The 2016 Prince Sultan Arabian Horse Festival, an A-ranked show held at Al Khalediah Farm near Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) during the past week (27-29th of January), ended in great success for the Janów-bred Pinga (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), leased by Aljawza Stud, who claimed the gold and the accompanying prize of 150 thousand Euro.
Pinga was led to victory by Paweł Kozikowski. He didn’t have an easy task, because together with his charge they had to face the Michałów-bred and Al Muawd Stud-owned Norma (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nina/Monogramm) in the hands of Ryan Jones. Also presented in the same oldest mares class was the Michałów-born Wkra (Gazal Al Shaqab – Wyborna/Monogramm), owned by Al Muawd Stud as well. The latter placed third, with a score of 91,9 (incl. three “20s” for movement). Norma was awarded with 93,2 pts (incl. two “20s” for type, one for head and neck and three more top marks for movement), which landed her at second spot. Pinga received as much as 93,7 pts, including three “20s” for type, an additional “20” for head and neck and a full set of top marks for movement! Norma found herself on the podium with the bronze medal, behind Pinga and Anood Al Nasser (Ashhal Al Rayyan – Aleysha Al Nasser/Gazal Al Shaqab) from Al Nasser Stud (Qatar). Al Muawd Stud made up for their loss involving Wkra and Norma by claiming the gold medal in the junior mares championship due to the two year old Bourhani Sharifa (Ajman Moniscione – Psynesica/Psytadel, bred by Bourhani Aranians, Germany).
The money prizes were very high: 20 thousand SAR (about 5 thousand Euro) for a place in the top five of the yearling classes and 200 thousand, 100 thousand and 60 thousand SAR for a medal in this age category (50 thousand Euro, 20 thousand Euro, 15 thousand Euro); 30 thousand SAR (7.5 thousand Euro) for a place in the top five of the junior classes and 300 thousand, 200 thousand and 100 thousand SAR (75 thousand, 50 thousand and 20 thousand Euro) for medals; 50 thousand SAR (about 12.5 thousand Euro) for a spot in the top five of the senior classes and 600 thousand, 500 thousand and 200 thousand SAR (150 thousand, 125 thousand and 50 thousand Euro) for a medal in this category.
Therefore no wonder that the classes were very numerous – even as many as 17 participants in one of the yearling fillies series! In total 155 horses were presented (not counting the “desert breds”), including such stars as Eden C (Enzo – Silken Sable/Genesis C, bred by Coleal Arabian Horse Farm, owned by Al Sayed Stud), who won the oldest stallions class and then took the gold; Memphis 27 (El Amin – SA Misha Apal/AS Natsir-Apal, bred by Swatam Arabians, Belgium, owned by Ajman Stud), second in the same class; Abha Qatar (Marwan Al Shaqab – ZT Ludjkalba/Ludjin El Jamaal, bred by Yeguada Ses Planes, owned by Al Mohamadia Stud), winner of the 7-9 year old stallions class and laureate of the silver medal; and E.S. Harir (AJ Dinar – TF Magnums Magic/Magnum Psyche, bred by Sheikh Abdulla bin Majid al Qassemi, owned by Al Saqran Stud, Kuweit), the bronze medalist who earlier triumphed in the 4-6 year old stallions class; and of course the afore mentioned Pinga and Norma.
In the 3 year old fillies class we had a chance to see Eshila (Kahil Al Shaqab – Estaka), bred by Falborek Arabians, Poland. She placed sixth in class. A huge surprise was caused by Fuerte (Shanghai E.A. – Frymuszka/Ekstern), bred by Jan Dobrzyński, Poland and owned by Sami Ben Mohammed Ben Saad (Al Aalya Stud, Saudi Arabia), who with a score of 92,2 and a “20” for head and neck bested in class the highly decorated Alexxanderr (Excalibur E.A. – AR Most Irresistible/ML Mostly Padron), silver medalist from Paris, of American breeding and owned by Khalid Bin Said Bin Abdullah Al Sayed (Al Sayed Stud, Saudi Arabia, 91,2 pts). However in the finals Alexxanderr did not let the gold get away. Fuerte had to settle for the bronze, because he was also overtaken by AJ Marzan (Aj Portofino – Hed AB Maria/AB Magnum) from Ajman Stud. Originating from the same stable was the yearling gold champion – the colt AJ Jabran (Kanz Albidayer – DA Princess of Justice/WH Justice).
Judges:
Marianne Tengstedt (Denmark)
Urs Aeschbacher (Switzerland)
Benny Freme (Sweden)
Marek Trela (Poland)
Manfred Neubacher (Austria)
Gianmarco Aragno (Italy)
Mohammed Oussidhoum (Morocco)
