nabila B’s story has been told multiple times, in an array of publications, and we wouldn’t expect anything less. But now it’s time to celebrate who he is, his contribution and his greatness. One of El Nabila B’s greatest moments (some even call it his crowning glory) to date was at the 2010 United States National Championships. This is one of the most prestigious titles a horse can earn in the U.S. and even the world. The fourteen-year-old El Nabila B was in peak condition and when he barged into that arena with Sandro Pinha, he set it on fire. He was named U.S. National Champion Senior Stallion and to date holds the record for being the oldest stallion in the history of the breed to earn this title. El Nabila B’s pedigree can easily be described as a beautiful love affair between Russian and Egypt. These lines complement each other so perfectly and always result in top notch athleticism, versatility and classic, jaw-dropping beauty. El Nabila B is sired by the iconic Russian stallion, Kubinec (Balaton x Kosmetika). In the early ninety’s and even to this day, Kubinec was and is regarded as the breed standard. Having won titles such as World Champion Stallion, European Champion Stallion and All Nations Cup Champion Stallion to name a few, he goes down in history as one of the most successful Tersk-bred stallions to date. Kubinec’s sire, Balaton (Menes x Panagia) was a multiple champion and his dam, Kosmetika (Muscat x Karta), was one of Tersk Stud’s treasured aristocrats. It is the three crosses to Mammona (Ofir x Krucica), of- ficially known as “Queen of Tersk Stud” as well as the multiple crosses to Russian super sires Priboj, Salon and Arax that add truck-loads of value and greatness to Kubinec’s and in turn El Nabila B’s pedigree. It is quite clear that El Nabila B’s sire was a superstar, but his dam is none the less. In our Arabian world, she is royalty – Egyptian royalty to be more specific. 218 Elf Layla Walayla B (Assad x 223 Ibn Galal I) was bred by Babolna Stud and her greatest gift to the industry has been El Nabila B. Back in her day, 218 Elf Layla Walayla B was a show ring queen; in 1998 she was named European Horse of the Year and Reserve World Champion Mare at the Salon du Cheval. Her sire, Assad (Ansata Halim Shah x Arussa), is one of the greatest producers of broodmares and this is most likely due to the astonishing amount of aristocracy found in his pedigree. 218 Elf Walayla B’s dam, 223 Ibn Galal I (Ibn Ghalal I x 23 Ghalion-), was a stunning grey mare with such soulful eyes that adds lines to the precious Hanan and Moniet El Nefous to this already amazing blend. And with zation, team, or purpose that is greater than themselves.” And I feel that this sentence is so relevant when one thinks about the contribution a stallion makes in the breeding barn. I can with confidence say that El Nabila B’s contribution to our industry has been once of astronomical proportions. El Nabila B has crossed well with a wide variety of bloodlines and what makes him the archetypal sire, is the fact that he adds so much to a mare, but never does he overpower her, as to lose certain desirable traits. And just like their sire, the El Nabila B foals are striking individuals that stand out in a the likes of Bukra and Halima in the mix, it is no wonder that 218 El Layla Walayla B has been such an amazing producer for her current owners, Hanaya Stud. These Russian and Egyptian greats have lent their most desirable traits to this pedigree making El Nabila B a genetic giant and of course, a phenotypic powerhouse. And he has in turn used these gifts to give life to a generation of horses that have taken over the industry. Urban Dictionary says that greatness is “the status obtained when an individual or individuals contribute to an organi- crowd. Their showy attitudes, enchanting beauty and near ideal conformation has really set them apart in both the show ring and the breeding barn. They exude Arabian type and wear their greatness with pride. Many stallions are good at either producing sons or daughters, but the true greats are what I like to call “ambidextrous” when it comes producing foals of equally matched value and quality, regardless of the sex. The El Nabila B sons are proud ambassadors of their sire; the greatness that flows within their sire has been passed down to them and their influence in the industry is truly being felt. One of the most famous El Nabila B sons in the world today is the uber-exotic, crimson beauty, Titan AS (x Om El Beladeena). Titan AS is bred and owned by Arabian Soul Partners and he became a show ring sensation when he was named Gold Champion Junior Colt at the Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup after earning the highest score of the show which included twelve twenties. He moves like a dream and his stand up is textbook. He started his breeding career just a few years back and he has already sired international champions. His daughter, Silhouette AS, was named 2018 Menton Silver Champion Yearling Filly in June, and another daughter, Aphrodite ENB was named 2018 Las Vegas Breeders World Cup Reserve Champion Yearling Filly. Titan AS’s full brother, Bolshoi ENB was named 2015 U.S. National Champion Gelding and is now on his way to make his mark under saddle with Justin Cowden. Rohara Aria Spartan (x MSU Secret Vows) is another American born son that has made his sire proud. He is almost a splitting image of his sire and has walked away with several Regional and National champion and top ten titles. The moving machine, Pallaton K (x Pochontas K) was named German National Champion Stallion and is producing fabulous foals for Nils Ismer of Ismer Stud. El Nabila B has produced a countless number of sons that went on to become champions in all parts of South America, some of which include Fahrenheit GAT (x Hannah K), Fynt Serondella (x Dhyeva ATA), HCE Dalakhani (x EC Donna Parada) and LR Radiant (x HB Radiance). Two young colts are paving their way to success and the future looks bright; Atticus ENB (x Om El Benedine) is a beautiful colt that was named 2018 Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Silver Champion Stallion/Colt ATH and Vigo ENB (x Focus Veelour) is a striking colt that is currently on lease to Michigan State University for the 2017/2018 breeding seasons. El Nabila B’s daughters are priceless gems that breeders go head over heels for and can be found in all corners of the globe. They contribute so much to a breeding program and making breeding choices quite simple. Their sheer beauty and aristocratic pedigrees are key elements in producing outrageously beautiful and award-winning foals. Some of the most famous Brazilian bred El Nabila B daughters include Ardant Carol (x Anita K) and Diya Forx (Pocahontas K). The later of these two mares is a breath-taking individual that has reached show ring stardom and is now shining brighter than ever in the breeding barn. Diya Forx was named 2012 U.S. National Reserve Champion 6-7 Year Old Mare and her daughter Diyannaa (x ZT Marwteyn) was named Champion at the Las Vegas Breeders World Cup. Another dazzling daughter, Demetriaa (x Marajj) is poised and ready to make herself known in this industry. Ardant Carol is the dam of the multiple Brazilian National Champion and National Champion sire, HDF Lugano. The stunning Symphony Of Love (x HED Caramba) is one of El Nabila B’s most famous and illustrious daughters to date. This chestnut mare has made waves in the industry; she is a multiple Scottsdale and Regional Champion and her foals are sought after around the world. Her daughter, Rshediah Al Khashab was recently named Silver Champion Junior Filly at the 2018 AHO World Cup in Chantilly. Her daughters Kahilat Al Shahania and Love Affair are proudly owned by Middle Eastern farms. Symphony Of Love’s full sister, Camelia ENB is a bold bay mare that is producing beautiful foals for her owners, Psynergy Enterprises. The beautiful bay, multiple champion, Sashaa LHT (x Giovanna JM) has been producing champions since the start of her breeding career. Her foals include champions H Bella Belezza H, AJ Ssangria and Mystica Sagali. Las Vegas Liberty Champions, One Last Romance (x GR Tara Lee) and MSU Syrah (x MSU Serendipity) are down-right gorgeous mares that have produced spectacular foals that have been sold internationally. El Nabila B has crossed particularly well with the Spanish Om El Arab mares. Om El Basilea (x Bashara Estopa), Om El Edana (x Om El Esprit) and Janeenah (x Om El Jinaah) are all superior mares that ooze Arabian type and look every bit like aristocrats; they are blessing their owners with foals that will take centre stage very soon. The El Nabila B daughters have also made their presence known in the international Arabian circuit. The Polish bred Latona (x Laranda) is a phenomenal mare that won her class at the All Nations Cup and received a score of 94.03, which included eleven twenties. Llayla (x Chiara K) is an angelic creature that resides in Saudi Arabia and has won multiple titles there. The success and fame of the El Nabila B offspring around the world could fill up a book or two. There are so many worth mentioning, because El Nabila B is just that good of a sire. His greatness is truly felt around the globe. No matter where he was, he has aided in the betterment of breeding programs as well as the lives of those around him. He has been cared for, loved and admired by so many professional and revered individuals which include Robert Schlereth, Volker Wettengl, Murillo Kammer, Robert and Dixie North, Michael Byatt, Roxann and Karl Hart, Michael Wein stein, Sandro Pinha, Janina Merz, Sigi Siller, Scott Benjamin and most recently, Johanna Ullstrom. Johanna writes: “During my trips to Brazil over the years, I have seen several beautiful El Nabila B daughters, and have also realized how well they produce! We decided to try to see if we could stand him in Belgium for his owners -Psynergy Partnership, and with the help of dear friends Murillo Kammer and Jeff Wallace, it became a reality! El Nabila arrived at our farm and we were just smitten by his incredibly friendly temperament; he’s a classic gentleman and a pleasure to be around!” “We believe he is an important asset to Europe with his very Arabic way of carrying himself, enormous eyes on a classic face, fantastic neck and throat latch, and this amazingly well put together body and tail carriage. On top of that, he is a marvellous mover. He is the perfect example of an Arabian stallion! Very animated and expressive, yet a small child could handle him. We were so happy for him to have come back to Europe, to his roots, to influence the future and create some wonderful future mares for us,” adds Johanna. And now, after spending two years In Belgium at Johanna’s picturesque farm, El Nabila B is set to make his way back to The United States and once again reside in the Santa Ynez Valley and stand at stud at Om El Arab. Self defence expert, Tony Blauer once said that “Greatness is being the hero in your own story. And if you’re doing the best to do that, then that’s greatness.” El Nabila B is indeed the hero in his own story, but he is also the hero in many of ours. From the tips of his ears to tips of his toes, greatness flows deep within him and we are so privileged to be able to witness come to life in the form of El Nabila B.