During when Polish tennis fans were excited about Jerzy Janowicz having advanced to the ATP ATP World Tour finals in Paris, the enthusiasts of Arabian horses had their own, no less thrilling, spectacle. The European Championships in Moorsele (Belgium) are a much more friendly location for Polish horses than Verona. We must also add that it remains one of a few of such places after the ultimate scratching of the Wels and Blommeröd shows from the Arabian calendar.

Surprises in the junior classes

Not many spectators expected the Polish-bred Milka by PS Pacos, bred by Bełżyce Arabians and owned by PPH Parys, which cannot boast a trendy pedigree, to end up in the Top Five of the yearling fillies class. Before her placed much more recognizable progeny by such known sires as Aja Justified (Aja Europa), Ajman Moniscione (FM Dohaa), Marajj (My Fair Rose D) and Shael Dream Desert (Heila J). Another Polish yearling – El Siena by HDB Sihr Ibn Massai from Strusinianka, this time had to settle for sixth place.

In the second series of the yearling fillies, which was perhaps slightly easier considering the so far achievements of its contestants, Janów’s Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzebia/Etogram) triumphed irrevocably, to the great joy of Polish fans and owners of Om El Arab stud. Behind her placed the Belgian daughter of the Qatari stallion Monther Al Nasser – ASH Mariella, but it was her who received the award for best head.

Winners among the yearling colts included horses which were visible already in Aachen – Designe For Life by Designed and Ascott DD by Glorius Apal. A large surprise, though probably not to the extent of Janowicz, was delivered by the Polish Primanus Qatar from Zalia Arabians, son of Abha Qatar and Pogoria by Ekstern. His third place in class is reason for pride for his breeders – Katarzyna Dolińska-Witkowska and Robert Witkowski, as well as a reward for the patience and calmness in managing the colt’s show career. Its particular stages were adjusted to the horse’s growth and development and not only to the ambition of the owners. Fifth in the same class came Psyche Keret (Khidar – Psyche Victoria by Ekstern) from Chrcynno-Palace Stud and one can surely remain calm about his future. We will definitely hear about him in the months to come.

The next two series of the two year old fillies were extremely satisfying for breeders from Michałów State Stud. Diara (Eryks – Diaspora/Ganges) won her class with a score of 92 points, besting among others Ul Sid Parma. Wieża Mocy (QR Marc – Wieża Marzeń by Ekstern) triumphed in the second group, garnering as much as 92,8 points (including two “20s” for movement). Second was Emandilla (Om El Shahmaan – Espadrilla/Monogramm). Michałów’s excellent winning streak continued in the next class as well, which were the two year old colts. Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern) had no greater problems with defeating Calypso OS (Ajman Moniscione – AB Nastrapsy by Psytadel), collecting 92,1 points.

Janów Podlaski Stud was a little less lucky. The silver medalist from Aachen – Primera (Eden C – Preria/Ararat) – arrived to the venue, but due to veterinary reasons did not compete. Although would she be able to defeat AV Dalia (Ajman Moniscione – AV Dolimha by Halim Raquim) being in top form that day is a totally different question. The acquiring of five “20s” for movement and one for type by Dalia speaks for itself. Whereas Polish breeder Lech Błaszczyk had reasons for joy. The performing in the same class Paema (Ekstern – Pasyma/Piaff) was awarded with 90,5 points, thanks to which she secured the fifth spot among tough rivals.

The three year old colts class saw the performance of Falborek’s Emarc (QR Marc – Eksterna/Ekstern), placing sixth (90,5). In order to be higher in this class one had to surpass the mark of 91 points. Victorious was the French-bred but already Saudi-owned Mascot des Alpes by Marwan Al Shaqab. Second came Aja Angelo by WH Justice, another reason to be happy for the Hickfords of Aja Arabians. Speaking on the side, it would be interesting to compare their breeding concepts with those of Knocke Arabians. It turns out that with less representatives Aja Arabians won one class (Aja Europa) and was second in another. The Gheysens’ stud had to settle for one second spot, two fourths and two fifths. If we include the victorious Liberty class, then even the showing of two sons of Palanga from the same year (Pavorotto K.A. and Profender K.A.) doesn’t necessarily bring complete fulfillment. For Polish private breeders it is even optimistic, as none of them has Palanga yet.

Sunday – a good day for Arabians from Poland

The day began with a multiple dessert, which preceded the main dishes (not always easy on the stomach) served by the organizers of the European Championships in Moorsele. This incredibly tasty attraction was the class of 4-5 year old mares. Though the daughter of Galba, Michałów’s El Saghira, presented herself marvelously (and truth be told it was her that I cheered on), with a score of 93,5 she had to yield before Janów’s Pilarosa (by Al Adeed Al Shaqab), who bested her by 0,2 points. It must be mentioned that both mares received a full set of “20s” for movement! The third to join this elite group was Parmana (Al Maraam – Palmira/Monogramm). The fourth and fifth places were taken by the well known from other championships Juwanda OS and Al Princess Aliha (both by WH Justice), property of owners from Dubai and Oman.

The class of 7-9 year old mares, compared to the previous one, looked like nothing more than an interlude. Only three mares against the previous dozen, a duel between Abha Palma by Marwan Al Shaqab with Altamira by Ekstern, wham bam, all done. The ribbon for first place was secured by the Janów Podlaski mare with a score of 92,5, having outdone her rival by just 0,3 points.

At such a pace of events the class of 8-10 year old mares looked like a feature film compared to a short study made by students. The battle of “Gazals” – Pinga and Magora – is worth treasuring in everyone’s memory. One thing that will certainly remain etched in my memory will be the quality and manner of presenting the daughter of Pilar. It was a genuine display of skill delivered by Polish handler Paweł Kozikowski, which confirmed the harmony between mare and presenter and brought out the best in Pinga. An excellent presentation in movement followed by a calm, unhurried transition, fully showing the pride and beauty of the horse. After the trot came a

special, demonstrative slowing down, so that the judges could thoroughly take a look at the mare in that very phase before seeing her in halt. A truly artistic work and quite good schooling material if someone would want to learn something. Next to Pilar the famous Magora clearly faded in the eyes of the judges, evidence of which were the final scores: 94,2 to 93,8. It turned out later that Pinga’s score was the highest of the show. The class Top Five featured more Gazals: Wilda and Pistoria, as well as the Egyptian graduate of Halsdon Arabians – HS Ramira by Simeon Sadik.

In the class of mares aged 11 years old and above the emotions were not as huge. El Dorada (by Sanadik El Shaklan), again wonderfully received by the public, brought plenty of satisfaction with her win to both her lessee (Athbah Stud) and breeder (Michałów State Stud). Her score of 94,1 says a lot about how much she appealed to the judges. At that she won with her stablemate Palmira by Monogramm, who was second in this class. This was a good prognosis for Poland, even before the sac of medals opened up in the championships.

We awaited the finals with smaller pressure. Prior to them the senior stallion classes took place. Among the 4-5 year olds was one decisive favorite – Abha Qatar by Marwan Al Shaqab (93,7), behind him the very decent English son of Gazal Al Shaqab – Roe Lateef out of a mare from the stud of Count Zichy-Tyssen, ZT Ludjbrosiaa (with a score of 91,1).

Close to the World Champion bred by Marieta Salas in terms of score was Janów’s Pesal son, Palatino, in the 6-7 year old stallions class. He gained 93,4, thanks to which he outdid Michałów’s Kabsztad by Poganin (93). There were more thrills in the 8-10 year olds class, where with the same score (93,5) Esparto (Ekstern – Ekspozycja/Eukaliptus) turned out slightly better than IM Bayard Cathare (by Padrons Immage). LVA Maximus (by Espano Estopa), whose Białka-born get we will see the following year, was third. Next we received the answer to the intriguing question of who’s better in the (threesome) class of 11 year olds and above – Poganin by Laheeb or F Shamaal by Maysoun. The judges pointed to the son of Pohulanka as the winner, not his Egyptian rival. The score of 93,4 will probably be one of the highest in the international career of this stallion.

Up next were more joyous moments for the Polish team.

Although Euzona had to yield before her rival from the UK in the Yearling Mare Championships, as the gold went to Aja Europa, but a silver medal for Poland was a good sign as to what was to come. The bronze was awarded to FM Dohaa and the Top Five titles to ASH Mariella and My Fair Rose D. Among the yearling colts peerless proved Ascott DD before Designe For Life and Sultan Al Shaqab (by Amir Al Shaqab). The Top Five also included Sharaam El Chique (by Redwood Lodge Artique) and SG Karabin (by Ajman Moniscione).

The Junior Mare Championship was what we were waiting for from the very beginning. The gold medal went to Wieża Mocy and the bronze to Diara. The Michałów representatives were separated by AV Dalia, with the Top Five completed by Emandilla and Ul Sid Parma.

Our national anthem was again heard in the finals of the next championship – the Junior Stallions. Equator bested Mascot Des Alpes and Calypso OS and returned home with the gold. The titles of Top Five were also acquired by Aja Angelo by WH Justice and Espressivo by QR Marc.

The Senior Mare Championship proved just as satisfactory for Janów Podlaski as the previous one for Michałów. Pinga claimed the highest trophy, while El Dorada – similarly as in Aachen – the silver. Magora ended up with the bronze and the titles of Top Five were secured by Juwanda OS and Pilarosa. The Senior Stallion Championship had one favorite and the gold just had to go to the multiple champion Abha Qatar. Esparto again proved better than IM Bayard Cathare and these stallions divided the silver and bronze between them. The Top Five furthermore consisted of F Shamaal and Poganin.

Not ruining the festive atmosphere among the Polish enthusiasts of this breed it is worthy to count the number of “Arab” medals – those that went to owners (and lessees) from the Arabian Peninsula: all three in the Yearling Stallion Championships, the silver in the Junior Stallions, the silver and bronze in the Senior Mares, as well as the gold and bronze in the Senior Stallions. As I wrote during my coverage of Aachen, there’s no going back from this road and we must simply come to terms with it. The Polish joy is not small and both breeders and presenters alike well deserved all the praise, but we should all remember – also as fans of other sport disciplines – that the rivalry at the highest rank begins in Paris. Referring to sport analogies, we had a very successful edition of the European League for Poland, but it wasn’t the Championship League. The discipline is the same, with often the same renowned teams, but a lack of some high-quality players makes it all a little less exciting.

Results

Yearling Fillies Championship
Gold
Aja Europa (Aja Justified – HB Marais/Marwan Al Shaqab), br/o. Aja Arabians (Great Britain)
Silver
Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzetia/Etogram), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud (Poland)
Bronze
FM Dohaa (Ajman Moniscione – FM Gloriaa/WH Justice), br/o. Swatam Arabians (Belgium)
Top Five
My Fair Rose D (Marajj – WH Marissa Rose/Magnum Psyche), br. Dion Arabians (Belgium), o. Johann Van Oostenrijck (Belgium)
ASH Mariella (Monther Al Nasser – Alishya/Psytadel ), br. Arabian Sun Horses (Belgium), o. Tabori BKV Partnership (Israel)

Yearling Colts Championship
Gold
Ascot DD (Glorius Apal – Lady Ammona DD/Psytadel), br. DD Arabians (Belgium), o. Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Silver
Design For Life (Designed – Lianna/Aurelian), br. Rhiannon Jones & Stuart Howells (Great Britain), o. Al Muawd Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
Sultan Al Shaqab (Amir Al Shaqab – Abha Al Shaqab/Abha Fadil), br/ Yeguada Ses Planes (Spain), o. Al Shaqab Stud (Qatar)
Top Five
SG Karabin (Ajman Moniscione – Wiolett/Pasch Vacan), br/o. Scuderia Le Groane (Italy)
Sharaam El Chique (Redwood Lodge Artique – LH Gina Lola Bridgeta/MPA Giovanni), br/o. Redwood Lodge Europe (France)

Junior Mare Championships
Gold
Wieża Mocy (QR Marc – Wieża Marzeń/Ekstern), br/o. Michałów State Stud (Poland)
Silver
AV Dalia (Ajman Moniscione – AV Dolimha/Halim Raquim), br/o. Arabian Valley Stud (Italy)
Bronze
Diara (Eryks – Diaspora/Ganges), br/o. Michałów State Stud (Poland)
Top Five
Ul Sid Parma (El Sid – CA Kupona/Kupol), br/o. Ullrichsdal Arabians (Denmark)
Emandilla (Om El Shamaan – Espadrilla/Monogramm), br/o. Michałów State Stud (Poland)

Junior Stallion Championships
Gold
Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern), br/o. Michałów State Stud (Poland)
Silver
Mascot des Alpes (Marwan Al Shaqab – EAMT Marihuana/BJ Thee Mustafa), br. Anne-Lise & Otto Berg (France), o. Al Nayfat (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
Calypso OS (Ajman Moniscione – AB Nastrapsy po Psytadel), br. Gestüt Osterhof (Germany), o. Sabankaya Select (USA)
Top Five
Espressivo K.A. (QR Marc – Emocja/Monogramm), br/o. Knocke Arabians (Belgium)
Aja Angelo (WH Justice – Aja Aaisha/Ruger AMW), br/o. Aja Arabians (Great Britain)

Senior Mare Championships
Gold
Pinga (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud (Poland)
Silver
El Dorada (Sanadik El Shaklan – Emigrantka/Eukaliptus), br. Michałów State Stud (Poland), leased to Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
Magora (Gazal Al Shaqab – Margotka/Algorytm), br. Blommeröd Arabstuteri (Sweden), o. Al Khalediah Stables (Saudi Arabia)
Top Five
Pilarosa (Al Adeed Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud (Poland)
Juwanda OS (WH Justice – Shak Lavanda/ZT Shakfantasy), br. Gestüt Osterhof (Germany), o. Dubai Arabian Stud (UAE)

Senior Stallion Championships
Gold
Abha Qatar (Marwan Al Shaqab – ZT Ludjkalba/Ludjin El Jamaal), br. Yeguada Ses Planes (Spain), o. Al Mohamadia Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Silver
Esparto (Ekstern – Ekspozycja/Eukaliptus), br/o. Michałów State Stud (Poland)
Bronze
IM Bayard Cathare (Padrons Immage – Shamilah Bagheera/Nadir I), br. Richard Roques (France), o. Royal Cavalry (Oman)
Top Five
Poganin (Laheeb – Pohulanka/Pepton), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud (Poland)
F Shamaal (Maysoun – Sarameena/Fa Ibn Sar), br. Hansjürgen & Inge Friedman (Germany), o. Al Khalediah Stables (Saudi Arabia)