HS Pirandelo

HS Pirandelo, born in 1999, represents the continuation of the Kuhailan Afas sire line, a lineage of desert origin known for strength, durability, and athletic ability.
Introduced to Poland in 1931, this sire line passed through only a limited number of stallions and came close to extinction before being re-established through Probat and his descendants. Through his sire Pilot, Pirandelo inherited this rare and historically significant line, which would later prove its value not only in breeding, but also in sport.
The line traces back to the desert-bred Kuhailan Afas, whose descendants were imported to Poland for the Gumniska Stud of the Sanguszko family. Despite early promise, the line declined after the premature death of Comet, leaving no lasting male succession in Poland.
Its revival came through Pohaniec, a son of Comet exported to Sweden, and more decisively through Probat, imported to Poland in the 1980s. Probat not only restored the line but established it firmly, siring numerous influential sons—most notably Fawor, the sire of Pilot (1987–2016).
Pilot, bred at Janów Podlaski and later standing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland, became one of the few Fawor sons used extensively in breeding. Among his offspring were HS Pipistrella and, most notably, HS Pirandelo.
HS Pirandelo’s dam, Pikieta (1982), bred at Michalów Stud, was among the most celebrated mares of her generation. Her outstanding show career firmly established her among the elite, earning titles such as Polish National Reserve Champion Mare in 1987 and World Reserve Champion Mare in 1988, followed by Senior Female Champion honors at both the All Nations Cup and the British Nationals in 1997.
This flea-bitten grey daughter by Probat combined classic Polish type with presence and balance, qualities that made her both a successful show mare and a valuable broodmare.
Pikieta descended from the influential mare Planeta, through her daughter Platyna (1966 by Czardasz). Platyna became the branch of the family that continued in Poland, establishing a line known for both quality and reliability. Pikieta’s older half-sister, Patera (by Bandos), proved especially influential as a broodmare. Among her produce were Polder (by Probat), who was used at stud in Sweden, and Palestra (1986) who became the dam of Prognoza (1990), a three-time Swedish National Champion Mare, as well as Palmira (1995 by Monogramm), who achieved the title of World Champion Mare in 2003 before exported to Middle East.
Despite this strong maternal heritage, Pikieta’s Polish-bred daughters were not retained for breeding. In 1990, Pikieta was acquired by Charly and Shirley Watts of Halsdon Stud, Uk where she produced 4 foals, 2 by Simeon Sadik and 2 by Pilot (including HS Pirandelo).
Born in 1999 as Pikieta's final foal by Pilot, he later returned to Poland on lease to Janów Podlaski before being exported to France, where he stood at Lutetia Arabians.
Physically, he combined the defining traits of both sire and dam. He possessed a refined, expressive head with large, dark eyes, set on a long, well-shaped neck, supported by a strong topline. His body was compact and well balanced, with powerful hindquarters and correct limbs—altogether a conformation that suggested not only beauty, but true functional athleticism.
This potential was fully realized in his sport career. Trained in show jumping, Pirandelo distinguished himself in a discipline rarely associated with Arabian horses at a high level. He became European Champion in show jumping in 2009 at Stadl Paura and went on to compete successfully at major international venues, including Aachen in 2011, as well as in numerous French competitions.
What set him apart was his ability to compete not only within his own breed, but also against warmbloods, where he proved both competitive and consistent. His performances were marked by scope, willingness, and a strong partnership with his rider—qualities frequently emphasized by those who knew and worked with him.
HS Pirandelo represented a successful combination of bloodlines. From his sire Pilot, he inherited the strength and endurance of the Kuhailan Afas sire line, along with athletic ability, structural correctness, and proven performance capacity. From his dam Pikieta, he received refinement and classic Polish type, as well as presence, charisma, and the enduring influence of the Planeta family.
This black stallion stood as an example of what the Arabian horse can be when breeding preserves both beauty and function.
HS Pirandelo passed away in 2019 in France, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond results or pedigree. He remains a testament to the lasting value of carefully preserved bloodlines—and to the potential of the Arabian horse as both a symbol of heritage and a capable athlete.