bask

    *Bask was born on February 9, 1956 in Poland at the Albigowa Stud Farm. His sire was Witraz (Ofir x Makata) and his dam was Balajka (Amurath-Sahib x *Iwonka III). Witraz reportedly had quite the temper, whereas Balajka was gentle and calm. Apparently, these two characteristics balanced one another out to create the beautiful personality of *Bask. But it wasn't long before he was shipped off to America with 15 other purebred Arabians during Poland's worst winter in 100 years.
     When *Bask arrived in New York from Poland on March 9, 1963, nobody had any idea how greatly he would influence the Arabian breed in America. He'd traveled with other namely Arabians such as *Gwadiana, *Naborr, and *Wiganda. *Wiganda died after only five days in her new country, and it was a miracle that *Bask did not die as well. As described in Marian K. Carpenter's book Arabian Legends, he "had colicked, lost more than 100 pounds, and his body had taken quite a beating"(15). The trip of 44 days had even left him with a white scar that ran along the side of his body.
     *Bask became not only an impressive individual with an impressive performance and halter record of his own (Legion of Merit winner [++], 1964 United States National Champion Stallion, 1965 United States National Park Champion), but acquired an incomparable position as a sire. "His offspring became the models by which most Arabian horses were judged- both in halter and performance competition"(16). *Bask opened the eyes of Americans to the beauty of the Arabian horse. In the late 1970's, America had fallen in love with the Arabian and demand for these extravegant creatures rose. It is without a doubt that *Bask was the main contributer in this "phenomenon." Though there were other Arabian stallions during this time who also contributed, *Bask most definately deserves to claim the title "The Sire of the 20th Century."
     *Bask lived at Lasma Arabians in Scottsdale, Arizona with the LaCroixes. Here he was given the best of care. Mrs. LaCroix "fed him carrots and cooked him hot Polish mashes of vitamins, flaxseed, and oats. Dr. LaCroix fed him sugar cubes daily, calling out, 'Basko, are you here?' as he approached his stall"(23). *Bask also spent much time with his "greatest friend...the bay Polish stallion *El Mudir, who stabled next to him"(23). And, apparently, everyone in the family rode *Bask..."And *Bask dumped them all too!"(23).
     *Bask, as mentioned earlier, was an amazing sire. He sired 1,050 registered Arabians, "from which came 196 national winners, 495 Class A champions, and numerous race winners, including National Champion Racehorse Bask-O-Zel. Furthermore, 292 of his offspring went on to produce or sire national winners themselves. He sired only one Half-Arabian, Bask's Warlock, who won three national championships by his fourth birthday. He was out of the Saddlebred mare, Strega, herself a national champion"(25-26). His offspring sold for amounts never before seen in the Arabian industry. They dominated especially the halter and English/park divisions, as well as many other divisions of showing. His last foal was named Forever Bask, a chestnut colt
     July 1979 marked the death of this amazing stallion. He became severely ill when he was accidentally dewormed with a womer to which he'd had a near-fatal reaction a few years before. He died July 24, 1979 from a ruptured intestine. Later the next day, despite the mourning of the loss of the 23-year old stallion, the *Bask daughter Ambra was ridden to the Canadian National Park Championship. " 'It was the most emotional ride I ever had,' Gene LaCroix told mary Jane Parkinson in 1985. 'It was like she and I both wanted to do it for *Bask, and we did.' "(29). The Arabian horse world had been eternally marked by an unforgettable stallion, and he is still an Arabian on which all Arabians are based.