History- Siri Arabians

Siri Arabians began in the mind of a determined young girl who drew pictures of horses and dreamed of owning the most beautiful horses in the world. As an artist, from the beginning Linda Watkins followed her dream to a formal training in art and architecture and then on into acting. Considered among the top commercial actresses in New York during the 70's and 80's Linda 's time was spent filming TV commercials and Soap Opera's including One Life To Live, Guiding Light, All My Children and Another World along with television series work. Some of the many commercial clients were Revlon, Johnson Baby Shampoo, United Airlines, Dove, Winston Cigarettes, Noxema and many hundreds more. Her jobs took her to California, around the U.S. and to Europe providing a perfect opportunity to visit farms and breeding studs while on location. So began a lifelong study and pursuit of the Arabian horse under the banner of Siri Arabians.

From one Lewisfield bred gelding to hundreds of horses over the 30 plus years Linda has been breeding, she still never tires of looking at these incredible creatures. From the Polish/Kellogg/Crabbet foundation stock of her program to the majestic Russian and Russian blends, Siri Arabians continues to evolve keeping in mind the great strengths of the older bloodlines from which to draw. One such exciting individual whose blood harkens back to some of the old blood is CODE REDDD, a 2004 US National Top Ten Park horse by Red Tape+// x Siri Cayenne by *Muzulmanin++, and her mother a daughter of the legendary American sire Abu Farwa.

Taking to heart the advice she was given by the leading breeder Frank McCoy on one of her early visits to California, she bought the very best mare she could to start her program. This was the exquisite show filly RSR JEZEBEL, a Most Classic winner. Once purchased, Linda continued Jez's show career accumulating over three Regional wins and amassing 22 championships to her credit. She was by Kello-Gwalor (*Gwalior x Sanibel) a stunning white stallion of Cal-Poly's and Jez's dam was a daughter of Abu Farwa. Among her Champion get is the story book beautiful stallion OLYMPEAN by SIR MUSK (*Muscat x a Tornado daughter) Though OLYMPEAN has won over 24 Halter Championships, 3 Region Top Five's Halter and twice Region 9 Top Five Show Hack, regrettably he had to take a backseat to the farm's obligations of promoting two Syndicated stallions, *OTHJELLO and *NATUREL. Both were straight Russian stallions and great compliments to one another and the Siri mares. Though OLYMPEAN's number of offspring is small, the quality is incredible. Over the last few years he has continued to breed producing extreme type, size and athletic ability. "OLYMPEAN's eyes are some of the most beautiful you will ever see " says Linda "and his head is so typey with very small tipped in ears". She is planning a nice group of young mares for him this year.

The first filly that was born to the Siri program was SIRI CAYENNE, the dam of CODE REDDD. "It's incredible to think that I've know Cayenne longer than I have known most of my friends. Her mother lived to be 32 and I hope Cayenne lives that long as well. Cayenne has fabulous conformation, enormous eyeballs and nostrils. When she was younger she would leave you speechless when she trotted." SIRI CAYENNE is the dam of 3 Champions including CODE REDDD. For Linda, it has been wonderful to have had these relationships and bonds over the years with her horses.

During the last 12 years Linda has shared her dream with another great "dreamer." Bill Kraft who also loves Arabian horses and hates to be left behind when his friends are off on a trail ride or playing Polo. Apart from Bill's extraordinary marketing skills in their Catena watch business, Bill is an excellent rider and has been seen on occasion showing off bareback and bridleless for visitors. "He's also got a good eye for a horse" says Linda. About 7 years ago, Bill bought a wonderful older stallion from the Gucci sale of Fran and Gene Haskins, and a very important stallion indeed. Two time Darley horse of the year Sire who consistently had Arabian Top Ten Race winners year after year during the 80's. To say that this stallion was charismatic, dynamic and King of every hill in sight is an absolute understatement. He is the pure Polish stallion *BATAANN by BANAT x CANTATA. He is black bay and always has plenty to say when he struts down the aisle to go out for his exercise. *BATAANN is now 26 and tries hard not to show his age. Visitors tend to get a little emotional when they see his great character and the "special" beauty older horses tend to get. We have two cherished daughters of his that may be bred to CODE REDDD. One of Bill's favorites is BARRON BATAAN a son of *BATAANN out of a lovely OLYMPEAN daughter. He and Barron go everywhere and even stick and ball a little Polo with friends. He's a very pretty bay gelding with his Dad's charisma.

It's difficult to take a snapshot of 30 years of breeding and get the full picture, but the best way to really have an understanding of Siri Arabians is to come visit and see for yourself the many wonderful horses. "We love company" says Linda.