The high emotions of one of the most difficult and prestigious Arabian horse events passed a bit – it’s time to make a review of 26th All Nations Cup in Aachen. In ECAHO show pyramid this is one of the Title Shows, placed on top next to the World Championships. It’s requirements for qualification are the highest so we could see the creme de la creme of show horses from around the world – megastars as: Om El Bernadette, PS Rose of Marwan, Baanderos, Pianissima, Venetzia, Marajj, Marwan Al Shaqab, Khidar or Imperial Baarez, as well as some of younger raising stars: Djoonam OS, Miss El Power JQ, Ali Moniscione, Abha Palma or Zawah De Lam and crowds of other more or less world recognized horses. The show contained 133 entries in total with 22 from Poland and Great Britain, 15 from Belgium, 14 from Qatar and UAE, 8 from France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 7 from Germany, 5 Swedish, 4 Danish, 3 Dutch, 2 Egyptian and Italian and single representatives from: USA, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Australia, South Africa and Norway. It seems that Poland is still leading in breeding quality horses and it was confirmed at the end of the event.
Amongst the youngsters the biggest number of entries were by AJMAN MONISCIONE, WH JUSTICE, MAGNUM PSYCHE, PSYTADEL and MARWAN AL SHAQAB, that gives an impression about the most fashionable stallions currently. It seems that the first (and the youngest of them) will join the leading group for some longer period. Few of those famous sires were competing themselves with MARWAN AL SHAQAB being the most successful as a show contender and the sire of champions – two Reserves and one All Nations Cup Champion.
As there were 18 entries in yearling fillies the class was split in two due to the ECAHO rules. The younger group competed as the “a” section quite equal in quality – the difference between the winner and the last, 8th horse, was only 2,5 pts. It was won by F.M. GLORIAA (WH Justice – Psity of Angels/Psytadel,) br/o. Mieke Sans BE, scored 91,3 in front of (90,7) AJA APHRODITE (WH Justice – Lovin Psyche SSA/Padrons Psyche). These paternal halfsisters are inbred to Padrons Psyche. At class’ top five there was another WH Justice daughter scored 90,2 – JUWANDA OS out of Shak Lavanda by ZT Shakfantasy, placed after (90,4) a Marwan Al Shaqab daughter BINT BESSOLEA (out of HB Bessolea/Besson Carol) and the Res. Champion of Vilhelmsborg show (A) JUMILLA (Thee Apprentice – Artemis/Borneo), scored the same as the second one in this class. PALABRA (Enzo – Palmeta/Ecaho), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski, unbeaten in Poland, didn’t enter the top five (89,7). Probably the other competitors were more harmonious and in better condition.
In „b” section the fight was exciting with two stars competing. The winner (scored 92,9) was DJOONAM OS (Ajman Moniscione – Khaleifa/Kubinec), br. Gestüd Osterhof DE, o. Haras de Djoonam FR, the Elran Cup (A) Champion, who has beaten (with 92,4 pts) Menton (A) and Towerlands (A) Junior Champion MISS EL POWER JQ (Power World JQ – Elkada Sahibi/Sahibi) bred in Brazil. Third was (90 points) ASH DONATELLA (WH Justice – Dahma/Warandes Plakat), fourth (89,1) ROHARA CASHMERE (Sir Fames HBV – Psykla/Padrons Psyche), fifth (89 pts) PSE RASHEEKAH (Royal Colours – Imperial Bareezah/Imperial Baarez). MELODY (Psytadel – Mina/Monogramm), br/o. M.&J. Pietrzak, one of the Polish representatives, was placed as 6th (88,8). It was already the second (after Palabra) performance example that horses that were highly scored at the local shows are not always successful at „Title” or A shows, where the average level is simply higher. ECAHO pyramid of shows has its reasons. And it was not the last disappointment for the Poles in Aachen…
At the class no. 2 – yearling colts, Poland had no representative. It was won beautifully by correct and pretty colt but unfortunately with a lot of white markings ALI MONISCIONE (Psytadel – Alianna Moniscione/Focus Highlander), br/o. Azienda Agricola Buzzi IT, that I had a pleasure to watch at B show Terme di Boario IT, when he became Junior Champion. Moreover he seems to be progressing still. The second was (92 pts) another Ajman Moniscione (by WH Justice) son, JUMANCI OS (out of Praetoria by Kubinec), that won the Vilhemsborg (A) championship; third (91,6 pts) Reserve Towerlands (A) and Wels (A) show champion AJA JUSTIFIED, by WH Justice again, out of Aja Beneja by FS Bengali. Fourth with the same total but lower scored for type was MVA COLOUR ME COOL (True Colours – SKF Tiaara/Imperial Baarez), fifth (90,9 pts) FARAA AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab – Maria El Besson/Besson Carol). Few other well known colts were out of the top five as A shows champions and reserves: SHANNAN EL MADAN (Shael Dream Desert – Perla K/CG Balih El Jamaal) and GAZWAN AL NASSER (Gazal Al Shaqab – Ftoon Al Shaqab/Al Adeed Al Shaqab).
Two year old fillies class was extremely interesting with two outstanding horses to go: FS MAGNUM’S MADONNA (Magnum Psyche – Tai Bey Brittney/Bey Shah) and ABHA PALMA (Marwan Al Shaqab – Abha Gazali/El Perfecto). Both scored 93,7 pts, but the first one with 5×20, and second 6×20. The higher scores for type gave the first place to FS MAGNUM’S MADONNA, br. Strydom Arabians ZA, o. Paul Gheysens BE. Third was (91,3) the small ZAWAH DE LAM (AS Kayro – Wilaya De Lam/Ekla De Gargassan), very successful so far with „TOP TEN JUNIOR FEMALE” in Paris. Fourth was the elegant (90,9) GHALIA AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab – Aliaa Al Shaqab/Besson Carol), fifth (90,7) JB PRIZCILLA (El Amin – Estetica/LM Limaal). In this class there were also three Polish competitors: ESPIRIA (Psytadel – Ekspiacja/Emigrant), br/o. Lech Błaszczyk, and from Falborek Arabians SOTIKA (WH Justice – Słonka/Wojsław) and WASA (WH Justice – Waresa/Empres), scored as following: 89,4; 90,6 and 88,2 points. The two last mentioned were not successful though they competed with their new foreign trainer on a lead. It should be pointed that more and more private Polish breeders choose foreign trainers for their horses (after Aachen show also MELODY and LORD BEY SHAH from Minnesota Arabians left abroad changing the trainer for the second time this season as well as ESPIRIA of Lech Błaszczyk). But is the lack of success in Aachen just a matter of inappropriate training or the inappropriate was the politic in their promotion or just the show was too difficult for them? It’s always right to compare yourself with the best – one never knows in what condition will be his own horse or the other competitors. However it seems that too many changes of trainers is not a good situation for horse’s psychic. On the other hand it may be useful to place the horse closer to the future showgrounds.
Class no. 4 brought satisfaction to Polish fans at last: Polish National Jr. Champion and Białka Show Champion KABSZTAD (Poganin – Kwestura/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów won his class (92,4 pts). Second was with score of 91,6 ORION OS (Om El Bahreyn – Vetla/Aromat), in front of DON GIOVANNI J (MPA Giovanni – Jer-Aangel/Psymadre) – 91,2; and further: „TOP TEN JUNIOR MALE” from Paris PREEMIUM (WH Justice – Pricilla/Andrus) – 90,1; and ASH DREAM OF GLORY (WH Justice – Donna Diva/Ekstern) – 89,2, closing the top five. Polish National Res. Champion colt LORD BEY SHAH (Psytadel – Lady Aphrodite/Padrons Psyche,) br/o. M.&J. Pietrzak, was scored 88,8 points. Some very good colts like ALTIS, HIPNOTIC IBN ETERNITY, AJA SANSTORM, ASH ANTARES were not competing this time.
The class 5 gathered 8 outstanding 3 year old mares, all scored higher than 90! The winner was (92,4) Sharjah (A) Champion and Towerlands Reserve (A) OM EL BERNADETTE (Om El Shahmaan – Om El Benedict/Sanadik El Shaklan), br. Om El Arab International USA, o. Al Khalediah Stables KSA. Second, (91,9) Dubai (A) show Reserve champion, beautiful PS ROSE OF MARWAN (Marwan Al Shaqab – PS Rose Mahogany/Padrons Mahogany); third (91,5) – SHOWNEL (Showkayce – WR Jullane/Jullyen El Jamaal). As fourth (91,3) was quite unexpectedly placed Polish HERLINA (Ekstern – Heroldia/Eukaliptus), from Białka Stud – it was her day this time! Fifth was (91,2) HARMATTAN REYHANNA (Magnum Psyche – Hamy De Gargassan/Vladimir De Falgas), with the title of „WORLD TOP TEN JUNIOR FEMALE” on her account. Polish National Reserve Champion Filly EKSTERNA (Ekstern – Emanta/Pamir,) br/o. Falborek Arabians, was sixth scored 90,6.
Unfortunately there were only 4 colts 3 year old to compete, but two of them of great quality: BAANDEROS (Marwan Al Shaqab – HB Bessolea/Besson Carol), br. Taylor Arabians USA, o. Al Khalediah Stables KSA, who gained the titles of Junior Champion at Dubai (A), Menton (A) and Towerlands (A), and Reserve at Elran Cup (A) this year, scored 92,9 pts, and AJ DINAR (WH Justice – Deska HJE/Lumiar Amadeus) – Qatar Show Champion (A) and Reserve in Dubai (A), scored 92,8 pts. BAANDEROS is a more correct stallion but AJ DINAR was better in movements. The first one was also more successful at shows and though some were bidding on AJ DINAR, BAANDEROS was better again. The third was (90,8) SHAGRAN AL NASSER (Ansata Selman – Dana Al Nasser/Mujahid), and fourth (89,9) – FAHRENHEIT GAT (El Nabila B – Hannah K/Borsalino K).
Saturday competition was ended by two divisions of 4-6 year old mares: 7a and 7b. In the A section there was competing the beautiful VENETZIA (Versace – Giavanna/NV Beau Bey), br. Rojo Arabians & Sandy Nicolas USA, o. Al Shaqab Stud QAT, gaining 7×20. With the total of 94 pts she won of course. This year she already got the titles of Senior Champion in Qatar (A), Menton (A), Elran Cup (A), Reserve in Dubai (A) and Towerlands (A). What a great collection!
The second and third places went to Michałów Stud for: PISTORIA (Gazal Al Shaqab – Palmira/Monogramm) scored 93,4 pts and EJRENE (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emocja/Monogramm) – 92,9 pts, Wels Senior Champion Mare this year (A). It’s worth to mention that three first mares of this class gained already the titles of „WORLD TOP TEN JUNIOR FEMALE”, and VENETZIA „JUNIOR FEMALE RESERVE CHAMPION” as well! Fourth was (91,9) MAYA DES ALPES (Simeon Sadik – Eamt Marihuana/BJ Thee Mustafa), fifth (91,6) CR JASMEENAH (WH Justice – Fforget-Me-Not/Ffatal Attraction). Just after her was placed Michałów-bred NORMA (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nina/Monogramm) scored 90,8.
In the second division the ideal PIANISSIMA (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pianosa/Eukaliptus), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski, brought down to the knees not only the spectators but also the judges who scored her with 11×20 and 95,3! It seemed that no other horse can achieve such total at this show… Second was Towerlands Senior Champion and Reserve in Sharjah (A) ABHA MYRA (Marwan Al Shaqab – ZT Ludjkalba/Ludjin El Jamaal), scored 93,9 pts (4×20), followed by: LUMIAR BINT BALZAC (Luminar Balzac – Supreme Foccus/Foccus) – 91,1, MAGNUM SILHOUETTE (Magnum Psyche – JK Padroness/Padron) – 90, and Arabian Breeders World Cup Las Vegas Champion JJ POLACA (Magnum Psyche – Sol Magic/Soltice) – 90,3. Another Janów bred mare BELGICA (Gazal Al Shaqab – Belladona/Europejczyk) was scored 89,9.
On the second day of All Nations Cup the badly glued show catalogues were messed up totally. It was the only thing that was not perfect during this show as the rest of it was really great. Even the crowds were as big as expected cheering their favorites. One of the reasons of it were surely the high scores given to the horses on Sunday. Sometimes the judges seemed to miss some bad legs and bodies… But forgetting it, waiting for next “twenties” was really exciting!
Class 8, mares 7-10 year old, was traditionally a battle of Polish bred mares and was won by Michałów-bred EMESA (Laheeb – Etopka/Eukaliptus), with 8×20 and 94,5 pts. Just after her was, looking great, Janów-bred but owned in Qatar SIKLAWA (Laheeb – Siewka/Eldon) scored: 4×20 and 94,1 pts total. Further places were taken by: NERL (Balaton – Nevesomost/Mukomol) – 5×20 for movements and total of 93,2 pts; EMIKA (Eldon – Emoza/Ernal) – 91,9 pts – from Białka Stud; and FER MIA (JK Nasser – Martinique/Ansata Sinan) – 91,6.
The oldest mares group contained 4 entries only – but what a horses! The lowest total of this class was 91,4! It was a score of Michałów-bred EGNA (Eukaliptus – Egzotyka/Probat) owned in the UK. She was beaten by NAG OLLA BEZ (SW Beatiw – Sweet Saff/Gai Chagall) scored 92,6. Second place (4×20 and 93,5) went to EMANDA (Ecaho – Emanacja/Eukaliptus) from Michałów, and the deserver win – to MARTINIQUE (Ansata Sinan – Marratxi/Gual Moghar), br. Susanne Reiter DE, o. Dubai Arabian Stud UAE, who was scored with 7 „twenties” and the total of 94,4. It is also a valuable broodmare what she has proven being a dam of FER MIA mentioned above.
During male classes the emotions goes usually very high. In Aachen it was also like that this time thanks to great horses entered and the atmosphere of the show. In the younger group of stallions (4-6 year old) 12 were competing. 2008 Reserve Champion of Sharjah (A) and Dubai (A) shows MARAJJ (Marwan Al Shaqab – RGA Kouress/Kouvay Bey) took the leadership quickly gaining 7×20 and 94,1 points. He was bred by Joel Desmarteau in the USA and is owned by Al Bidayer Stud UAE. Also Polish National Reserve Champion Michałów-bred DRABANT (Gazal Al Shaqab – Demona/Monogramm), has shown great abilities and was scored as high as 94 pts and 6×20: 5 times for movements and one for type. He has unexpectedly beaten his one year older stablemate ESPARTO (Ekstern – Ekspozycja/Eukaliptus) scored 0,2 pts less. Last year Esparto took the title of „WORLD TOP TEN SENIOR MALE”. Fourth place (93,0) went to SAVIO (Dreamcather SMF – Om El Shadina/Sanadik El Shaklan), with funny face markings (which doesn’t disturb him gaining good scores) while fifth was (92,7) ESPINHO (Espano Estopa – Mayana/BJ Thee Mustafa). ETNODRONS PSYCHE (Pandrons Psyche – Etnografia/Aloes), owned by Paweł Redestowicz, very elegantly shown by his handler took a high score of 91,3 and qualified to the top ten of his class what should be considered as a success as it was the highest score given to a Polish private horse at this show.
I don’t think there was anyone doubting about the winner’s name while the class of stallions 7-10 year old entered the arena with MARWAN AL SHAQAB (Gazal Al Shaqab – Little Liza Fame/Fame VF), br/o. Al Shaqab Stud QAT – such megastars can not loose! He looked like a statue being in perfect condition. He was shown perfectly at stand however when he was not asked to pose it seemed he might be a bit spoilt or difficult. He achieved the same total as PIANISSIMA, even the same number of 20s! Second was ROHARA BACARA (Padrons Psyche – Sidia/Sidi-Brahim), scored 93,6 and 5×20 for movements. Further places belonged to: HS ETIQUETTE (Simeon Sadik – Etenta/Monogramm) – 93,1; MCA MAGNUM GOLD (Magnum Psyche – Litique/Litigator) – 91,9; and Michałów-bred EMILIUSZ (Laheeb – Emocja/Monogramm) – 91,2. Just after was Janów-bred POGANIN (Laheeb – Pohulanka/Pepton) – 91,1. His result was far from expectations especially as the horse was looking and presented very well.
The last class no. 12 – for stallions 11 year old and above – has seen 7 horses scored 91 pts, including 3 higher than 93. At last the leadership (93,9) was taken by a bit feminine, beautiful IMPERIAL BAAREZ (PVA Kariim – BB Ora Kalilah/Orashan), br. Imperial Egyptian Stud US, o. El Farida Stud EG, who was named Reserve Champion Stallion of Elran Cup (A) not long ago. 0,2 point less was given to Reserve Champion of Wels (A) and Vilhemsborg shows (A) KHIDAR (Ansata Sinan – Elizja/Esta-Ghalil). Third was (93,4) „TOP TEN SENIOR MALE” of 2007 World Championship PILIGRIM (Balaton – Popova/PodSnejnik), fourth (92) RICHTER HM (EL Halimaar – Fasarra/Farazdac), and fifth (91,6) HADIDI (Norus – Hebet Allah/Morafic). Polish representative PIAFF (Eldon – Pipi/Banat) gained the score of 91,5.
It was easy to guess Senior Champions – watching the presentation was such a pleasure! We saw a group of wonderful horses placed first and second in their classes and scored from 90,7 to 93,7 at „Juniors” and from 93,4 to 95,3 at „Seniors”. The winners were very harmoniously conformed, long legged with great necks and beautiful heads.
Junior Champion Mare was named the best out from 8 fillies, dark, well built FS MAGNUM’S MADONNA. Reserve – her fellow and scored the same total – two year old ABHA PALMA, br. Ganaderia Ses Planes ES, o. Al-Mohamadia Stud KSA. Junior Champion Stallion was awarded greatly shown BAANDEROS, and ALI MONISCIONE as Reserve. Unfortunately KABSZTAD was not in his best mood that day.
Senior Female Championships were of course won by unbeaten PIANISSIMA. Reserve choice might have been harder and it ended with the trophy for ABHA MYRA, br. Ganaderia Ses Planes, o. Al Shaqab Stud, who competed being placed second in the class after Pianissima. The same incomparable competitor of the championship, next to Pianissima, was MARWAN AL SHAQAB. Al Shaqab Stud took perfectly a chance for his promotion – the spectators had a chance to touch the champion and see him even ridden bareback! It seemed that the Reserve title would go to his son MARAJJ. But what a surprise it was when the judges decided that the better one was IMPERIAL BAAREZ! It’s a pity that the show doesn’t contain the „Best in Show”. What a competition it could have been!
Besides the classes and championships some special activities took place during the event: the traditional All Nations parade and charity bidding for MARWAN AL SHAQAB breeding. The performance horses were awarded as well as German WAHO Trophy was presented to PAMIR I 1990 (by Penthagonn) accompanied with the „Simply the Best” song sang live next to the horse – that gave a lot of fun to the public. Even more louder was during the Handlers Cup 2008. The trophy is being given to the handlers nominated and cheered with the loudest applause. This time Frederik Van Sas from Belgium was the lucky winner.
At the end of the day two main trophies were presented: The Lady Harmsworth Blunt Memorial Trophy – All Nations Cup, and Breeder’s Trophy – The Major Ian Hedley Memorial Trophy. The first is given to the country owing the horses registered at its stud book within the closing date of entries for the show estimated by points collected by the horses during the All Nations Cup. The second trophy goes to the country having the horses who collected the highest points in the rank registered in the moment of their birth. Poland for the third time in a row and for the 5th in the show history won the All Nations Cup in front of Spain and Italy while Breeders Cup was won by USA in front of Poland and Germany and UK ex aequo.
Out from the 21 Polish bred horses entered (7 private and 14 state owned), 9 took the top fives of the classes, all state bred and owned. Amongst 7 younger mares only one (HERLINA) was fourth, amongst 2 colts – 1 (KABSZTAD) won his class. The best were Polish elder mares – 6 out of 8 took good places: first (PIANISSIMA, EMESA), second (EMANDA, PISTORIA), third (EJRENE), fourth (EMIKA). Stallions were a bit worse as out from 4 competitors only DRABANT was second – but in a great style. Polish bred and foreign owned horses did very well: ESPARTO, EGNA, EMILIUSZ and particularly SIKLAWA.
Is it a good result? It seems that worse results of younger horses may be a bit worrying as well as only one Polish horse was able to compete in the championship successfully. PIANISSIMA is a daughter of GAZAL AL SHAQAB, as well as the Senior Male Champion MARWAN AL SHAQAB. Reserve Senior Champion Mare was his daughter ABHA MYRA, and the other one, ABHA PALMA – Reserve Junior. Junior Champion Stallion became Marwan’s son: BAANDEROS. The only „exceptions” were Junior Champion Mare FS MAGNUM’S MADONNA, Reserve Junior Champion Stallion ALI MONISCIONE and Senior Stallion IMPERIAL BAAREZ. This is why I would say that the biggest winner of 2008 All Nations Cup was Al Shaqab Stud.
Read more: Aachen: Pianissima’s eleven „20s”! The coverage of the first day of the competition
Aachen: the Nations Cup for Poland third year in a row. The coverage of the 2nd day of the competition
