For 42 years, the most important show of the season took place in Paris, the European capital fashion, chic and elegance. This year’s World Championships were significantly different from the previous ones, starting from the location and the prevailing climate. Old Doha Port is located centrally in the capital of Qatar, Doha and adjacent to most popular tourist attractions in the country, e.g. Souq Waqif (market), or Doha Corniche (coast with tourist, sport and museum attractions). The old port underwent reconstruction in the District Mina, and the district itself consists of 37 buildings that provide a variety of services and attractions for visitors (apartments, cafes, souvenir shops, local clothes, perfumes, jewelry, etc.) and has a cruise terminal. The old port of Doha, whose renovation cost two billion Qatari riyals (QR1 = PLN 1.09), is expected to become a permanent port for cruises and become a tourist attraction in the heart of the always hot capital of the richest country in the Persian Gulf. The unique architecture makes this place one of a kind; characteristic buildings in pastel colors, with original murals on the walls, take us to another world. Built from scratch just for this year’s World Championships, the huge arena looked different than what we usually saw in Paris: it was fresh, bright and, above all, you could feel that it was happening in the Middle East. A phenomenal show ring and VIP sector for breeders, guests and the media were literally astonishing. The harmonious turquoise-white decor with floral accents, harmonized perfectly with the showground where the sea merged with the city skyline and modern skyscrapers. During the day one could feel the freshness and lightness of this amazing place where you can fall in love at first sight. While at night the illuminated city reflected in the calm surface of the water, which added even more magic to it all. Harmony, wealth, splendor and many reasons to admire it all. This is a short way to describe the experiences associated with this place.
The atmosphere during the show was much livelier than on European arenas, the cheering for the horses was amazing, and you could feel excitement and emotions everywhere. The show started in the afternoon and ended late in the evening. Naturally There was a specific dress code for everyone (both locals and visitors). Sometimes looking at shows in Poland and Europe, maybe it would be worth introducing such one as well. Arabian horses are elegance, uniqueness, a kind of art. That’s why it’s worth adding a specific character to such events.
The show venue and the organization itself were at the highest, world-class level. However, nothing is perfect and this is where some criticism is due. One could definitely feel the departure from the traditional style of the Parisian shows, which have always been a certain determinant and status quo. It is true, however, that most interested people associate the World Championships only with Paris (the tradition, which has been going on for 42 years, has become firmly rooted) and it will always be a permanent reference for other events of this type.
The championship started on Thursday afternoon and, among other things, on that day another exciting event in the Longines series was announced, the “Global Champions Arabians Tour”, offering the highest prize money ever available in the world of show horses, amounting to as much as 17,000,000 EUR. The main goal of the event, which runs throughout 2024, is to create a new level of popularity and recognition of purebred Arabian show horses. The GCAT will consist of seven shows in which horses will earn points for the places won, and then the totals will be included in the final championship and the top ten of the season. Additionally, cash prizes are also provided for handlers during each event. The seven shows will take place at the following locations and dates:
• Doha – February
• Abu Dhabi – February
• Muscat – April
• Cannes – June
• Valkenswaard – July
• Rome – September
• Paris – December
Coming back to the World Championships: over 150 horses from 21 countries came to this important event. The only horse that came from Europe was the stallion WF Gawin (Magic Magnifique – WW Gawina by Emerald J), owned by Ainger Vilabrille Cimas (Spain), and you could count on the fingers of one hand the number of European-bred horses already in the colors of their new owners. The World Championships with practically no horses from Europe (the absence of Polish horses hurts the most) is a strange situation. The only direct Polish accent was the Janów-bred Pomian (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar by Fawor), who was in great shape, although the movement for which he was so well known was unfortunately not presented. The show was judged by as many as 15 judges and a system of deleting the scores (lowest and highest) was used, which is most often used in the case of a large number of judges in the ring.
Yearling fillies started the competition on Thursday. The first three places in the classes stood out significantly from the rest of the field, and the greatest admiration was given to the yearling Shahalel Al Shaqab, daughter of World Champion and Menton gold medalist from 2021, Siwar Al Shaqab and the stallion Na-Mous Al Shahania, who is a full brother of the stallion FA El Rasheem. Shahalel Al Shaqab was unrivaled, gaining as many as 93.36 points in the class and the majority of the votes in the final round. The silver medal of the Yearling Mare Championship was won by the daughter of Royal Asad and Rebecca HVP, the beautiful, chestnut Shahbrys HVP, floating above the ground, bred in Brazil and owned by Ajmal Stud. The bronze medal was awarded to the grey Amirah Alymeen (Sultan Alenaya – Semsem Al Enaya by Xtreme Dream).
In the junior classes, as in the yearling classes, the first three places were the most eye-catching. In many age classes, the first 2-3 places were of impressive quality, while the next positions could be described as horses “not quite Paris-worthy”. The highest score of the show – 93.86 points – and the gold medal for junior mares was awarded to the spectacular D Beisan (D Seraj – RAH Rosalia by Rahere), well known from the show rings in Europe and the Middle East, bred by Dubai Stud and owned by Al Shaqab, a filly with excellent type and a phenomenal head and neck. Nourah Al Khalediah (Hilal Al Khalediah – Ghazalat Al Khalediah by PA Gazsi), a filly with amazing type and movement, both in class and in the Championships, was just behind D Beisan and won the silver medal, also with the judges’ predictions for gold, so she was on D Beisan’s heels, and the podium was closed by the grey TM Bella (TM Itaipu – TM Fahdeelah by Shanghai EA) owned by Al Jumail Stud, a daughter of an interesting stallion bred in Brazil and currently leased by the Qatari Al Nasser Stud . This is definitely a stallion worth paying attention to and considering in breeding plans.
After the break, we could admire the older mares, most of whom aroused as much emotion as the older stallions – beautiful, well-deserved horses, fully developed and closest to the ideal. Unlike the youngsters, the classes here were already quite even, but the winners of both classes deserve to be remembered for their extraordinary beauty: D Shihanah (FA El Rasheem – D Shahla by Marajj), known as the winner of many title shows, and the mare Basmah Albidayer (Fadi Al Shaqab – Bidayer by Emigrant), which is a combination of modernity and old Polish lineage. Both mares received over 93.5 points. In the championship, the judges unanimously awarded the gold medal to D Shihanah, and Basmah Albidayer received the silver medal, while the bronze was won by the wonderful WH Justice daughter, whom we remember from Aachen this year – Bshaier Al Nasser (WH Justice – Rihab Al Nasser by Marwan Al Shaqab).
On Friday, testosterone entered the arena in its purest form; a real clash of titans and an evaluation of well-known sires and future stallions. The first section of the yearling class was won by the son of the stallion EKS Farajj, the grey Sari Ajmal, a very complete and pleasing colt, scoring 92.36 points. The bay LR Anselmo (RFI Unique – LL Almudena by Bey Shahdow TGS), who won the B section of yearling colts, was placed with a slightly lower score. There were no surprises in the Yearling Stallion Championships. The gold medal went to the top-ranked Sari Ajmal, the silver medal was awarded to LR Anselmo and the bronze to Sahm Sarm, who is also a son of EKS Farajj.
Afterwards came time for the younger stallions, here the splendor was occupied entirely by the winner of the second series, D Shahhar, son of this year’s two World Champions – D Shihanah and Excalibur E.A. A stallion with great movement, very typical, with a beautiful head. There were no surprises in this championship either and this year’s gold medalist was the previously mentioned outstanding D Shahhar. For the first time in the history of world championships, the gold medalists in the same year were: sire (Excalibur E.A.), dam (D Shihanah) and their son (D Shahhar). The silver medal in the junior stallion championship went to the phenomenally moving, bay Lehon (FA El Rasheem – Aragia Vanilla by Kahil Al Shaqab), while the bronze medal went to the son of D Seraj, the grey D Sharar (out of FT Shaella).
At the most awaited moment, the senior stallion classes arrive. Seething with testosterone, arousing waves of emotions and a huge stir among fans cheering for their team favorites. The VIP stands literally went crazy with emotion. The fight in the championship took place between two giants already known all over the world, each of them won their section with scores above 93 points. The phenomenal EKS Farajj and the stunning Excalibur E.A. Both stallions are masculine, muscular, with excellent Arabian type, beautiful heads and wonderful movement. Without a doubt, we can say that they are the quintessence of beauty. Excalibur E.A. (Shanghai E.A. – Essence of Marwan E.A. by Marwan Al Shaqab) won the gold medal by majority vote. The silver this time belonged to the younger EKS Farajj (IBN Farid – EKS Bint Helwah by Laheeb). Both stallions, apart from their excellent conformation, proved that they are great sires. As previously mentioned, their sons won gold medals in the category of yearling and junior stallions.
This year’s Platinum Champions were the mare Anood Al Nasser (Ashhal Al Rayyan – Aleysha Al Nasser by Gazal Al Shaqab) and the stallion EKS Alihandro (Marwan Al Shaqab – OFW Psylhouette by Padrons Psyche).
To sum up, the show was organized at the highest level with attention to every detail, a phenomenal atmosphere that is sometimes missing in Europe and, most importantly, outstanding pure-bred Arabian horses. Qatar is undoubtedly a unique place that each of us should visit, but is it suitable for the World Championships? We will try to answer these and other questions soon in the next publication. We also know that next year we will be able to encounter more native accents during the World Arabian Horse Championships 2024 in Paris, which we are looking forward to. The World Championships will return to the Persian Gulf in 2025.
