(Sardonyx x Perfection)
In 1981 the Sindh mare Perfection foaled her only Sardonyx son, Fenwick Panache. He was the product of more than half a century of dedication to the ideal of beautiful Arabians. Born a chestnut/grey showing style, presence and a touch of class as his name suggests. Panache began his show career as a yearling, winning the colt class and placing in his Futurity at the Victorian State Arabian show. He came to Shahwanpark as a gangly 2yr old, and soon after began his training with Jennifer. He was a very willing, sensitive, and forward thinking horse, which made him a pleasure to work with.
Panache and Jennifer competed at Victoria’s State Arabian show for many years, never unplaced at halter or under saddle. As a younger horse he achieved Special Novice Champion Ridden Purebred, and won the Open Saddle Stallion. He competed with distinction in open dressage and went on to become Top Ten Australian National Championship Dressage Horse. He was also awarded the prestigious Silver Jubilee Barastoc Arabian Horse of the Year competing against more than fifty purebreds and derivatives of the highest quality. Panache took out the Victorian Champion Pure Crabbet Arabian Stallion award eight times , and was the only horse to win the Hi – Point Crabbet Horse three times. He was also Best Saddle Stallion at Melbourne Royal Show. The highlight of his career after appearing as the Arabian representative at Race Meetings and Expo’s had to be his performances in ‘The Mane Event’ at Australia’s first Equitana in 1999. Commissioned by Equitana, he carried the Equitana Fairy graciously through the thundering applause of thousands of spectators, hesitating momentarily to allow fascinated children to touch his velvet nose and silvery coat. Years later, many people here and abroad remember the Equitana Fairy Horse.
Panache was truly a wonderful representative of the arabian and Crabbet arabian horse. Sadly he was put down after breaking his leg in September 2002.
