This year’s National Arabian Horse Show differed from the previous ones. I guess that is how I can describe this event both briefly and delicately.
It was different for several reasons. Once again, the organiser has changed – this year, Krajowy Ośrodek Wsparcia Rolnistwa (KOWR), Janów Podlaski Stud and Michałów Stud were responsible for the organisation. The venue of the championship has changed, and we have moved from the tent that has accompanied us for the last few years to the open square in front of the Clock Stable, Zegarowa. The idea seemed to be a good one, because it is a cult place, primarily associated with the image of the stud in Janów Podlaski. Unfortunately, the weather thwarted these plans and flooded Janów with rain. Literally. For this reason, they moved the Saturday mare classes to the hall in Janów. And there would be nothing wrong with that had the organisers checked the weather forecasts and considered the need to move the show to the aforementioned hall. The result was that we watched the mare classes in an empty, undecorated hall, without a proper sound system, in a huge crowd and stuffiness. It looked very sad. And it was enough to maintain the formula of the event from previous years or just have a Plan B in case of bad weather.
This year, the show was judged by six judges: Antonia Bautista and Pila Cavero from Spain, Josy Everars from Belgium, Marianne Tengstedt from Denmark, Zico Guardia from Brazil, and Ali Darawsha from Israel. Erik Blaak and Mariusz Rytel were the commentators – it hasn’t changed.
118 horses were entered, of which 106 were forward, quite an impressive number for European shows. This year, ridden classes and a Gelding Championship were held for the first time. The Gelding Champion title went to the Champion of the show in Sopot – Parillus (Ascot DD x Parilla by Enzo), bred and owned by Białka Stud, and listed in the catalogue as Małopolska Hodowla Plant. The Silver medal went to the grey Korab (Pegasus x Karbala by Emigrant) owned by Magdalena Helak-Kulczyńska, and the Bronze to the bay Eunory (Ganges x Eunora by Gazal al Shaqab) owned by Aneta Chrząstek-Szyc.
Colts and stallions
Let’s go back to Friday’s colt and stallion classes, held at the Clock Stable as planned. 13 yearling colts were divided into two sections, with six and seven colts in the class; in the end, 11 were forward. The scores of most of them should probably be ignored because they hovered around 89 points. Only El Medar (Morion x El Medonia by Shanghai EA) from Michałów Stud, shown in the second class, defended his quality to score 92 points. On Sunday, El Medar took the Yearling Colt Gold medal. Al Narciso (Erantis x Amorena by Pogrom), second place in this class with 90.10 points, was bred at Janów Podlaski Stud. In Sunday’s championships, he was named Bronze Champion, having to give way to the grey son of QR Marc, Elon KL (ex Erigone by Ekstern) from Klikowa Stud, who was third Friday’s class.
El Medar (and cover horse)
Al Narciso
Elon KL
None of the yearling colts from the first class received a medal in Sunday’s championships, with the winner, the bay Delikt (Morion x Diara by Eryks) from Michałów Stud, finishing fourth. The Top Five was completed with the colt from second place in class, another son of the stallion Morion – Foggiro (ex Foggira by Ekstern) bred and owned by Priest Stanisław Sławiński. It is worth mentioning that the third in this class and making his showing debut was Evalion Zalia (Dominic M x Evolett by Ajman Moniscione) from Katarzyna Dolińska-Witkowska’s Zalia Arabians.
The next colt classes were divided by age and so we saw two classes – one for two-year-olds and one for three-year-old. The winner of the two-year-olds would go on to be Sunday’s Gold Junior Male Champion and the winner of the Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka Trophy for the Best Junior Male. This was the well-known bay, and Gold Yearling Male Champion from 2021, Nahil al Khalediah (Gaith al Zobair x Nawal al Khalediah by Forteyna’s Magic) from Polska AKF Stud. Nahil al Khalediah scored 90.9 points in the class and was ahead of Michałów’s El Brillo (Morion x El Larinera by Empire), who scored the same number of points in total, but Nahil showed us better movement. Nevertheless, El Brillo was on Nahil’s heels until the very end of the championship and left Janów with the Silver medal. Third in class was Perlaf Zalia (AJ Elaf x Perwilla by Ascot DD) from Zalia Arabians.
Nahil al Khalediah
El Brillo
The three-year-old colt class was won by the well-known and much liked chestnut Chicago (Wortex Kalliste x Calatea by Ekstern) with a score of 90.8 points; in the championship, he was awarded Bronze. Fourth in the championship went to the grey Wirton GA (Pharaoh HBV x Weihburg’s Nectar by Lawrence el Gazal), who took second place in this class, bred by Artur Gibała’s GA Rancho Stud.
Chicago
After the junior classes, it was time for the stallions, of which we saw only two classes again. The class of four-to-six-year-old stallions was won by Ptolemeusz (Złoty Medal x Parmana by Al Maraam), bred at the Michałów stud, whom we last saw in the show-rings in 2020 as a colt. This year he was chosen Silver Senior Male Champion at the show in Janów, but I think that this is only the beginning of his career as a senior stallion. Second in class was Ames JR (Psytadel x Altara by Gazal al Shaqab), bred and owned by Janusz Ryżkowski, who had not been seen for a long time and received a Bronze medal in the championship. Third in the class was the well-known silver medallist from last year, Erantis (Ascot DD x Eugara by Om El Belissimo) from Janów Podlaski Stud.
Ptolemeusz
Ames JR
In the senior stallion class, we saw only four competitors. The class was won, with a slight advantage in points by Złoty Medal (QR Marc x Złota Orda by Pesal) from Michałów Stud with 91.4 points. Thanks to this, we had a rare opportunity to compare father and son in the championship. In this comparison, the son turned out to be better than the father, and the father had to be satisfied with the fourth place in the championship, despite winning in the class. Second in the class, with a score of 91.3, was the athletic grey Psyche Keret (Khidar x Psyche Victoria by Ekstern) from Chrcynno-Palace Stud, who confidently took the Senior Male title in the championships. The third place went to a son of Equator, Camal Galib (ex Czarnula by Ekwipunek), bred and owned by Beata Thiry.
Psyche Keret
Fillies and mares
Due to heavy, often torrential, rain on Friday and Saturday, the organisers decided to move the show to the hall. In fact, they had no choice, because in the square in front of the Clock Stable the water was at least ankle-deep. Initially, only some classes were to be held in the hall. In the end, all classes took place there, because as the day progressed, the weather did not improve, and it even worsened.
As usual, the attendance of the yearling fillies was great, and we saw a total of 25 fillies divided into three classes. Again, the judges were very restrained in awarding grades and as a result, most of them did not exceed the threshold of 90 points. Is it the poorer quality of Polish youth than in previous years, or maybe a set of judges who prefer a different type of Arabian horse?
Section A was won by the fantastically moving bay Eri Starra (Star Farid x Espanolita by Shanghai EA), bred and owned by Petroniusz Frejlich, known to us from Białka and Sopot. Unfortunately, she was practically omitted in the championship and only taking fifth place. In second was Paweł Redestowicz’s Bella Rose (Star Farid x Bogini Marajj by Marajj), who proved her class in the championship, leaving Janów with the Silver Yearling Filly Championship. Third in the class, as well as Bronze in the championship, went to Janów’s beautiful filly Bella Mia (Morion x Beira by Pogrom). It is worth mentioning that in the first yearling filly class, we saw four daughters of the stallion Star Farid (RFI Farid x EKS Star of Africa by Marwan al Shaqab) bred by Wojciech Parczewski. Star Farid has been a two-time champion at the National Show in Janów Podlaski – as a yearling and as a two-year-old. Now he confirms his class as a sire by giving very good and balanced foals, especially fillies.
Bella Rose
Bella Mia
The second two classes belonged to progeny of Michałów Stud, with the top two places in the second section being taken by fillies from this stud. With a score of 90.8, the winner was the delicate Labonita (Dominic M x Lakonia by Chimeryk) – who would be almost unanimously chosen the as Gold Yearling Filly on the Sunday. Right behind her was the daughter of Al Ayal AA, Driada (ex Dolores by Kabsztad), who, however, had to settle for fourth place in the championship. Third place in the class was taken by the beautiful, dark brown Brodia (Erantis x Belinda by Kahil al Shaqab) from Janów Podlaski Stud.
Labonita
The third section was won by Wieża Uczuć (Medalion x Wieża Bajek by Abha Qatar) with a score of 91.3, with Mahima (El Omari x Mahira by Ekstern) in second. It is gratifying that both fillies are daughters of Michałów-bred stallions. Third was taken by Wojciech Parczewski’s dark bay daughter of Psytadel, Mandoria (ex Minerwina by Kahil al Shaqab), with Minerwina being a full sister to Morion. Unfortunately, none of these fillies gained the judges’ recognition enough to take a medal place in the championship. It’s a pity.
A total of 21 two- and three-year-old fillies were entered, and we saw 20 of them across two classes. The two-year-old filly class was won by last year’s Gold Champion Yearling Filly – Bogini Róż PA (Kahil al Shaqab x Black Rose by Abyad AA), bred and owned by PPH Parys – Dąbrówka Arabians Stud. This year, Bogini Róż had to give way to her friends from Michałów and went home with the Bronze medal. Second in the class was the Michałów-bred bay El Mariella (Morion x El Marina by Ganges), who moved phenomenally. In Sunday’s Championships, she was chosen as Silver Junior Female Champion of the National Arabian Horse Championships 2022. Third in the class was excellent for all known, but still not appreciated enough by the judges, the beautiful grey Esalaja M (AJ Elaf x Espanera by Kabsztad), bred and owned by Piotr Podgórny z M Arabians.
Bogini Róż PA
El Mariella
The three-year-old filly class belonged to Michałów filly, last year’s Gold Champion and Best in Show from Białka, the great and perfectly moving filly El Medida (Morion x El Medara by Shanghai EA), who scored 92.1 points and took the Gold Junior Female title. El Medida was also awarded for Best In Show Pure Polish and for the Most Beautiful Head of the Show. While the gold medal and head prize are indisputable, I do not fully understand today’s notion of a Pure Polish horse, which de facto has Polish-bred parents, but Polish grandparents are not (Kahil al Shaqab and Shaghai EA). An interesting fact is that Polish breeders and lovers of Arabian horses are not able to agree on what Pure Polish is, while in America they have a Pure Polish horse clearly defined. Taking second in this class was the grey Echo Anastazja, bred in Chrcynno-Palace Stud, daughter of this year’s Gold Senior Male Champion Psyche Keret and out of Echo Anastazja (by Eternity Ibn Navarroné-D). Echo Anastazja took fourth place in the championship. Third place in the class went to another daughter of Morion bred in Michałów – El Madera (Morion x El Medonia by Shanghai EA).
El Medida
After the filly classes, it was time for the long-awaited mares. Despite the unfavourable weather outside and the undoubtedly eye-pleasing arrangement of the Janów hall, the view of the high-quality mares compensated for the inconvenience.
The first section of the four-to-six-year-old mares was easily won by the grey Michałów-bred mare, El Esmera (Sahm al Arab x Esmeraldia by QR Marc) with 93 points. She was excellent in type and movement and was awarded the Gold Senior Female title on Sunday, as well as the trophy for the Highest Scoring Mare of the Show, the Best Mover, and, finally, the Best in Show the 2022 National Show in Janów Podlaski. Second in class was another grey from Michałów, Wildanova (WH Justice x Wilga by Gazal al Shaqab), who took fourth place in the championship. Third in class was – finally! – a Janów-bred mare, the bay Princela (QR Marc x Primera by Eden C), who, however, did not win the judges’ recognition in the championship.
El Esmera
The second section was won by the beautiful grey daughter of S.M.A. Magic One – Evett Magic (ex Evolett by Ajman Moniscione), bred by Katarzyna Dolińska-Witkowska from Zalia Arabians and owned by Tomasz Tarczyński – Grabów on Pilicą Stud. This mare was deservedly chosen as Bronze Senior Female Champion in Sunday’s Championships. Second in the class was another daughter of Psyche Keret from the Chrcynno-Pałac Stud, a full sister of Echo Anastazja – Echo Asteria (ex Echo Aurora), whom I did not recognise at first glance because I remembered her as an almost black youngster, and now she is much brighter! Third in class was known to everyone, they grey, beautiful and beautifully moving Parantella (Kahil al Shaqab x Palanga by Ekstern), bred and owned by Michałów Stud.
Evett Magic
In the first section of the seven-to-ten-year-old mare class, it was great to see the Janów Podlaski-bred Prunella (Abyad AA x Pradera by Hlayyil Ramadan), who changed owner some time ago and represents the Czech Republic Suweco Stud. Over the years, Prunella has become more beautiful and has dried out beautifullu; in short, she is impressive. She deservedly won her class, and on Sunday she was chosen the Silver Senior Female Champion. Second place was taken by Janów’s well-known Adelita (Vitorio TO x Altamira by Ekstern), who on Sunday was honoured with the Best Racehorse of the Show Award. Third went to the Białka daughter of Vitorio TO, Elwita (ex Elwina by Enzo). However, neither were recognised by the judges in the championship.
Prunella
The second section was clearly weaker than the A series. It is sad to write this, but once again the poor preparation of the mares from Janów Podlaski Stud caught the eye. First place, with a standard score of 90.1 points, went to the chestnut Patria (Eden C x Palmeta by Ecaho). In second was they grey Eskana (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D x Espiria by Psytadel) bred and owned by Lech Błaszczyk. Third place went to another mare from Janów Podlaski – Patanga (Om El Bellissimo x Pepita by Ekstern). None of these mares placed in the Top Five of the championship.
A surprise was small class of mares aged 11 years old and above, in which we saw only four competitors. The battle for first place was fought by grey mares who scored 91.1 points and finally the winner was Michałów’s Zigi Zana (QR Marc x Zagrobla by Monogramm), who took fifth place in the championship. She was closely followed by fleabitten-grey, beautiful Permaria (Esparto x Perolia by Gazal al Shaqab) from Białka Stud. Third place went to the bay bred by Janów Podlaski Stud, the Ekstern’s daughter El Fada (ex El Fatha by Entyk).
On this occasion, it is worth mentioning the new award at the National Show for the Best Offspring of the late stallion Ekstern. This year, it went to the stallion Petrus PA (ex Piwonia by Kahil al Shaqab), bred and owned by PPH Parys – Dąbrówka Arabians Stud.
This year’s WAHO Trophy went to the 2001 mare Almina (Furiat x Amina), bred and owned by Zbigniew Górski. Almina herself achieved very good results as a racehorse, but mainly became famous as dam of many excellent racehorses including the stallions Arash (by Akim de Ducor) and Alsahr (by Mared Al Sahra), and the mares Afrah (by Nougatin), Almiza (by Munjiz), Al Kara (by Wachlarz), and Alkora (by Dahess).
Without surprise, the Best Breeder of the show was Michałów Stud, and the Best Presenter was Paweł Syliwoniuk, also from Michałow. Paweł gave this award to his stablemate Artur Łojowski, who also received the award for the best trainer of the show.
And just as the show should be considered successful after all, mainly due to the fact that on Sunday it was possible to have the championships at the Clock Stable in nice weather and the show ended in a pleasant summer atmosphere. However, in order to talk about the Pride of Poland auction I have to cool down so that negative emotions do not take over.
All words and photography by Patrycja Makowska.
For more show reports from TheArabianMagazine.Com, click here.
