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There are few names in the realm of Arabian horses more widely known than that of Michael Byatt. Audiences around the globe have been captivated by his masterful presentation of the finest Arabian horses in the world and a list of the championships garnered by horses under his care and training would require days of dedicated reading. Yet while Michael's greatest visibility may be in the show ring, his talents transcend the arena in a myriad of ways. He is both a visionary thinker and committed student of the Arabian breed - not only providing advice to some of the most important breeding programs in the world - but also breeding outstanding horses himself. Michael is a consummate horseman, and his perspectives on breeding, showing, and training are soundly based on the broadest possible international experience.
Although Michael is regularly seen in almost every country where Arabian horses are bred, perhaps the best way to absorb his philosophy and the scope of his achievements is to visit him at home in Texas, where he treasures the quiet time spent at his farm. "My favorite moments by far are not the public moments," Michael explains, "but instead the mornings when I walk out of my farmhouse going to the barn to feed the horses, or watching the mares and foals playing in the front pasture as the sun sets." As a client of Michael Byatt Arabians one can be happy about the home away from home that has been crafted out of this century old farm. Although remote -- that remoteness has it's benefits. A peaceful way of life for horses -- and a no pressure feel for clients. The guest house which sits between the main house and the mare barn always has a welcome sign on the door.
The farm is located near New Ulm, Texas, a charming town about seventy miles from Houston whose long history belies its small size. The neat houses and well-kept lawns of New Ulm are indicative of its heritage as one of the premier German settlements in Texas, and tobacco farming and cigar-making were once its primary businesses. "When I sold my farm in Georgia," Michael relates, "my goal was to find a beautiful place with simplicity and serenity, where my horses and I could share a peaceful life." When Michael and his wife Ann found the small and remote farm, it had no fences or facilities of any kind, yet the abundant pasture and water made it a natural choice for a horse farm. "When we first saw the land," says Michael, "my wife and I immediately agreed that this was the right place for our farm."
How did Michael Byatt's journey into the world of Arabian horses culminate in such unprecedented success? As with most life stories, fate played a singular role, for Michael grew up in the state of New Mexico, where the city of Albuquerque began hosting the U.S. National Championships nearly forty years ago. "This show was my first exposure to the Arabian breed," he explains and from that moment forward the unique beauty, charisma, and character of the Arabian became an integral part of his destiny. Like many successful people, Michael Byatt is a man with continually evolving dreams. While his goals may vary widely, they have a critical element in common - he has achieved them all with astounding regularity. Eager to continually define and refine his latest aspirations, Michael states with passion, "I want to live with my horses - to be in the horse world. This is what I do exclusively for a livelihood and as such my goals are being continually met and reset." While achievements as a trainer were an important early benchmark for Michael, he defines his latest goal as being a good ambassador for the horses themselves. "I would hope to be a successful creator of horses that make a difference to the breed," he explains. On a more personal level Michael aspires to teach his children a love of horses as opposed to a love of competition with them.
From a breeder's perspective, Michael aspires to create Arabians that are true to this artistic ideal while also reflecting the archetype of the breed. "Our core group of breeding horses include daughters of El Shaklan, Ali Jamaal, several with heavy Egyptian blood, and a few Bey Shah and Russian mares," says Michael. The stallions of Michael Byatt Arabians mirror the predominant bloodlines of the mares - El Shaklan blood, Ali Jamaal blood, and multiple Egyptian lines. Bey Shah also enters the equation through the dams of the stallions, as does the Russian blood through FS Bengali. Michael explains that his major influence in breeding Arabian horses has been the individual horses he most admires, and the challenge of trying to replicate them. "There are some horses that have inspired me to travel great distances just to see them," he elaborates, "or horses that enchant me to the point where I want to linger and simply look at them." These rare individuals remain fixed in Michael's mind and exert a continuing influence. "They are the ones that I close my eyes and think about," he states, "imaging ways to have them in my life."
The success of Michael Byatt in the show ring is legendary, and although Michael treasures the victories of all the horses he has handled, those which he has bred, owned, or had a very significant role in their lives are naturally elevated to special significance. A few examples include Shalina El Jamaal, The Millenium, Shaman, Dakar El Jamaal, Parys El Jamaal and Besson Carol. Other horses which Michael names as particularly unforgettable are Al Aadeed Al Shaqab, FS Bengali, *Zagrobla, and Marwan Al Shaqab. "They are each incredible horses," Michael states, "from two points of view - mentally as well as physically." Ansata Iemhotep is another horse which Michael holds in high regard. "He truly exhibits the attributes that I find so appealing in an Arabian horse," Michael explains, "kind spirit, willing, a brilliant mind, yet a king of his own space." In many cases, Michael Byatt Arabians also manages the careers of exceptional horses well beyond their show ring days. Although there are over 100 horses at the farm, only 40 are in training, with the remainder being breeding horses, including a foal crop of approximately 25 per year. These numbers serve to illustrate the broad range of services offered by the farm and its staff. Training is only one facet of the operation, which also includes breeding and consulting services, all provided with consummate professionalism and dedicated attention to detail.
Michael Byatt also holds strong opinions on the future of the Arabian, and his constant travels around the world ensure he is in a unique position to offer thoughtful observations. "The breed needs its soul revitalized," he comments. "In many places the Arabian horse suffers from comparison to other breeds, and would stand better on its own." This statement is particularly aimed at the current show scene in the United States. "America could offer the Arabian horse all of its advantages of prosperity, ingenuity, space, and creativity if only we allowed apples to be compared to apples," he relates. "Currently we seem to compare apples (Arabian horses) to oranges (the Saddlebred breed)." But despite this unfortunate situation, Michael looks to the positive. "Luckily there are and will always be people that want to guard the authenticity of the Arabian horse. I only hope that we can expand that voice." The trip to visit Michael Byatt Arabians, however near or far, is clearly worth the effort. After traveling the Texas highways framed by their famous wildflowers, the turn down the country lane called Red Bird Road culminates in an experience that will both surprise and delight the visitor. It is also the perfect way to see the tangible results of Michael's efforts on behalf of the Arabian horse. "What I hope to achieve in operating my farm is success through calm, thoughtful and caring application of horsemanship," states Michael. "If, as a result of our horsemanship we can achieve success in breeding and showing, then I can honestly say that my 'operating philosophy' has been met."
The story of Parys El Jamaal is an eloquent testimony to the application of this philosophy. "Since the first time I became involved with Parys he made it abundantly evident that he did not like being confined in a stall," Michael explains. When Parys returned from Argentina after two years at Count Federico Zichy-Thyssen's farm, he continued to have a vacant look in his eye, despite having had access to a huge stall and acres of pasture. "He seemed to have a desperate resignation to his fate," Michael remembers, "and it was heartbreaking to see him this way." Michael immediately sought permission to have him live in a pasture with mares from that day forward and for the rest of his life. Permission was given, and Parys is a different horse today, sublimely content with his own band of mares. Interestingly, several mares that had previously been unable to conceive for nearly a decade now have new foals by Parys. "The mechanisms of nature are so much more successful sometimes than we can ever be!" says Michael of his decision to give Parys and his mares a natural life. As the sun sets on the western horizon, all is peaceful at the Texas farm, and Michael has a quite moment to relax, looking out over the pastures filled with beautiful mares and foals. "All too often," he remarks, "what people think is real is created by illusions." But the reality of Michael Byatt Arabians is undisputable - a collection of some of the finest Arabian horses in the world, a magnificent and restful setting, and the talent and vision of a man who makes his own dreams, and the dreams of countless others, come true. Click here for driving directions
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"Because
I do what I do,
traveling over
200 days each
year, when I return
I want a quiet
peaceful place
where I can enjoy
every moment of
my horse operation.
It actually doesn't
feel like a business
-- more it feels
as though the
horses have come
here to enjoy
their lives." Super
sized barns, with
high ceilings,
windows, and breezeways
make up each living
quarter for the
horses.
Today
the facilities
include a mare
and foal barn,
a mare "show-horse" barn,
a stallion barn,
a guest house,
and indoor and
outdoor arenas,
as well as beautiful
pastures that
are an attractive
blend of open
and wooded settings.
A lovingly restored
1860's farm house
also graces the
farm, and its
flagstone patio
is an ideal place
for visitors to
relax and embrace
the scenery. At
Michael Byatt
Arabians, of course,
the scenery features
some of the most
impressive Arabian
horses to be found
anywhere. Where
else in a single
visit can one
see two U.S. National
Champion Mares,
two U.S. Reserve
National Champion
Stallions, a two-time
World Champion
Colt, two Nations
Cup Champion Colts,
and numerous Scottsdale
champions? 
In
the pasture, as
a fuzzy foal,
unconditioned,
or already in
the show ring,
everyone who knows
Michael Byatt
agrees that he
has an uncanny
eye for a horse,
and is accurately
able to assess
potential both
as show or breeding
stock. He essentially
credits this ability
to his artistic
sensibilities. "First
I look for a horse
which makes me
feel something
on an artistic
level," he relates. "Only
if a horse elicits
that response
do I move on to
the other components
of conformation,
athletic ability,
and so on." He
goes on to explain
an irony he has
discovered when
selecting a horse
in such a way. "It
is interesting
for me, because
in looking at
a horse from this
artistic point
of view, they
rarely affect
me if they are
not also correct." Michael
attributes this
to the concept
that the ascetics
of balance and
symmetry correlate
directly to proper
conformation. 
While
most people, especially
in the international
realm, associate
Michael Byatt
solely with the
halter arena,
it is interesting
to learn that
the most memorable
victory of his
career was winning
the U.S. National
Championship in
English Pleasure
riding the invincible
gelding, JA Rave
Review. No one
who witnessed
the incredible
rapport of this
team will ever
forget their great
moments in the
show ring, and "Rave" an
Arabian of incomparable
type and charisma,
lived his retirement
years with Michael
in Texas. A fairytale
horse who always
seemed bigger
than life, Rave
answered Michael's
call from anywhere
on the farm by
galloping up to
the fence, tail
and head held
high, to receive
a carrot, or just
an affectionate
pat. It was a
tragic day for
Michael and everyone
at the farm when
this incredibly
special horse
was lost earlier
this year. 
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