Yesterday (Thursday, March 15th) was the first day of the 15-year running international show in Dubai considered one of the most significant shows in the Middle East due to its prestige and amount of prize money (around USD 4 million this year). The show, part of the Dubai International Horse Fair 2018, takes place in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. It is another stop on this season’s show route of Emandoria and Galerida (presented under the banner of their lessee, the Egyptian Al Baydaa Stud) and Equator, representing Poland.
Out of the 221 entered horses 178 were presented (together with 15 foals). The first day of the show was dedicated to mares, the second to the stallions. Tomorrow, Saturday March 17th, will be all about the finals, in which the Polish or more precisely Michałów representation can count on medals for Emandoria, Equator and Galerida.
The best performance among horses representing Polish breeding was delivered by Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emanda/Ecaho), who bewitched the judges in the 10 year old and above mares class. For type she received top marks from all the judges: 7×20! Additionally for the head and neck she was awarded 5×20 which gave her a final score of 93,5 and the highest of the show. It seems that there is no candidate to threaten the Polish star in tomorrow’s final, though of course everything can happen. Hopefully there will be no unpleasant surprises. Behind Emandoria with a score of 91,7 placed Norma (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nina/Monogramm), also born in Michałów, sold in 2014 and currently owned by Bader bin Mohammed Al Derees. Pistoria (owned by Al Zobair Stud) was unfortunately disqualified, while Michałów’s other graduates entered to the show, El Saghira (owned by Ajman Stud) and Fermata (owned by Banat Al Reeh Arabian Horse Stud), did not show up.
Earlier, in the 4-6 year old mares class (9 participants), a superb presentation was given by Galerida (Shanghai EA – Galilea/Laheeb), who won with a score of 91,8 (incl. 2×20 for type). Expressja TV, daughter of El Omari and El Medina by Gazal Al Shaqab, owned by Al Jazeera Arabian Horse Stud, which could also be seen in this class, placed seventh (90,2). In the 2 year old fillies class (with as many as 19 participants on the arena) Polish breeding was represented by the Falborek-bred daughter of Emerald J (son of Emandoria) and Enezja by Marajj, Eralda (owned by Al Shiraa Stables). The judges awarded her with 5×20 for head and neck. Unfortunately poorer marks for legs and body decreased her final score and with 90,7 she placed seventh.
Today, during the stallion day, another offspring of Emerald J, shown in the yearling colts class Admiraal (owned by Al Muawd Stud) out of Hanniyah/Psytadel, won with a score of 92,7, incl. 4×20 for type and 6×20 for movement. The same score was acquired in the 4-6 year old stallions class by one of Equator’s greatest rivals, Gallardo J, also a son of Emerald J (out of Gomera J/Ekstern). He obtained five top marks – three for type and two for head and neck. His score of 92,7 was enough to win the class.
To us most interesting was of course the result of Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern), especially since he’s the only horse in Dubai representing the Polish flag. Beautifully shown by Raphael Curti, Equator did not disappoint and won his class of 7-9 year old stallions (8 rivals), impressing with movement, with a score of 93,2 (incl. 5×20 for type and 4×20 for movement). Though his marks for movement left us hungry for more, because that day there was no stallion that moved as superbly as Equator – maybe only Drabant moved just as freely. Equator won, but right on his heels was E.S. Harir (AJ Dinar – TF Magnum Magic/Magnum Psyche) bred by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Al Qasimi and owned by Al Saqran Stud, not so statuesque, but with a refined head. The judges awarded him with an entire row of 20s for type and almost an entire one (6×20) for head and neck. Lower points for movement determined his second place in class (93,0). Also shown in this class was the Falborek-bred Espimar (Marajj – Espinezja/Psytadel), owned by Mohammed Eissa Khalif Bushehab Alsuwaidi; unfortunately he placed just eighth. Another of Equator’s rivals was Razi Al Khalediah (Marquis Cahr – Halah/Maydan-Madheen), an incredibly photogenic stallion with a wonderfully chiselled head, but more petite, light and short. He placed at third spot with a score of 90,9 (incl. a 20 for head and neck).
In tomorrow’s finals Equator will go against stallions from the oldest class. Shown here were such stars as its winner Eden C (Enzo – Silken Sable/Genesis C), bred in the US and owned by Al Sayed Stud and the second place holder Marquis Cahr (Marwan Al Shaqab – Rohara Magnifica/Echo Magnifficoo), also bred in the US and owned by Al Khalediah Stables. We also saw the performances of the Białka-bred Celsjusz (Ekstern – Carina/Pesal), owned by Mohamed Omar Elsaady Zaghloul from Egypt and the known for his movement Drabant (Gazal Al Shaqab – Demona/Monogramm), owned by Mohammed Eissa Bushehab. Eden C was assessed at 92,5 pts (2×20 for type and 3×20 for head and neck), Marquis Cahr at 92,1 (20 for type and 3×20 for movement). Celsjusz placed sixth and Drabant seventh (with one 20 for movement).
But back to the 4-6 year old stallions class – we saw there one more Michałów graduate, Larando (QR Marc – Laranda/Ekstern), owned by Al Massarah Arabian Horse Stud. He received 3×20 for movement (in the hands of Gerald Kurtz), a final score of 90,8 and a sixth spot. In turn eighth placed the son of the Michałów-born Dębowiec by Monogramm, out of JJ Mona Lisa by Psytadel – BS Raeed (90,2), owned by Bustan Stables.
Let’s recall that a year ago in Dubai many Polish-bred horses were presented, all of foreign ownership. None was shown under the Polish flag. The best result was delivered by Fuerte (owned by Al Aalya Arabian Horse Stud), who won the gold medal (in class he received 93,1 pts) and Norma, who won the silver for Al Muawd Stud.
The beginning of the coverage tomorrow at 12:00 (3:00 pm local time in Dubai).
You can read about the results of the finals here
Video: Emandoria. Watch her on international arenas in the 2018 show season!
