The photo above is where my journey into Akhal-Tekes began. The very moment I fell in love with the breed, and a very special mare that started it all. It was the very first time I had ever met and mounted an Akhal-Teke. Little did I know at the time, the view between those shiny, silky, blonde ears would change my world forever.

The ears belonged to a 14-year-old purebred Akhal-Teke mare named MV Fergazel, or Gazel. One of three mares in 2017 at Magic Valley Akhal-Tekes, a place that would quickly become like a second home. Gazel was owned and bred by my now very dear friend Jas Shearer-McMahon, who has been my guide and mentor for horses, endurance riding, and All Things Teke.

Gazel is the foundation and heart of Arcana Akhal-Tekes, and our namesake pays tribute to where it all began--a nod to the ``magic`` of Magic Valley.