Ansata Arabian Stud

Donald L. Forbis passed away on Monday, December l5, 2008, in Mena, Arkansas. Born on November 3, l927, he grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where he became the school’s star football player. He was fond of animals, raised prize winning chickens and sheep, and was also a fine horseman. For love of country he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and saw action in the Pacific aboard the USS Antietam. Returning home he finished high school and attended Tulsa University on a football scholarship. He was later employed by the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company in Duncan, Oklahoma, and managed field operations in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and other foreign countries. In l957 he was sent temporarily to Turkey as a relief manager. He was introduced to Judith Forbis, who was assigned to the U.S. International Cooperation Administration’s Turkish Mission and it was love at first sight. They married in March l958 and from then on a new chapter in Arabian horse history was written.

Don stayed in Turkey as field operations manager, moving to the primitive southeast Diyarbakir region. The newly married couple, both horse lovers, bought Arabian horses to race in the local races for “something to do.” Don trained them, carefully monitoring their daily progress, and Judith jockeyed them in the races. Her book Hoofbeats Along the Tigris chronicles their hazardous racing career as they won races and earned the respect of the Turks, Kurds and Arabs.

Leaving Turkey in l959 they visited the Egyptian Agricultural Organization’s El Zahraa Stud Farm near Cairo. Inspired by the farm’s beautiful Arabians they decided to buy the Nazeer-sired yearling fillies, Bint Mabrouka and Bint Zaafarana. However, Don insisted they should also take a colt – and they chose Ibn Halima who eventually became one of the great sires of the Arabian breed. These Egyptian youngsters made a dramatic impact in the United States and, as a result, the renaissance of Egyptian Arabian horse breeding in America began and spread throughout the world.

During the course of their marriage Don was assigned to various countries including Libya, Iran, Greece, Columbia, and England. In l967 he accepted a management position in Egypt, In addition to his daily work, he lent a helping hand to many breeders who visited the country and bought horses, often assisting with the time-consuming exportation procedures.

In the meantime their Egyptian herd in America was growing famous under the name, Ansata Arabian Stud. While home on vacations, Don trained and showed some of their horses at halter, winning with Ansata Ibn Halima in local and national shows, and later U.S. National Top Ten awards with Ansata El Nisr and Ansata Halim Bey..

While Judith planned the breeding program and created books, Don created the farms. The first was in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the second in Lufkin, Texas and the third in Mena, Arkansas, which was completed in l981. Don oversaw the design and construction of what evolved into the landmark “Ansata - one of the most naturally beautiful Arabian horse stud farms in the world. Respectful of nature, he constructed the buildings of pine lumber and native rock to harmonize with the wild beauty of the surrounding forests and mountains. Ansata, whose name stands for the “key of life,” became a sanctuary for all kinds of animals, including herds of deer. Don made sure all were protected. His big farm dog, Bo, a cross between chow and wolf, accompanied him in the back of his El Camino while on patrol of the property, and woe to any hunter who trespassed.

Don enjoyed driving cars and trucks, piloting boats, and flying planes. He was active on the Pyramid Society board of directors headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and often co-piloted the Ansata planes to various states on ranch or Pyramid Society business. In the mid-90’s the Forbises purchased a magnificent stud farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. Don remodeled it and Ansata horses were kept there during Egyptian Events and for other breeding purposes until it was sold.

In 2008 the Forbises observed their 50th “golden” anniversary. Celebrations of this milestone event were held at Al Rayyan Farm in the Arabian Gulf country of Qatar, and at the Egyptian Event in Lexington, Kentucky. In the meantime the landmark Ansata farm was sold to Dr. Thomas Roesener, a retired orthopedic surgeon who raises Thoroughbred and Arabian horses, and the Ansata herd was dispersed to HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Ruler of Qatar, HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and other breeders worldwide. However, the Forbises retained a few horses in association with High View Egyptian Stud in South Carolina and Chase Arabians in Texas.

In June 2008 after the Egyptian Event, Don was diagnosed with lung cancer. A civic-minded patriot who came home victorious from WW II, this time he fought a battle he could not win. However, he lived long enough to realize his dreams, to know his life’s work lives on, and that he contributed an important chapter to the world history of the classic Arabian horse.

Donald Forbis is survived by:

Wife: Judith Forbis of Mena, Arkansas

Brothers: Gary Forbis of Tuttle, Oklahoma

Keith Forbis of Beverly Hills, Florida

Wesley Forbis of Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Sister: Sharon Strain of Galveston, Texas

In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions be sent to:

Arabian Horse Trust
Attention: Hal Wallace, Treasurer
Pratt Insurance
4 Village Square
Smyrna, DE 19977

Should be payable to: Arabian Horse Trust

A Memorial Service will be held

January 10, 2008 - 1:30 pm, followed by a reception. Everyone is welcome.

Location:

First Baptist Church
811 Port Arthur
Mena, Arkansas USA

A block of rooms have been reserved at the Sun Country Inn in Mena for the nights of Friday,
January 9th and Saturday, January 10th. They are holding an assortment of rooms.
This block officially ends on January 2. If you need to reserve a room, call 479-394-7477, specify "The Forbis Block".
Special rates are: $79 for one person, $85 for two, plus taxes.

If assistance is needed, you may phone Ansata at 479-394-5288
Travel information and accommodations may be found here.