The Farm
A mere 30-minute drive from the airport, at the foot of the second-largest granite outcrop in the world, you will find Elkasun Arabians. Nestled between the vineyards of the famous Paarl Wine Route, also called the 'Red Route' for its legendary red wines, Elkasun Arabians paint a quaint picture on a balmy summer's night in one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. It is almost natural to expect nothing better than a place like this as home for the noble Arabian horse, Elkasun Arabians.
The owners of Elkasun Arabians, the Brown family, started an Arabian horse breeding program in 1996. Willie Brown acts as Manager, has been a professional horseman for over ten years, and has garnered over twelve National champion titles during this time. He met the world famous USA breeder, Michael Byatt, in 2002 at his farm in Houston Texas and they immediately developed a friendship through their shared passion for Arabian horses. Willie Brown imported the first Arabian from Michael Byatt that very same year, and today most of the horses at Elkasun Arabians originated from Michael Byatt.
The charismatic Arabian from the ancient deserts in the Middle East is the oldest known breeding horse. Bred by the Bedouins as war mounts for long treks and quick forays against enemies, these horses with their large lung capacity possess incredible energy, endurance and stamina. The severe climate of the desert required the nomads to share their food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their mounts. As a result, Arabians display a gentle disposition but also a very high level of intelligence. In light of this you can most certainly understand why Arabians have captured the imagination of many historical figures through-out the years.