The grand success of this year’s Janów Podlaski sale which brought in more than two million Euro last Sunday (August 18th) and a further 124 thousand on Monday (August 19th) can easily obscure the fact that there is still a lack of buyers for the average-priced horses. Transactions are sealed mainly for the biggest stars for sky-high prices and for bargain-horses, being good specimen at low prices. Decent horses, which should achieve decent prices, find buyers only when they are really inexpensive! It is extremely difficult to sell a weak horse. 63% of the overall outcome from the Pride of Poland Sale – 2,072,000 Euro – was “made” by just
three mares: Belgica (410 thousand) and Ekspulsja (400 thousand), purchased by Shirley Watts (UK) and the record seller of this year’s sale, El Saghira, sold to Ajman Stud for a round half a million Euro. It remains a mystery why Spała, a price record holder of the Summer Sale from Monday (40 thousand Euro), was not featured in the Pride of Poland, while others that qualified sometimes did not find interest among the buyers even for 5 thousand Euro.
New and good ideas
Without a doubt the construction of the auction list in such a way to have the (potentially) most expensive horses accelerate the bidding turned out to be a good move. We all remember how the atmosphere sank in previous years when subsequent horses left the arena unsold. The level of optimism decreased with each horse that did not find a buyer. This time the sale received a huge boost when the price of Belgica (Gazal Al Shaqab – Belladona/Europejczyk), offered as Lot 1, soared to 410 thousand Euro. Right after Lot 2 – El Saghira (Galba – Emira/Laheeb), set the record of the 2013 sale: half a million Euro! El Saghira was won by Elisa Grassi (wife of Frank Spönle) for Ajman Stud. Lot 3 was a “return to reality”,
achieving a still decent price of 45 thousand Euro. Eferada (QR Marc – Efuzja/Emigrant) will head for Saudi Arabia. In all a total of 12 mares from the main list will end up in the Middle East (beside those already mentioned: Alegra, 45 thousand, Wagira, 45 thousand, Figurantka, 21 thousand, Zmowita, 20 thousand, Ostoja, 18 thousand and Espinilla, 67 thousand – will head for Saudi Arabia; Perlahaba, 20 thousand and Prosna, 12 thousand – to Kuwait, Eudora, 33 thousand – to UAE). Remaining in Europe, beside Belgica and Ekspulsja, are: Pietra (95 thousand, will join the others at Halsdon Arabians of Mrs. Watts’), Dama Kier (50 thousand, France), Cerinola (25 thousand, Germany), Kraśnica and Złota Orda (65 thousand and 35 thousand, Sweden) and Enaam (33 thousand, Austria). Palatina and Poezja will not leave Poland (90 thousand and 22 thousand, PPH Parys Ltd.); Antaja will fly to the USA (21 thousand). As we can see, almost half of the sale’s result (905 thousand Euro)
comes courtesy of Shirley Watts, before which Janów Podlaski should roll out the red carpet and maybe even build a monumental statue. Out of the 27 mares in the offer only 5 returned as unsold to their maternal stables.
The successful result of the sale probably also had to with the fact of moving the Arabian Horse Days so that they would took place after the Ramadan. This date is definitely more suitable for buyers from the Middle East.
Another good move was the rescheduling of the sale, known previously as „silent”, to Monday and changing its formula. Bidding on horses in an empty arena gave a very sullen impression. This time the horses were led out onto the arena just like during the main sale. And though there was less public and VIPs than during Sunday, the noon-ish time of day made the auction less dreary than when held in previous years after the main sale. Only 8 mares out of the 26 offered were sold. The most emotions were stirred by Spała (Ekstern – Słonka/Wojsław), bred and owned by Bogusław Dąbrowski, for which a buyer from Saudi Arabia offered a higher price (40 thousand) than those offered by buyers the day before for several mares from the main list. Second placed Michałów’s Pustynna Fiesta (Ekstern – Pustynna Róża/Emigrant), secured by buyers from the UAE for 23 thousand Euro.
The new auctioneer from Ireland, Andrew Nolan, lived up to his task and conducted the bidding very well. It’s only a pity that the sound system in the arena was a bit shaky over on the “worse” side, as in the one on the opposite side of the VIP tables. It took a lot of effort to understand what the auctioneer and announcer, Anna Stojanowska, were saying.
The biggest income was made by Michałów Stud, which is a lovely result in a year when the stud celebrates its 60th anniversary: 1.194 million! Plus an additional 55,600 from the Summer Sale. Second placed Janów Podlaski with 816 thousand plus 10,500 from the Summer Sale. Third came the private breeders with 81 thousand (including the Summer Sale). Closing the field is Białka with 39 thousand from both sales.
The Nationals: Michałów’s victory
The unceasing lucky streak for Michałów, being a lovely way of honoring their anniversary, was more than noticeable during the 35th Polish Nationals (August 16-18th), which took place this year under sunny skies. The show’s biggest star turned out to be Michałów’s Norma, which gained an entire sac of awards: from being the winner of the 7-10 year old mares’ class, through the Senior Gold Champion Mare medal, Highest Scored Mare, Best Head, Best Movement to the Best in Show. She was also the highest scored horse of the show with a whopping 94,33 points! Michałów and Janów Podlaski studs divided between them the victories in classes (7 each). Michałów was victorious in the following classes: C series of the yearling fillies (Piacolla), B series of the two year old fillies (Dolores), yearling colts (Larando), A series
of 4-6 year old mares (Zigi Zana), B series 7-10 year old mares (Norma), mares 11 years old and above (Georgia) 4-6 year old stallions (El Omari). Janów Podlaski won two yearling fillies’ series (A – with Patria, B – with Atanda), the A series of the two year old fillies (Piniata) the 2-3 year old colts (Barok), the B series of the 4-6 year old mares (Pilarosa), the A series of the 7-10 year old mares (Altamira) and stallions aged 7-10 years (Equifor). Michałów gained more medals (6) thanks to its graduates: Piacolla, Złoty Medal, Larando, Norma, Zigi Zana, El Omari, whereas Janów Podlaski five: Patria, Piniata, Barok, Pernila, Equifor. As we can see only these two studs mattered in the final showdown. Białka remained outside the finals. The private breeders managed to squeeze in only four horses into the finals (Wersa, Esima,
Gotico, Eternal), out of which only Eternal stood on the podium (a bronze medal). However it should be pointed out that many private breeders decided against bringing their horses to Janów. The known Chrcynno-Palace Stud, for example, participated on a very low scale. The Poszepczyński family showed two horses in the colt classes, but did not present any of their stars that claimed international success. The absence of many high quality Polish private horses definitely obscures somewhat the larger picture of Polish Arabian horse breeding that emerges from the results of the National Show.
Friday: a lust for more in the junior stallions
When speaking about colts it has to be said that this year they did not impress with quality. Those that we remembered from the recent show at Białka (Gajman PS, Primo del Prince, Fair) this time remained unseen. The quality of the competing horses was reflected in the scores given by the judges, which rarely surpassed 90 points. The classes were not as numerous as in the years past. Seven, eight horses – this was the norm throughout the entire show. On one hand the less numerous classes give a greater chance to end up in the class top five. On the other – the significance of being a top five among seven present is not the same as when competing against twelve or fifteen. Nevertheless the division of age categories into smaller groups is another good idea which we saw in Janów this year – it gives a positive motivation and a greater chance to receive a ribbon.
But returning to the colts. The yearling group was dominated by Michałów’s charges, sons of QR Marc – Larando (out of Laranda/Ekstern) and Złoty Medal (out of Złota Orda/Pesal). Both surpassed the 90 point mark (90,67). In the finals Larando received the bronze, whereas Złoty Medal the silver. The gold went to the winner of the combined 2-3 year old colts class, the Janów-bred Barok (Om El Bellissimo – Baida/Balon, 90,5). Second in this class was Gotico (WH Justice – Ginga/Galba), bred and owned by M Arabians (89,33), who placed fourth in the finals.
Saturday: the junior mares are doing well
We saw much more yearling fillies than colts – they competed in as many as three classes with 8-9 contestants each. The State Stud representatives ruled irrevocably in these classes. Qualifiers for the finals from series A were Janów’s Patria (Eden C – Palmeta/Ecaho) and Michałów’s Emandorissa (Abha Qatar – Emanda/Ecaho) with scores of 92,00 and 91,17, respectively. On Sunday Patria grabbed the silver medal in the junior mares’ category. The best in the B series were Janów’s Atanda (Eden C – Atma/Ekstern) and Falborek’s Wersa (Ekstern –
Wasa/WH Justice) – 91,5 and 91,17. The C series was won by the soon-to-be gold champion, Michałów’s Piacolla (Enzo – Polonica/Ekstern), whose final of 92,33 score consisted of two “20s” for head and neck, as well as movement. Second was her stablemate Wieża Bajek (Abha Qatar – Wieża Marzeń/Ekstern) – 91,67, including two “20s” for movement.
The two year old fillies were divided into two groups. Both presented very high quality which was reflected in their marks. Only two among nine contestants of the A series did not achieve the 90 point mark. The winner, a daughter of Pinga and later-to-be bronze medalist Piniata (by Eden C)
claimed as many as 92,67 points! Behind her placed another Janów Podlaski-bred filly, Potentilla (Ekstern – Panonia/Eukaliptus) with a score of 92,33 (including a “20” for movement). In the B series only one filly did not claim 90 points. Victorious was the daughter of Kabsztad, Dolores (out of Dombra by Eldon, sold later at the Summer Sale) with a score of 92,5, including a “20” for movement. On the heels of her Michałów peer placed Janów’s Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzetia/Etogram) – 92,33 with a “20” for type.
The three year old fillies class was interesting in the fact that it featured many private bred graduates. And it was a representative of private breeding that took first place – Falborek’s Esima (out of Emanta/Pamir), daughter of the (also) Falborek-bred Altis. Esima was evaluated at 92 points. Second place was awarded to Michałów’s El Mediara (Eryks – El Emeera/Ekstern, 91,67). Esima and Euzona later placed among the Top Five of the junior mares championship.
Saturday: a shower of “20s” for senior mares
As always during the Polish Nationals the most joy was delivered to the public courtesy of the senior mares. They were literally showered with “20s” The judges like to award top marks to mature horses, which show their class in its entirety. Not to mention that in the higher age categories only specimen that have gone through a previous careful selection are shown. The competition is fierce and no one brings horses only to have them evaluated.
Therefore in the A series of the 4-6 year old mares’ class we had experienced contestants. The best performance was given by the later silver medalist Zigi Zana (QR Marc – Zagrobla/Monogramm) from Michałów, which received 92,83 points (including a “20” for head and neck). Behind her, with a score of 92,5 (including a “20” for movement) was Passionaria (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pianosa/Eukaliptus). A full sister to Pianissima, she later took home the trophy for Best Racehorse of the Show. So “bold and beautiful” horses are still present, yet this overused slogan is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Victorious in the B series of the same age category were: Pilarosa (Al Adeed Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor) – fifth in the finals – and Wieża Róż (Ekstern – Wieża Babel/Laheeb). The charge of Janów Podlaski acquired 93 points (including three “20s” for type and movement), while Michałów’s – 92,17.
In the next age category – 7-10 year old mares – the judges almost ran out of scale to award the contestants. There wasn’t a single mare in both series that didn’t achieve 90 points and “20s” were freely given out. It is hard to deny that watching these beauties is an esthetic pleasure. The foreign guests were probably wondering which one of them will soon be for sale and planned their future purchases. The A series was won by Altamira (out of Altona/Eukalitus, 92,33, including a “20” for type and a fourth place in the finals), before Sefora (out of Sawantka/Pepton, 92). Both of these Janów-bred ladies are the daughters of Ekstern. In the B series the unchallenged star was Norma (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nina/Monogramm), who set a score record of 94,33! She received as many as seven “20s” for type, head and neck and a full set of top marks for movement. No one had any doubts that we were watching the new Polish
National Champion. Keeping her company was Pernila, also by Gazal Al Shaqab and out of Pepesza/Eukaliptus. Her score of 93,33 was made up of eight top marks, including three for movement. Pernila was chosen as the bronze medalist in the finals. It must also be mentioned that the top five of this class consisted solely of daughters of the Qatari stallion, who made such an influential mark on Polish breeding: Norma, Pernila, Pistoria (out of Palmira/Monogramm, 92,83), Wilda (out of Wilga/Ekstern, 92,83), El Medina (out of El Dorada/Sanadik El Shaklan, 91,67).
The 11 year old and above mares could also boast high scores. The highest was claimed by Georgia (Monogramm – Gizela/Palas), a true doyenne of Polish breeding, with a classic and almost unattainable pedigree today. She received 92,5 with a “20” for head and neck and movement. Second place was secured by Olita (Ecaho – Orawa/Argo) – 92, including a “20” for type and head and neck.
Stallions in the dark
The class competition was traditionally closed off with the performances of the senior stallions. Traditionally at dusk. The 4-6 year old stallions class was one of the most interesting in terms of the line-up, because it featured several representatives of private breeding. When the rivalry is set solely between Janów and Michałów, the emotions of the public are – understandably – smaller. Two of the mightiest Polish studs usually divide the trophies between themselves and the horses that won this year will make room for those that were placed at further positions this time. But with private horses it is different. Breeders that invest their own money and emotions suffer defeat and experience joy much more strongly.
Among the 4-6 year olds the greatest amount of uproar was delivered by Eternal (FS Bengali – Ewitacja/Ganges), bred and owned by Jan Głowacki (Głowacki Arabians). Although he wasn’t able to beat Michałów’s El Omari (Enzo – Embra/Monogramm, 92,67, including an entire set of “20s” for movement), he still defeated such State Stud stars as Chimeryk, Albano, Amanito and Almanzor. All the stallions in this class exceeded the 90 point mark. A full set of “20s” was also
acquired by Almanzor (El Nabila B – Alatina/Emigrant) for movement. Eternal was awarded with 92,33 points and a bronze medal in the finals. El Omari took home the gold.
The last finalists were found in the 7 year old and above stallions class. Its winner, Equifor (Gazal Al Shaqab – Eqviria/Pers, 91,67), was honored with a silver medal, whereas the second in class Eryks, also by Gazal Al Shaqab (out of Emmona/Monogramm), was assessed at 91,17 (including two “20s” for movement) and took fourth place in the championship finals.
An analog heritage park
A long time ago the news program had a reporter write down the text of the news on a piece of paper, which he then carried over to a typist, who copied it through carbon paper in order to make several copies. Later the text found its way to the desk of the editor. After corrections it was again carried to the typist and then to the reader’s booth. The reader recorder a so-called “off” version, the film editing crew pasted the pictures together and after such a long production cycle the news was ready to be emitted, of course after a prior acceptation. Then came the digital era and all the typists received other tasks to be done. Now the reporter writes his own text and sends it to the editor in one click. He often does the editing also by himself. And reads what he wrote. Therefore the path from the creation of the news to its emission has shortened by half and the earlier system is remembered only by seasoned reporters.
The digital era has also been present for some time at international Arabian horse shows. Judges use tablets, so the marks of all horses are available on a screen and on-line immediately after the judge presses “save”. Not only does this speed up the entire process, but also eliminates errors and all those interested have access to the results – whether they are sitting in the VIP sector, the tribunes or are following the coverage on the web on the other side of the world. But one only has to come to Janów Podlaski to the National Show to go back in time to the analog era. Here the judges still write down the marks on pieces of paper, which are then handed over to girls with plates (which have numbers written on them by hand). In this moment the public is torn apart – should they observe the currently presented horse or listen to the announcing of the marks? Later the judging sheets make their way to the show’s office, where the results are checked and often corrected, because during the long path from judge to computer many errors can be made. Of course this does have its advantages, because the girls
wearing folklore ensembles are very picturesque. But maybe they could do other tasks – for example hand out printed results after each class for guests who do not wish to look at their smartphones. Battling modern methods of coverage is tilting at windmills – you can delay the introduction of changes, but they are inevitable. Similarly to the coverage. The lack of broadcast from the National Show caused a wave of outrage among normal viewers, who could not come to Janów. Regardless of the organizer’s reason behind this, there simply is no other way – of course if we care about the promotion of Polish horses. If not, we can create a heritage park of sorts. We must add that the decision was not consistent – in the last moment it turned out that the auction was broadcast after all. So what, since many people convinced that there is no coverage, didn’t even bother searching for it. Either way, the confusion with the broadcast did not suit the promotion of the “Polish Arabian” brand, though we will find defenders of the non-broadcast concept who will say that it is better to meet in person than by means of the internet. That’s true, but the organizers of the Arabian Horse Days do not make these meetings easy for the Arabian community. Strictly divided zones, guarded by an army of security people are not a good idea for creating a pleasant atmosphere. Especially since many participants were unpleasantly surprised that their VIP passes were not what they thought they were. Breeders which gave up on the catering (there were complaints about it for years anyway) were additionally sentenced to separate entrances (one would want to say “from the kitchen”, though it was the kitchen that the breeders wished to avoid…), sitting behind high barriers in the indoor
arena which made viewing difficult and on Monday – a lack of tables and water – unavailable outside the VIP sector. The Monday restrictions, which hit many interested breeders, were difficult to understand because the “better” VIPs were already few that day. Therefore the excessive protection could not have resulted from fear of a large crowd in the VIP sector. In turn the members of the PAHBS, who on Friday and Saturday had at their disposal the worse part of the tent, were outraged that they only saw a part of the arena – the rest was obscured by a curtain hanging between two sectors.
Since the better and worse guests did not have a chance to meet, it is hard to speak about a gala, a mutual celebration in the real world.
What next?
Let’s hope that in the future the National Show will not transform into a competition between just two studs. It is true that standing in the barns of Janów and Michałów are one of the most beautiful horses in the world, but the temperature of the contest would rise if other horse owners could have a feeling that it is also their show. Returning like a boomerang is the subject of qualifying horses for the main sale. Despite a clear decrease in numbers, motivated by the “elitism” of the group, the list still includes horses known colloquially as “monthly tender” horses, meaning they are of lesser value and lower the overall quality of the offer. In turn the auction, which today is known as the Summer Sale, each year brings surprises showing that a proper selection of private bred horses can bring a rather good result.
National Show results
Senior Mares
Gold & Best in Show & Most Beautiful Mare of the Show & Most Beautiful Head & Best Movement
Norma (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nina/Monogramm), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Silver
Zigi Zana (QR Marc – Zagrobla/Monogramm), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Bronze
Pernila (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pepesza/Eukaliptus), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Top 5
Altamira (Ekstern – Altona/Eukaliptus), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Pilarosa (Al Adeed Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Junior Fillies
Gold
Piacolla (Enzo – Polonica/Ekstern), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Silver
Patria (Eden C – Palmeta/Ecaho), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Bronze
Piniata (Eden C – Pinga/Gazal Al Shaqab), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Top 5
Esima (Altis – Emanta/Pamir), br/o. Falborek Arabians
Euzona (Om El Bellissimo – Euzetia/Etogram), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Senior Stallions
Gold
El Omari (Enzo – Embra/Monogramm), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Silver
Equifor (Gazal Al Shaqab – Eqviria/Pers), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Bronze
Eternal (FS Bengali – Ewitacja/Ganges), br/o. Mała Wieś Stud
Top 5
Eryks (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emmona/Monogramm), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Junior Colts
Gold & & Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka Challenge Trophy
Barok (Om El Bellissimo – Baida/Balon), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Silver
Złoty Medal (QR Marc – Złota Orda/Pesal), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Bronze
Larando (QR Marc – Laranda/Ekstern), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Top 5
Gotico (WH Justice – Ginga/Galba), br/o. M Arabians
Best Racehorse of the National Show
Passionaria (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pianosa/Eukaliptus), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud
Annual WAHO Challenge Trophy
Eldon (Penitent – Erotyka/Eufrat), br/o. Michałów State Stud
Best Handler
Paweł Kozikowski, Janów Podlaski State Stud
Best Trainer
Mariusz Liśkiewicz (supported by Piotr Dwojak)
Best Breeder
Michałów State Stud
Judges
Silvia Garde-Ehlert (Germany)
Ann Norden (Sweden)
Joanne Lowe (GB)
Lenita Perroy (Brazil)
Photo gallery by Ewa Imielska-Hebda: Polish National Show 2013
Photo gallery by Ewa Imielska-Hebda: Janów Podlaski Sale 2013
