Mystic Arabians ... A Family Affair
CAROL AND RICK WITH MYSTIC JAZZ AND TIFFANY
It was August 1984, and little did Rick and Carol Maitland know, but their perspective of the Arabian horse world was about to be profoundly impacted. As they watched, a young chestnut stallion trotted into the ring and the crowd erupted in a frenzied roar. They knew they were about to witness something spectacular. The chestnut stallion was Zodiac Matador. Under the guidance of Mike Whelihan, Zodiac Matador was crowned Canadian Arabian National Champion Park Horse that evening. Rick and Carol decided that night that Bask breeding was the direction they would move with their own breeding program, following the philosophies of Whelihan Equine, Dolorosa, and Cedar Ridge Arabians, some of the top performance horse breeders in the Arabian breed.
A true test of commitment came shortly thereafter. Carol had been saving up to buy a new car, when the opportunity to purchase a truly exceptional mare presented itself. It was one or the other, and the mare was the easy choice. Baskess (Posejdon x Witess) had a new home and was the first Bask-bred show horse for her new owners. After several successful years as Carol's show horse, Baskess was bred to Zodiac Matador. The resulting filly, Mattess, reflected all that Mystic Arabians stood for ... careful breeding and pure quality. Mattess developed into a Regional and National quality Open and Amateur English performance horse, winning many championships.
As this 'horse business' was going on, Rick and Carol were raising two delightful young girls - Tiffany and Melissa didn't have a chance! They were surrounded by horses and horse people from the day they were born. They love every second they spend with Mom, Dad, friends and the horses. For the Maitlands, horses are truly a 'family affair.'
In 2000 Maitlands purchased the Zodiac Matador son Mats Toi. Mats Toi and his offspring acheived wonderful success in 2001 with seven Regional Championships (five unanimous), two Reserve Regional Championships, three Regional Top Five's and a Canadian National Reserve Championship by RB Secret Toi. In his first year in the show ring, Mats Toi was unanimous Regional Champion in Open Country English Pleasure with Mike Whelihan and unanimous Regional Champion in Country English Pleasure AAOTR with Carol.
Unfortunately 2002 was an emotional time for Mystic Arabians, as both Mats Toi and Baskess passed away. But the future lives on in their offspring – that same year Baskess's daughter Mattess (x Zodiac Matador) produced a beautiful bay colt who is born to trot! High hopes are well entrusted to Mystic Jazz (x Pension) who is the Maitland’s 3rd generation of Arabians. He was 2013 “Unanimous” Canadian National Champion CEP JTR and multi-Top Ten.Watch for the 4th generation as the Jazz foals are starting to arrive, coming soon to a show near you!
The Maitlands are quick to point out that a large part of their enjoyment of the horses is the result of the connections they help you make with other horse people and their horses. Building on a solid past to create an exciting future, it all comes down to the enjoyment of the beautiful, exciting Arabian horse.
