THE STORY OF ZEIKA
by Maryam Komejan, CEO and Managing Director
During my travels and meetings, I am often asked to explain the meaning “Zeika”– the name of my company. Its meaning is personal and sentimental. “Zeika” is a word taken from the Karachai language – the language of one group of people of the Caucasus, in Southern Russia.
Zeika was the name of a very special champion horse – a magnificent and courageous animal who demonstrated uncommon valor and love for his master. Zeika was raised in the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia and was a gift to a young man whose family raised horses – including “warhorses” – for the Russian cavalry during the time of Czar Nicholas II.
He grew into a big black stallion who was beloved by his master; they were inseparable. Zeika was very powerful, loyal, and willing to “do whatever it takes” for his master, who ultimately took him to Moscow to compete in the annual Russian riding competition – a full 1,000 miles away from his home. The trip was achieved “on foot and hoof.” Three man/horse teams went together to complete.
The competition involved racing and horse acrobatics (Cossack riding). It was an athletic and dangerous competition and several people were killed. The trip and the competition pushed everyone to their limits. All three of the young men who traveled were winners, but two died of their internal injuries from the competition on their homeward trek. Zeika and his young master won third place, but his master was the only one to survive.
Later, in the Caucasus Mountains (one of the wildest and most beautiful places on Earth), Zeika again earned the love of his master by saving his life when they were caught in a blizzard while traveling through the mountains. There was no easy shelter to be found, so Zeika and his young master lay on the ground near some trees and Zeika wrapped himself around his master’s body to keep him warm. Both survived (again). The young man’s love for his horse knew no bounds as he knew his life was inexorably intertwined with Zeika’s by warmth, love, strength, and devotion.
The young man was my father. While I never met Zeika, I feel that I knew him from the stories my father told me. I grew up on horseback myself, with a wonderful father/teacher. And I learned more than horsemanship. I learned about courage, vision, strength and (especially) the power of will and devotion.
When it was time to name my business, I thought about the qualities that I prize most and why those are important in the business world. And Zeika came to mind …
by Maryam Komejan, CEO and Managing Director
During my travels and meetings, I am often asked to explain the meaning “Zeika”– the name of my company. Its meaning is personal and sentimental. “Zeika” is a word taken from the Karachai language – the language of one group of people of the Caucasus, in Southern Russia.
Zeika was the name of a very special champion horse – a magnificent and courageous animal who demonstrated uncommon valor and love for his master. Zeika was raised in the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia and was a gift to a young man whose family raised horses – including “warhorses” – for the Russian cavalry during the time of Czar Nicholas II.
He grew into a big black stallion who was beloved by his master; they were inseparable. Zeika was very powerful, loyal, and willing to “do whatever it takes” for his master, who ultimately took him to Moscow to compete in the annual Russian riding competition – a full 1,000 miles away from his home. The trip was achieved “on foot and hoof.” Three man/horse teams went together to complete.
The competition involved racing and horse acrobatics (Cossack riding). It was an athletic and dangerous competition and several people were killed. The trip and the competition pushed everyone to their limits. All three of the young men who traveled were winners, but two died of their internal injuries from the competition on their homeward trek. Zeika and his young master won third place, but his master was the only one to survive.
Later, in the Caucasus Mountains (one of the wildest and most beautiful places on Earth), Zeika again earned the love of his master by saving his life when they were caught in a blizzard while traveling through the mountains. There was no easy shelter to be found, so Zeika and his young master lay on the ground near some trees and Zeika wrapped himself around his master’s body to keep him warm. Both survived (again). The young man’s love for his horse knew no bounds as he knew his life was inexorably intertwined with Zeika’s by warmth, love, strength, and devotion.
The young man was my father. While I never met Zeika, I feel that I knew him from the stories my father told me. I grew up on horseback myself, with a wonderful father/teacher. And I learned more than horsemanship. I learned about courage, vision, strength and (especially) the power of will and devotion.
When it was time to name my business, I thought about the qualities that I prize most and why those are important in the business world. And Zeika came to mind …
