This year it seemed that there was going to be
a royal battle between some great horses in the male department.
So the excitement and speculation was enormous. The management
had changed the arena to a smaller size with some pillars in
the middle,which caused some consternation, but the atmosphere
was still as exciting as ever. The format for the VIP tables
was a bit different too, but we had great seats for my guests.
As usual the judges were from all over the world.
Dr. Aragno (Italy) Deirdre Hyde (UAE) Nasr Marei (Egypt) Richard
Pilstrom (France) Willi Poth (Germany) Renata Schibler (Switzerland)
and Marianne Tengstedt (Denmark). The fillies and mares on the
first day produced some stunning exhibits. Winning the first
beautiful filly class was the exotic black Magnum Madonna (Magnum
Psyche x Tai Bey Britney) with a score of 458. In second was
another very typey filly Princess of Marwan (Marwan Al
Shaqab x Amety B) who scored 456. The winner of the second section
which was equally outstanding was Abha Palma (Marwan Al
Shaqab x Abha Gazali) a gorgeous filly scoring 464.5 and
in second place was the ethereal grey Om El Bernadette
(Om El Shamaan x Om El Benedict) with 458.5.
I always love the mare classes and
these two classes were superb. The first class was incredible.
Again showing her great type, presence and movement Pianissima
( Gazal Al Shaqab x Pianosa) easily won the first section with
470.5 the highest score of the show and she won the most classic
head. Second to her was another of those lovely mares
bred in Spain Abya Myra (Marwan Al Shaqab x ZT Ludjlaaba) scoring
461. The second section was smaller, but still had some great
horses, and was won by the incredibly beautiful grey Martinique
(Ansata Sinan x Marbatel) scoring 463 with the great moving
Polish mare Emesa (Laheeb x Etopka) in second place with 454.
The
next day saw all the males. The first section of colts which
was small with mixed quality. It was won by the ethereal Schannan
El Madan (Shael Dream Desert x Perla K) with 457 and second was
another good colt Ali Moniscione ( Psytadel x Alianna Moniscionne)
with 455.5.
It was the second section that heralded the
big battle between the multi million Dollar QR Marc (Marwan
Al Shaqab x Swete Dreams) and the multi winning Baanderos (Marwan
Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea). The excitement was intense, but Baanderous
came out the winner with a score of 468, while QRMarc scored
464. They both looked incredible and it was an amazing class.
The stallion classes were fairly small, but
large in quality. The first section was won by the fabulous
moving Nijem Ibn Eternity (Eternity Ibn Navaronne x Naravna)
with a score of 465.5 with a favourite Polish stallion of mine
Poganin ( Laheeb x Pohulanka) with 461 with high scores for
movement.
It
was the second section where the huge battle began between the
outstanding and very famous sire Marwan Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab
x Little Liza Fame) and the ethereal, epitome of the breed, the
Straight Egyptian Imperial Baarez (PVA Karim x BB Ora Kalilah).
The support for each horse was incredibly noisy and exciting with
chants of Marwan Marwan and Baarez Baarez echoing around the arena.
However, Baarez won the class with 4567.5 over Marwan with 466.5.
One of the most amazing stallion classes I’ve witnessed in
the 17 years I’ve been attending this show. However, anything
can happen in the Championship with 2 judges who had not judged
these horses in their classes.
The next day was a buzz with speculation, and
we were treated to a wonderful display of Barb horses both
in hand and under saddle. We were sitting at the end of the
arena where we were face to face with the end of a full battle
charge of these horses !!
The first Championship was the Junior Females
deservedly won by Abha Palma with Princess of Marwan
in Reserve. Two wonderful fillies. The mare Championship was
to be unanimous for Pianissima with Venetzia (Versace x Giavanna)
in Reserve. The Champion Junior Male was Baanderos with QR
Marc in Reserve.
Finally, we came to the Stallion Championship.
The noise was unbelievable for the supporters of each of these
two great, breathtaking stallions. It seemed that the judgement
of the two judges made the difference as this time Marwan came
out the Champion with Baarez in Reserve, but it was certainly
split between the judges. Michael Byatt handling Marwan rode
him bareback out of the arena, not to be out done Paolo Capecci
also jumped on Baarez’s back.
So ended another great and wonderful show,
where renewing friendships and making new ones is an annual
richual for many of us. I’ve already got bookings for
my tables next year . I hope to see many of you who have not
yet attended this outstanding show.
Liz
Salmon
