GÜLILAH NAHGALIT, Bay Gelding, 2007 (Nabilah Nahd / Gülilah Galisa)
Breeders: Mrs. Helga Aschenborn, Fritzi & Gisela Uijs, Owners: Reni and Rinus van der Merwe
Strain: Seglawi Al Abd (Wadduda, 1899).
The Namibian Arab Horse Breeders Society is pleased to announce they have awarded their 2016 WAHO Trophy to the gelding Gülilah Nahgalit. It is worth noting that his grand-dam, the outstanding broodmare Gülilah Güleh Güleh, was Namibia’s first WAHO Trophy winner in 2005. Sired by Nabilah Nahd and out of Gülilah Galisa, he was bred by Mrs. Helga Aschenborn and Fritzi & Gisela Uijs, the product of several generations of their breeding programme.
Mr. Wickus Esterhuizen, President of the Namibian Arab Horse Society, presents the WAHO Trophy to Mrs. Reni van der Merwe and her horse Gülilah Nahgalit
Citation by Reni and Rinus van der Merwe, Atashi Arabians:
Born in 2007, Gülilah Nahgalit was sold to us as a yearling. Our idea of the ideal Arabian is a functional horse that has good conformation and that proves themselves on endurance rides. Gülilah Nahgalit had all these attributes and had the “looks” to go with it too. He had everything we looked for in a “drinker of the wind”. Once he was old enough, he embarked on his enruance career. During the beginning stages and rides he wasn’t eliminated once, and had very good heart rates, a free flowing stride, correct conformation, clean legs and most of all a head and heart that made a true champion. The first couple of years of his career were just his building phase, not riding him to win, but just to get the experience as the kilometres added up.
Here is a list of his Club rides:
• 06/06/2013 – 60km – 2nd
• 17/06/2013 – 60km – 3rd
• 20/07/2013 – 60km – 2nd
• 07/02/2014 – 80km – 3rd
• 20/06/2014 – 80km – 2nd
• 06/03/2015 – 80km – 1st
• 17/04/2015 – 100km 1st and Best Conditioned Horse.
• 19/06/2015 – 100km – 3rd
• 11/06/2016 – 80km – 3rd
Reni van der Merwe riding Gülilah Nahgalit on the beach during the 120 km Africa Endurance Cup at Walvis Bay 2016
Reni van der Merwe riding Gülilah Nahgalit at a Club ride in 2015.
This year we felt that he was ready, and rode him in the 120km division at Walvis Bay. This ride is truly one of the most gruelling rides in the world and a big challenge for any horse, and even more so if its your horse’s first 120km of his career. His achievements at Walvis Bay for the African Endurance Championships on the 24th August 2016 were:
• 122km – 3rd – Standard weight – Bronze medal.
• Trophy for Best Conditioned Horse in Standard weight.
• Trophy for the Best of Best (best horse out of all the Best Conditioned horses of all categories).
He amazed us with his achievements – he was 3rd in the standard weight division less than a minute behind the first two horses. In my eyes an even bigger achievement was not only winning the best conditioned horse trophy, but also the “Best of Best” trophy. We are extremely proud of him. Thank you for awarding him with the honour: WAHO TROPHY WINNER 2016
Photos: Mr. Wickus Esterhuizen, President of the Namibian Arab Horse Society, presents the WAHO Trophy to Mrs. Reni van der Merwe and her horse Gülilah Nahgalit
Reni van der Merwe riding Gülilah Nahgalit on the beach during the 120 km Africa Endurance Cup at Walvis Bay 2016.
Reni van der Merwe riding Gülilah Nahgalit at a Club ride in 2015.
