2021 DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP

In March 2021, while most European countries were still dealing with the healthcare emergency and the first immunization campaigns, the United Arab Emirates remained safe for travelers. The DIAHC Organizing Committee members opted for an indoor edition of the 2021 Dubai International Championship at Za’abell Hall 4-6, in Dubai World Trade Centre opened to not only the championship participants, owners, stables, trainers, judges, press correspondents, photographers but also to a large audience coming from all over the United Arab Emirates, with well-know personalities in the breeding sector and special contents like the Fair and the Auction. Despite a complex protocol, nine international judges managed to make their way that far. In the beautiful and elegant white and blue show-ring we could see: Mr. Abbas Abdel Raouf (Egypt), Dr. Aragno Gianmarco (Italy), Mr. Eric Gear (France), Mrs. Holmes Terry (United States of America), Mr. Murillo Kamer (Brazil), Mr. Moschini Christian (Italy), Mr. Reisel Gideon (The Netherlands), Mrs. Weidner Michaela (Germany) and Mr. Tarczynski Tomasz (Poland). Disciplinary Commissioners: Dr. Sujeet Bahskar Suryawanshi, Dr. Abdel Wahab ben Ali Amira, Mr. Jean Marc Dubois, and Dr. Umer Raza Gill. Ringmaster: Mr. Jean Bernard Kupaj. Official Announcers: Mr. Abdulla Rashid and Ms. Amna Suroor. Official scorers: Mr. Hany Fahmy and Mr. Biju Peter. Show Consultant: Mrs. Christianne Chazel. Control marks: Mrs. Dominik Briot. Show Event Secretary: Mrs. Albina Patyka. Official photographers: Mr. Morhaf Assaf and Mrs. Lisa Abraham. The show started on March 18, 2021, at 10:30 Asia/Dubai (07:30 Europe/Rome) and ended on March 20t, 2021, at 18:00 Asia/Dubai (15:00 Europe/Rome). It attracted many world-class entries, and it had strong contenders, including past and present world champions. There were moments of tension during the competition, but also of shared joy. Warm applause of exultation welcomed the new Champions as they proudly trotted in the ring for the award-winning ceremony. In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay R.a.k. Onood (Fa El Rasheem x Ward Al Adeyat) bred and owned by R.a.k. Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey D Beisan (D Seraj x Rah Rosalia) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner, the bay Aj Alula (AJ Marzan x Ayat Almuawd) bred and owned by Ajman Stud- HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. In the Junior Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Al Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) bred by Al Aryam Arabians and owned by Ajman Stud- HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Silver medal winner, the grey D Judi (Aj Azzam x Elle Flamenca) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner, the grey D Fannanah (Excalibur Ea x Elle Flamenca) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Senior Mares Championship, Gold medal winner the grey D Shihanah (Fa El Rasheem x D Shahla) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey Bint Hazy Al Khalediah (El Palacio Vo x Hazy Al Khalediah) bred by Al Khalediah Stables – KSA and owned by Mr. Mubarak AL Khashab – Al Khashab Stud. Bronze medal winner, the bay Aj Tarim (Emerald J x Espinilla) bred and owned by Ajman Stud- HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. In the Yearling Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the grey D Sharar (D Seraj x Ft Shaella) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner the bay D Rasel (Fa El Rasheem x Ladi Veronika) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner, the grey A.L.R. Burman (Sq Burkan x Yaqoubiyah Al Zobair) bred by Mohamed Yousif Al Rasheed and owned by Khalifa Mohamed Saif Alsuwaidi. In the Junior Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the bay D Sheimaz (Fa El Rasheem x Ladi Veronika) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner, the chestnut Arjuwan Al Bidayer (AJ Marzan x Allezandra Albidayer), bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi. Bronze medal winner, the chestnut RFI Unique (Af Maden x Rfi Ultraa Almaktub) bred by Rfi Arabians and owned by Rfi Unique Partnership. In the Senior Stallions Championship, Gold medal winner, the grey E.S. Harir (Aj Dinar x Tf Magnums Magic) bred by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Alqassemi and owned by Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey D Seraj (Fa El Rasheem x Ladi Veronika) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner, the grey E.S. Prince (E.s. Sarab x Raghad x Al Nasser) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassimi. A few concluding remarks: Everyone is aware of how much time, endeavor and stress go into organizing and running a show. Nevertheless, when the show is one of the most important on the global stage with a prize money of $4 million US dollars on offer, the implications of dealing with the healthcare crisis become hard to handle. But, the Gods were smiling on the hard-working DIAHC Organizing Committee and all the supporting organizations. They took courageous steps to allow the show to continue and lead the way with integrating the protective measures to which we have all become used. There has been a great spirit of solidarity at the show that often comes through the hard times. We often remember shows or events for certain horses or things that happen to stay etched in our minds. We will keep great memories of the 2021 Dubai International Championship for that sense of fellowship and mutual understanding shown by all, striving for their best. Thanks to all the judges who were able to attend. They had some very long days and then night finals, but they know they would all do it again. Special thank you to the owners, trainers, and handlers who took the effort to present their horses to such a high level. We are beyond grateful to all that actively helped make it a success, from the High Organizing Committee composed of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, to DIAHC Board, in particular, General Manager Mr. Qusai Obaidalla and Mr. Adel Saeed Al Falasi. To conclude, heartfelt thank you to the many sponsors, volunteers, ring stewards, and all the hard-working helpers and behind-the-scenes officials. We are all looking forward to the 2022 DIAHC edition!