23nd ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP

A major appointment at the beginning of the show season in the Arabian Peninsula was the 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi International Arabian Horse Championship that took place at the sophisticated facilities of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in Abu Dhabi from 14th to 16th February, 2021. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayan, the championship was governed by the European Conference Arabian Horse Organization (ECAHO) rules and standards, and its technical organization was fully entrusted to well-known General Director Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Alharbi. This show was exclusively reserved for passionate breeders and owners from the United Arab Emirates who flocked there to present their best breeding products to an international renowned panel of eleven judges including: Mrs. Anna Stefaniuk (Poland); Mrs. Anna Stojanowska (Poland); Mrs. Bérengère Fayt (Belgium); Mr. Francesco Santoro (Italy); Mrs. Helen Hennekens (Belgium); Mr. Jerzy Bialobok (Poland); Mr. Marek Trela (Poland); Mrs. Michaela Weidner (Germany); Mrs. Renata Shibler (Switzerland); Mr. Tamas Rombauer (Hungary) and Mr. Tomasz Tarczynski (Poland). The correct conduct of the show was a prerogative of the Disciplinary Commission featuring: Dr. Mohamed Hammad (Head of DC), Dr. Haitham Babiker Tayfour, Dr. Mamdouh Hassan Fouad, Dr. Umer Raza Gill, Mr. Kaies Ben Hadi Ouelhazi, Farah Zouaghi, Dr. Sujeet Suryawanski; Dr. Faiza Falaknaz Alfaqi and Ms. Anoud Alhammadi. In the arena, Dr. Sameh Bedair (Egypt) as a main Ringmaster and Mr. Eidha Almenhali as an Assistant. The show was commented both in Arabic and English by Speakers: Mr. Mohammed Abu Bakr and by Ms. Ameera Al Awadi. Official photographer: Mr. Morhaf Al Assaf. At this 23rd edition, a very rich prize-money was at stake for the winning horses to be redistributed in sub-premiums according to precise rules: an amount of AED 50,000 for each top seven winning horse in each section alongside an amount of AED 100, 000 for each Championship winning horse (Gold, Medal and Bronze). The show started on Sunday, 14th at 10:00 am and ended on Tuesday, 16th at 7:30 pm with a solemn awards ceremony for the show champions: In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the grey D Beisan (D Seraj x Rah Rosalia) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner the bay Al Aryam Aldhanna (Raoud Al Bidayer x Al Aryam Basma) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians. Bronze medal winner the by AJ Alula (AJ Marzan x Ayat Almuawd) bred and owned by Ajman Stud. In the Junior Fillies Championship Gold medal winner the grey Al Aryam Banafsaj (Diminic M x Al Aryam Basma) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians. Silver medal winner the bay MDS Hind (Excalibur EA x MDS Sheikha) bred and owned by Qusai Mohd Saeed Ali Obdaidalla) 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 chestnut AJ Barakah (Aj Marzan x Princess of Justice) bred and owned by Ajman Moniscione. Bronze medal winner the grey ES Sheikha (SMA Magic One x Mahjesty) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Alqassemi. In the Yearling Colts Championship Gold medal winner the bay D Rasel (FA El Rasemi x Ladi Veronica) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner the bay AL Aryam Hasheem (FA El Rasemi x AL Aryam Hamra) bred and owned by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Tahnoon Bin. Bronze medal winner the bay Mazyoun Al Bidayer (Fa El Rasemi x Micha Mara) bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Saoud Sultan. In the Junior Colts Championship Gold medal winner the bay D Shaheer (AJ Marzan x D Shahla) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner the grey AL Aryam Shklaan (Excalibur EA x Al Aryam Shakeera) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians. Bronze medal winner the grey AJ Ajban (AJ Kafu x AJ Saphira) bred by Ajman Stud and owned by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Alqassemi. In the Senior Stallions Championship Gold medal winner the grey ES Prince (ES Sarab x Raghad Al Nasser) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Alqassemi. Silver medal winner the grey Jayan De Nautiac (Shael Dream Desert x Joumalia Nautiac) bred by Rachel Bourrasse and owned by Badr Adnan Ahmed Mohamed Al-Ali. Bronze medal winner the grey D Jubran (Fa El Rasheem x D Thoraya) bred Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and owned Alfalah Arabian Horse Stud. Conclusion: The Abu Dhabi International Arabian Horses Championship is a jewel in the crown on Arabian Horse Magazine list of international events that takes place annually in the United Arab Emirates, therefore, it is a fantastic feeling to be able to write about those horses. Not only has the championship 2021 marked the start of the show season in the UAE, it has been a significant step on the road to local recovery from the coronavirus pandemic - sportingly, socially and economically. Holding this show is a true measure of the good things that can happen when people pull together with focus, purpose and positivity. So, we offer our sincerest thanks to our media partners from Emirates Arabian Horse Society who gave us the opportunity to cover the show as well as everyone who has been involved in the huge endeavour to deliver it, from Show Manager Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Alharbi, Show Supervisor Ms. Hamda Alkhajeh, Show Coordinator Mr. Ebrahim Basheer - and all other members of the show technical group - to the breeders, the judges, the handlers and to speakers Mr. Mohammed Abu Bakr and Ms. Ameera Al Awadi who managed the competitions with a flawless power of speech both in Arabic and English. In conclusion, we would like to thank you all those who have contributed to the success of the show.