What’s new, what’s old
This year’s Junior Arabian Horse Spring Show brought plenty of novelties. The greatest and most important was the expansion of the pool of awards with the Yearling Championships – a wonderful idea, one already successfully implemented abroad. It has been discussed for years that comparing yearling horses with three year olds has little sense. And the additional prizes are yet another encouragement for breeders. It appears that everyone was quite pleased with this change. A second meaningful – even symbolic – novelty was the “international-ness” of Białka. For the first time in history titles were claimed by horses of not Polish owners (Gajman PS, Eurogrant OZ). It’s also evident that the domination of foreign sires has become a fact. Only
one of the horses atop the championship podiums was a progeny of a Polish sire – Janów’s Ankor (by Ekstern). All the other medalists had “exotic” origins in the upper part of their pedigree. Standing out among the sires this year was the Italian Ajman Moniscione, whose three get took home championship titles (Gajman PS, Eurogrant OZ and Kalahari). And in such a way several very “painted” chestnuts (bearing lots of white markings) elbowed their way into the winners’ circle, a rare situation in Poland until now.
Despite these novelties one thing in Białka remained unchanged – “a homely” atmosphere. The
picnic-like event and the accompanying local attractions, without trying to turn this into a pompous venue, suit the Białka championships well. Everyone is well aware of the purpose of this event: on one hand it’s about comparing breeding achievements and on the other – to stimulate rivalry and show the strength of Polish breeding. Only here – it is a Polish specificity, which acts as a magnet drawing all enthusiasts of the Arabian horse – is it possible to gather more than 100 equine youngsters! This year there were 112 entries, with the majority of the participants showing up on the arena.
„Złoty Medal” lives up to his name
The competition began on a hot, sunny day with the A series of the yearling colts (13 participants). We didn’t have to wait long for the favorite to be revealed – he appeared as the number 3, bearing the self-explanatory name of Złoty Medal (QR Marc – Złota Orda/Pesal), translating to “Gold Medal”. The graduate of Michałów Stud gathered 41,5 points, which turned out to be unbeatable in this class. The next day he was crowned Yearling Champion Stallion. It has to be said that the Michałów breeders displayed great intuition in the name-giving department. The second contestant in this class, Janów’s Ankor (Ekstern – Anarchia/Gazal Al
Shaqab, 40,83 pts), also placed second in the championships, taking home the title of Yearling Reserve Champion Stallion. The third, Ebenos (Om El Bellissimo – Enaam/Ekstern), also from Janów Podlaski, was assessed with the same total score as his stablemate, but lost due to points for type. The class top five rounded out with Primo del Prince (Ajman Moniscione – Primadonna/Padrons Psyche), bred and owned by Tomasz Tarczyński (39,67) and Psyche Ull (Forteynas Magic – Psyche Victoria/Ekstern), bred and owned by Chrcynno-Palace Stud (39,5).
Already the first class showed the tendency that was to shroud the entire show – namely great discrepancies between the marks of the judges. This of course happens, especially when judging young horses, but sometimes the spectators had a feeling that the judges were looking at different horses. The marks for toplines varied from 7 points to 8,5 (Primo del Prince), for head and neck from 7,5 to 9 (Smolik by Pegasus out of Spała/Ekstern, bred and owned by Bogusław Dąbrowski), whereas for type from 8,5 to 10 (Piacolla). Every man has his taste, but still such a dispersion of marks must raise eyebrows.
In the B series of the yearling stallions (12 participants) the leading spot was taken by Eurogrant OZ (Ajman Moniscione – Ekspiacja/Emigrant) with a score of 40,5, bred by Ofer Meiri & Yzhak Dror, leased by the show’s hosts. The colt will remain in Poland for 2,5 years, maybe longer. Eurogrant OZ’s class victory and later a Bronze Medal in the yearling championships is – as we wrote – symbolic and, together with the success of Gajman PS, sets a new international phase
in the show’s history. Second placed Michałów’s Larando (QR Marc – Laranda/Ekstern) with a score of 40,5 (he lost to Eurogrant OZ due to type), third – Fair (AB Jamil La Piana – Fila/Oset) bred and owned by PPH Parys (40,33), fourth – Portman (Alert – Pistoria/Gazal Al Shaqab) from Michałów (40,33) and fifth – Agordat (Echo Ofira – Altara/Gazal Al Shaqab) bred and owned by Janusz Ryżkowski (39,83). Shunned out of the top five was Janów’s Estoril (Ekstern – Eutona/Etogram), despite his movement being awarded with two “10s” (though the third judge gave him only an “8”).
The two year old stallions’ classes were less numerous, with 6 (series A) and 5 (series B) participants. The first of these was decisively won by Gajman PS (Ajman Moniscione – Gracja-Bis/Monogramm), bred by Przemysław Sawicki and owned by Al Safinat Stud – Nashaat Hegazy (Egypt). The “painted” chestnut, despite a young age, is already a seasoned show horse – he has competed in Scandinavia and the Middle East, placing in the top five of his classes. In Białka he received Saturday’s highest score – 41,83, including a “10” for movement.
On Sunday he was chosen Junior Champion Stallion, only the second private-bred colt in the show’s history, the first being Girlan-Bey in 2003. It must be noted that both are the sons of the same mare – Gracja-Bis by Monogramm, bred by Michał Bogajewicz. So she turned out to be a dam of champions! Gajman PS defeated Janów’s Barok (Om El Bellissimo – Baida/Balon) – 41 pts, a class winner and last year’s Polish National Bronze Medalist. In the finals Barok enlarged his title collection with that of Białka Junior Reserve Champion.
The B series of the 2 year old colts’ was easily won by Primanus Qatar (Abha Qatar – Pogoria/Ekstern), bred and owned by Katarzyna Dolińska-Witkowska (Zalia Arabians). With a score of 40,67 he bested Białka’s Perrero (Esparto – Perra/Ararat) – 38,33 (including a “10” for movement). Primanus Qatar, who has successful performances at European shows under his belt (Moorsele 2012, Wels 2013 – 3rd place in class), can now also boast a Bronze Medal from Białka.
The three year old colts’ class saw only three participants. Victorious was Echo Mars, another get of Ajman Moniscione at this event (out of Echo Kirke/Ecaho), bred and owned by Chrcynno-Palace Stud with a score of 39 pts.
Yearling fillies cause a commotion
The three series of the yearling fillies’ classes consisted of 12, 11 and 13 participants, respectively. The winner of the A series, Michałów’s Emandorissa (Abha Qatar – Emanda/Ecaho), gained one “10” for movement and received a final score of 41,33. Yet in the finals on Sunday she was bested by the second in class, Janów-bred Paterna (Eden C – Pinga/Gazal Al Shaqab) – 41,17, who gained the title of Yearling Reserve Champion Mare. Placing behind the two class leaders were: Janów’s Wiga (Om El Bellissimo – Wołogda/Ekstern, 40,17), Michałów’s Galacja (WH Kaneko – Galilea/Laheeb, 39,83) and Janów’s Patria (Eden C – Palmeta/Ecaho, 39,5). The entire top five of this class were daughters of superb mares, the absolute top stars of Polish State Stud breeding.
The B series was won by Pustynna Noc (WH Kaneko – Pustynna Rosa/Ekstern, 40,33) from Michałów, behind whom came Angelina (Elmaran – Antalia Bay DD/El Amin, 40,17) bred and owned by Wojciech Parczewski (Best Arabians, previously Nazaret Arabians). The three remaining top five spots consisted of State Stud representatives – Janów’s Eden C daughters: Atanda – 40,17 (third) and Piera – 39,33 (fifth), as well as Michałów’s Matahna by WH Kaneko, 39,83 (fourth place).
The C series introduced the public to the later winner of the Yearling Championship, the dark bay Piacolla (Enzo – Polonica/Ekstern), bred and owned by Michałów Stud. With one “10” for
type she garnered 41,33 pts (and a large group of devoted fans), outdoing the daughter of Ajman Moniscione and Kashira/Magnum Psyche, Kalahari (40,83), bred by Andrzej Wójtowicz (Bełżyce Arabians), owned by PPH Parys. On Sunday Kalahari finished the championships with a Junior Bronze Medal to the vibrantly expressed joy of her owners. Behind those two fillies placed: Michałów’s Wieża Bajek by Abha Qatar (out of Wieża Marzeń/Ekstern, 39,67), Janów’s Alamina by Om El Bellissimo (out of Alameda/Wachlarz, 39,33) and Escalada (Esparto – Estrala/Werbum), bred and owned by Kurozwęki Stud (J.M. Popiel) – 39,17.
Lucky thirteen
On Sunday – despite unfavorable weather forecasts it proved to be just as hot as on Saturday – it was turn for the two and three year olds to strut their stuff. The two year olds were divided into two groups – A (12 participants) and B (11 participants). As it soon turned out, Potentilla (Ekstern – Panonia/Eukaliptus) established an unbeatable score – 42,17, including two “10s” for movement. The Janów Podlaski graduate seemed therefore to be a rock-solid candidate for the top podium, however that did not happen. The medal (a silver one) was awarded to the second in class El Siena (HDB Sihr Ibn Massai – El Aria/Ararat), bred and
owned by ZPH Strusinianka (41,83), without question the best of her sire’s numerous get in Poland. The top five also included Pianiata (Eden C – Pinga/Gazal Al Shaqab) from Janów (40,67), Milka (PS Pacos – Mira/Sarmata), bred by Agnieszka Wójtowicz (Bełżyce Arabians) and owned by PPH Parys (40,83) and Białka’s Cirlita (Eryks – Cirka/Borek) – 40,17.
Much astonishment was delivered by the B series of the two year olds’ class. Białka’s young star, Perfinka (Esparto – Perfirka/Gazal Al Shaqab) – Polish National Junior Reserve Champion
of 2012, winner of the 2013 Tulip Cup – placed only 3rd with a score of 41 points and did not qualify for the championship finals. She was bested by Janów’s charges: the later Junior Champion & Best in Show Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzetia/Etogram, 41,67) and El Fada (Ekstern – El Fatha/Entyk, 41,33). The top five was further completed by Białka’s Egiria (Esparto – Egira/Emigrant, 40,67, including a “10” for head and neck) and Michałów’s Dolores (Kabsztad – Dombra/Eldon, 40,5).
Among the 9 three year old contestants victorious was the Reserve Champion from Wels, a graduate of Chrcynno-Palace Stud – Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff) with a score of 41,67. Not much later she gained the Bronze Medal. And so table number thirteen in the VIP sector, occupied by the Poszepczyński family of Chrcynno and Błaszkiewicz family of Strusinianka proved very lucky, as both breeders could share the happiness of their horses winning medals at Białka (Echo Aurora and El Siena). But returning to the last class: behind Echo Aurora placed Emerida (Esparto – Emrida/Ararat), bred and owned
by the show’s hosts (40,17), Ewarda (Ekstern – Estaka/Gazal Al Shaqab) from Falborek (39,83) and Michałów’s El Mediara (Eryks – El Emeera/Ekstern) – 39,5.
The great pleasure admiring horses being the hopes of their breeders was a bit ruined by a small surprise. Many of those that collected their trophies expressed a longing for the characteristic Białka statuette, immortalized on numerous photos from past events. Some would gladly exchange the current award for the previous one, so strongly associated with the image of the Spring championship.
Results
Junior Female Championship:
Gold & Best in Show
Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzetia/Etogram), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Silver
El Siena (HDB Sihr Ibn Massai – El Aria/Ararat), br/o. ZPH Strusinianka
Bronze
Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff), br/o. Chrcynno-Palace Stud
Yearling Fillies Championship:
Gold
Piacolla (Enzo – Polonica/Ekstern), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Silver
Paterna (Eden C – Pinga/Gazal Al Shaqab), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Bronze
Kalahari (Ajman Moniscione – Kashira/Magnum Psyche), br. Andrzej Wójtowicz, o. PPH Parys
Junior Male Championship:
Gold
Gajman PS (Ajman Moniscione – Gracja Bis/Monogramm), br. Przemysław Sawicki, o. Al Safinat Stud – Nashaat Hegazy (Egypt)
Silver
Barok (Om El Bellissimo – Baida/Balon), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Bronze
Primanus Qatar (Abha Qatar – Pogoria/Ekstern), br/o. Katarzyna Dolińska-Witkowska (Zalia Arabians)
Yearling Colts Championship:
Gold
Złoty Medal (QR Marc – Złota Orda/Pesal), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Silver
Ankor (Ekstern – Anarchia/Gazal Al Shaqab), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Bronze
Eurogrant OZ (Ajman Moniscione – Ekspiacja/Emigrant), br. Ofer Meiri & Yzhak Dror (Israel), o. Białka Stud and Ofer Meiri & Yzhak Dror
