The meteoric rise of Lubochnia Arabians into the top echelons of the Arabian show scene is no accident or stroke of fate, but a combination of preparation, application and great teamwork. Lubochnia Arabians was only founded in 2021 by Dobrochna and Przemysław Wawrzynczyk, but their arrival on the European show circuit has not been unremarkable, as they’ve started in tremendous style, already having not one, but two, All Nations Cup Championship medalists. However, upon meeting this charming and enigmatic couple, one immediately understands that success is no fluke – as Przemysław’s ethos is based on his favourite quote: ‘Luck is not enough!’ and the more you get to know these ambitious owners the more you get to realise that nothing is left to chance, everything is planned to the enth degree and there is always a strategy and calculated outcome for every decision made. There is also, however, a very human touch to all of this ultimate efficiency, as Przemyslaw is quick to point out that it was due to his daughters’ Olivia and Maria’s love of horses that stables were built at their new home in Lubochnia in the first place.
Neither Dobrochna and Przemyslaw are new to horses, as both spent some of their childhood with them – Dobrochna developed her equestrian skills at Pony Club Camp, whilst Przemyslaw’s first job, at the age of 10, was to earn pocket money by taking care of the horses at the local stables.
However, he had always nurtured a keen sense of achievement, and being technically minded, Przemyslaw later trained to be an electrician, and 25 years ago he started out with his father as the first emplyee of the company, working on local homes. Through word of mouth and contacts his business grew and grew and now his company Electro-Klim carries out large installations throughout Europe for companies such as: Amazon, Opel, Mercedes, TK Max and developers of warehouse halls such as: Panatonni, GLP, MLP, SEGRO.
Meantime Dobrochna, also very bright, was spotted and sponsored at university by Volkswagen, later to be employed by them and becoming the first woman to represent them at conferences around Europe. One day Przemyslaw was attending one of their installations at Poznan University when he caught sight of Dobrochna. Dobrochna has an unusual education for a woman at the time – she holds a Master of Science degree in industrial production management, especially automotive production and quality management in machine construction. Perhaps fate decided that these two technically minded people would compliment one another as the couple have been together ever since, having a daughter Maria, sister to Przemyslaw’s daughter Oliwia from his previous marriage.
They now work together too, as Przemyslaw decided he missed Dobrochna too much when she went away on business for Volkswagen, so she became Electro-Klim’s Finance Director. In 2015 the couple bought a 35 hectare plot at Lubochnia, which was mainly brush and woodland at the time – Przemyslaw describes it as a ‘jungle’. However, with Dobrochna and Przemysław’s vision, as can be seen with every aspect of their life, the building of their new home and landscaping of the surrounding land was planned with immense forethought and attention to detail.
Their stunning house took three years to create and is built on a rise looking down on the horse pastures and stables to the front, whilst behind are views of their large boating lake.
During this time both Oliwia and Maria had begun to show a passion for horses, Oliwia was taking riding lessons and Maria went with her when Przemyslaw was driving her to the riding school, so it wasn’t long before she had the bug too. Soon Oliwia had two riding horses of her own – one a part bred Arab – which she kept at a friend’s stables behind where the house was being built. Quality family time is very important to Dobrochna and Przemyslaw, and so they decided that they would rather build stables at home, to spend more time with their daughters while they enjoyed their horses …and if building stables to house their daughters riding horses, why not have some of their own? And next two stunning barns were built that housed 20 stables.
Then friend Krzysztof Kapała stepped in. Krzysztof was one of Electro-Klim’s early clients and he and Przemyslaw had since become friends for many years, and so it was a natural conclusion that Krzysztof would take Dobrochna and Przemyslaw to his farm in 2020 to show them his Arabians and tell them: ‘If you’re going to fill your stables with horses there is only one breed to follow – the Arabian’. Dobrochna and Przemyslaw immediately recognised the qualities and essence of Krzysztof’s horses, and that’s how Lubochnia Arabians started. Krzysztof is often at the farm to help and advise, most especially when Dobrochna and Przemyslaw are away, and he represents them at shows too. Later in 2020 Krzysztof introduced Dobrochna and Przemyslaw to Mateusz Jaworski and he too became their friend and consultant, and indeed they bought their first Arabian from Mateusz, the classy bay Kahil Al Shaqab daughter Washa (x WH Justice daughter Wasa) and she had the first foal born at Lubochnia Arabians, a bay filly by Dominic M, who they named Wajana L.
2021
Now Dobrochna and Przemyslaw decided to invest in their first show horse, and of course not just any show horse, but one of the utmost quality. Unfortunately this was at a time when Covid was restricting travel, so going abroad to view horses was not a viable proposition. Mateusz contacted Paolo Capecci to ask what they had for sale, and so due to travel not being an option, Paolo and Susy decided to give their first live presentation of sale horses via video link! Team Lubochnia – Dobrochna, Przemyslaw, Oliwia, Maria, Krzysztof and Mateusz all sat together in the hotel’s conference room, during Bialka Spring Show, with pedigrees of ten horses, ranging from previous championship winners to complete novices, and it was the beautiful bay yearling D Narjeseyyah, who, says Dobrochna ‘Captivated us and touched our hearts’.
As soon as Covid flight restrictions were lifted they flew to Capecci Training Centre and as soon as they saw D Narjeseyyah in the flesh they instantly knew they had to have her. The stunning filly had an illustrious pedigree to match her looks, being by FA El Rasheem from the gorgeous mare Exaltress by Excalibur EA. Dobrochna remarks that this occasion was also the beginning of their cooperation and friendship with Susy and Paolo ‘So not only were we able to buy our first show horse, but also to team up with one of the most successful training stables in the world, Capecci Arabian Training Centre, and so we were able to present our vision to a handler who is at the top of his game’. Przemyslaw adds ‘I’m a people person, for me it is very important to have nice people around, and to build a team around friendship and loyalty. We wanted to have one handler and to give 100% loyalty each way, and we believe we have the perfect collaboration with Susy and Paolo’.
For sure this first purchase of a show filly of the highest quality was a sign of things to come and the level of success that this ambitious couple hoped, or intended, to achieve, as at her initial show for Lubochnia, the Spring International Arabian Show, D Narjeseyyah won her class and then went on to take the Gold Championship!
She followed this success with Gold at the Milan International Cup and also at the Bergamo International Arab show – so three Golds out of three as a Yearling! It couldn’t be any better!
And the Bergamo show was made even more special and significant for Dobrochna and Przemyslaw as here they bought the classic and classy white mare Juwanda OS (WH Justice x Shak Lavanda by ZT Shakfantasy).
The successes of D Narjeseyyah had whetted Dobrochna and Przemyslaw’s appetites. They knew this young filly could not go to too many shows, and so they had decided to buy an already titled mare for the senior female section. They had previously noted Juwanda OS (Top Ten at Paris and Gold at many shows, including the Europeans) and here she was competing – and winning her class – at Bergamo.
A quick decision was made and Juwanda OS became the latest addition to the Lubochnia team – and the following day Dobrochna and Przemyslaw were able to walk into the arena to be presented with the Silver trophy as proud owners of this wonderful mare. And a few months later at Verona Juwanda OS rewarded her new owners’ faith by not only winning her class by earning a magnificent seven 20s but also being awarded Gold Champion Senior Female.
2022
Saw Lubochnia get an exciting acquisition in the spectacular chestnut four year old D Modi (FA El Rasheem x D Nawal by Royal Colours). Paolo had found D Modi in the UAE and circumstances were such that he was able to purchase her for Lubochnia. D Modi had already won at the UAE National Championship in Abu Dhabi and now Lubochnia had two very top quality FA El Rasheem daughters.
Dobrochna recalls ‘D Modi represented extremely high qualities, full of charisma and attitude, correctness, prettiness and she gives goosebumps to everyone watching her when she’s moving free and snorting, enjoying herself’. Not just a super show mare, D Modi also has great bloodlines as a broodmare, being full sister to show champions D Nayel and D Nawasy and Lubochnia are excitedly awaiting her embryos due in Spring 2024.
D Modi duly had her first show representing Lubochnia Arabians at Palermo Arabian Horse Cup, and along with her stable companion D Narjeseyyah. What a show for Lubochnia! D Narjeseyyah was class winner and Gold Champion Junior Female, and not only did D Modi copy the younger filly’s success, she topped her by having the highest score of the show with a huge 94 points, including seven 20s! So D Modi’s inauguration for Lubochnia was a huge success, with Highest Score and Best in Show.
Next on the calendar was the Spring International Arabian show at Arezzo, where yet again D Narjeseyyah won her class, and also Dobrochna and Przemyslaw were there to see homebred Wajana L, the yearling filly from Washa, win her class and get awarded Gold too! Again, the Bergamo International show was particularly special for Dobrochna and Przemyslaw as this time not only did D Modi win Bronze Champion Senior Female, the wonderful D Narjeseyyah return to be awarded another Gold – this time as Champion Junior Female.
And now one of the top Arabian horse shows in the world, the All Nations Cup, Aachen, where one year old Lubochnia Farm had not one, but two serious contenders entered, a remarkable achievement for such a young farm – but perhaps not such a great surprise if one knew the application and dedication to success that epitomises Dobrochna and Przemyslaw.
To their utter delight stunning D Narjeseyyah won her class, and yet D Modi went even one better – being awarded Silver Champion Senior Female! Dobrochna recalls that she was so overwhelmed she actually fell and was caught by Przemyslaw! Indeed, the couple acknowledge that it was this superb chestnut who first put Lubochnia in the spotlight.
But of course they didn’t rest here; now they knew they had to keep moving forward. Says Dobrochna: ‘By now we understood that there are no half-measures in the world of Arabian horse breeding; if you love the beauty of these horses and want to develop your farm seriously, you must choose the best quality horses, so because we already had two successful show horses with the ‘D’ prefix we decided, as a team, that the next step should be the Dubai Stud’s auction at the end of October. However, we had only recently returned from holidaying in Dubai, so we decided to make any bids by phone, with the assistance of Toader Iacoban, who would be present at the auction’. Lubochnia pored over the catalogue and decided they wanted the two lots they considered to be the very best entries in the auction: two year old D Leen (D Seraj x D Maya by Eden C) and five year old D Dawaly (FA El Rasheem x D Danat by SG Labib). Auction day dawned and the team re-evaluated the two horses during the morning showing, which gave them confirmation that these were definitely the two they wanted to buy, and now they had an exciting and anxious wait until the auction started. Evening time saw the Team watching and waiting with baited breath. ‘Emotions, emotions and more emotions!!’ recalls Dobrochna. Toader was on hand to take the bids and two hours later Lubochnia were indeed a very happy and content team, having made the successful bids on both girls, they were now buzzing with new plans for the following years.
Dobrochna muses ‘It’s a reflection on todays market that in the past the most important sheikhs came to Poland to buy amazing horses, and today Poles are going to the Middle East to find something unique’.
2023
In April D Leen had her first outing for Lubochnia at the Travagliato Arabian Horse Festival, where to their delight she won her class and was unanimous Gold, yet another perfect start to a show season.
And topping this, a month later D Dawaly joined her stablemate at the Palermo International Arabian Show where this time both girls trotted away Gold, D Leen Junior Female Champion and D Dawaly Senior. Lubochnia’s latest wise purchases had certainly hit the ground running! And in July D Dawaly duly took Gold again at the Montefalco show.
However, the next show in the calendar had a special place in Dobrochna and Przemyslaw’s hearts – SOPOT, held in their native country. Being family and friends orientated this was their opportunity to show everyone what their new passion was all about, plus they were very proud to have two special Arabians competing for them here, so Dobrochna and Przemyslaw invited forty(!) friends and family to come and attend the show with them!
Capacci Training Centre brought the horses all the way up from Italy, staying over at Lubochnia for a few days to give them a break, and then travelling on up to this popular show.
To the large crowd of Lubochnia supporters’ excitement both mares once again fulfilled their promise – and both took Golds in their respective sections!
And then to cap the day Przemyslaw himself presented D Narjeseyyah in the Amateur Handlers Cup! After which, renowned for their hospitality, the party started!
Good news came from other quarters too, as Walkirie L, Washa’s yearling filly by Shanghai EA, was awarded Gold Champion Yearling Filly at the Elementa Arabian Masters Show in Rome for her new owner from Bahrein.
D Leen had had a break until that most important show came around once more – the All Nations Cup, Aachen. Dobrochna and Przemyslaw knew already that here competition was at its highest level and their girl would be competing against some of the best Arabians in the world. To their utmost joy, their glorious grey D Leen secured herself a place in the the championship by being awarded second in the strong class. And then on Championship day, Paolo had D Leen showing her socks off to thrill the judges yet again and get rewarded with Silver in a particularly strong Junior Female Championship. Incredible results and fantastic teamwork from this small, newly formed farm!
And what next for Lubochnia? What of 2024?
Needless to say, Dobrochna and Przemyslaw have already been thinking about their 2024 campaign and after deciding which horses they have for junior and senior categories they decided a few months ago that they could add a yearling contender. It was time to search for a foal, preferably a top quality foal born in Europe which therefore could participate in European shows and the European championships.
The Lubochnia team, including Susy, Paolo, Mateusz and Krzysztof traveled around several farms searching out their next show horse – and then they heard about a very special grey filly foal at Osterhof Stud… Sana OS, by the rising superstar sire Exagon from one of the exceptional mares with a royal pedigree bred at Osterhof, Panamera OS by Psytadel.
It was love at first sight for everyone, as not only were they swept away by the filly’s beauty, but also by her sweet character.
Says Dobrochna: ‘Sana is not only very beautiful, but also particularly people friendly, we love horses with a calm and easy character, we believe it helps them to develop in the show training – if they are charismatic and move well then they can more easily transform to a show horse in the ring. We have high hopes for Sana OS and are grateful to Heinz Stoeckle for letting us have her join our show team. We understand though that it’s very difficult to predict the future of a little foal who is changing alot every month of her life, but we hope for the best’.
Przemyslaw speaks out ‘Now we are making our plans for 2024. Preparation is all and consequently we make our strategies according to our dreams and ambitions, but of course with horses we have to be prepared to adjust and adapt those plans. Our ultimate ambition is to breed for success – I want to hear our Polish National Anthem at the Worlds! However, we are already aware that to breed on is not easy and requires much time and patience, plus we need to concentrate on sourcing the very best quality. To this end we understand that foundation mares are the cornerstone of a successful breeding programme, which is why we are trying to collect an interesting group and why we are so looking forward to the spring, as our recipients are expecting nine foals from our best mares in 2024 here at Lubochnia. And usually we attend every foaling ourselves too.
We repeat very often; all this was only possible thanks to the wonderful people who surrounded them and are now their friends: Susi, Paolo, Krzysztof and Mateusz and the entire team of people who cooperate in their everyday life. All of the Team are being truly helpful with encouragement and decision making, we’re always aware that still we need to adapt and learn, so we will carry on attending breeding and horsemanship courses and seminars continue acquiring as much knowledge as possible. It’s a step by step process for us to carry on moving forwards, as we sincerely hope that if this continues to be a successful programme then Olivia and Maria might have something out of it rather than just a hobby and that Lubochnia Arabians will be a part of their futures too’.
Adds Dobrochna: ‘Next spring will be an exciting time for us – but also a kind of exam for us, to see if we made good breeding decisions’.
One comes away with the feeling that if anyone can fulfil their dreams, it’s Dobrochna and Przemyslaw through their enormous diligence and attitude to creating success with the close-knit team they have built around them. With maybe a bit of luck thrown in…
