The international show in the picturesque Austrian town of Wels (May 31st-June 1st) traditionally marks the beginning of the show season for Polish breeders, who travel there in large numbers with their charges. The change of organizer (VVÖ, Verband der Vollblutaraberzüchter Österreich Organisation, a second year in a row) and the rank (from “A” to “B”) did little the popularity of the show among the Poles. However the absence of the Polish state studs was noticeable, which clearly crossed out this event from their calendars – they were a no-show last year also. Whereas the Polish private breeders presented 14 horses on the first day and 4 on the second. Out of this lot nine were presented in the finals and two claimed bronze medals. That’s a slightly worse result than during the tenure of Ferdinand Huemer or last year, when the Poles brought home a gold and silver thanks to Chrcynno-Palace Stud.
The classes (consisting mostly of 5-6 horses, though in the final one of 11 old and older stallions we saw only two representatives) were judged by Cedes Bakker (Holland), Silvia Garde-Ehlert (Germany), Renata Schibler (Switzerland), Manfred Hain (Germany) and Jorge Concaro (Argentina), who did not give high marks freely. On the contrary, we often observed marks ranging between 17-17,5. Fortunately, the few “20s” that did appear came courtesy of horses from Poland (among others).
Female youngsters
Victorious in both series of the yearling fillies’ classes were representatives of Ajman – AJ Barari and AJ Mahiba (both by Vervaldee). Standing out among the Polish representatives was Eschilla (Kahil Al Shaqab – Estaka/Gazal Al Shaqab) from Falborek, who placed second. The Michałów-bred Wilandra E.A. (Shanghai E.A. – Wilda/Gazal Al Shaqab), owned by Equus Arabians (Spain) was third in the B series of this class.
The A series of the two year old fillies’ class saw Wiola Splendida (Ajman Moniscione – Wiola da Gamba/Pesal), bred and owned by Tomasz Tarczyński, fare quite well by placing third. The winner was DA Magic Moment (by WH Justice) from Austria. Second in the B series of this class placed Angelina (Elmaran – Antalia DD/El Amin) from Best Arabians, which is an especially noteworthy occurrence, since it is rare for private breeders to achieve success with get by sires of their own breeding. The class was won by D Mazaia (by Royal Colours) from Dubai Stud.
Victorious in the three year old fillies’ class was Enezja (Marajj – Espinezja/Psytadel) from Falborek, before Psyche Aditi (Echo Adonis – Pomona/Ekstern) from Chrcynno, who received as many as four “20s” for movement. The latter is yet another case when a breeder can enjoy the success of their own sire’s get. The second series of the three year olds’ class (without Polish contestants) was won by Al Loubna (by Ajman Moniscione) from Alhambra Arabians.
Male youngsters
The yearling colts’ class was decisively won by the Tulip Cup Yearling Champion E.A. Arjen El Marwteyn by ZT Marwteyn (from Eos Arabians), leaving Polish contenders (Garcia, Colnero, El Shanti) way behind.
In the three year old colts’ class ZT Farid (by Anaza El Farid), owned by Mrs. Hayek, took his revenge on the Polish Gotico (WH Justice – Ginga/Galba) to whom he lost during the Tulip Cup. This time, despite Piotr Podgórny’s chestnut claiming the first “20” for Polish horses (for movement), ZT Farid proved better, placing first in class.
Senior mares
Without any doubt the favorite in the 4-6 year old mares’ class was Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn-Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff) from Chrcynno. This time she had to yield before the US-bred Mystica Antasia (by WH Justice). In the finals she appeared next to her stablemate Chaos Persefona (Poganin – Ceres/Ganges), who with two “20s” for movement won the 7-10 year old mares’ class, besting the US-import Bint Tahanie (by Suhal Al Nasser), owned by Mrs. Hayek. The latter received a “20” for type.
Triumphant in the 11 years old and above mares’ class was the well known to all Arabian show followers daughter of WH Justice – Panarea by Palawan from Ajman, a former World Champion.
Senior stallions
On Sunday, before the winners of the finals were determined, three senior stallion classes were held. The Poles had two horses that qualified for the finals – Elmaran (Al Maraam – Ekstera/Ekstern), bred and owned Wojciech Parczewski of Best Arabians and Etnodrons Psyche (Padrons Psyche – Etnografia/Aloes), bred and owned by StanRed Arabians. Wojciech Parczewski definitely has reasons to be happy, as two of his graduates – father and daughter – found themselves in teh championship finals.
The competition in the 4-6 year olds’ was won by the Italian chestnut Frasera Dubai (by Pharoos), owned by Francesco Santoro, before Jewel OS (by WH Justice) from the German Osterhof Stud. Elmaran, who competed in the 7-10 year old stallions’ class, was bested by the Michałów-bred Lissar (Gazal Al Shaqab – Larissa/Eukaliptus), owned by Turban Stud (Denmark). The oldest stallion class was won by the Qatari-born Laheeb Al Nasser (by Al Adeed Al Shaqab) with a “20” for type and a final score of 92,13, owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud.
The finals
The greatest number of horses appeared in the junior mare championships – as many as 12. Victorious was DA Magic Moment, owned by Cornelia Kolnberger (Diamond Arabians, Austria), who as a breeder collected many trophies that day. In the absence of Ferdinand Huemer’s horses she became the most decorated Austrian breeder in Wels, as she also took home: a Junior Stallion Silver medal and the award for Best Austrian Bred Horse (DA Just A Diamond), as well as a special award for Most Classic Head Mare for DA Magic Moment. A silver medal went to AJ Barari, owned by Ajman Stud. While the first of two bronze medals for Polish breeding was awarded to Enezja of Falborek Arabians.
The junior stallion championships consisted of 6 competitors, among which the best – as presumed – was the Swiss-bred (Eos Arabians) E.A. Arjen El Marwteyn, son of Ancholy Ali by R Ali Bey, also a laureate of Most Classic Head Stallion. The silver was awarded to the afore mentioned DA Just A Diamond (by WH Justice) and the bronze – to D Mshara (by QR Marc) from Dubai Stud.
There were no surprises in the senior mare championships. Five contenders entered the arena and the main title was given to the ethereal, fantastically moving Panarea by Palawan from Ajman. As a horse with the highest score of the show (92,36) she was also awarded with the Best in Show trophy. The representing Kuwait Mystica Antasia gained the silver, while the Polish Chaos Persefona from Chrcynno – the bronze. However that was not the end of awards for Chrcynno. Psyche Aditi turned out to be the highest scored horse in terms of movement, so she also took home the Best Mover trophy. Well deserved, because the Chrcynno horses are well known for their superb movement.
The stallion finals ended the show. The best among the six contenders was the favorite – Laheeb Al Nasser, before Frasera Dubai and Jewel OS.
WH Justice can be considered a silent hero of this year’s Wels, as he sired as many as five of the 12 medalists (two golds, two silvers and one bronze).
