A hundred horses, flawless organization, a show that was buttoned up and the best that Dutch culture has to offer, including a love of bicycles, all under one roof, yet outdoors. GCAT Valkenswaard will remain in the memories of breeders, owners and lovers of purebred horses for a long time. And the blankets for the winners of the championships? The haute couture of Parisian catwalks does not live up to them.
Although it may not be entirely appropriate, I will venture a rather bold thesis at the very beginning: the Netherlands outshone France in terms of scale… The Dutch leg of the Global Champions Arabians Tour was as impressive as the Kingdom of the Netherlands: undeniably royal, and the omnipresent color orange did not let us forget that we were in a country ruled by the Oranje-Nassau dynasty, which celebrated its 480th birthday literally a week earlier (founded on July 15th, 1544 by William the Silent).
As in previous editions of GCAT, here too there were Polish accents, both equine and human. Out of 99 horses that entered the ring, we saw eleven of thirteen entered for the show of Polish breeding, as well as the stallion SQ Helal, who triumphed in Białka and Tarnów. The twenty-person panel of judges was co-created by Anna Stojanowska and Jerzy Białobok, as well as guests of the All-Polish Arabian Horse Championship in Tarnów from a month ago, Allan Preston and Scott Benjamin. We will soon see both of them at the Arabian Horse Days at the Stud Farm in Janów Podlaski – as judge and ringmaster. In addition, one of the members of the Disciplinary Committee at the Valkenswaard show was the president of the Polish Arabian Horse Breeding Association, Mateusz Leniewicz-Jaworski. Knowing the personal details and knowing that over 10% of the horses were from Poland, let’s get to the point. Especially since it’s really worth it!
In the former capital of falconry, horses rule
What is Valkenswaard famous for, called Valkeswird in the local Brabant dialect? Once for falcons, today for horses. In this area, several hundred years ago, Dutch falconers caught falcons, which were then sent to the most distinguished European courts – German, French, British. Historically, this art is close to Polish tradition, because Polish falconers were highly valued both in the country and in German and Russian courts. However, this tradition naturally disappeared with the progressive retreat from hunting, and was replaced by horses near Eindhoven.
In 2015, near Valkenswaard, just two kilometres from the Belgian border, Jan Tops, a Dutch Olympian from Barcelona ’92, where he won the gold medal in team show jumping, an entrepreneur and founder of the Longines Global Champions Tour, opened the Longines Tops International Arena here. This is how equestrian sports on an international scale came here, and this year there is a dazzling show of Arabian horses, a Lucullus feast for the senses…
Brabant adventures of Polish horses
We didn’t have to wait long for the representatives from Poland, because our yearling was the second horse we saw during these two days full of excitement. It was the grey, slightly girlish El Lyrica KL (Lyric E.A. – Ersikna / Kahil Al Shaqab) from Klikowa Arabians, a granddaughter of the stallion Shanghai E.A. She entered the ring confidently, led by Glenn Schoukens. It was obvious that she was relaxed, and the large beds of bright flowers, for which the Netherlands is famous, made little impression on her. The only thing that could “surprise” her was the 15-person crowd that suddenly appeared at her side during the “stand” assessment. She even received two 20s from the judges for head and neck, which unfortunately were rejected as extreme marks. With a high score of 91.14 points and 4th place in the class, she went on to the championship, losing just over a point to the class leader Sultana Al Thamer.
In the second class of yearlings, Polish fans of Arabian horses had someone to keep their fingers crossed for again. With number 025 on his back, Jurij Samoilenko ran into the ring, leading Doris Star (D Zeidan – Doris Fame / Enzo), Silver Champion Yearling Filly from Tarnów. The bay medalist from Klikowska Ostoja presented herself perfectly, she listened to her handler, whose calmness rubbed off on her – however, the judges did not appreciate her as much as three weeks earlier, and the mark of 20 for movement was rejected as… extreme. It was not an easy class, however, and in the end, the graduate of the Grabów nad Pilicą Arabian Horse Stud took 6th place (out of twelve horses!) in the class, which was won by the Dubai-based D Nafayes, well-known to GCAT fans.
The yearling classes were dominated by two colts who qualified for the championships from the first places: Afreen Al Shaqab and D Borkan – the first of whom received the highest marks for legs of all the horses presented this weekend in Valkenswaard… In these two classes, Poles at the Tops Arena and those watching the livestream could keep their fingers crossed for the colt who won silver in Deurne at the EuroZone Cup in May this year. On this day, Achilles Star (D Zeidan – Aidah Star / Magic Sourman), bred and owned by Tomasz Tarczyński, had a worse day despite the efforts of Jurij Samoilenko. He is still a very young horse, so with age will come experience, and with it, it is possible that more medals.
In the junior mare classes, we were supposed to see one Polish-bred filly each – the bay Kalanthe Dream GT (Magic Magnifique – Kalaluni / Emerald J), bred and owned by Gabriela Thiry (GT Arabians), and the chestnut Okana (Pireno – Orla Grań / Etnodrons Psyche), bred by Paweł Redestowicz and owned by Łukasz Kuzawiński. In the end, only Kalanthe Dream, an elegant two-year-old filly, trained by – and this is worthy of praise – her owner, appeared. She almost had a chance to show herself in the championships, but her rivals were outclassed by the Brazilian-bred chestnut Shahbrys HVP, who performed 3 minutes later.
Then came the junior stallion classes. In the first one, won by D Shakhar, we saw Monarchio (Star Farid – Minervina / Kahil Al Shaqab), bred by Wojciech Parczewski and owned by Bogdan Maślanka, and SQ Helal (FA El Rasheem – SQ Miss Enzo / E.S. Harir) from Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud. The first one was presented by Bogdan Maślanka, and the second one was run into the ring by Glenn Schoukens. Although the two bay colts were separated by only 0.79 points, it was the Kuwaiti one that advanced to the championships.
Titanomachy
In the classes of older mares and stallions we saw as many as six bred in Poland, although Emarella (Sahm El Arab – Emandorella / Eden C), bred by Michałów Stud Farm and owned by Aljassimya Farm, was also entered in the catalogues.
The first of the two classes of older mares, with the highest score of the entire show – 93.64, was won by AJ Kayya and it was known from the beginning that it would be almost impossible to threaten her position. She came out second, immediately after the bay mare Babetta (Emerald J – Belinda / Kahil Al Shaqab). Bred in Janów Podlaski and owned by Flaxman Arabians, the bay four-year-old is the apple of the eye of her presenter and trainer, Koen Hennekens, who fell in love with her at first sight in the Janów stables before last year’s Pride of Poland auction. Since last year’s European Championship, he has been entirely responsible for her, and his work with her has already brought the pair a bronze medal at this year’s EuroZone Cup. In Valkenswaard, they took a strong 4th place, receiving, among other things, several twenties for movement and a total score of 91.71. Wieża Orientu (Ganges – Wieża Mocy / QR Marc), also bay and also owned by Flaxman Arabians, but bred in Michałów, did slightly worse. Despite almost 91 points, she did not enter the championship.
In the second class, in which Basandra Settimocielo triumphed with exactly 93 points, we saw two more bay mares from Poland, this time bred at Janów Podlaski Stud: Adyga (Kahil Al Shaqab – Amiga / Piaff) owned by C&S Arabians and Alsa (Kahil Al Shaqab – Alameda / Wachlarz) owned by Hanaya Stud. They performed one after another in front of the crowd gathered at the Tops Arena, led by Nicolas Frere and Frank Spönle. Both were breathtaking, but it was Alsa who showed better movement and a certain charisma that won over the judges and earned her a place in the championships.
The senior stallion classes were a theatre of several actors, the most outstanding of whom was the unbeaten this season, last year’s World Championship Gold Medalist E.S. Harir, who scored the highest among stallions: 93.5 points! He showed up last with the highest catalogue number 121 and it became clear that this time he came for nothing else but gold. Pinito (EKS Alihandro – Piniata / Eden C), bred by Janów Podlaski and owned by Flaxman Arabians, qualified for the championship in the first adult stallion class. Shown by Peter Wilms, he showed better movement than Saif Albidayer and Rhan Al Shahania, although both of them took higher places in the class than him, receiving higher points for type and head and neck. Calateon (Vitorio TO – Calatea / Ekstern), bred by Marek Kondrasiuk and owned by C&S Arabians, showed up in the second class. He had an excellent start, which the judges appreciated greatly, highly evaluating his movement. Unfortunately, as the owners admitted, he did not want to cooperate with Nicolas during the “stand-up” presentation, clearly preoccupied with something else.
Championships in orange
It cannot be said that any of the participants in the Yearling Fillies Championships were a surprise. Gold was won by Sultana Al Thamer (Dominic M – Weaam Al Jassim / Emerald J), bred and owned by Al Thamer Stud. She stumbled on five stages only in Cannes and left the championship without a medal. She won bronze in Abu Dhabi, silver in Doha and Muscat, and this time she finally won gold. Silver in the Yearling Fillies was won by D Nafayes (D Seraj – D Danat / SG Labib) from Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. This is her second silver after Cannes, and she had won gold three times before. Bronze, in turn, went to Teha Al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab – Marbella PCF / Exxalt) from Al Shaqab, who repeated her achievement from Doha.
The Yearling Stallion Championships were a bit less obvious. The fourth gold in a row went to Afreen Al Shaqab (D Mezyan – Siwar Al Shaqab / SMA Magic One), who was not present only in Abu Dhabi. D Borkan (FA El Rasheem – D Ajayeb / RFI Farid) claimed his fourth silver, winning – exactly – gold in Abu Dhabi. The surprise was the bronze, which was not repeated by his winner from Cannes and Muscat, Aesar Alwajba. Instead, it went to Azzaam Al Amal (El Galal Baahir – Arabesca Scarlet Moon / Sidi Scorpio), bred by Al Amal Arabians and owned by Azzam Al Amal Partnership. This is his first medal in this GCAT series, and it certainly won’t be his last.
The Junior Mare Championship was fought out between the GCAT veterans. The second gold medal, with three silver medals, was won by D Najlah (D Seraj – Elle Flamenca / Ajman Moniscione) representing Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. The first silver medal, with three bronze and one gold, was won by Shahbrys HVP (Royal Asad – Rebecca HVP / Magnum Chall HVP) from the Brazilian Agropecuaria Vila Dos Pinheiros and the Saudi-owned Ajmal Stud. And the second bronze and silver in Abu Dhabi after Muscat was won by TM Bella (TM Itaipu – TM Fahdillah / Shanghai E.A.) representing the Qatari Aljumail Stud.
In the Junior Stallion Championship, we witnessed a comeback in great style. Its winner from Abu Dhabi, later the great absentee, RD Rajan (Polidoro FC – RD Quianna / Shanghai E.A.) owned by Hanaya Stud, returned for the gold. He made a huge impression on everyone in the class, deservedly winning 93 points and twenty points for type, head and neck and movement.
The winner of the silver medal, D Shakhar (D Shakhat – D Shamkah / FA El Rasheem) from Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, was no surprise. After five stages, this GCAT veteran has five medals – bronze, silver, silver, bronze and silver. Will it be another silver in Rome, or will he break through and reach for the gold? The bronze champion was a surprise, albeit a small one. This title went to the three-year-old Fajer AA (Shanghai E.A. – Fadwa AA / Fadi Al Shaqab) bred by Ariela Arabians, who returned home with silver at the Sopot Arabian Horse Show a year ago.
The hottest emotions were connected with the championships of the senior mares and stallions, but in both of them, the judges were one vote short of unanimous decision on who to award the gold! Will AJ Kayya (AJ Kafu – AJA Caprice / EKS Alihandro) from Ajman Stud receive the gold medal in the Senior Mares Championship for the fifth time in five stages of the GCAT? Yes! The undisputed queen of the GCAT 2024 also left Valkenswaard with the highest title. The silver medalist was Basandra Settimocielo (Ajman Moniscione – MA Scarlet / Hadidi), bred by Allevamento Settimocielo, owned by Maria Ferraroni and owned by Ajman Stud. Earlier in Cannes and Abu Dhabi, she reached for bronze. Aijana OS (Ajman Moniscione – Mikaella Pin / FT Wuotan), bred by Gestüt Osterhof and owned by Al Shaqab Stud, caused a surprise. It was her first appearance at the GCAT and it was a huge success – she received almost all twenty points for type from the judges!
The Senior Stallion Championship was held at the end as usual. There is no denying that E.S. Harir (AJ Dinar – TF Magnums Magic / Magnum Psyche) owned by Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud is in the form of his life, although he is clearly tired from the shows and probably the intercontinental travels. Despite this, wherever he goes, he attracts the attention of the entire crowd. Gold medals in Doha, Muscat, Cannes and now Valkenswaard only confirm this. He is fighting for the first place in the ranking and has a great chance of getting it. The silver and bronze medals were shared between Pinito’s classmates: Saif Albidayer (Excalibur E.A. – Nesj El Markhisa / Marwan Al Shaqab) from Albidayer Stud and Rhan Al Shahania (Marwan Al Shaqab – Jwaaher Al Shahania / FA El Rasheem), bred by Al Shahania Stud and owned by Sheikh Reem Al-Thani. The former has only just begun his GCAT adventure, while the latter has repeated his result from Doha, and won silver in Muscat.
What do the rankings say about all this?
In fact, the only major changes in the rankings were in the handlers’ rankings. Tom Oben, whose horses were shown by his colleagues, was absent from Valkenswaard. As a result, he dropped to 7th place from 5th, which was taken by Tom Schoukens.
Sultana Al Thamer is climbing in the mare rankings, now in fifth. Emarella and Basmah Al Bidayer have dropped out of the top ten, while Almaha RC and Alexandra RC – both from the Royal Cavalry of Oman – have entered. Wildona has also dropped by a point and is currently in 18th place in the 20-horse field.
E.S. Harir is closing the gap with the first two in the male rankings, D Shakhar and D Borkan, with each show. Bandar Aljassimya has dropped from 5th to 8th place, which was taken by Aesar Alwajba. Mushwash Al Shaqab and AJ Kafu moved up a notch, while Equiborn K.A. jumped from 13th to 10th place. However, once again there was no earthquake.
Een nieuwe standaard van shows
It would be safe to say that the Dutch outdid themselves in preparing together with the organizers of the Global Champions Arabians Tour for the show in Valkenswaard. Live music from the stage, a souvenir shop inspired by the Netherlands with an Arabic twist, Dutch chocolate and special shows at the opening and closing – all of this made a colossal impression.
Suffice it to say that E.S. Harir ran into the ring when the air was orange like a monochromatic Holi celebration and confetti was falling from the sky. The embroidered, ornate horse blankets were works of art in themselves – emphasizing the Dutch attachment to tulip cultivation, pride in their national colors (white, red, blue and orange) and also white and blue Delft faience. Both Kayya and Harir in their champion horse blankets looked like heirs to the throne just before their coronation. There would have been a sceptre, and an apple – without a doubt!
Joie de vivre, Oranje!, bella vita
Before the Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to the Arabian Peninsula this autumn, we have one more European leg to look forward to – in a city to which all roads supposedly lead. On the sandy coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Cannes, the Qataris, together with the French, organised an intimate, artistic edition of GCAT. In cooperation with the Dutch, in turn, in green Brabant, they went for elegance and pomp, albeit with a wink, and such a fiesta would not be ashamed of during the annual King’s Day. In September, we will travel back two millennia, to the times of Ancient Rome.
The last European show of this year’s series will take place in a place that Robert Makłowicz would probably call “exceptional”: Circus Maximus! The history of this circus, in the original meaning of the word, dates back to the times of Tarquinius the Elder, the king of Rome from the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries BC. It was here that Pompey staged a fight between barbarians and twenty African elephants, and Julius Caesar organized lion hunts. Pliny the Elder claimed that the audience could accommodate up to a quarter of a million people at a time. However, this place became famous primarily for chariot races, an ancient version of traditional carriage driving, over a distance of 8 km.
The last games with chariots in the main role were held in the Circo Massimo, as the Italians call it, in 549 AD, during the time of the Ostrogothic king Totila. Later, the circus fell into oblivion and slowly disappeared from memory and the face of the earth. In recent years, various mass events, concerts and festivals have taken place in this ancient arena. In September, after 1475 years, horses will once again visit the Circus Maximus. What and how will the hosts in Italy surprise us? Will they manage to beat the Netherlands? We’re going to see what the future holds. We’ll see what the future brings.
