BALALAIKA (AMURATH SAHIB – IWONKA III)

The mare Bałałajka, gray, born in 1941 (Amurath Sahib – Iwonka III), bred by Krasnica estate.
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She trusts people and friends. She was characterized by skin as black as ebony, covered with snow-white hair and huge charming eyes, from which she radiated goodness. Mother of Bandola, considered the queen of Polish Arabs.

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“At that time, Captain Zdzisław Rozwadowski often visited Albigowa and knew all the mares well. Once he asked me which I value more: Wilga or Bałałajka. I replied without a moment's thought that, of course, Balalaika. And she wasn't that famous back then. Balalaika had a unique charm. It was impossible not to love her deeply. There was something about her that captivated everyone. She trusts people and friends. On the other hand, Oriole was able to get out of her box by stomping her front leg, which lasted until the undesirable culprit closed the door behind him. This was unthinkable for Balalaika. Kindness radiated from her beautiful eyes. I don't know if any other Polish Arabian mare was so graceful.

Black as ebony skin, covered with snow-white fur. Huge charming eyes, looking in a specific way. A beautiful head set on a long neck. A great mountain, on perfect, dry legs. I wonder how it was rated today in Janów. She wouldn't beat Pianissima, but Gascony would.

Unfortunately, in the times when Balalaika lived, exports were just beginning. If she had been born even ten years later, all her offspring would have joined the western breeding and had a great influence on it, as did Bask 1956 and Bacchatka 1957. Bandola 1948 almost shared their fate. Fortunately, she was already too famous in the country.

Almost all of Bałałajka's offspring were after Witraż, which was not inferior to her in charm, but certainly in character. (…)

Bałałajka gave birth to the unique BANDOLA (1948), recognized as the queen of Polish Arabians. Beautiful but tough. I treated her like a diamond in the crown, not like "cuddly" Arfa and their mother. She was more like her father, both in build and character. She gave birth to four daughters: Banda 1962, Beatrice 1963, Bandama 1970 and Ballada 1975, whose son was the well-known stallion Balon 1979, as well as five sons: Bajrama 1959 (Canadian Champion), Barysz 1960 (Canadian Top Ten) and used in the country: Bazaja 1964, Banata 1967 (British Champion) and very distinguished in Polish breeding Bandos 1964. Bandola lived to be 35 years old.
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And in 1956, BASK is born, which is too famous to need to be written about. It is interesting that the weaker BANIO was used in breeding, and Bask was not allowed to cover even one mare before leaving for the USA. If Mr. La Croix had come to Janów one day later, he would not have found Bask a stallion. But God watches over good men and good horses. (Over the latter, Mohammed rather does.)
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Unfortunately, Balalaika got very severe asthma in her old age and it was a pity to watch her suffer. And the doctors at the time couldn't help her. She needed to end her suffering...

There were not many mares in Poland similar in value and beauty to Bałałajka, although there are many great mares that made Polish breeding famous. Lately, their fame has been extended by Pianissima, with a beauty that in my time even a human could not have dreamed of being bred. But what will happen next…


Entry based on the article by Roman Pankiewicz entitled "Bałałajka, my great love" from 2007.

The entire publication and other sources can be found in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (click)

Below you will find links to related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library.