A beautiful, sunny weather and cloudless sky were a nice present for the organizers of the Białka show, which are celebrating several anniversaries this year. This Junior Spring Show took place for the 25th time – and for the 20th time in Białka, on the 85th anniversary of the existence of the Białka Stallion Depot. The main organizer, Marian Pacewski, celebrated his own jubilee of working 5 years at the stud.
The anniversary Białka show – which starting with this year is ranked as ECAHO B-National – became an arena of several debuts this past weekend, of both horses and people. We were able to see for the first time the get of such stallions as Lawrence El Gazal, Equator, Pogrom or EKS Alihandro. Serving as judge for the first time at Białka was the new Polish A-list judge
Tomasz Tarczyński. Presenting horses for Michałów for the first time was the young handler Paweł Syliwoniuk. Not to mention that it is at Białka where we can see for the first time such future stars, which – like last year Pustynia Kahila or Morion – later take the world arenas by storm. All this made every minute of the show the more valuable for spectators.
The “Kahils” set the tone
Already in the first minute of the show the arena welcomed a colt, who took the podium in the finals as a gold medalist. It was the Janów-bred Paris (Kahil Al Shaqab – Palmeta/Ecaho) – petit (born late on May 31st, so he was barely a year old), feminine, delicate, with a refined expression and additionally – which is rare among Kahil get – grey. The judges awarded him with 92,33 pts and this result turned out to be unbeatable in the A series of the yearling colts. Second placed Michałów’s Kwarc (Equator – Kasjopeja/Eldon) with 91,83. All it took was one class (with
13 contestants) to draw some preliminary conclusions – that’s how many interesting moments it brought. The successes of Kahil’s get are no longer a surprise – it is known since last year that the “Kahils” set the tone at Polish shows, though this rule applies only to the state studs. No wonder – the get of this sire which we see at the shows belong to a carefully selected group. They are the best horses among the many sons and daughters of Kahil foaled at Janów and Michałów. It is no secret that private breeders, with a much smaller herd of mares at their disposal,
have a smaller chance at obtaining get just as valuable, even if they use broodmares of equal quality. But they keep on fighting and express great joy when they achieve a good result, which we could witness at the end of the afore mentioned class. The breeder of Marvel Psyche (Magnum Psyche – Marjjana VA/Marwan Al Shaqab), Marta Napióra, could not hide her emotional tears after collecting a ribbon for the fifth place of her charge.
Also decorated was one more Janów Kahil from third spot in class (91,67) – Bigar (out of Bigamia/Ekstern). The only private bred Kahil in this group – Washilles (out of Warma by QR Marc), bred and owned by Falborek Arabians, did not make it into the top five, but could boast a beautiful, almost brown coat color. A bit more should be said about Kwarc, the first get of Equator in this year’s competition. We didn’t get to see too many of them, but the yearlings that we did see appear very promising. Kwarc, who was a bit nervous during the stand up, stood out with type and
excellent movement. This later gave him the bronze medal. Michałów’s new handler generation – the afore mentioned Paweł Syliwoniuk, had a chance to show that he feels comfortable beside well moving horses – they formed a rather successful duo with Kwarc, which definitely brought satisfaction to both Director Białobok and maestro Mariusz Liśkiewicz, who always happily shares his knowledge and experience.
The get of Lawrence El Gazal (four in this class) did not make it into the top five. As we could also see later on in the show, they are correct, handsome with long necks, but only sometimes can they stand up to the leading rivals. Their scores oscillated between 88,33 to 90,33. Meanwhile “access” to the finals was granted with at least 90,67 (Marvel Psyche).
In the B series of the yearling colts class (13 rivals) there were again no surprises – victorious was another Janów-bred “Kahil” with a Spanish name of El Pais (out of El Fatha/Entyk). It means “country” and is also the title of the largest Spanish every day newspaper. Perhaps the name portents that El Pais will bring fame to our country. And he has a great chance of doing so! With a score of 92,67 (including the first “20” of the show – for type) he bested another Kahil from Janów – Perkun (out of Penta by Ecaho, 92,33). At third and fourth place were the sons of Shanghai EA, including the privately bred (Jan Dobrzyński) Fuerte (out of Frymuszka by Ekstern) –
again a horse with a Spanish name (“strong”). The Spanish pedigree of the father definitely justifies this choice. Fuerte received 91,33 and just barely, with higher scores for type, bested Michałów’s Ligustr (out of Laranda by Ekstern), turning heads with great beauty and showy movement (91,33). Fifth came another Equator son – Dong (out of Demeter by Wojsław, 91,0). The son of EKS Alihandro – debuting in the role of chief sire in Poland – Sokrates (out of Sotika by WH Justice) from Falborek, did not find his way into the final five (88,83).
The 2 year old colt classes were much smaller in numbers – each of the two series had two participants. Therefore all of them were present during the decoration ceremony. They had as much luck as the yearling colts in December in Paris. As we recall, all that arrived gained the title of Top Ten. Nevertheless at Białka even the smallest classes guarantee fierce rivalry. The winner of the A series (with a score of 92,17), was the already known from previous successes
Calateon (Vitorio TO – Calatea/Ekstern), bred and owned by Marek Kondrasiuk, before two Shanghai EA sons: the Bełżyce-bred Genetrix (out of Gwarka by Monogramm, 90,87) and Colinero (out of Calineczka/Metropolis NA, 90,5), bred by Marek Kondrasiuk and owned by Mohammed Zaglul. The B series had one favorite and it was a dead cert – Michałów’s Morion (Kahil Al Shaqab – Mesalina/Ekstern), the 2014 World Yearling Silver Champion Stallion. The change in the age category – from yearlings to juniors – allowed him to compete at a B-show
despite winning a medal at a title show. The judges had no doubt as to who should take the lead – they gave Morion three “20s” for type and two for head and neck! His final score was 94 pts. Morion presented himself as a more mature horse, who lost nothing of his great beauty, yet gained masculinity. He had the gold medal in his pocket. Second came Janów’s Pitawal (Kahil Al Shaqab – Pepita/Ekstern), who with a 3×19,5 type and 20-19,5-19,5 movement (final score of 92,33) is a living promo for his dam Pepita, offered at this year’s Pride of Poland Sale. It is sure to be a thrilling bidding!
The 3 year old colts class saw seven contestants and the battle took place between the Falborek-born Eternis (Bint Matis – Eksterna/Ekstern), owned by Mohamed Rouimi and the hosts’ Eurogrant OZ (Ajman Moniscione – Ekspiacja/Emigrant), bred by Yitzhak Dror and Ofer Meiri (Israel). Both received the same final score – 91,33, but victorious was the former (Eternis), due to
better marks for head and neck. The charming son of Kabsztad, Wiron (out of Wirka by EMigrant), bred by Brygida and Jerzy Chrapkowski, owned by Joanna and Janusz Lech (91,17), placed third.
And with that the colt competition came to an end and the yearling fillies entered the arena – in as many as three series: A (13), B (12) and C (11 contestants).
Breathtaking fillies
The public at Białka was greatly looking forward to this age category – and they were not disappointed. We saw several fillies which were difficult to look away from. One of them was the winner of the A series, Michałów’s Pontia (Equator – Polonica/Ekstern), another horse attesting to the quality of its father as a sire. A high score – 93,33, including two “20s” for type and two “20s” for head and neck, reflected the quality of this charming filly. Adelita from Janów Podlaski, another
get of Kahil Al Shaqab (out of Altamira/Ekstern) was second, with a score of 93,0 (including a “20” for type). Top marks were also shown on the board in the case of other contestants from the top five: Białka’s Elwita (Vitorio TO – Elwina/Enzo, 92,67, a “20” for type) and Janów’s Petulia, daughter of Kahil Al Shaqab and Pinga by Gazal Al Shaqab (92,17, a “20” for
type). Also decorated was a very pretty Białka daughter of Lawrence El Gazal, Celita (out of Celia by Ekstern). In order to be in the top five of this series one had to acquire a score of at least 91,17. Those that did not manage this feat included a Pogrom daughter, Perenella (out of Primera by Eden C), the first get of this stallion on the Białka arena, and Estama (out of Estaka by Gazal Al Shaqab), the Falborek bred daughter of EKS Alihandro, despite high marks and plenty of beauty.
Triumphant in the B series was a Michałów graduate, Foggita (El Omari – Foggia/Gazal Al Shaqab, 92,5), before her stablemate El Medonia (Shanghai EA – El Medina/Gazal Shaqab, 91,83). Third placed Wieża Radości (Psytadel – Wieża Milczenia/Ganges) – who’s name means The Tower of Joy – to the joy of her breeders and owners, Małgorzata and Józef Pietrzak. Her final score (91,67) definitely benefitted from the “20” for movement. Wieża Radości bested Michałów’s daughter of Kahil Al Shaqab, the very impressive, beautifully moving Emiliara (out of Emiriona by Grafik, 91,33) and daughter of Shanghai EA, Forella (out of Fontella by Etnodrons Psyche) from StanRed Arabians (91,0).
The third series saw Janów’s Bambina (Kahil Al Shaqab – Bellisa/Poganin), which immediately became a favorite of the judges, spectators and photographers. Though it is hard to believe, she beat even Morion’s sky-high score and received 94,67 pts! This was made up of a full set of “20s” for type, movement and one more for head and neck. It has to be said that Bambina accumulated the best traits of her sire – charisma, a long neck, balanced built – combined with a stellar movement that the Janów horses are famous for. A shapely head and beautiful bay coat
color completed the full picture of this close to perfect filly. We could also admire these traits in almost the same intensity, in a second daughter of Kahil Al Shaqab in this series – Empuza (out of Eulerta by Ganges). She was also highly acknowledged for her type (one “20”) and movement (one “20”) and high marks also for other traits gave her a total of 94 pts. Michałów’s El Larinera (Empire – El Emeera/Ekstern), with 93,67, including a “20” for type and one more for head and neck, would’ve won every other of the yearling series, but here she had to settle for third spot.
The judges, knowing that it was the end of their work of the show’s first day, felt more at ease with the high marks, because the fourth filly in class, Janów’s Prunella (Abyad AA – Pradera/Hlayyil Ramadan), could also boast some “20s” – one for type and one for head and neck, which gave her a total score of 93 pts. Let’s remind yet again that it was the fourth place in class… Fifth came another daughter of the same stallion, the private bred (PPH Parys) Black Rose (out of Bohema/Ekstern) – 91,17.
The spectators left the stud grounds with a feeling that they witnessed a rivalry of the highest caliber. Many superb yearlings did not get a chance to appear in the finals. They will definitely fight for medals – successfully – at other shows.
Meanwhile on Sunday, apart from the finals, there were also classes of two and three year olds. The public cheered on their favorites, as many of the contestants were known from last year’s performances. There was a fan base of Michałów’s Galerida (Shanghai EA – Galilea/Laheeb), Yearling Champion from Białka in 2014. She won the A series of the two year olds class with a score of 92,17. Galerida still bewitches with a graceful head, though she doesn’t shine as strongly as she did last year – hence the lack of “20s”. Second came Janów’s Cedora (Kahil Al
Shaqab – Cenoza/Ekstern) – 92,17 and at third – Begonia (Kahil Al Shaqab – Bohema/Ekstern), bred and owned by PPH Parys. She owed the third place to the reserve judge, in this case Tomasz Tarczyński. Her score – 91,17 (including a “20” for movement) – was identical to the fourth spot holder, Michałow’s Expressja TV (who in turn owes her peculiar name to a tv viewer voting). Expressja TV (El Omari – El Medina/Gazal Al Shaqab) also has her enthusiasts, as
she can show herself in a very impressive way which she did this time, and handler Paweł Syliwoniuk turned out to be a worthy companion on the other end of the rope. Fifth was the Falborek bred Washa (Kahil Al Shaqab – Wasa/WH Justice), one of two daughters of Wasa presented at Białka, who is offered for sale at this year’s Janów Podlaski Auction. None brings shame to their dam or breeder. Washa received a score of 90,83 and the judges were unanimous in their evaluation: three “19s” for type, as well as head and neck.
The victory in the B series of the 2 year old fillies went to another well known daughter of Kahil Al Shaqab, cheered on whenever she appears on the arena – Al Jazeera (out of Alhasa by Ganges), who forms a very successful duo with her presenter Paweł Kozikowski. Al Jazeera, despite her young age, is already famous worldwide for her impressive movement. This time again she received three “20s” for this trait (plus an additional two for type), which translated to a final score of 93,33. Al Jazeera may not oust her rivals with the refinement of her head, but bests them
with movement and can therefore rest easy about her show results and popularity in the “Arabian” community – does it equal the popularity of the tv station that she got her name from, it is difficult to say. Second placed the representative of the hosts, which descends from a mare that owes fame to her older daughter – Perfinka – Perfirka by Gazal Al Shaqab. Perforia (by Vitorio TO), as she’s the one we’re talking about, has perhaps a chance of a similar show career, since she doesn’t lack beauty or charisma. A score of 92,83 (including a “20” for movement) strongly attests to this; without a doubt Perforia is and will be the pride of Białka. The third in class
Prometida (Kahil Al Shaqab – Panonia/Eukaliptus) is another Janów star that enchants the viewers with a distinctive suspension phase in her trot. Two “20s” for movement and one for type – that is the impression she made on the judges (92,67). Similarly to the previous series, where only Galerida “broke the rules” in terms of pedigree – here also all the top five finalists, apart from Perforia, were the daughters of Kahil Al Shaqab; the others included Michałów’s Parmania (out of Parmana/Al Maraam, 92,0, fourth spot) and Janów’s Axara (out of Anilla/Pesal, 91,67).
Seven three year old fillies appeared on the arena to close off the class competition. This time the victory was battled out between Falborek’s Wersa (Ekstern – Wasa/WH Justice), second of Wasa’s daughters presented in Białka and Michałów’s Emandorissa (Abha Qatar – Emanda/Ecaho). The win went to the former, with a score of 92,67 (one “20” for type and two for movement). The Michałów graduate did not receive any top marks, but the judges were unanimous in awarding her with even, high notes for all traits. This gave her a total score of 92,33. The top five was further completed by private owned horses: El Sultana KA (QR Marc –
Espadrilla/Monogramm, 91,67), bred by Knocke Arabians (Belgium), owned by Jarosław Zjeżdżałka, El-Schanel (Ekstern – Entorja/Gazal Al Shaqab, 91,67), bred and owned by Wojciech Parczewski of Best Arabians and the glimmering in the sun, chestnut coated Kalahari (Ajman Moniscione – Kashira/Magnum Psyche, 91,5), bred by Bełżyce Arabians, owned by PPH Parys. This was the second class, after the three year old colts, where the top five was made up of four private horses (including a winner) and one state bred.
The medals go to Janów
During the break, after the classes and before the finals, Białka offered its guests a mini breeding inspection on the occasion of their anniversary. Its star was the home-bred Pesal, who returned from foreign voyages to – most probably – remain at his maternal stud. His Dutch owners offered to give him back to Białka and it doesn’t seem that he is going anywhere again.
The results of the finals, at least when it came to the gold medals, were easy to foresee, especially for keen observers. The mystery shrouded the remaining spots on the podium. And so Paris, by a unanimous decision of the judges, was named Yearling Champion Stallion, the gold also went to Bambina (in the category of yearling fillies), Morion and Al Jazeera. Additionally Morion received the honors of Best in Show. The silver medals went to: El Pais, Pontia, Calateon and Galerida, the bronze – to Kwarc, Empuza, Pitawal and Wersa. Also announced were fourth spots (in the case of the yearlings) and fourth and fifth (in the remaining categories). Perkun and Foggia can boast the titles of Top Five (yearlings), similarly to Eternis, Eurogrant OZ (junior stallions), Cedora and Perforia (junior mares).
The most titles were awarded to Janów Podlaski Stud: three gold, one silver and three bronze, as well as two Top Fives. So it is Janów who is the greatest triumpher of this year’s Białka. Michałów returned home with one gold and a Best in Show, two silvers, one bronze and two Top Fives. The hosts can be proud of their two Top Fives. The private breeders claimed two medals: a silver (Marek Kondrasiuk) and a bronze (Falborek Arabians), plus one Top Five title (Mohamed Rouimi).
At the very end, on the occasion of the show’s anniversary, the organizers scheduled a slot for the awarding of special statuettes to breeders, also the private ones. However among the chosen group of “privates”, that were to receive the symbolic awards, there was none that could collect them – they had either already left Białka or did not arrive at all. Therefore the statuettes will be delivered to their recipients by post. The organizers also thanked handlers for their support (Marek Demczuk and Gerald Kurtz were the ones that received congratulations), as well as the media: “Świat Koni” monthly, “Arabian Horse World” and “Araby Magazine” quarterly, the (probably) last issue of which – devoted to Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka – is currently being put together.
