Among the numerous group of youngsters of Polish breeding (7 yearling fillies, 5 two year old fillies, 2 three year old fillies, one yearling colt and 2 two year olds), which performed during the first day of the 31st All Nations Cup in Aachen, the most successful was the Białka bred Perfinka (Esparto – Perfirka/Gazal Al Shaqab), currently leased by Al Muawd Stud (Saudi Arabia). Shown in the B series of the two year old fillies’ class by Ryan Jones, she gained 92,7 points, besting AJ Asyad (Marwan Al Shaqab – Aja Angelica/WH Justice, 91,7) from Ajman and the Saudi Tahani Al Khaled (MCA Magum Gold – LC Tornita/Padrons Psyche, 90,7). Apart from her three more Polish horses (Polish bred and Polish owned) qualified for the finals: El Siena (HDB Sihr Ibn Massai – El Aria/Ararat) from Strusinianka, Psyche Keret (Khidar – Psyche Victoria/Ekstern) from Chrcynno-Palace Stud and Janów’s Patria (Eden C – Palmeta/Ecaho, 90,2). El Siena placed second in the A series of the two year old fillies with a score of 91,5, behind Valentino’s Angel MI (DA Valentino – Always An Angel/SK Shakla Khan, 92,83) from the Australian Mulawa Stud; Psyche Keret was third among two year olds with 91,3 behind the widely promoted FA El Rasheem (FA El Shawan – Virtuosa FMR/Versace, 92,5), bred in the US and owned by The El Rasheem Group and Dubai Arabian Stud, as well as AJ Mardan (Vervaldee – Felicia/Shael Dream Desert, 91,9) from Ajman; whereas Patria came in third (in the A series of the yearling fillies) with 90,2 behind the Saudi Delight’s Divah RB (Ajman Moniscione – Honey’s Delight/JJ Senor Magnum, 92,1) and the Austrian M.M. Esplendida (RFI Farid – M.M. Eluise/WH Justice, 92).
Several solid favorites did not fail, including the South Africa-bred EKS Alihandro (Marwan Al Shaqab – OFW Psylhouette/Padrons Psyche), who in the 3 year old colts’ class received the highest score of the day: 93,7, including three 20s for type, three 20s for head and neck and a 20 for movement, or the Brazilian-bred B series yearling fillies’ class winner Esperanzza Al Ventur (FA El Shawan – Honey’s Delight/JJ Senor Magnum, 92,5), both horses owned by Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia). There was also a “black horse” of the show (although actually grey in coat color) – it turned out to be Profender KA, son of Michałów’s Palanga by Ekstern and QR Marc, bred by Knocke Arabians and owned by Jean-Philippe Sagaert (Belgium), gifted with wonderful movement. Led by a less known handler (Juan Murillo), he immediately won over the public, who showed their approval with loud cheering. Profender qualified for the finals from second place in class (90,9, including two 20s for movement), defeating his full brother Pavarotto, among others. And so the era of embryotransfer made itself be known in Aachen.
A novelty at this year’s All Nations Cup is, among others, that the top three horses from each class qualify for the finals. Also for the first time the judges were chosen randomly by a computer. Before each class different people pressed a button, which begins the drawing of five judges out of the ten. This system is supposed to prevent the weakness of human nature. “It is definitely a step forward”, comments Krzysztof Poszepczyński of Chrcynno-Palace Stud. “However they should also think about how to eliminate the conflicts of interest. Not every owner reports that such a conflict exists and this can cause an abuse of competence.”
A new valuable initiative during this year’s Aachen was also the Futurity show, patterned after the American idea. Twenty foals lined up for the evaluation (10 fillies and colts each). “It is a modern form of promoting breedings”, states Krzysztof Poszepczyński. “As well as a promotion of horses, which next year will be shown in the yearling classes”.
It must be said that the organizers displayed a huge dose of self-ridicule (perhaps unintentionally), playing several times the score from the “Game of Thrones” series. Those that read the book (“A Song of Ice and Fire”) or follows the series based on the book know that it’s about a brutal fight for power in the land of Westeros, where some use magic and poison, others use dragons, and some – money… Could it be that the battle for the trophies in an Arabian event resembled a ruthless game of thrones?
Either way the quality of competition at the junior classes of the All Nations Cup 2013 was once again very high and the judges rather strict. It is not easy in Aachen to make the top five, and even more to qualify for the finals. The Polish junior representation this year was not strong enough for us to feel a complete satisfaction. But the contestants from the older classes changed this feeling.
Read more: Aachen, Day Two: The Breeders Cup for Poland! 5 medals and the highest score for Polish bred horse
Results: http://www.all-nations-cup.org/31aachen/index-halle.php
Photo gallery of champions, All Nations Cup Aachen 2013, by Sylwia Iłenda
