Cover
Story: Baske Afire
by Mary Kirkman
From the time
Baske Afire’s sons and daughters hit the show ring, he has been
a sensation. Each year has polished that reputation, as step by
step, he has built a record that has propelled him into the
highest ranks of Arabian sires.
Baske Afire’s
pedigree is rich in national champions. His sire and dam, as
well as his grandsire and grandam, were national champions and
producers of national champions. Most of his champions at the
major shows now are divided equally between halter and
performance, with nearly all of his performance champions in the
English and country English pleasure divisions. In 2008, he was
Top Five on 13 of the 18 AHT charts for U.S. Nationals.
The sheer
magnitude of Baske Afire’s achievements tells his story. At
Scottsdale in 2009, he was the Arabian Horse Times
Leading Sire of Half-Arabian Halter Winners, more than 100
points ahead of his nearest competition. In addition, he
was second on the Leading Halter and Performance Sires of
Purebred and Half-Arabian Winners ranking.
As of August
of this year, Baske Afire’s record of success reflected a total
of 92 purebred champions, 20 national winners (with 46 total
national wins) and six national and reserve national champion
purebred offspring. At Canada 2009, the trend continued, with
five national championships added, along with three reserves and
15 top tens.
In addition
to winning at the national level, Baske Afire offspring also
command a solid return on investment for breeders. In addition
to private sales, the yearling filly HA Sahara Afire, bred by
Michelle Harris, changed hands for $120,000 at the 2008 Cedar
Ridge Select Sale.
Baske Afire’s
significance continues to grow in Arabian show ring. His
presence on the leading sire lists both by points and number of
winners proves salient facts: He offers not only a high
percentage of champions and reserves, but also a wide range of
successful representatives—not just a few stellar individuals.
For Baske
Afire, Strawberry Banks has adopted the philosophy that now is
the time to write history. The farm has announced that at the
end of the 2009 breeding season, the stallion’s availability to
outside breeders will be limited. A total of 150 breedings are
now offered for purchase, and when those have been sold, Baske
Afire’s public book will be completed.
Arabian Horse Times Leading Sire Lists
At
U.S. Nationals:
Top Five
Leading Sire Of Arabians In Halter (By Number Of Winners And
Points)
Top Five Leading Sire Of Arabians In Performance (By Number Of
Winners And Points)
Two-Time Leading Sire Of Half-Arabians In Halter (By Number Of
Winners)
Three-Time Top Five Leading Sire Of Half-Arabians In Halter (By
Number Of Winners)
2008 Leading Sire Of Half-Arabians In Halter (By Points)
Two-Time Top Five Leading Sire Of Half-Arabians In Halter (By
Points)
Yearling Breeders Sweepstakes:
Four-Time Top Five Leading Sire Of Arabians (By Number Of
Champions)
2005 Top Five Leading Sire Of Arabians (By Number Of Winners And
Points)
The
Future Of English:
Baske
Afire Get At The 2008 Major Championships
2008
U.S. Nationals
2008 Arabian English Pleasure Futurity
KD Kontagious, U.S. National Champion
Glitterati, U.S. National Reserve Champion
Turn It Up, U.S. National Top Ten
Baske Alarm, U.S. National Top Ten
Hoosier Daddy, U.S. National Top Ten
2008 Arabian Country English Pleasure Junior Horse Championship
The Way
She Moves, U.S. National Champion
MBF Burning Springs, U.S. National Top Ten
Prince of Ames, U.S. National Top Ten
Scottsdale
2008 English Pleasure Junior Horse Championship
Sin City,
Champion
Bonfore ROF, Reserve Champion
2008 Country English Pleasure Junior Horse Championship
MBF
Burning Springs, Champion
MSA Camilla, Top Ten
Canadian Nationals
2008 English Pleasure Junior Horse Championship
Sin City,
Canadian National Champion
Bonfire ROF, Canadian National Top Ten