When a new series of events for Arabian horses titled Global Champions Arabians Tour was announced a year ago, few expected that the individual stages would be organised on such a grand scale. Obviously, no one had the slightest doubt about the quality of the horses we would see over the year, but the setting of each event had to surprise and satisfy even the most demanding guests of Arabian horse shows. The GCAT finale in the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was nothing more than a testament to brilliance and splendour.
After the seventh and final leg of Global Champions Arabians Tour, the 2024 series is over. The series started in early February in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar, from where it moved to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates that same month. From the Persian Gulf, at the turn of March and April, we moved to the Gulf of Oman to Muscat, the capital of Oman, after which we said goodbye to the Arabian Peninsula for over six months and flew across the Mediterranean to Western Europe. In June, the series visited Cannes on the Côte d’Azur, in July popped in to Valkenswaard in the southern Netherlands, and in September we celebrated the beauty of purebred horses in Rome. In mid-November, we returned to the Arabian Peninsula and witnessed the grand finale in Riyadh. Enough chronology. Let’s focus on the common denominators of these events.
Polish accents
Although GCAT did not visit Poland this year, there were quite a few Polish accents at each stage of the cycle. For a long time, there were two “graduates” of Michałów Stud in the female ranking: Emarella (Sahm El Arab – Emandorella / Eden C), owned by Aljassimya Farm, who won medals in Doha and Muscat, and Wildona (Shanghai EA – Wilda / Gazal Al Shaqab), owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud. Polish private-bred horses were also present at GCAT; in Brabant, among the older stallions, one could see Calateon (Vitorio TO – Calatea / Ekstern), bred by Marek Kondrasiuk and owned by C&S Arabians.
Polish judges were also present at each of the seven events, and each time there were two of them: Alicja Poszepczyńska, Anna Stefaniuk, Anna Stojanowska, Jerzy Białobok, Łukasz Goździalski and Tomasz Tarczyński. Furthermore, each of the invited judges from Poland judged at least twice, and there was also Jerzy “George” Zbyszewski who represented the US as a judge. And there’s more. The official photographer of the entire series was Ewa Imielska-Hebda. Also among the presenters, one could find Paweł Kozikowski, well-known to Polish fans of Arabians, who in Riyadh showed, among others, the French-bred stallion Wortex Kalliste (Shanghai EA – Mirwanah Kalliste / Marwan Al Shaqab), bred by Kalliste Arabians and owned by Ahmed Althumairi, as well as Jurij Samoilenko, who showed in the Netherlands horses from the stables of GT Arabians and the Grabów nad Pilicą Arabian Horse Stud.
Culture and traditions that go beyond horses
The mission of Global Champions Arabians Tour, according to the announcements of the creators of this series from a year ago, was to promote not only the beauty of purebred Arabians but also the traditions of each of the countries in which the series was to take place. The organisers took that pledge to heart and guests attending the shows, both on the Arabian Peninsula and in Europe, could enjoy art, craftsmanship, music and even avant-garde theatrical performances in between classes and championships. Caterers, in turn, did their best to surprise guests with extraordinary culinary experiences.
For example, anyone who has ever been to Arab countries must have come across popular drinks served hot or chilled in this part of the world. And something just like that awaited thirsty guests of the event in Riyadh, where the temperature in November rarely drops below 25°C when the sun is up. The names of the individual blends reflected the ambience of the show: “Sahara Night” (black grapes, blueberries and cloves), “Emerald Oasis” (lemonade with kiwi and spearmint), hayyak (rose water lemonade with pomegranate juice), jizani (mango, oranges, sweet pepper and chilli flakes). The cherry on top? On tables decorated with ice sculptures in the shapes of horses, one could find both fresh and candied fruit, while fans of cinema could try spiced popcorn.
The artistic programme was also beyond sumptuous. The military orchestra officially welcomed the guests on the first evening, and the orchestra, consisting of musicians playing classical and Arabic instruments, said farewell to the guests. Moreover, the orchestra closing the show was accompanied by an illuminated drone show, which in the cloudless Riyadh sky formed intricate patterns, including a running horse and the Global Champions Arabians Tour logo. Then the orchestra was surrounded by a galloping group of equestrians in traditional Saudi robes. In the middle of the closing ceremony, there was a fireworks show, which was undoubtedly an attraction (and a surprise) also for the residents of Riyadh. At the end, the winner of the “Horse of the Tour” title, AJ Kayya (AJ Kafu – Aja Caprice / EKS Alihandro), led by Glenn Schoukens, ran into the ring, having previously won the Senior Mare Gold Medal at each of the seven GCAT stages. The winner of the perfect GCAT score and her owners from Ajman Stud, headed by Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nauimi, were personally presented with the award by Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation and Chairman of the committee organising the show in Riyadh. But we shall return to the winners later.
Crème de la crème
The comeback of GCAT to the Arabian Peninsula meant the return of classes with more than 10 horses. While we are more accustomed to the slightly intimate classes that dominate shows in Europe, in Arab countries it is not uncommon for classes of up to 20 horses to be shown. In 16 classes, we saw a total of 204 horses out of 237 entered for the show, which is an average of 13 horses per class. For comparison, at this year’s All Nations Cup in Aachen, the largest class of 4-6-year-old mares had 14 entries and only 11 horses were presented.
Returning to Riyadh, what a shame and pity that we did not see in the 11-year-old and older stallions class the stallions Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka / Ekstern), bred by Michałów Stud Farm and owned by Abdulaziz Saleh Alrajhi, and EKS Alihandro (Marwan Al Shaqab – OFW Psylhouette / Padrons Psyche), bred by Willy Brown and owned by Abdulaziz bin Ahmad Al Saud, who were unfortunately absent. Undoubtedly, both the class and the championship that followed with their participation would have looked completely different! But let’s move on to the championships.
The yearlings of Riyadh
In the yearling fillies and colts classes held on Wednesday, 13th November, the would-be medal winners entered the championships from the first places, and deservedly so. In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Sultana Al Thamer (Dominic M – Weaam Al Jassim / Emerald J) from Al Thamer Stud took gold, although it was not her highest-scoring performance. She received 91.64 points from the judges – more or less in the middle of what she could, as she scored 91.07 in Cannes and 92.21 in Valkenswaard. The debutant Marwaa Alaoon (Hilal Alkhalediah – Marsoulat Alkhalediah), bred by Mhummed Altmmi and owned by Abdullah Alotaibi, won the silver medal, while the bronze medal went to another debutant Sandi RS (Ghaith Al Zobair – ZG Iklil / BS Raeed), bred and owned by Fahad Al-Khanfari Al-Qahtani.
It was similar among the yearling colts, with the first two medals won by both class winners. Afreen Al Shaqab (D Mezyan – Siwar Al Shaqab / SMA Magic One) from Al Shaqab Stud won gold, silver went to D Borkan (FA El Rasheem – D Ajayeb / RFI Farid) from Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, and bronze to Sinan Al Bahya (AJ Redan – AJ Saray / Marwan Al Shaqab), bred by Ajman Stud and owned by Abdullah Alotaibi. Let’s focus for a moment on the bronze medalist. He appeared at GCAT for the second time this year, as he made his debut in Muscat. Although he qualified for the championship also then, in March he performed much worse than two weeks ago. Kudos to the team of trainers for preparing him for the show, improving his condition, and helping him grow into a magnificent showhorse. And now let’s get back to the silver colt from Dubai. His score of 93.29 points was the second-highest on the first day of the finale, and above all his best in the entire series. His previous record was 92.93 from GCAT Abu Dhabi, and if he hadn’t “fooled around” while trotting, his score might have been even higher. It doesn’t change the fact that he won the GCAT 2024 stallion ranking and the Best Male award went to him.
The juniors of Saudi Arabia
At the end of the first day of the show, both classes of two-year-old mares were also held. Shahbrys HVP (Royal Aasad – Rebecca HVP / Magnum Chall HVP), bred by Agropecuaria Vila Dos Pinheiros and owned by Turki Alothman, despite a great performance in her class and a high score, won no medal during Saturday’s championships. Gold went to Shahalel Al Shaqab (Na-Mous Al Shahania – Siwar Al Shaqab / SMA Magic One) from Al Shaqab Stud, who won twenties across the board in class for type as well as head and neck, which gave her 93.50 points. It was her triumphant return to the GCAT ring after the massive premiere in Doha, where she was also awarded gold. No wonder, because led by Raphael Curti on a loose rope she charmed with her allure and calmness, never losing her spirit until the end, and when the judges were all done, a proverbial grin from ear to ear emerged on the presenter’s face. Silver and bronze medals went to two three-year-olds from Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, who showed themselves on Thursday, 14th November: D Najlah (D Seraj – Elle Flamenca / Ajman Moniscione) and D Sanayen (Wortex Kalliste – D Seeneyyah / FA El Rasheem). The first of them repeated the feat of Shahalel, winning all twenties for type and head and neck, but showed worse in movement, while the second had the best movement, for which she received a couple of twenties from the judges.
Both classes of junior stallions, i.e. two- and three-year-olds, took place on the second day of the show, on Thursday. Saturday’s championship was primarily a duel between two two-year-old stallions: D Shakhar (D Shakhat – D Shamkah / FA El Rasheem) from Dubai (92.43 points) and LR Anselmo (RFI Unique – LL Almudena / Bey Shahdow TGS), bred by Estancia Las Rosas and owned by Al Wajba Stud (92.29 points). Ultimately, the gold went to the latter, who, although he’d received 0.14 points less, simply proved to be a better mover. The bronze medal was a surprise because it was awarded to the horse that only came third in the three-year-old class, Adhm Sarm (Royal Asad – Bandahleeza ZB / Emerald J) from Sarm Stud. The intensely black Saudi colt is a show veteran on the Arabian Peninsula, and while his score wasn’t the highest, what immediately struck anyone who had the pleasure of seeing him was his self-confidence and his remarkably natural ease. Glenn Schoukens knew exactly how to bring out the best in him, and so this pair of dapper gentlemen won the bronze medal with effortless grace.
Seniors worthy of a Kingdom
Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, 15th November, were marked by senior mares and stallions, and purebred stars and celebrities ran into the ring time and again. Some of them came to Riyadh to fight for medals, titles and places in the ranking, such as the aforementioned AJ Kayya, Basandra Settimocielo (Ajman Moniscione – MA Scarlet / Hadidi), bred by Maria Annaratone Ferraroni and owned by Ajman Stud, or E.S. Harir (AJ Dinar – TF Magnums Magic / Magnum Psyche) from Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud. Others came to “stir up trouble”, make changes in the rankings, or prove their position as archmasters in the world of Arabians, such as Xxpectations (Excalibur EA – MC Psynammon / Psymadre), bred by Families Butler & Collins and owned by Khalid Alroweidan, or Alexxanderr (Excalibur E.A. – AR Most Irresistible / ML Mostly Padron), bred by Frances Butler & Brandi Carson and owned by Khalid Alsayed.
In the Senior Mares Championship, AJ Kayya won the gold medal for the seventh time in a row, giving her 140 points in the mare ranking, the most perfect of all scores that no one else came close to. The second-best mare D Najlah had 128 points, and the best of the stallions D Borkan “a mere” 122. Her success was determined by a great performance, a full set of twenties for type and head and neck, exceptional movement and stunning charisma. The silver medal was awarded to Basandra Settimocielo, who could boast one of the highest marks for movement (although not half as perfect as SMG Ivana (Elle Narcisse – SMG Idaliha / Magic Magnifique), bred by Smedgårdens Arabstuteri and owned by Khalid Alotaibi, who received a full set of twenties for flawless movement, the absolute best of all horses in Riyadh). The bronze medal went to the aforementioned Xxpectations, who was something of a revelation or epiphany at GCAT – the debutant easily and gracefully won the 7-10-year-old mares class in the final part of the series with a score of 92.29 points.
On Friday evening in Riyadh, stallions ruled supreme, the best of which we saw in the championship on Saturday evening. Many “new faces” entered by Saudi breeders showed up in the classes, with many of their big boys presenting themselves in a fashion way beyond decent. Other stallions were extremely pleasant surprises, including the 2019 European Champion, Wortex Kalliste. Ultimately, Alexxanderr, who had not been seen at GCAT since the event in Qatar, reached for gold. In class, he had only twenties for type and head and neck, some of the highest marks for body and legs, and showed what it means to move. Also here, Raphael Curti didn’t even bother to hide his smile. With such unexpected competition, E.S. Harir, visibly tired after numerous shows and travelling from one continent to another in a short time, was left with a silver medal. Although it was already known after Rome that he would not be first in the male ranking, he had had a chance for second place immediately after D Borkan, but “only silver” this time made him drop to 4th place. In any case, he undoubtedly gained a group of ardent fans, which in itself is a huge success. Third in the championship was Amaar (RFI Farid – Adiya / WH Justice), bred by Al Juman Stud and owned by Sheikh Hamad Falah Al-Thani, a stallion last seen at GCAT in Oman. Shown in class by Giacomo Capacci, he was second-best immediately after Alexxanderr.
Mustaqbal means future
What awaits us in the future? A week after the finale in Riyadh, registrations launched for the opening event of the 2025 series in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. A total of nine shows are planned for next year, including in new locations: London and Prague. The organisers will certainly surprise us many more times with both their unique take on national traditions and additional attractions. The fact that they set the bar very high for themselves this year works against them. But as we know, fortune favours the bold, so we can’t wait to see what mustaqbal brings.
