This year’s 33rd Arabian Horse World Championships in Paris (29.11–01.12) were to prove successful for the Polish team, which had the pleasure of experiencing the sweet taste of success for Polish bred or owned representatives several times during the event. Michałów Stud has reasons to be proud, as they can now boast Triple Crown for their Emandoria. The Janów Podlaski team was in turn extremely touched when receiving the Platinum World Champion title for Pianissima. For the first time in their history Białka Stud took to the podium and brought home a silver medal for Perfinka, leased to Saudi Arabia. Another first, this time for Chrcynno-Palace Stud, were two Top Ten titles. And in the end Janów Podlaski Stud was honored with the award for Best Breeder, sponsored by the Qatari Stud of Al Shaqab, which is forever connected with Poland through the epoch-making use of the stallion Gazal Al Shaqab.
Nevertheless this year no Polish owned horse gained a medal. The only time we had a chance to listen to the Polish national anthem was during the decoration ceremony of Pianissima. But her award was only an honorable mention – Pianissima, although included in the catalogue in the senior mares’ class, did not compete together with the other contenders, but was shown in the finals, similarly to her male peer, Baanderos, the 2013 Platinum Stallion Champion. Will Polish horses be able to reach for the gold when shown under their own banner? “Of course they will, it will definitely happen in the future”, Director Jerzy Białobok tells polskiearaby.pl. “Just last year in Paris Poland gained medals with horses owned by us – Wieża Mocy and Pinga became gold
champions and Equator got silver. Whereas the lease of Emandoria was a chance at not only grabbing the Triple Crown, but also at winning shows in the Middle East, for example in Dubai. So this lease lived up to its expectations. And although many judges prefer horses from other culture types, Poles remain the only group of owners that can successfully compete with Middle Eastern owners. We do not intend to quit. If we turn our backs on these shows we would only make very many people happy”.
This question applies not only to Polish breeding. This year only one European stud went home with a medal from the World Championships: Knocke Arabians (a silver for the son of Espadrilla, Equiborn K.A.) and one Australian: Mystica Arabians (a bronze for Aja Aphrodite). Albert Sorroca, the Spanish breeder and owner of Shanghai E.A., shared his silver medal with Asayel Stud of Kuwait. All other medals headed to the Middle East. For years now “normal” breeders have a hard time competing at the most prestigious shows against Middle Eastern owners, who raise the bar to unreachable heights by buying or leasing the best horses in the world.
It also seems that we are slowly saying farewell to general enthusiasm accompanying the performances of popular horses. This year only Pianissima caused a widespread applause on both sides of the arena: at the VIP tables and on the stands. Apart from her even the biggest stars could count on cheering from their owners and their friends, but not from the rest of the gathered public. That’s because the VIP tables are a place where deals are sealed, while the show goes on at its own pace. This shouldn’t cause a surprise – the World Championships are not only a gala of the Arabian horse, but also a business gathering. It is here that agreements are usually signed regarding the upcoming show and breeding season, here decisions are made about leases and sales.
Friday: Emandoria and Perfinka go for medals
Friday in Paris traditionally belongs to the mares. In the yearling fillies classes (eight contenders each) Janów’s Patria (Eden C – Palmeta/Ecaho) made herself seen by gaining 542 points and placing 5th in her series. Unfortunately it was not enough to make it to the finals. Victorious in both series of this age category were two Saudi mares: Minwah (Kahil Al Shaqab – LC Primavera/Padrons Psyche, 554), bred by Mohammed Al Sulaiti and owned by Aljassimya Farm, as well as the Brazil bred Esperanzza Al Ventur (FA El Shawan – Honey’s Delight RB/JJ Señor Magnum, 551,5), owned by Athbah Stud. The former was later crowned as Yearling Gold
Champion, while the latter – as the silver medalist. The bronze was awarded to Najdiya Al Zobair (Eden C – Najdah Al Zobair/Marwan Al Shaqab), who qualified for the finals from second place in class (551). Worth mentioning is the second spot of M.M. Esplendida (RFI Farid – M.M. Eluise/WH Justice, 548,5 pkt.) from the stud of Mario Matt. This Austrian breeder (and previously an outstanding sportsman, a participant of the Olympic Games), schooled by Ferdinand Huemer, today places very high in title shows.
The junior mare classes (2-3 year olds) stirred understandable emotions among the Polish fans due to the participation of our young stars: the daughter of Esparto and Perfirka by Gazal Al Shaqab, Perfinka (in the colors of Muawd Stud), Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff) from Chrcynno, Euzona (Om El Bellisimo – Euzetia/Etogram) from Janów and El Siena (HDB Sihr Ibn Massai – El Aria/Ararat) from Strusinianka. Both classes in this age category were very numerous (15 and 12 participants), hence the competition was strong. Perfinka was the last contender in the first series, so she kept us guessing till the very end. Luckily she was able to rout the leader of this series, Mississippi J (OQ Marc – Magnificent Lady J/Extreme,
549,5), bred and owned by Jadem Arabians (Belgium) and with a score of 551 qualified for the finals as the class winner. In the second series an unquestionable favorite from the very beginning was the 2011 World Champion AJ Sawahi (Marwan Al Shaqab – Siberia SA/Nuzyr HCF) from Ajman – supported, like two years ago, by a picturesque group of cheerleaders. And it was her that won, with a score of 559,5 (including ten “20s” for type, as well as head and neck!) before the pupil of Knocke Arabians, Orfa d’Arab K.A. (QR Marc – OSO Axotica/Monogramm, 552)
and the later bronze medalist, stablemate AJ Asyad (Marwan Al Shaqab – Aja Angelica/WH Justice, 549,5). Euzona and Echo Aurora placed on the 5th and 6th positions, respectively and secured Top Ten titles due to their high scores (548 and 547,5). El Siena placed 7th (543,5). Let’s recall that in Paris the top four of each class instantly qualifies for the finals, while the two remaining spots in the Top Ten are determined among four horses which placed 5th and sixth in each class. Those with the highest score qualify for the finals.
In the senior mare classes the Polish representation was much more numerous: Pistoria, Wilda, Embra, Primera, Pilarosa, Cenoza, Psyche Victoria, Waranga, El Piatzolla, as well as Emandoria (under the banner of Ajman Stud), Etnologia and Biruta (both owned by Halsdon Arabians). In total we had 5 contenders in series A (among 16) and 7 in series B (among 12) hailing from Poland. The A series was won by the Belgian FM Gloriaa (WH Justice – Psity of Angels/Psytadel, 559), chosen silver medalist on Sunday, owned by Al Zobair Stud, before Janów’s Primera (Eden C – Preria/Ararat, 558,5). Pilarosa (Al Adeed Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor, 547,5) from
Janów and Psyche Victoria (Ekstern – Pallas-Atena/Ecaho, 545) from Chrcynno-Palace Stud (7th and 8th place) did not qualify for the finals. The B series had only one favorite: Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emanda/Ecaho). Convincingly shown by Frank Spoenle, she won with a score of 563 points, including a full set of “20s” for type, head and neck and one more for movement. Thirteen top marks fully attests to the quality of Michałów’s star, who on Sunday
claimed the Triple Crown. She brushed against claiming her senior one three years ago by losing in Paris.
Without all doubt since Emandoria’s last gold medal in Paris (as Junior Filly in 2005) a lot has changed in breeding – as much as has changed during a quarter of a century in other fields. Will Poland ever claim the Triple Crown again under its own colors?
Saturday: EKS Alihandro captures the crowds, while Shanghai E.A. stands up to the power of Al Shaqab
The yearling colt classes turned out to be much less numerous than their female counterparts from the 2012 crop. The first series saw just 6 contenders, the second – seven. We must mention that this class featured no Polish horses. In the end it all went down between Antaris OS (RFI Farid – Justina/WH Justice) and Equiborn K.A. (QR Marc – Espadrilla/Monogramm). The winner of the A series, Antaris OS, is a graduate of the German Osterhof Stud and today owned by Ajman Stud. The judges succumbed to his charm, because they awarded him with as many as six top marks, which rarely happens in this age category, especially among the males. In total Antaris OS acquired 556 points and outdistanced his rivals by several lengths. The second place holder in this class, bred in Austria and of now Egyptian property, Galahad Juliver (WH Justice – Baswani/Lorenzo El Bri), gained “only” 546,5 points. In the B series Equiborn K.A. (550) bested Nashmi Al Hawajer (Marajj – Maniba Bint Ibn Narav/Ibn Narav, 549,5) from the UAE. Their order on the podium was according to their points: gold for Antaris, silver for Equiborn K.A., bronze for Nashmi Al Hawajer.
Among the junior stallions Poland was represented only by Psyche Keret (Khidar – Psyche Victoria/Ekstern) from Chrcynno-Palace. We also saw Gajman PS (Ajman Moniscione – Gracja-Bis/Monogramm), bred by Przemysław Sawicki and owned by Al Safinat Stud from Egypt. The 2 year old colts class (7 contenders) was won by the Qatari Sultan Al Shaqab (Amir Al Shaqab – Abha Al Shaqab/Abha Fadil, 555,5) before the Belgian bred and Athbah Stud owned Ascot DD (Glorius Apal – Lady Nina DD/Psytadel, 550). Psyche Keret placed high, at third spot, with a score of 548,5, including a “20” for movement, gaining a second Top Ten title this year for Chrcynno in Paris. How did they manage to achieve such a great result? “You must definitely have very good horses, which happen to be in a very good condition during this exact show”, Krzysztof Poszepczyński, the owner of Chrcynno-Palace Stud, told polskiearaby.pl. “They cannot be pale, they cannot have a worse day. They have to be full of expression – not the day before, not a day later, but right during the competition. Also their promotion is important, those that are going to Paris. They should be promoted much earlier, actually throughout the entire season, at European
shows of the highest rank. If all these conditions are met then all that is required is a bit of luck to make it to the finals! Some studs begin their promotion a year earlier, reserving booths and sponsoring several European and Middle Eastern championships. These things require large funds. That’s why the promotion of a horse begins often from allocating large sums for this purpose. In our case the successes were not preceded by such large expenditures, but they are the effects of our breeding work and training, which gives us much joy”.
The three year old stallions (9 contenders) had a leader in the shape of EKS Alihandro (Marwan Al Shaqab – OFW Psylhouette/Padrons Psyche), purchased in South Africa (Elkasun Arabians) by Athbah Stud. He did not disappoint his fans, fantastically shown by Giacomo Capacci. This pair forms an ideal couple. Their entrance on the arena was accompanied by a collective “awww”. It is rare to see such a perfect harmony between man and horse! Moving together in one rhythm they made the judges fall to their knees. Twelve “20s” mirrored this admiration and resulted in a total score of 565,5 points, which later turned out to be the show’s highest score! The gold medal for EKS Alihandro is also the first gold medal of the World Championships for a South African bred horse. Second in class placed the Saudi Peace From The Desert (Marwan Al Shaqab – PS Penelope/FS Bengali, 552). Gajman PS placed 6th with a score of 543, which opened the doors to the finals and a Top Ten title.
In the A series of the senior stallions multi champion Shanghai E.A. (this time supported by the Kuwaiti Asayel Stud) for the second time faced the power of Al Shaqab. As we remember, two years ago he only lacked a victory in Paris (which he lost to Kahil Al Shaqab) to gain the Triple Crown. This time the gold was grabbed by Fadi Al Shaqab (Besson Carol – Abha Myra/Marwan Al Shaqab). Shanghai E.A. (WH Justice – Salymah/Khidar), in the hands of Paolo Capecci, placed second in class with a score of 563,5, including an entire set of “20s” for type, four for head and neck. Fadi received a final score of 563,5 from the judges, including eight “20s” (for type, head and neck, movement). In the finals Fadi reached for the gold, Shanghai received the silver. Yet again the very feminine, graceful, bearing an exotic head stallion yielded before the less refined but more masculine and excellently prepared stallion from Qatar, who gained additional points for being flawlessly shown by Giacomo Capecci. Shanghai’s owner, Albert Sorroca, when asked if he was disappointed with the result, told polskiearaby.pl: “I am very pleased! Just the fact that we are here in Paris, competing with the world’s best horses, is a huge challenge and
great satisfaction. A second place on the podium is an outstanding success all in itself, because we do not have such possibilities and resources as other studs. Our road to success is paved with hard work. I am also very happy that both the gathered here public and other breeders value Shanghai as a beautiful stallion and breeding sire. That’s because he has achieved great results in the breeding barn, which equal those on the show arena – I have seen many extraordinary, high quality foals all over the world, especially in Poland”.
The second series of the senior stallions (8 contenders) was also interesting for Polish viewers because of the participation of Esparto (Ekstern – Ekspozycja/Eukaliptus). Michałów’s alum placed 7th with a score of 540. Cheering on his performance was Mrs. Helen Zaleski of Lutetita Arabians (France), because that’s where Esparto will be heading in the upcoming season for a lease. “It is a wonderful thing that such a beautiful stallion can come to our stud”, she told polskiearaby.pl. “I am beyond happy. He caught my eye a long time ago. I am now taking a closer look at all of my mares in order to choose those that will be best for him. I have many of them, so we will have to wait and see how that all comes out. I think that this is also a huge happening for France and a chance for smaller studs to use such a wonderful sire. I am counting on selling lots of breedings. About mid April we are planning on organizing an Open Day to show him to the public”. Asked whether she counts on breeding another Perfinka, Helen Zaleski answered: “Absolutely!”.
The B series of the senior stallions was won by Eden C (Enzo – Silken Sable/Genesis C, 559, including eight “20s”), bred by Coleal Arabian Horse Farm (US) and owned by Alsayel Stud, for many a candidate for one of the medals. However neither him nor the French bred IM Bayard Cathare (Padron Immage – Shamilah Bagheera/Nadir I), owned by Royal Cavalry of Oman who placed second (558,5) in class, took the bronze. The third medal went to Abha Qatar (Marwan Al Shaqab – ZT Ludjkalba/Ludjin El Jamaal, 556,5, including three “20s”), who qualified for the finals from third place in class – bred in Spain, owned by Saudi Arabia.
Sunday: Pianissima goes platinum
It was not before Sunday, during the finals, that we could watch the performance of Pianissima (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pianosa/Eukaliptus). Those that were counting on huge emotions were not disappointed. The queen from Janów Podlaski again proved her extraordinary quality and the public went bonkers. All cameras began taking pictures at once. “This is one of the most beautiful days in my life”, told us Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka (President of Honor of the Polish Arabian Horse Breeders Association), who participated in the Platinum Champion’s decoration ceremony. We must add that on that day Pianissima had on her a chain which was gifted to her by Mrs. Zawadzka herself. A small, but touching detail, which emphasized the emotional bond between mare and her long time friend. “I had goose bumps on my back when I came out with her”, said Gerard Paty, who showed Pianissima during the finals. “I cannot even put it into words, it’s incomparable with anything else”. This was another one of Pianissima’s “last” show appearances, so maybe we will still get to see her like this in the future. Rare does such an epochal
horse come along, which speaks so strongly to even those Arabian lovers who are not fans of the “Pure Polish” brand.
If we were to place on the podium individual countries and award them 3 points for gold, 2 for silver and 1 for bronze, the collective World Championships classification would look like so (not counting the honorary Platinum titles):
The gold (14 points): UAE, mainly due to Ajman Stud (4 medals, including a gold and bronze of the junior mares, senior mare gold and yearling stallion gold), but also Al Zobair Stud of Sharjah (senior mare silver and yearling mare bronze) and Al Hawajer Stud (yearling stallion bronze).
The silver (10): Saudi Arabia, mainly due to Athbah Stud (the gold and silver in the junior stallions, yearling mare silver), but also Al Muawd Stud (junior mare silver), Al Mohamadia Stud (senior stallion bronze) and Al Khalediah Stable (Platinum Champion).
The bronze (7): Qatar, thanks to Al Shaqab Stud (senior stallion gold and junior stallion bronze) and Aljassimya (yearling mare gold). We must also add that Al Shaqab received the award for best sire, Marwan Al Shaqab, which is not surprising considering the fact how often we find his name in
the pedigree of victorious horses.
Poland, beside a collective award for Best Breeder and the title of Platinum Champion for Pianissima, brought home Top Tens for the following horses: Euzona, Echo Aurora, Primera, Cenoza, Pistoria and Psyche Keret. This time they didn’t make it onto the podium, but we returned victorious nevertheless, which in today’s times is not a thing to be taken for granted.
Results
Yearling Fillies
Gold
Minwah (Kahil Al Shaqab – LC Primavera/Padrons Psyche, 554), br. Mohamed Al Sulaiti (Qatar), o. Aljassimya Farm (Qatar)
Silver
Esperanzza Al Ventur (FA El Shawan – Honey’s Delight RB/JJ Señor Magnum), br. Arabes de Santa Ventura (Brazil), o. Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
Najdiya Al Zobair (Eden C – Najdah Al Zobair/Marwan Al Shaqab), br. Al Zobara Stud, o. Al Zobair (UAE)
Junior Fillies
Gold
AJ Sawahi (Marwan Al Shaqab – Siberia SA/Nuzyr HCF), br/o. Ajman Stud (UAE)
Silver
Perfinka (Esparto – Perfirka/Gazal Al Shaqab), br. SO Białka (Poland), leased to Al Muawd Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
AJ Asyad (Marwan Al Shaqab – Aja Angelica/WH Justice), br/o. Ajman Stud (ZEA)
Senior Mares
Gold
Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emanda/Ecaho), br. Michałów State Stud (Poland), leased to Ajman Stud (UAE)
Silver
FM Gloriaa (WH Justice – Psity of Angels/Psytadel), br. Mieke Sans (Belgium), o. Al Zobair Stud (UAE)
Bronze
Aja Aphrodite (WH Justice – Lovin Psyche SSA/Padrons Psyche), br. Aja Arabians (GB), o. Mystica Arabians (Australia)
Yearling Colts
Gold
Antaris OS (RFI Farid – Justina/WH Justice), br. Gestuet Osterhof (Germany), o. Ajman Stud (UAE)
Silver
Equiborn K.A. (QR Marc – Espadrilla/Monogramm), br/o. Knocke Arabians (Belgium)
Bronze
Nashmi Al Hawajer (Marajj – Maniba Bint Ibn Narav/Ibn Narav), br/o. Al Hawajer Stud (UAE)
Junior Stallions
Gold
EKS Alihandro (Marwan Al Shaqab – OFW Psylhouette/Padrons Psyche), br. Elkasun Arabians (South Africa), o. Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Silver
Ascot DD (Glorius Apal – Lady Ammona DD/Psytadel), br. DD Arabians (Belgium), o. Athbah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Bronze
Sultan Al Shaqab (Amir Al Shaqab – Abha Al Shaqab/Abha Fadil), br/o. Al Shaqab Stud (Qatar)
Senior Stallions
Gold
Fadi Al Shaqab (Besson Carol – Abha Myra/Marwan Al Shaqab), br. Michael Byatt (USA), o. Al Shaqab Stud (Qatar)
Silver
Shanghai E.A. (WH Justice – Salymah/Khidar), br. Equus Arabians (Spain), o. Equus Arabians (Spain) & Asayel Stud (Kuwait)
Bronze
Abha Qatar (Marwan Al Shaqab – ZT Ludjkalba/Ludjin El Jamaal), br. Marieta Salas, Yeguada Ses Planes (Spain), o. Al Mohamadia Stud (Saudi Arabia)
Champion Platinum Female
Pianissima (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pianosa/Eukaliptus), br/o. Janów Podlaski State Stud (Poland)
Champion Platinum Male
Baanderos (Marwan Al Shaqab – HB Bessolea/Besson Carol), br. Taylor Hickman Arabians (USA), o. Al Khalediah Stables (Saudi Arabia)
Judges
Claudia Darius (Germany)
Koenraad Detailleur (Belgium)
Manfred Hain (Germany)
Murillo Kamer (Brazil)
Francesco Santoro (Italy)
Renata Schibler (Switzerland)
Ali Shaarawi (Egypt)
Irina Stigler (Russia)
