SHY GAYFEEN, Bay Stallion, *1998 (Safeen / Gayleen RCA)
Breeder: Shyloh 1994 I Limited Partnership. Owner: Cori Wilson.
Strain: Hadban Enzahi (Venus)
2013 WAHO Trophy Winner of Canada: Shy Gayfeen
In May 1999, Cori Wilson happened to visit a farm where twenty-six Straight Egyptian Arabian horses were being boarded in the pastures. She found out that their owner had fallen on hard times and was dispersing the herd – in fact, they were getting run through a local auction within the week. Although she wasn’t looking for another horse at that time, one colt stood out.
“He was in quite a neglected state” says Cori. “I could count his ribs, he had overgrown feet and a mane full of burrs. I knew he needed a good home, so I told the owner if I could catch him, I’d buy him.” Cori went out into the paddock full of yearling and 2-year-old colts fully expecting to never be able to get near him. The little colt wasn’t halter broke, but he calmly let Cori approach him. “All his little buddies ran away, but he stood there and waited as I gently slipped the halter over his head,” says Cori proudly. “Hugo knew I was there for him and he never looked back; he followed me out of the paddock and into the trailer.”
By the end of that summer, after a few months of care and attention, Hugo had started to grow and fill out, and the decision was made to keep him as a stallion. Cori knew he’d have to prove himself and so his show career began.
Shy Gayfeen entered his first show in the spring of 2000. Just six years later, the stallion became one of only three living Arabian stallions to receive the Legion of Excellence and Legion of Masters awards. The Canadian-bred stallion is also the first ever Straight Egyptian to receive this award, making him the most winning Straight Egyptian horse in the AHA’s history.
Over his show career, Shy Gayfeen has acquired countless wins in halter and performance as well as many high point and Horse of the Year awards. He has traveled all over Canada and the USA to compete and his temperament and trainability have allowed him to achieve these awards with several different riders and handlers.
In 2003 Shy Gayfeen was the Egyptian Event Unanimous Champion in World Class Stallions 4 & 5-year-olds. A few of his other career highlights include two Canadian National Top Tens in Hunter Pleasure Open, a Canadian National Top Ten in Hunter Pleasure AATR, and thirty-two Regional titles in Stallion Halter, Hunter Pleasure Open and Amateur, and Ladies Side Saddle English.
As a sire Shy Gayfeen proved himself to be just as successful. His first three foals shown were all unanimous Regional halter champions. His offspring have earned numerous regional and National titles, including titles in Halter, Hunter, Sport Horse In-Hand, Sport Horse Under Saddle and Western Pleasure. “Hugo is passing on his excellent temperament and trainability, great legs, hip and topline,” says Cori. “He’s producing foals that are not only great halter horses, but great performance horses as well.”
