Despite the prevailing pandemic, the leading European countries in breeding and marketing Arabian horses, such as for a long time now Belgium and Italy, are not slowing down in the organization of shows. Both shows clearly indicated the inexorable trends of the modern Arabian horse market in Europe and around the world. Fortunately – at both shows, Polish colors were bravely defended by representatives of our country’s breeding or property.

Bruges – a Polish Saturday, a Saudi Sunday

Last weekend in Bruges, Belgium, three international shows of different rank were held one after another – the Breeders Show, European Show and B International Show. The latter additionally included classes for Straight Egyptian horses, from which the Best Straight Egyptian Horse of the Show was chosen.

In the European show, limited to horses born and registered in European stud books, medals were won by three Polish-bred horses. In the two-year-old mares and the junior mare championship, the first place (91.56 pts) and gold medal was won by the Janów-bred Brodnica (Pogrom – Bambina), purchased a few weeks ago at the Pride of Poland auction for 250,000 euro by Hanaya Arabian Stud in Switzerland. Laura KL (Wadee Al Shaqab – Lili PS) bred and owned by Klikowa Arabians was right behind her in class with a score of 0.06 points lower. Laura KL brought a junior mares bronze medal from Bruges to Poland. On the podium the Polish fillies were separated by IS Elasca (Ascot DD – IS Elanda), bred by Ismer Stud (Germany), and of English ownership (M. J. Smith) – the winner of the 3-year-old mares class. The maternal side of the pedigree of this mare is almost exclusively Polish – her dam is a daughter of the Polish stallion Altis, and the dam line is derived, among others, from Michałów’s mare Zygota.

In turn in the senior mares championship triumphed Anawa (Abyad AA – Anarchia) from Janów, now in British hands, winning first place in the 7-9 year old mares class. In the championships and in class, she defeated ROE Layya (Ajman Moniscione – ZT Ludjbrosiaa), also representing Great Britain. Britain. The bronze medal in this class was won by Bourhani Fadissima (Fadi Al Shaqab – AB Bellissima) bred and owned by Bourhani Arabians from Germany. In the yearling fillies, the gold and title of Best in Show was won by Lily Marie NWA (FA El Rasheem – Magdalena NWA) bred by NWA Arabians in Denmark, owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud (Switzerland). The silver went to Selena K.A. (AJ Elaf – Safiya K.A.) bred and owned by Knocke Arabians (Belgium), and the yearling fillies bronze was won by her stable mate Elan De Joie K.A. (Titan AS – Elan De Marc K.A.) – granddaughter of one of the best Polish mares, Michałów’s Espadrilla. Among the yearling colts only one class was held, of which, according to the rules, two horses were eligible for the championships, so only two medals were awarded – the gold was won by the winner of the class, Ender K.A. (E.S. Sarab – El Extasa K.A.), grandson of Białka’s Ekina from Knocke Arabians, while the silver was awarded to the second in this class, Sidarta AS, by the same sire, out of MB Vivyanna, bred and owned by Arabian Soul Partner (Mexico).

A similar situation took place in the junior colts, where the classes of 2 and 3 year old horses were combined, from which champions were selected – the gold medalist Jassid K.A. (QR Marc – Joumalia Nautiac) from Knocke Arabians and silver medalist – Luther (BK Latif – Xotic Design) bred by DWG Smith, owned by Antonia Le’vell from Great Britain. Britain. The Senior Stallion Championship was won by the class winner at last year’s European Championships – Bugatti (Master Design GA – Lyanka) bred by the Jones family, and owned by Anna Joyce from Great Britain, before the show veteran R’adjah de Cartherey (QR Marc – Badi’ah de Cartherey) bred and owned by Chantal Rigat from France and Libero K.A. (Psytadel – QR Lizette) – another medal for a horse bred and owned by Knocke Arabians.

On the same day as the European show, the so-called “breeders” show was also held, where foal classes could also be seen, and classes over 6 horses were divided into two sections, which allowed to award more horses or to hold yearling championships. As no older horses were entered, the show ended with the junior mare championships, while the junior colts had only one two-year-old class, so they did not have to compete in the championships anymore. The A yearling fillies section and the gold medal, as well as the Best in Show, were won by the British Luanna (Santorini – Lavinias Design) bred and owned by L. Smith, ahead of KA Salma Padrona (Kanz Albidayer – Shani Padrona) bred by and owned by Nadine Koo and the awarded with a bronze medal – Fiolah SH (Ali Khan – CA Felicity) bred and owned by Mikkel Shafi from Denmark. Unanimously chosen as the Yearling Colts Champion was FM Kaiman (FA El Rasheem – Psity of Angels) bred and owned by Flanders Midwest Arabian from Belgium before the colt Vidar Al Sahidi (Ali Khan – Valeta F) bred and owned by the Oomen family from Holland and a son of Excalibur – the colt Moet LA (out of Monelly) bred and owned by Walter Franco.

There was only one horse in the two-year-old colts class – automatically selected Junior Champion Colt – Kalizzto-B (Fatit-B – Zox Canada) bred and owned by Barakah Arabians from Denmark. The last was the junior mare championship, won by the three-year-old Maliyah Belle (ES Harir – Malikah Belle) bred and owned by Ralf Heckenbueker, before the two-year-old Ava Rose (Vivegas – Audella Rose) bred and owned by Joyce Robertson from Great Britain and Bourhani Bellavera (RFI Farid – Bourhani Fadissima), winner of the two-year-olds class representing Bourhani Arabians from Germany.

Sunday in Bruges, Belgium, belonged to the highest-ranked international B-class show, where, apart from horses from Europe, representatives of the Middle East studs could be seen.
The Yearling Championship was won by AJ Esra from Ajman Stud, by the stallion AJ Portofino out of the bred by Falborek Arabians Eralda, before the mare Carrara Bey (Ibn Farid – Ajaley) bred by Renee and Kevin Holt, and owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud. The podium was closed by Danah Pearl (Excalibur E.A. – SW Da Vidica) representing Akmal Stud from Saudi Arabia. The studs from the Middle East also dominated the Yearling Colts Championship. It was won by Hataan AM (Validoro – Twiga JJ) from Al Mohamadia Stud, ahead of Ezz Alkashab (Emerald J – Malikat Al Moluk) from Al Kashab Stud and Aali Akmal (FA El Rasheem – HHC Ali-K) from Akmal Stud. So the gold and bronze went to Saudi Arabia, with Kuwait separating them.

In the junior championships, the unanimously chosen champion was another Saudi filly, Naifat Al Owaidah (Excalibur EA – LR Expected Beauty), the winner of the two-year-old class with a score of 93.13 points before the winner of the three-year-olds with a score of 92.00 points, bred by Dubai Stud, D Hadeyyah (FA El Rasheah) – My Fair Rose), representing the Saudi Arabian Ajmal Stud. The podium was closed by Nijmet Al Wadee AMG (Wadee Al Shaqab – Joharat Al Solaz), bred in Israel by Ahmad Abu Hasun, and owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud. Hanaya Stud also managed to defend the gold medal in the junior colts category – awarded to the three-year-old EKS Sirajj (Ibn Farid – EKS Bint Helwah) bred in the South African Elkasun Farms. The remaining medals in the colts category also went to the Middle East – for the silver medalist Arjuwan Albidayer (AJ Marzan – Allezandra Albidayer) from Albidayer Stud (UAE) and Razeena Al Nasser (QR Marc – Remal Al Nasser) from Qatar, awarded a bronze medal for Al Nasser Stud. This stud also triumphed in the senior mares championship, where the gold was won by the daughter of WH Justice – Bshaier Al Nasser (out of Rihab Al Nasser, a daughter of the aforementioned Remal Al Nasser, who produced the junior stallion bronze medalist). The silver medal of the senior mares went to Cap Bianca (Shanghai E.A. – Arabians Blanca), who scored nearly 93 points, bred in Spain by Ganaderia Pedro Cubillas, and owned by Alqasmiah Stud – another medal for the Saudis in this championship. On the podium Cap Bianca was ahead of another daughter of Shanghai E.A. bred in Brazil – TM Galileah (from Karolina by Da Lirium BMW) owned by Badera Al Humaidi from Sadia Arabia.

The Middle East also did not give way in the senior stallions championships. The gold medal went for the second time to Al Kashab Stud from Kuwait, specifically to the stallion Shakar Pegasus (Shaezz El Madan – Jameel Pegasus) bred by Espolio Folle, before this year’s class winner in Menton, Saif Albidayer (Excalibur EA – Nesj El Markhisa) bred and owned by Albidayer Stud (UAE) and Harbi Al Adwan (Asfoor Al Waab – Wadha al Adwan) representing the Kuwaiti breeder and owner – Adwan AlAdwani.

Separately, on Sunday, championships for Straight Egyptian horses were held, where the greatest winner was the beautiful daughter of Al Ayal AA – Sereen AA (out of Saniyyah RCA), bred and owned by the Israeli Ariela Arabians. The grey filly won the Straight Egyptian yearling mares class with a score of 92.63 points, as well as a gold medal in this category, and became the Best Straight Egyptian Horse of the Show.

Meanwhile, in Bergamo, Italy

The international B category show in Bergamo (Purosangue Arabi a Bergamo) also had nice Polish touches worth mentioning. The filly D Narjeseyyah (FA El Rasheem – Exxaltress), purchased by the new Polish stud Lubochnia Arabians, appeared in the yearling fillies for the third time this season. The filly, bred by Dubai Stud, born in Italy, won the yearling class for the third time – this time with a score of 91.69 points and won another gold medal for her new Polish owners, awarded unanimously by all judges. In the championships and class she defeated Nemesis Regalis (Sa Faez Simbad – Nashira By Chawy Na) from the Italian Regalis Arabians and Angy By Kanz (Kanz Albidayer – Virginia by Vergil) bred by Michele Giomondo, owned by Alberto Vitaro.

In yearling colts the gold medal was awarded to another pupil of Dubai Stud, owned by Al Jood Stud from Qatar – D Wannas (FA El Rasheem – D Sayedah), who had triumphed at the Barcelona show two weeks earlier. In his class and in the championship, D Wannas defeated the inbred to WH Justice Amin by Shamira (Sa Madison – Shamira Ashiraf) bred by Davide Rullo, owned by Diletta Balotti and the originally named Exactlynoon Acnaibac (After Sunset W – ER Aspressiva) bred and owned by Alessandro Rota. The representatives of Dubai Stud, this time as breeders and owners, appeared once again during the decoration of the junior colts champion, which was D Fannan (Excalibur E.A. – Elle Flamenca), the silver medalist of the yearling colts from Menton last year. The silver medal in this category was awarded to another son of Excalibur E.A. – Halul Al Khor (out of PSL First Light) bred and owned by Al Khor Stud from Qatar. A bronze medal was awarded to the Italian bred and owned King Arthur (Invictus – Andreia), representing the Badia di Cartabia stud.

In the junior fillies the winner was AJ Bdoor, inbred to Vervaldee, a daughter of AJ Azzam and AJ Bahia by Vervaldee. Interestingly, her sire AJ Azzam is on lease at Michałów Stud and is supposed to be offered to private breeders in the 2022 season. The mare is owned by Adnan Alsheihhi, also from Ajman. Second behind her in the championships was Madama Moniscione (Ajman Moniscione – Medea Moniscione) bred and owned by the Buzzi family. Both fillies in their classes received over 92 points. The bronze medal went to the granddaughter of Ajman Moniscione – Aba Monfara (RFI Farid – Monna Rose Chandra) from the stud of Andrea Barbaro. The 4-7 year old mares class and the senior mares championship was won by the typey, great-moving Radegondra by Tresca (Shanghai E.A. – Del Mar Crispy), who scored nearly 93 points in her class. The mare was bred by Tresca stud and the owner is Ama-dio Sparapan. The silver medalist was also rated high in the oldest mares class, over 92 points, Juwanda OS (WH Justice – Shak Lavanda). The mare was bred by Gestüt Osterhof, and the owner during the show was Talal Alkazemi from Kuwait. It is worth noting that Juwanda OS, who has won many high-ranking shows, including the European Championship Gold Medal, was purchased during the show by the newly established, dynamically developing Lubochnia Arabians stud from the vicinity of Gniezno. Another mare awarded with a medal from the breeder of Ajman Moniscione – Giancarlo Buzzi, was Medea Moniscione (Psytadel – Miss Mo-niscione), who became a senior mare bronze medalist from second place in the oldest mares class.

Ajman Moniscione himself was the sire of the gold medalist in the senior stallions category. His son – Picadilly (out of Shakira by Kir), a show veteran bred by Amadio Sparapana, owned by Maria Scalvini, once again won the gold medal ahead of the stallion Jasmin Z (Nagels Z – Jamala Z) and Ganador AH (Shiraz de Lafon – Golden Sunset J) bred in Israel by Avraham Halak Construction, and owned by Mahmoud Muhammad Diab Ali from the same country. Interestingly, the grandam of the bronze medalist is Gomera J, who is of purely Polish origin – the daughter of Ekstern and  Georgia by Eukaliptus.

Apart from the international show classes, the Straight Egyptian horse championships and the Futurity categories (for foals) were also held, where among the fillies the gold in this category was unanimously won by another Ajman Moniscione daughter, the exceptionally beautiful Miahmartina Ashiraf (out of Sophie MCA) bred by Giacomo Boscarino, owned by Azez Arabians from Izrael, while the colts category was won by Rasheed (Invictus – Essaouira) bred and owned by Simone Angioletti.

In Bergamo, there were also two competitions under saddle called Old Style, presenting dressage in classic and western styles. Here we noted some nice Polish accents – in the first category, the gold medal in both rounds and silver in the finals was awarded to the Janów-bred stallion Apollin (Ganges – Anarchia) owned by Gianluigi Scaglia, while in the second category the silver medal in the first round and fourth place in the finals was won by Shamaal (Al Maraam – Salamandra) owned by Deborah Pagani, and bred by Piotr Podgórny.

While Saturday’s competition in Bruges gave European breeders, even the smaller ones, a chance to win prizes and appear in the championships, the Sunday show in Belgium confirmed two tendencies that have continued for several, if not more years, on our continent. The first tendency is that Middle Eastern studs buy out the best show and breeding material in Europe, where they easily beat local breeders at middle and higher rank shows. Another quite disturbing tendency that could also be observed in Bergamo and which has been seen for a long time in the results of the most significant shows, not only European ones, is the domination of literally a few stallions, whose progeny win at shows. This, in turn, drives the demand for the offspring and breedings of these few selected stallions even more. As you know, each market produces mainly what is sought at the moment … Which in the case of breeding dangerously narrows the gene pool and eventually, breeding progress.

On the evening of August 24th, news spread around the world about the death of Charlie Watts, the drummer of the legendary band The Rolling Stones, which has been giving concerts for nearly 60 years, on which several generations of music lovers grew up. In the international community of Arabian horse breeders, Charlie Watts was known as an inseparable companion supporting his wife Shirley in breeding, subsequent purchases and collecting trophies for Arabian horses owned by their Halsdon Arabians stud, which regularly gathered the most expensive horses bred in Poland. Hence, Charlie Watts has been a regular guest in our country for years, as well as at almost all the most important Arabian horse shows that his wife has attended since 1987, when they appeared together at the European Championships in Ostend.

Professionally – a musical legend, considered one of the best drummers of all time. Privately – extremely modest, always elegantly and impeccably dressed, winner of the Vanity Fair Award for Best Dressed Stars, with a sense of humor, patiently posing for hundreds of photos with anyone who asked for them. The opposite of the stereotype of a rocker associated with, for example, his band mates. As he claimed in numerous interviews, show business did not interest him at all, he did not watch MTV, he was virtually alien to stimulants, he even quit smoking in the 1980s. Described as “the quiet giant” by another outstanding drummer – Stewart Copeland of The Police. So Charlie Watts will be remembered by hundreds of Arabian horse lovers around the world. Let us give the floor to those who knew him the closest and remember him in touching words:

“Dear Charlie, the day I heard about your death, the pain and the feeling of emptiness did not leave me for many hours,” Elvis Giughera, co-founder of the ArabianEssence platform, privately a friend of Charlie and Shirley Watts, began his extremely personal memory.
– It seems impossible to me that we will never have another happy time together again. In recent years there have been many of them: a short trip to Paris, where you and Shirley liked to spend your free time; dinners on the occasion of the holidays in London, which were our regular item on the agenda; or Shirley’s birthday in September, when my mother made apple fries for you; to watching X-Factor together – it was almost unreal for me that a rock legend sat in my living room to comment on the performances of reality show participants. How many fun moments we spent together! You were always happy and smiling, your disarming surprise was unforgettable when Shirley invited us to a concert in Hyde Park, and you, surprised, asked: did you come especially for me? You were a gentleman, sensitive and sensitive to the needs of others, always available to everyone. Today the whole world mourns a percussion virtuoso, and I mourn a friend I will always carry in my heart ”.

The disarming modesty of Charlie Watts is also confirmed by the breeder from Brazil, Paulo Jamil Saliba: “During the first tour of The Rolling Stones in South America, Charlie Watts was planning to visit our stud. Unfortunately, the band’s flight from Mexico City to Sao Paulo was delayed which resulted in a delay in the scheduled concerts as well. Charlie called our office to say that he would visit our stud a day later than we agreed. When I laughed and replied that all of Brazil already knew about it, I had the impression that Charlie did not realize how important an event his band’s first visit to our country was. The horse inspection at our stud, which he eventually visited in the company of The Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones, was a lot of fun for him”.

The visits of the Watts’ to our country were of great importance, recalls Marek Grzybowski, the organizer of the Polish Prestige auction, who first invited Shirley Watts to buy Polish horses in 1989. A year later, she and Charlie came to Janów. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the news of Charlie Watts’ death,” writes Marek Grzybowski. “He and his wife Shirley were among the most important clients of the Polish Prestige auction in Janów. When in 1989 I met Shirley at one of the most important shows and invited her to the auction, I did not know that she would come to Poland with her famous husband. Mr. and Mrs. Watts did not miss any auction. They watched the horses together, then Charlie made the bidding. Very discreetly, with a gentle finger gesture or a slight nod of the head. He clearly enjoyed the bidding game. As an auctioneer, I knew Charlie would never give up once he started fighting for a horse for his wife. For the journalists and photographers gathered at the auction, the participation of the famous “Rolling Stones” was the most important event of the auction. The same was true for the public, the inhabitants of Janów Podlaski, as well as for people travelling to Janów from all over Poland. The Watts won the auctions with spontaneous joy, and the audience welcomed this with sincere applause. I look at old photos. There is joy on all the faces. It was a joy and pride for Poles that the wonderful Polish Arabians were appreciated by the global clientele. For guests from abroad, it is a joy to participate in the Polish Arabian Summer Festival, the most important event for Arabian horses in the world. For us it was an opportunity to show the public, especially Polish politicians, that the state studs are such a good promotional asset that they should never be privatized. I think that our distinguished foreign guests, such as Charlie Watts and others, contributed, albeit unconsciously, to the decision by Polish politicians to abandon the privatization of the studs in Janów, Michałów and Białka”.

On the day of Charlie Watts’ death, The Rolling Stones were in the process of preparing for another tour, which Charlie Watts had to give up for health reasons, but he said he was working hard to get back to playing. Unfortunately, both the legendary group and the Arabian horse community, without the figure of Charlie Watts, a virtuoso with always smiling and cheerful eyes, will never be the same again. On behalf of the polskiearaby.com portal, we would like to join the condolences flowing from all over the world to his loved ones.

Last weekend, an international B-class show was held in Lombardy, Italy. Although located in the vicinity of the world capital of fashion – Milan, the show was called the Milan International Cup. The B-class event according to the ECAHO calendar was also accompanied by Straight Egyptian horses in the Egyptian Event – Naseem Cup, sponsored by the owner of the stallion Naseem Al Rashediah from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

For fans of news from the Polish Arabian breeding scene, an interesting tidbit is the fact that a newly established Arabian horse stud in Poland – Lubochnia Arabians – made its debut at the show near Milan. Its owners – breeders and great enthusiasts from Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), and more specifically from the vicinity of Gniezno, have created a unique place for their charges. The bought in Italy, bred by Dubai Stud, yearling filly D Narjeseyyah by FA El Rasheem from Exxaltress by Excalibur E.A. was an important Polish accent of this show, although not the only one.

It was the second appearance of this filly at shows this year and also the second win in class and second gold medal in the yearling fillies category. However the show in Milan was the first under the banner of Lubochnia Arabians. The filly started competing at the end of April, when she won the Spring International Arabian Horse Show in Italy, still owned by her breeder. This time, she won her class with a score of 92,88 points as the highest rated yearling horse (among fillies and colts) and a day later she unanimously won the Yearling Fillies Gold Medal.

The silver medal in this category was won by SG Waraya – the grey daughter of Dominic M bred and owned by Scuderia Groane, while the bronze medal went to Magic Sweet Caroline by Magic Aban bred and owned by Fontanella Magic Arabians. In the junior fillies (two and three years old), the gold medal went to Al Jassimya Farm from Qatar – for the three-year-old daughter of Michałów’s Equator – Ilham Aljassimya, before another daughter of Fa El Rasheem bred by Dubai Stud – D Swairah (silver medal) and the Dutch-bred and the Swiss-owned mare Boas Primavera by EKS Alihandro, who won the bronze medal.

The Senior Mare Championship brought a triumph to a show veteran – DA Little Princess by Lawrence El Gazal, bred by Diamond Arabians from Austria, and owned by the Italian Societa Agricola PPA. The silver medal was won by the bred in the USA and heavily inbred to stallion Marwan Al Shaqab (grandsire on both sides of the pedigree) – Ghazelle WPI, representing the Qatari Al Sawfa stud. The bronze medal in this category went to the daughter of Cavalli – Kaliah, bred and owned by Oscar Angioletti.

In the colts’ competition the top places in the yearling category were taken by the descendants of: World Junior Gold Champion Stallion – the stallion D Seraj – Farouk Palazzotto, who was bred and owned by Paolo Capecci before the son of the triple crowned stallion Excalibur E.A. – Lorenzo AT from Al Thumama Stud and the black (as his name suggests) – Blackali by Aretus Ali, bred by Giuseppe Palumbo and owned by Salvatore Linares.

Another descendant of a living legend triumphed in the junior colts category – Ajab by FA El Rasheema, bred and owned by Saleh Almatrafi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, before Alechandro MK by EKS Alihandro, bred and owned by Ahmad Awadi from Israel. Morion’s son, SS Tyari, bred by Stigler Stud and owned by Valentina Piccioli, completed the competition with a bronze medal. The Senior Stallion Championship was won by the son of EKS Alihandro, and the grandson of the aforementioned FA El Rasheem – Hatem Atbah representing the Saudi owner Athah Stud, before the inbred to WH Justice (again grandsire from both sides) – Engulo EEA by Shanghai E.A. bred by Enzo Ltd and owned by Fontanella Magic Arabians. The third place on the podium in this category was taken by his half-brother by the same sire, the French-bred Kadidj de Lafayette, owned by Arianna Porta from Italy.

Apart from the ECAHO categories, the foal class was also held, in which two fillies took part – the winner Krizia Chandra by D Kaheel and Rosmira Fedele by Vivaldi Regalis. Separate championships were held for Straight Egyptian horses and although not all medal places were awarded, the Italians can definitely be envied for the large number of shows organized this year, which were quite numerous considering the existing pandemic situation. In many other countries, including Poland, events for Arabian horses cease to exist. And they are an important element not only of the evaluation and comparison of breeding achievements, but also of the international promotion of horses, related to the necessary in breeding – selling. That’s why we are the more happy with the success of the new stud from Poland – Lubochnia Arabians, about which we will surely hear more soon.

The stud of Polska AKF has recently announced the lease of the stallion Zeus E.A., full brother to Excalibur E.A., one of the most desired sires in the world, the Triple Crown winner of the All Nations Cup, the European Championships and World Championships.

Zeus E.A. himself has already been used by several Polish breeders who have decided to buy and import his semen in recent years. Although the group of mares was not large, it was in Poland that one of his most beautiful daughters was born – the grey Diodora bred by Petroniusz Frejlich – Top Five of the Białka Junior Spring Show, bronze medalist from Radom, fourth at the European and Polish Championships. A review of the results of Zeus E.A.’s get in the world shows, however, that the most titled offspring come precisely from mares with Polish pedigrees.

Zeus E.A. is an attractive offer for breeders who want to take advantage of the opportunity to use a stallion with a modern, sought-after pedigree, while not wanting to invest very large amounts in the breedings of his full brother. It is also an opportunity for those who want to cover their mare with fresh semen available in Poland. The lineage of Zeus E.A. and Excalibur E.A. has an extremely interesting genesis and represents a modern breeding method, the so-called “pure in-strain”, which in short means inbreeding horses every few generations to outstanding ancestors, especially when it comes to dam lines. Even the first travelers and importers of Arabian horses from the desert – such as the German Carl Raswan – noticed that Bedouins who did not use written pedigrees identify and distinguish their horses by dam lines. As we know, it was the mares, not stallions, that were the most valuable in the Bedouin herd. Surprisingly – the correctness of these methods is confirmed by modern genetic research on mitochondrial DNA, which shows that some of the characteristics of horses are passed on only by mares and over many generations. On the other hand, inbreeding to the same line contributes to the consolidation of some features carried by this line. Let us return here to the pedigree of Zeus E.A., who is inbred to Elizja, appearing in the pedigree of this stallion in the second generation on the mother’s side and in the fourth on the father’s side. Elizja herself – Belgian National Champion, the quintessence of the European saklavi type, being a combination of Egyptian, Spanish, Polish and Crabbet blood, was also the result of inbreeding – both her dam and sire were by the same stallion (Ibn Estasha – son of Estasha, a full sister to the legendary El Shaklan). Another mare whose line appears twice in the pedigree of Zeus E.A. is Warandes Hindia – a mare by the Egyptian Hindi, and representing the dam line of Biruta imported from Nowy Dwór, who was also a distant inbred – her sire and dam were both from the dam line of Sahara d.b imported from the desert by Count Juliusz Dzieduszycki.

Returning to the present – the more popular of the brothers – Excalibur E.A. – bought at the age of 3 by Princess Laetitia D’Arenberg of Uruguay, took European shows by storm in his first season. It is true that he started his career on the Cote d’Azur, in Menton, with “only” third place in class. However, he never again allowed to be defeated by winning shows in Strohen (Germany), West Coast Cup (Belgium) and at the All Nations Cup in Aachen (Germany), where he achieved the highest score in the history of ECAHO shows (95.33!). He then had “only” the European and World Championships, which of course he won as a beat favorite. Excalibur E.A. as a yearling had already won the title of US Champion, later adding victories in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to his achievements, being in the hands of new owner Al Saqran Stud (Kuwait). As Princess Leatitia from Uruguay emphasizes in her memoirs – Excalibur E.A. was not bought by her to win shows, the aim was to improve the type, head and neck and build at the princess’ stud – Las Rosas in Uruguay. The idea to lease the stallion to Europe and send him for demonstration training came later. As you can see, Excalibur E.A., the full older brother of Zeus E.A., lived up to all breeders’ expectations. Among his offspring, he has many international champions and champions, including World Reserve Champion Stallion Alexxanderr. In Poland, he also proved himself to be a great sire, siring Polish National Junior Gold Champion Colt in Janów Podlaski – the stallion El Valentino bred by Wojciech Parczewski, the mare Excalibria bred by Zalia Arabians – gold medalist of the shows in Kauber-Platte and Cracow, Al Khalediah European Arabian Horse Festival (A) Top Five, or the stallion Dexcalibur – fourth in class at the Polish National Show and currently used at the home stud of Petronius Arabians. The exceptionally beautiful one-year-old filly Ghezlan Al Owanah, originating from a breeding farm in Poland, and born in Kuwait out of the Polish mare Gallia, is also worth observing. The filly, which definitely caused the greatest stir last season in the Middle East, is the bay yearling MDS Hind, considered by many to be the most beautiful yearling filly in the world, recently purchased by Ajman Stud (UAE).

Zeus E.A., brought to Poland this year, popular among breeders because of his pedigree, but also good qualities passed onto his offspring – often a grey coat, a beautiful head and good movement. Daughters of Zeus E.A. are for example, mentioned at the beginning, the beautiful Diodora or Esperanza MS – silver medalist at the Spanish National Championships. Another daughter of Zeus E.A. from a Polish mating is Rose KAS, which took second place at the highly-entered national show in Qatar, and third at the title show – Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, in the same country. In turn, the son of Zeus, E.A. – the colt Wulkan E.A. was second at the French National Show in Vichy. He is also of Polish descent from his mother’s side (his grandmother is Michałów’s Wilda). As you can see – Zeus E.A. so far has proved to be the best on mares of Polish origin. This observation is also confirmed by the stallion’s breeder – Albert Sorroca, who summarizes the advantages of his pupil in this way – “Always when the name of Zeus EA comes to me nice memories come, too. I remember well when he was born, I saw immediately a special colt was on the ground. He grew like he is now, harmonious, balanced and refined. I think he is a perfect match, a great combination between Shanghai EA and Marwan Al Shaqab. His mother Essence of Marwan EA is a daughter of Elizja , who is the dam of the World Champion Stallion Khidar, too. His incredible pedigree is a great addition to any breeding program, adding his quality and refinement. Despite him being very young, he shows how he can produce as a sire. There is a lot of offspring in the world who won a lot of titles and trophies. Zeus, the God of Gods in Greek mythology, is called to be one of the most influential stallions in the world, following the steps of his father Shanghai EA and his full brother Excalibur EA. From a quality point of view Zeus EA owns the best features of his family: the refinement and exoticism like his father Shanghai EA and the power and stamina from his full brother Excalibur EA. Breeders know that Equus Arabians breeding program is based on Polish mares. For this reason I am sure the cross with Polish mares will produce great results.”

Therefore, a very interesting idea was put forward by Polska AKF stud, bringing Zeus E.A. to Poland in order to give him a chance to test himself on a larger number of mares. As the stud manager – Szymon Głowacki says: “I have always been interested in the stallion Shanghai E.A. and his offspring. I find the breeding program at Equus Arabians very interesting. That is why we found it interesting to lease the full brother of the second, after Shanghai E.A., most outstanding pupil of Equus Arabians – Excalibur E.A. We have been observing Zeus for a long time, and for some time we have been making efforts to bring this stallion to Poland, where he already has very successful offspring – incl. a great mare Diodora bred by Mr. Frejlich. I believe that this stallion is very suitable for Polish mares – he is practically alien in terms of pedigree, he can bring a lot of fresh blood to our breeding. We plan to breed a wide range of mares with very different pedigrees to Zeus. As for the offer for other breeders in Poland – I encourage you to use Zeus E.A. because of the interesting pedigree and good offspring that were already born in our country ”.

The above-mentioned criteria for Zeus E.A. were taken into consideration by two breeders who have obtained the best offspring from this stallion in Poland so far – Petroniusz Frejlich, breeder of the above-mentioned Diodora, and Dawid Borowiec from Koronowo Arabian Stud.
“I once used the sire of Zeus in my breeding – the stallion Shanghai E.A. and I was very pleased with the result} – recalls Petroniusz Frejlich. “He sired a filly, which is now a very good dam of foals. Therefore, I decided to take advantage of a very good offer to buy more breedings to Zeus E.A. The outstanding Diodora comes from the first year. I will certainly use this stallion also in the following seasons, since he is available in Poland. “

“Zeus is a full brother to the famous Excalibur, but, in my opinion, he has not been used as wide in breeding, also in Poland,” says Dawid Borowiec, who bought a large number of breedings to Zeus E.A. “I believe that Zeus can give as good offspring as his famous brother, if used on more valuable mares. I myself bred some very good daughters – incl. Rose KAS sold as a one-year-old filly to Qatar. She performed at three shows in this country and was always in the top five, once she won a class and once was second in class, at a title show attended by yearling fillies from many countries around the world, Rose KAS was third. I will certainly use Zeus, among others, on very good mares with Michałów pedigrees,” summed up Dawid Borowiec.

According to Polska AKF, the breeding price will still be attractive and will be announced at the beginning of the breeding season. Zeus E.A. is CA and SCID clear.

Polish-bred horses traditionally appeared in large numbers in the German town of Ströhen during the last weekend. For several years, apart from the international B show, the organizers have also been organizing a lower-rank international C show, limited to horses born in Europe, in order to eliminate competition from Middle Eastern studs, which send their horses in large numbers to train and show on our continent.

In the higher ranked, more internationally entered competition (Dubai Stud and Ajman Stud were among some of the winners), we can find two Polish accents in the championships. The silver in the junior mares was won by Nouf Al Faisaly by Cyclone OS out of the Polish-bred Eleanor MJ by Empire, bred (like her dam) by Mateusz Leniewicz-Jaworski. Currently, the filly is owned by Al Faisaly Stud from Saudi Arabia. Whereas in the senior mare classes, qualifying from first place in class for the finals, the silver medal went to Paprotnia (Elgast – Paeksa by Ekstern) of Lech Błaszczyk.

In the B show classes we also saw good performances of the representatives of Zalia Arabians – Exfaria Zalia (RFI Farid – Excalibria by Excalibur EA) took third place in the yearling fillies class, scoring the same as the second AJ Esra (AJ Portofino – Eralda by Emerald J) but with less for type. Similarly third, but in the two-year-old fillies class, was Evetta (RFI Farid – Evolett by Ajman Moniscione). This class was won by Esola (Wadee Al Shaqab – Effie by Shanghai E.A.), bred by Paweł Redestowicz, owned by Gabriela Thiry. The top five in this class also included Etiwa of Sinus by Wadee Al Shaqab, a Swedish-bred filly, but out of Janów’s Etira by Eden C, representing the Polish stud Polia Arabians. In turn Esterna (Ekstern – Escuela by Pesal), owned by the same stud and also bred by the Swedes from Sinus Arabian Stud, took second place in the class of the senior mares.

In the C ranked show, only Pireno from StanRed Arabians took home a medal – he was the winner of the senior stallion class (the only one held) and automatically chosen champion, ahead of his competitor Karasamov SGE of purely Russian origin. In the top five of the classes we could see other representatives of StanRed Arabians – Perłowa Dama (Orlando – Planica by QR Marc), third in the yearling fillies competition, and in the 2-year-old class her stablemate, El Prima (Wadee Al Shaqab – Elethia KA by QR Mar), who won before two competitors of Polish breeding and ownership (Regina Arabians) – Amaranda RA (Morion – Alina PS by WH Justice), who placed fourth and Arctica RA (SA Faez Simbad – Hallure H by Jullyen El Jamaal), who placed fifth. In the senior mares class of the C show, the Janów-bred Wołogda (Ekstern – Wanilia by Alegro), representing Suweco Stud from the Czech Republic, took third place.

Among horses of Polish origin in the B-class show, the following also placed in the top five of their classes: Shakara out of Białka’s Euskara by Ararat (fourth among 7-9-year-old mares, bred by Agmal Arabians, owned by NJ Arabians), while in the C-class show Elwa of Sinus (out of Michałów’s Edorella by Eden C) from Sweden took second place in her class and won the bronze in the junior mares category.

Summing up the amount of entries of both shows, it is a good thing that Polish horses go abroad, comparing themselves to horses of similar quality from other countries, and mark their presence in the championships, while competing with the largest studs in the world. On the other hand, it is a bit sad that there were not too many horses in the classes during both shows (despite the entries, many horses did not arrive). While this can be understood in the case of such strong shows as Menton or Paris, where we do not see other participants in given classes “fearing” the triple crowned winners, in B class shows, especially those intended for horses of European origin, one would like to see classes greater than four or five horses, not only in terms of yearlings. We wish this to all show organizers this season!

Janów 2007: Poland still leading Arabian horse breeding

Polish and foreign guest saw the number of 160 Pure bred horses entered to 2007 Polish Nationals and they left the record total of over 2,5 millions Euro paid for 42 out of 51 horses put on the XXXIX Polish Arabian horse sale’s list at Janów Podlaski.

During XXXIX Sale for Arabian horses the buyers from 10 different countries spent over 2,5 millions Euros (2.541,900) for 33 out of 35 horses from the main list and 9 out of 16 put on Silent Sale. The highest sold horse was bought by Shirley Watts by 300 000 euro. It was four years old bay Pieta (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar) bred by Janów Podlaski, being in foal to Ganges, full sister to 2005 Polish National Junior Champion Filly – Pinga and half sister to 2007 Polish National Reserve Champion Filly – Pinta. Total of 1 million Euro exceeded when she was sold. 

Most of the horses sold at 2007 Pride of Poland Sale will go to Belgium (7) however it is unofficially said that some of them will finally find their new home in the Middle East. 6 horses were purchased by Dubai including one of the sale’s favorites – Errara by Monogramm for 165 000 Euro. Also 6 horses (but not for so astronomical amount that in 2006) will be exported to Australia. Only two horses offered on the main auction were not sold. One of them was the first Arabian sport horse offered on Polish sale ever – the incredible showjumping mare Niniwa – twice European Sport Champion in 2006 and 2007. She didn’t reach the reserve price however her breeders and owners don’t seem to be disappointed having the first European Sport Champion of Polish breeding as a broodmare at their St. Roch Arabian Stud.

Polish breeders were less effective this year in buying horses. Some of them were bidding as Sowiniec Stud owners on Altona (finally sold for 180 000) some others bid for Wiaźma and Laverna but only one mare was successfully sold in Poland. Beautiful Eldon’s daughter Firosetta bred by Białka Stud and owned by priest Stanisław Sławiński of Czeple Arabians has been an excellent broodmare bred to Ekstern 3 times with great results of colt Faronn – placed second at Junior Spring Show in Białka and Figurantka that competed at some foreign shows. The mare was offered for sale with another nice 2007 colt Fascyt by Ekstern and being in foal to Ekstern again for next season. She was finally bought for 53 000 Euro by one of Polish private breeders having the stud just close to Janów Podlaski.

The breeders meeting at Janów Podlaski is also a chance to purchase a horses outside or after the sale. Stallion Pereldon that was not sold during Silent Sale as well as his stablemate Alpar will leave Poland amongst of others and one of the favorites at 2007 Polish National Stallion Championships – Milord Al Shaqab from Minnesota Arabians will join his previous stablemate Migrant sold to Canary Islands. And the future of Etnodrons Psyche is still being negotiated.

The prices for Polish Arabian horses are one of the highest in the world but the breeders from all over this world are still coming to spend huge money at small Polish village on Belarussian border. Even if Poland is geographically far away placed from the Arabian horse roots in the Middle East – this country is certainly blessed with great luck for breeding the desert horses still, offering the special impressions of being in very exotic scenery of East European village hidden peacefully in beautiful Podlasie region in Poland.

Results
(prices in EUR)

Pride of Poland 2007
(33 mares, 2 stallions)

Pieta 300 thousand, GB
Zulejka 205 thousand, Belgium
Altona 180 thousand, Belgium
Errara 165 thousand, Dubai (UAE)
Faustyna 150 thousand, Belgium
Laverna 140 thousand, Dubai (UAE)
Siklawa 100 thousand, Qatar
Pralina 85 thousand, Dubai (UAE)
Złota Wieża 85 thousand, Belgium
Elenita 80 thousand, Qatar
Wiaźma 80 thousand, Belgium
Worskla 80 thousand, Qatar
Polenta 75 thousand, Belgium
Prudencja 70 thousand, UAE
Eolida 60 thousand, Dubai (UAE)
Epifania 60 thousand, Canary Islands (Spain)
Firosetta 53 thousand, Poland
Ekonomika 50 thousand, Dubai (UAE)
Eusala 50 thousand, Qatar
Belladona 45 thousand, France
Bajonna 44 thousand, Australia
Greta 40 thousand, Belgium
Melonia 46 thousand, Australia
Bogini 30 thousand, France
Wanilia 27 thousand, Australia
Celta 25 thousand, USA
Emisana 23 thousand, South Africa
Pianella 22 thousand, Australia
Eumenida 18 thousand, France
Fula 14 thousand, South Africa
Salina 12 thousand, USA

Eukariont 42 thousand, Australia
Major 15 thousand, Australia

Silent Sale 2007
(13 offered mares, 3 stallions)

Enkora 25 thousand, Canary Islands (Spain)
Formosa 20 thousand, Canary Islands (Spain)
Elżbietka 9,9 thousand, Australia
Złota Brama 7,3 thousand, South Africa
Doris Day 5 thousand, Poland
Esina 5 thousand, South Africa
Estelia 5 thousand, Switzerland
Fidżi 5 thousand, Ireland
Pembina 5 thousand, South Africa
Esperada sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to France
Wina sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to GB

Epicentrum 8,7 thousand, Canary Islands (Spain)
Pereldon sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to France

You can read the whole article “Janów 2007: Poland still leading Arabian horse breeding” here

Today an entitled stallion – AS Sinans Pacha, World Reserve Champion, Israeli National Champion, Belgian National Reserve Champion and Most Classic Head, arrived to Poland. Impressive are also the trophies gained by his ancestors, siblings and offsprings at the most important shows of the world. AS Sinans Pacha’s pedigree is being considered as a very successful cross of straight Egyptian with Polish and Russian bloods. Straight Egyptian side of his pedigree is represented by his sire Ansata Sinan, World Reserve Champion, Egyptian Event Europe Champion and European Champion. His dam is Saskia RJ – World Champion Mare, European and Belgian National Champion, combining the blood of Plakat (again World Champion, European and All Nations Cup Champion Stallion) and Polish damline of Sahara db. Saskia, besides AS Sinans Pacha, was also a dam of such famous horses as AS Natsir Apal (All Nations Cup Champion, European Reserve Champion, sire of SA Micha Apal – World Champion and All Nations Cup Champion Mare, or FS Cayenne – champion of international shows in Wels, Vilhelmsborg and Frankfurt).

Both FS Cayenne and AS Natsir Apal belong to Ajman Stud in Dubai. Its owner – HRH Prince of Ajman Sh. Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi seems to be a collector of AS Sinans Pacha family. He also owns a famous son of AS Sinans Pacha – World Champion, All Nations Cup Champion, Las Vegas, Dubai and Qatar Champion Stallion Escape Ibn Navarrone-D (out of Navarrone-P). Besides Escape Ibn Navarrone, AS Sinans Pacha has also other entitled offsprings on his account including A Sharif Pacha (Israeli National Champion and World Championships class winner), French National Champion Mare Valmira Al Raix, Belgian National Champion Mare Billy Jean and three Norwegian National Champions. During last World Championships A Sharif Pacha and SMA Magic One (by Psytadel out of AS Sinans Pacha daughter) went Top Ten. In Poland the sire line of Pacha was well proven at Chrcynno-Palace Stud with the only Polish-bred daughter of Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D (by Ansata Sinan) Echo Aurora who was 2011 Polish National Reserve Champion Filly.

Big expectations for Pacha use in Poland has its leaser Gregor Pintar (Arabians Pintar, Slovenia). Thanks to his willing and consequence the current owner of the stallion, Nordlys Araber, decided on leasing him from Norway. Not being a EU country there are some customs restrictions for entering horses to the UE from Norway for a longer period of time. „Pacha is not only entitled himself but has also entitled offsprings. I love his pedigree so when I found out that his lease was possible the decision was made quickly”, says Gregor Pintar. „Despite he is World Reserve Champion he was not widely advertised worldwide recently so when I spoke to some breeders during the last World Championships I even faced people surprised that he is available in Europe. Many of the breeders thought that he must be somewhere on the Middle East since long time ago”.

Nette Elise Badal, the owner of Nordlys Araber, where AS Sinans Pacha spent most of his life, underlines the features the stallion stamps on his offsprings. She mentions the dryness of tissue and refinement of heads (characteristic for Egyptian lines of Ansata Sinan). AS Sinans Pacha foals are usually long legged and great movers by their sire as well as good from the character – Pacha had not only competed in hand, he is also ridden and taken care even by teenager kids of the owner. In the evening before the stallion’s departure Nette admitted that it’s difficult for her to sent Pacha away for so long.

Combination of AS Sinans Pacha with Psytadel blood produced 2011 International Champion Colt in Zottegem and second in class at the All Nations Cup – SMA Magic One. It also raised up interest in Pacha in Belgium and probably Belgian breeders will have a chance to meet the sire himself too. Asked for the nearest plans for the two years long lease of AS Sinans Pacha, Gregor Pintar explains: „First of all we want to cover a big group of our own mares but we want also to give an opportunity to other European breeders to have foals by this magnificent stallion”. This is why the first, prestigious stop for the stallion is Poland (Mała Wieś Stud of Glowacki family). Later the stallion will cover mares of his Slovenian leaser who will be offering the fresh semen all over Europe. Frozen semen of AS Sinans Pacha is already available in two breeding centers – in Germany and Belgium. In the second part of the year the stallion will probably visit one of famous Belgian training centers and maybe we see him at few international shows. „I think this will be enough for 2012 season. Every stallion, especially such a great one, deserves some rest on a huge pastures amongst his mares”, Gregor Pintar resumes.

Arabian horse breeding in Poland is not only a men’s thing. Women breeders made their tributes for the breeding as much as men although this task is usually more difficult for them to handle. How to combine every day’s duties with managing several horses stud farm, taking care of foals, planning successful crosses? Is it at all possible? Polish women breeders do handle it, but each of them differently as each of them is different – from their experience, education, geographical origin. But all of them share the same passion. We introduce beautiful and talented young Polish women breeders.

Arabians from the palace

ALICJA POSZEPCZYŃSKA together with her parents, Ewa and Krzysztof, is the establisher of Warsaw area located Chrcynno-Palace stud. Its successes made it one of the most recognizable private Polish farms abroad. The charming manor is located around 19th century palace designed by Henryk Marconi, the same who designed the famous Janów Podlaski State Stud barns. Alicja dedicates her whole life to horses and she is well prepared to this task being Animal Science faculty graduated.

“I don’t treat horses as a hobby since very long time”, she says. “It is my profession that I dedicate 365 days a year to. So there are no holidays. Horses wouldn’t understand it, for them every day is the same – I can’t explain them that there are holidays! It happened sometimes to cancel a theater or party attending in the last moment because of colic. Sometimes it may be even few hours when I’m away that a horse breaks a fence, hit a door, jump out the maneige or escape with a line during lounging. As we say in Poland: eye of an owner feeds a horse.”

But not only is the owner’s presence important. It is also intuition thanks to which, in Alicja’s opinion, women are good breeders: “If the knowledge on horses, their conformation and pedigrees is supported by intuition, ability to predict the effects of mating – the results of breeding should be good”, she declares. “I very often face the opinion that for a successful breeding the most important thing – besides money – is luck. Funny is that this thesis is always being told by men. I don’t agree on that definitely – of course you need luck but you cannot explain all your faults with a lack of luck! First of all you need to correctly choose a stallion for the mare predicting the effect, then carefully raise the foal with not only proper care and feeding but also exercises, training and taking care of its psychical health. All these conditions affect the eventual success or its lack – good luck is just one of them.”

Thanks to such plan Chrcynno-Palace stud is successful internationally. As Alicja confirms, her biggest success is breeding year by year as follows: Psyche Victoria (A-shows champion, Polish National Bronze Champion, twice World Top Ten), Chaos Persefona (A-shows champion), Psyche Kreuza (Best in Show at Junior Spring Show, Silver at Polish Nationals, European Top Five, twice World Top Ten), and then in 2010 Echo Aurora (bronze medal winner of „ARABIA-Polska” Arabian Horse Festival, Polish National Silver Champion). This year, in November, during the European Championships in Verona, Chaos Persefona and Psyche Kreuza both won their classes and then the Top Five titles! This way Chrcynno-Palace Stud made another step in the history of Polish private breeding. In the meantime Alicja had such horses as: Pallas-Atena, Galahad, Ganga, Gaja Selene, Echo Apollo, Echo Adonis, Psyche Ares, Psyche Kybele – all of them champion entitled or class winners. What more the talented and entitled breeder, a professional in both education and practice can dream of? As many other breeders she dreams of the highest trophies in the world. “This is why for me the most important is to keep the highest level of my breeding”, she concludes. “For sure it will be very difficult but until it’s possible I will try to make it.”

From photography to the Monogramms

One of Polish youngest stud farms is Zalia Arabians located near Łódź in central Poland. Her establisher KATARZYNA DOLIŃSKA is and was a passionate – first as equestrian rider, then equine photographer and finally as a breeder of Arabian horses. And what horses! Although the stud was established just few years ago it has some of most carefully selected and full of bloodlines variety collection of horses. “Until this year we owned the biggest number of privately owned Monogramm daughters in Poland. Our horses find new homes very quickly in many different countries as Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Iran or Norway”, Katarzyna recalls talking about her biggest successes until now. “One of our best home bred horses, colt Primero Marc (QR Marc – Poruta/Monogramm) as the first Polish bred and owned stallion went for lease to Brazil where he is going to compete at shows and be used in breeding as chief sire in Haras Engenho.”

Looking at the dynamic development of this young and relatively small (only several broodmares) stud it’s hard to believe that it all began from photography. “First of all, my biggest satisfaction is being with these wonderful animals”, Katarzyna says. “I like to watch their proud movements with swan necks, seeming not to touch the ground with their foot. Arabian horse photography I learned from my friend Liliana Dembska, long time equine photographer. As time was passing my photos were improving and other breeders started to ask me for photo shootings. It was and still is a big satisfaction to catch Arabian horse beauty in a moment. Whenever I have time and weather is good enough I meet my horses with camera and the results you can often see on my stud’s website.”

The passion for photography is certainly useful in the own horses promotion. But horses had also a big influence on Katarzyna’s private life – thanks to them she met her just married husband Robert and now they not only run the breeding together, but also share their dreams: “We share our passion and love for Arabian horses”, Kasia says. “Robert is also a show trainer and handler of our horses. And the dreams? I would like to have a bigger farm to develop my breeding. Surely the dream of every breeder is to breed good quality and achieve high trophies on shows or races. I think you need persistence and humility and the success will come.”

She looks good with black

Hidden amongst the pine forests of central Poland is another Arabian horse farm. It’s focused on black breeding. The idea maker and idea producer of this unique project is ALICJA MARTA NAPIÓRA – graduated and professional pharmacist who continues her long time family tradition in this business. Privately she is the mother of few years old son Konrad and establisher of Silvatica Black Arabians. Almost all horses here, besides their beauty and performance abilities, are of this rare beautiful color. It is one of the reasons why Silvatica Black Arabians is one of the most often visited studs in Poland, that often also ends up with horse purchases or new friendships.

“Happiness and joy from my breeding comes with the people visiting my farm who like my horses”, Marta underlines. “And when, after buying one horse, they come for another one, satisfied with the look, great movements, beautiful black color and good character. I would lie saying I don’t enjoy the success of showing my horses, it builds you up and motivates for further breeding and makes you sure that the breeding program you have chosen is right”.

What is Marta’s biggest success? As she confirms – the trophies taken at shows by her black horses, as we know it is especially difficult to judge the black color sometimes. It is not so easy to breed good quality horses being limited to just one color. However her home bred colt Rascal (BS Black Fable – Ravenwood Nejma) was entitled as Reserve Champion at St Petersburg Open. To her personal successes Marta also includes the discovery and purchase of a Marwan Al Shaqab daughter Marjjana VA who was very successful in 2009, being Best in Show in Exloo (Netherlands) and Silver Medal winner in Vilhelmsborg (Denmark). That great show season ended up with All Nations Cup 2nd place in class with the same score as the class winner.

How Marta is able to combine duties of a young boy mother, a pharmacy owner involved in big family investments and also being a breeder? The key to success is, in her opinion, a good team of co-workers: “I think that if you work with people who share your passion and love for Arabian horses, who help and support your decisions, you are able to combine everything. Of course life is twisted sometimes but following the plan – either in breeding or in private life – you can reach the success. I think every breeder dreams of breeding World Champion and of course this is also my dream… and as we all know, dreams are for having fun of reaching it.”

A surgeon in the stable

In the opinion of another talented young Polish woman breeder the key to fulfill breeders’ dreams – either men or women is a good cooperation with other people. KATARZYNA OSTROWSKA, living in north Poland, is one of the busiest women breeders in Poland. Surgeon graduated and from her profession; from the passion – recognized artist and the owner of one of the most beautiful, 19th century barns locating St Roch Arabians stud, specialized in sport Arabian horses breeding. Asked if the sex of a breeder matters she answers: “Since many years at Polish State Studs breeding decisions are the result of men and women cooperation. In Michałów the director is Jerzy Białobok but the breeder Mrs. Białobok. In Janów Podlaski we have Dr. Marek Trela as director and Mrs. Anna Stefaniuk as main breeder, the same in former state stud Kurozwęki where the director was Władysław Guziuk with the main breeder Mrs. Teresa Dobrowolska. So maybe I answer in twisted way saying that men and women complement one another in breeding. Looking back at the history of horse breeding there are a lot of both men and women names – to mention the great visionary Ignacy Jaworowski who introduced Monogramm in Polish breeding; the legendary Andrzej Krzyształowicz – breeder of

Pilarka, Etruria and many more to win the highest trophies; Roman Pankiewicz – breeder of Bask who «changed the US breeding» making new standards of the breed there, but also we can’t forget Lady Wentworth who used and promoted the legendary Skowronek; Anna Bąkowska who bred the wonderful Bałałajka without which we wouldn’t have Bandola, «the Queen of Janów» or Bask; Teresa Raciborska, the breeder of Amurath Sahib; Marieta Salas, Lenita Perroy, Patricia Lindsay, Sheila Varian and Shirley Watts. I think the sex doesn’t matter but vision, ability of observing, intuition, luck, dreams and faith in your assumptions.”

All our women breeders interviewed confirmed that besides luck, knowledge and intuition either in horse breeding or any other activity the love for your job matters. Katarzyna Ostrowska

underlines also that fulfilling your plans, also breeding ones, needs a discipline and ability to separate your different life fields from each other: “I think all of us lack the time. Implementation of our plans and intentions requires discipline and consequence. I have a simple rule – I never bring the hospital to my barns and the barns to the hospital or my art studio. In a moment I focus on only one task and try to do my best. Dividing the life between home, farm, hospital and art studio is not easy, it needs determination and efforts.”

So does the effort orientated into few such different activities leaves some space for satisfaction? For Katarzyna Ostrowska the satisfaction is the rare in Poland focus of her breeding program – sport one. “There are no simple solutions in breeding”, she explains. “It makes the search for interesting mating and not popular, risky breeding decisions so fascinating.”

Horses that made her St Roch Arabians farm recognizable not only in Poland but also internationally are: Niniwa, Zarina, Corina-Corina and Chagall. The most famous and most entitled is Niniwa (Etogram – Niwa by Eukaliptus), twice European Champion in Arabian showjumping, who opened the doors for Arabian horse performance in Poland. She was appreciated by the breeders from Poland and abroad. Director Marek Trela includes her into 3 unique Arabian horses in Poland next to Pianissima and Sambor; trainer Roy Rich describes her as one of the best jumping Arabian horses in the world. Zarina (Ostragon – Zgadula by Fawor) won all her races in first season and in the next one she took part in most important stakes. Corina-Corina (Dębowiec – Cuma by Eukaliptus) and her son Chagall (by Poganin) prove that Katarzyna’s breeding program includes not only performance abilities but also beauty of an Arabian horse. Corina-Corina as a yearling was 4th in class at Polish Nationals 2001. At that time it was the best result of Polish private bred horse at Polish Nationals. Chagall was 2nd in class of 3 year old colts at 2010 Polish National Show. Plans for the future? Maintaining such a stable and such a team, who, despite amounts close to 40 horses, determine a system in which each horse is treated individually with due attention, which allows to explore and develop its talents. The success already reached is running the breeding for 14 years, following own thoughts no matter what fashion is and not falling into a fast success hunger.

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The organizers of the first International ECAHO B-show “Prague Intercup” to be held in the heart of the beautiful historical city of Praga would kindly inform and remind about the closing date of entries soon on 5th August 2010. The show itself will take place at the beautiful island Cisarsky Ostrov on the Vltava River just 10 minutes from the historical Old Town. The showground will be located close to the biggest Prague’s park Stromovka inside the modern indoor riding hall. The show will start on Saturday 4th September with Czech National Championships and the International classes will start the same day in the afternoon being judged by: Christiane Chazel (FR), Ann Norden (SE), Francesco Santoro (IT) and Peter Gamlin (UK). The organizers provide the spectators with VIP service, parking and entertaining programme with the Charity Gala on Saturday evening. About 80 horses from all around Europe are expected including a big group from the neighbouring Poland.

More informations about the show can be found on: www.achpak.cz/pragueintercup and the “Prague Intercup Preview” article in the July issue of “Tutto Arabi” magazine.

The Arabian Breeders World Cup was held from 15th to 18th April in Las Vegas, NE for the fourth time. Poland was represented only by Janów-bred Pinga (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), leased by Frank & Frank Partners, a company created by Frank Hennessey from Hennesssey Arabians and Frank Chisholm from Palmetto Arabians. Pinga went second in her class (6–8-year-old mares) and she won the Top Ten Senior Mares title. The main prize of the show, Arabian Breeders Cup, was taken by Janinie Merz, the owner of Om El Arab International stud. Three Gold Medals went to Ajman Stud.

Urszula Łęczycka was observing the show and then she shared her impressions with polskiearaby.pl:

Las Vegas is a very interesting, and, until now, probably the only event that combines the European type of show or the Middle Eastern one with American reality. And, in my opinion, this experiment is a very successful one because we have horses from the US, but also from Europe and Arab countries that are being graded by judges mostly from outside the US, using methods from ECAHO shows. The show is being held in the United States, which definitely reflects its character and organization. The event impresses by its professionalism and a really American momentum. Its localization – practically in the central part of the world biggest entertainment park – is absolutely unique. The arena is placed in the ground floor of an enormous, luxurious hotel, which seems a city itself. In order to get inside the lobby you have to go through a huge casino, surrounded by a dozen restaurants. The hotel has its own shops, cinema, spa, and it is big enough to accommodate all show participants and audience – so it must be the only show that can be reached by… a lift.

A big choice of bars and restaurants in the hotel lobby create favorable conditions for meetings after the show. Without any doubt, it is a huge advantage of this place. The hotel itself is located somehow aside the city centre, Las Vegas Boulevard, which enables placing a stable and parking even the biggest horse carriages comfortably. Next year it will be the fifth anniversary of the event and it is already well-known among the Las Vegas citizens (apart from ABWC rodeo and Lipizzaner horses shows are being held here).

Admission for the audience (no matter whether the spectators stayed in the hotel or not) is free of charge (apart from VIP area). After entering the show part we had to pass through a decent-sized fair and exhibition area where horse equipment, jewelry and clothes were offered, which attracted the visitors. Although the VIP area was always filled with guests from the whole world, this year a larger amount of visitors was seen at free stands – which is a good omen for the future of the event. There was a nice atmosphere (just like at the Aachen show) as the VIP area was situated just beneath the free stands. Everyone could chat freely without the presence of impolite security guards who chase spectators away from celebrity zone. Unfortunately this occurs at some European shows.

The amount of horses seems to rise each year. This time the organizers has given the spectators and judges a real marathon – over 200 horses appeared. They were graded from Thursday till Sunday, from 9 AM till evening hours (the classes ended at 6–8 PM). According to certain observers, in case of this amount of horses and classes (apart from ‘ordinary’ championship classes, geldings -, amateur presenters-, futurity-, and liberty classes were presented) the event shall last more time in order not to force the audience and judges to over ten hour long marathon during four days. However, it was one of the best organized shows that I was able to watch – a six-point judging is, in my opinion, a big advantage because it gives judges a free hand while horses conformation is being graded. Eliminating extremely high and extremely low notes was controversial for some of the participants (it must be painful when a horse receives one outstanding note which, unfortunately, is not included in the final note). I like this method because in some cases too high or too low notes are eliminated – however, in my opinion, judges did a very good job, despite some mistakes (which, after all, occur during almost every show), especially in very first classes that are being graded. The jury (Debby Cain and Corky Sutton from the US, Murilo Kammer from Brasil, Peter Pond from Australia, Marianne Tengstedt from Denmark and Marie-Louise Van Wyk from RSA) soon became agreeable, and in my opinion, most horses received such grades that they deserved. A real pleasure – and a real challenge for judges – was a Senior Mares Championship, as twelve prominent mares performed. There were Eagleridge Passionata (Sanadik El Shaklan – River Oak Dimity/Arjai Summitt), bred by Eagleridge Arabian Farm, owned by Ajman Stud (with Frank Spoenle), Gloria Apal (Psytadel – SA Misha Apal/AS Natsir-Apal), bred by Swatam Arabians (with Bob Boggs), a fantastically-built Negma Al Shaqab (Safir – Kajora/Kaborr), bred by Al Shaqab Stud, a half sister of Gazal Al Shaqab – with Michael Byatt), an interesting and very correct Om El Beladeena (Al Lahab – Om El Benedict/Sanadik El Shaklan) from Om El Arab International, or, finally our Polish Pinga, whose quality was also excellent, however, she wasn’t a favorite among all these well-known rivals.

There were no surprises in the championships – the Ajman Stud’s domination at the show was being predicted from the beginning. Indeed, the stud won three out of six gold medals. We have to admit though that this year Ajman Stud has brought really excellent horses which were very well-shown by the best handlers and they deserved those titles. The performance given by a sure favorite for the Senior Stallion Championship title, Escape Ibn Navarrone-D (AS Sinans Pacha – Navarrone P/El Khadir P), bred by Dion Arabians, was excellent. Although he is not my favorite stallion, he was definitely the most ‘European’ one in his group, he looked great and he moved in an excellent way, shown by Frank Spoenle, who was all out in order to present his charge in the best way. No wonder – his owner who normally doesn’t make the stallion available to foreign breeders, was offering during the show breedings for a very attractive price, on condition that the contract and a credit card number was given back to the manager before finishing the event.

In the end I would like to make one different, but important remark. I would like to have a big hand for Kristof Heymans, who chose the music! The show had an excellent musical setting, which was especially useful when it was necessary to raise the audience’s spirits. Somebody in the VIP section had even the idea to publish an after-show CD ‘The Best Of…’

Results

Yearling fillies championship

Gold medal
RD Marciena (QR Marc – NW Siena Psyche/Padrons Psyche), br. Murray & Shirley Popplewell, USA
Silver medal
Kharalisa BPA (Khadraj NA – Rhapsody In Gold/Twinfir Extragold), br. BP Arabians, USA
Bronze medal
Bettina MP (WH Justice – Om El Belinda Estopa/Om El Shahmaan), br/o. Jon & Mindy Peters, USA

Yearling colts championship

Gold medal
Cavalli (DA Valentino – Aspyn/Padrons Psyche), br. Robert D. & Sally J. Poling, USA
Silver medal
Faconnable (Marwan Al Shaqab – Francescaa/Besson Carol), br. Fran & Gene Haskin & Michael Byatt, USA
Bronze medal
SW Abraxas (Ever After NA – Midnight Pashahn/Magnum Psyche), br. Greg & Veronica Cowdrey, USA

Junior Mares Championship

Gold medal
Felicia RLC (Shael Dream Desert – Camelia K/Donatello K), br. Haras das Paineiras, Brazil, o. Ajman Stud
Silver medal
RD Challs Angel (Magnum Chall HVP – Bey Angel TGS/Shahllenger), br. Wind Dancer Farms, USA
Brązowy medal
Om El Excella (Al Lahab – Om El Bint Shaina/Sharem El Sheikh), br. Om El Arab International, USA

Junior Stallions Championship

Gold medal
El Chall WR (Magnum Chall HVP – Major Love Affair/DS Major Afire), br. Donald Camacho Jr, USA
Silver medal
OFW Magic Wan (Marwan Al Shaqab – Magna Prelude/Magnum Psyche), br. Harold & Dolly Orr, USA
Bronze medal
Troubadour PA (Magnum Chall HVP – Psyches Secret/Padron Psyche), br. Pegasus Arabians Inc., USA

Senior Mares Championship

Gold medal
Eagleridge Passionata (Sanadik El Shaklan – River Oak Dimity/Arjai Summitt), br. Eagleridge Arabian Farm, o. Ajman Stud
Silver medal
Negma Al Shaqab (Safir – Kajora/Kaborr), br. Al Shaqab Stud
Bronze medal
Gloria Apal (Psytadel – SA Misha Apal/AS Natsir-Apal), br. Swatam Arabians, Belgium

Senior Stallions Championship

Gold medal
Escape Ibn Navarrone-D (AS Sinans Pacha – Navarrone P/El Khadir P), br. Dion Arabians, Belgium, o. Ajman Stud
Silver medal
Art Dekko TT (Audacious PS – HC Amareea/Echo Magnifficoo), br. Dale L. & Gloria E. Hotchkiss, USA
Bronze medal
Ever After NA (Sir Fames HBV – Entaicyng NA/Aicyng), br. Robert L. & Dixie L. North, USA

The clock timer placed on European Championships official website measures every second to the opening of the second autumn title show. Just few days and several ours left to the battle of some best horses competing for European Champion titles. Some, because the show is open for the horses registered at-birth in the stud book of European countries only. This eliminates some of big favorites from the previous shows of the season, especially those bred in the US that do very well on European and Middle Eastern showgrounds.

This year the list of competitors and winners of EC should be especially interesting. Usually the All Nations Cup held in September shows the favorites of two other European title shows (European and World Championships) who may only replace each other eventually till the end of the season. But this year was very special and lucky for non-European bred horses – half out of eight champions and reserves (including 3 champions!) were born outside Europe. This time they will not compete as well as many class winners and high placed horses of All Nations Cup. Looking for more favorable competition breeders are more confident in entering their horses to EC – also Polish ones. Besides the similar team from the State Stud as before a big group of Polish private owned horses is going to compete. Will the new, foreign trainer bring more luck to Melody and Lord Bey Shah (2008 Polish National Jr. Champion Stallion) from Minnesota Arabians and WH Justice’s progeny bred by Falborek Arabians (Wasa, Sotika)? The proven couple will be sent from the stud of Paweł and Stanisław Redestowicz, the highest scored Polish private bred and owned horse at 2008 All Nations Cup – Etnodrons Psyche with Piotr Stańczuk on the lead. There are also the following horses to appear in Moorsele this time: Espinezja (Top Five Jr. Mares Verona) and Eksterna (2008 Polish National Jr. Champion Mare) from Falborek Arabians, Jr. Champion Mare of the Autumn C-show at Janów Podlaski – Pasterna by Lech Błaszczyk, Bresilia by Wojciech Parczewski, Egzyna and Echo Ofira (Jr. Champion Stallion at Int. C-show in St. Petersburg) by Janusz Ryżkowski and Panicz (Jr. Champion Stallion at: Balatonlelle/Hungary, Baden/Austria and Autumn C-show at Janów Podlaski) by Monika Luft. Despite some hopes the young Ekstern daughter Psyche Victoria, in training at Johanna Ullström, will not compete. Will Polish horses have more luck while such horses as: FS Magnum’s Madonna, Venetzia, Om El Bernadette, PS Rose of Marwan, Baanderos, Marajj, Marwan Al Shaqab or Imperial Baarez will not come to the show? It seems to be quite difficult at junior classes as most of best young horses of the season were European-bred and they will most probably appear in Moorsele again. The attendance of All Nat. Cup Reserve Champion Filly – Abha Palma was officially confirmed; probably the owner of Junior Champion Stallion Ali Moniscione – Giancarlo Buzzi, would like to repeat the success. The good scores can be expected for Polish elder mares – there is probably no one having doubts who is the biggest favorite to the European Sr. Champion Mare trophy… The scores as high or even better should be given to Michałów-bred and owned Ejrene, Pistoria, Norma and Emesa if they all will come to Moorsele. Without their strongest rivals from Aachen also Białka-bred mares: Herlina and Emika could be very promising as well as Polish National Champion Poganin, whose result seemed to be under the expectations at All Nations Cup this year.

The show starts on Saturday. Besides halter classes the horses will compete for the titles of International Champion Riding Class in the categories of mares, stallions and geldings and liberty. Also Top Fives will be elected. Halter classes to be judged by: Ann Norden (Sweden), Christiane Chazel (France), Francesco Santoro (Italy), Titti Gagliani (Italy), Jaroslav Lacina (Czech Republic), Joanne Lowe (Great Britain) and Koenraad Detailleur (Belgium), and ridden classes by: Joanne Lowe (Great Britain), C.J.W. Modderman (the Netherlands) and Francis Atkinson (Great Britain).