Aachen is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. International fairs, winding alleys and beautiful squares belong to the reasons why guests are again and again enthralled by it. Nearly 250,000 people, among them more than 50,000 students from all over the world, are living in the most western metropolis of Germany in the border triangle Germany-Belgium-Netherlands. Aachen once got famous for its water, which is heated to 74°C by Eifel volcanoes and which is the hottest water onshore north of the Alps. Already the Celts and Romans used the mineral-thermal springs to cure their sufferings and settled in ‘AquaeGrani’, which was named after a Celtic God of healing. Eventually it was Charlemagne who made Aachen his residence because of its beneficial springs and who had his imperial palace built in the city. Bubbling fountains and numerous monuments provide for a vivid image in the more than 2,000 years old city centre. Last September Arabian Horse Magazine flew off to the imperial city to participate in the ‘All Nations Cup’, for sure one of the most glamorous Arabian Horse shows in Europe. We could not imagine Aachen without the All Nations Cup as a regularly established event! Our wonderful Arabian horses, the luxurious structure of the Albert- Vahle-Halle, the impeccable organization of Mr. Wolfgang Eberhardt make this exceptional venue possible year after year. The judges officiating at the 2017 All Nations Cup included: Mrs. Annette Dixon (United Kingdom); Mr. Raouf Abbas (Egypt); Mr. Urs Aeschbacher (Switzerland); Dr. Gianmarco Aragno (Italy); Mr. Willie Brown (South Africa); Mr. James Constanti (United States); Mr. Holger Ismer (Germany); Dr. Mohamed Machmoun (Morocco) and Mr. Alan Preston (Australia). The Disciplinary Committee was composed by: Mrs. Jackie Vandyke (United Kingdom); Mrs. Line Brunsgaard (Denmark); Dr. Martine Antys-Becker (Belgium); Dr. Laura Mascagna (Italy); Mr. Peter Hegemann (Germany); Dr. Andreas Kersten (Germany) and Dr. Thomas Stohler (Switzerland). In his role of Ringmaster: Mr. Mohammed Hamad from Egypt. The music was excellently mixed by Mr. Kristof Heymans, Belgium, playing along with the horses ‘performance. The streaming and the scoring have been managed by Mr. Michael Steurs, Belgium and Ms. Lara Ames from the United States. Outstanding speakers: Mr. Mike Ashmore from the United Kingdom and Mr. Eric Blaak from the Netherlands. Photographers from all over the world turned up at the beautiful structure of the Albert-Vahle-Halle, sneaking into the crowds of people and struggling to reach the arena where they lurked around the borders to take pictures all along the show. For this edition, they were: Mrs. Lisa Abraham (United States); Mrs. Paola Drera (Italy); Mrs. Betty Finke (Germany); Mrs. Melanie Groger (Germany) and Mr. Jan Kan (Netherlands).The Final Championships started with a thrilling performance of the Yearling Fillies category. Gold medal winner the grey LR ERA DE EXCALIBUR (EXCALIBUR EA x EXPECTED BEAUTY) bred by LAS ROSAS ESTANCIA S.R.L. and owned by AL SAYED STUD & ESTANCIA LAS ROSA. Silver medal winner the grey D MUMAYYAZAH (FA EL RASHEEM x M RANDY) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Bronze medal winner the bay SERANZA (KANZ ALBIDAYER x EVENING SEREN) bred by MICHAEL BYATT and owned by MOHAMMAD SHEIKH SULLIMAN. In the Yearling Colts category, Gold medal winner the grey HL EL GANADOR (HP SHAKIR TE x LONCO BAY MARIA) bred by FAMILIA DUCH MATTHEI and owned by HANAYA STUD - Hayek, Nayla. Silver medal winner the chestnut RD HARENAADO (HARIRY AL SHAQAB x DM ENDLESS ROM) bred by POPPLEWEL MURRAY & SHIRLEY and owned by ALSAQRAN ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Bronze medal winner the chestnut D SHALLAL (FA EL RASHEEM x D SHAHLA) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. In the Junior Fillies Category, Gold medal winner the grey MOZN ALBIDAYER (SMA MAGIC ONE x MATTAHARII) bred and owned by AL BIDAYER STUD - Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qassimi. Silver medal winner the grey D AJAYEB (RFI FARID x LADY VERONIKA) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Bronze medal winner the bay LOULOU AL NASSER (RFI FARID x RIHAB AL NASSER) bred and owned AL NASSER STUD - H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani. In the Junior Colts Category, Gold medal winner the grey ALEXXANDERR (EXCALIBUR EA x AR MOST IRRESISTIBLE) bred by Butler, Frances and Carson, Brandi and owned by AL SAYED STUD - Alsayed, Khalid & Abdulwahab. Silver medal winner the grey AJ AZZAM (AJ MARDAN x YSADORA) bred and owned by AJMAN STUD HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al-Nuaimi. Bronze medal winner the grey IZAN AL CAPE (SHANGHAI EA x WIOLETTA EA) bred and owned by AL CAPE ARABIANS. Finally, the much awaited performance of the Senior Championships. In the Senior Mares category, Gold medal winner with highest points in her class, the grey ANOOD AL NASSER (ASHHAL AL RAYYAN x ALEYSHA AL NASSER) bred and owned by AL NASSER STUD - H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser. Silver medal winner the grey BINT HAZY AL KHALEDIAH (EL PALACIO VO x HAZY AL KHALEDIAH) bred by AL KHALEDIAH STABLES - HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and owned by ALORASIA ARABIAN HORSE STUD - Sheikha Muna Saleh A Alrashed. Bronze medal winner the grey EKSPULSJA (GAZAL AL SHAQAB x ELANDRA) bred by Stadnina Koni Michalów SP. z o.o. and owned by HALSDON ARABIANS - Watts, Shirley Ann. As for the Stallions Category, Gold medal winner the stunning grey EXCALIBUR EA (SHANGHAI EA x ESSENCE OF MARWAN EA) bred by EQUUS ARABIANS - Sorocca, Albert and owned by ALSAQRAN ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Silver medal winner the fabulous bay EMERALD J (QR MARC x EMANDORA) bred and owned by JADEM ARABIANS - Jamar, Christine. Bronze medal winner the bay MORION (KAHIL AL SHAQAB x MESALINA) bred by Stadnina Koni Michalów SP. z o.o. and owned by AL THUMAMA STUD - Dana al Meslemani. Additional Trophies were disputed in the contest. ANC Highest Points Winner Females, D AJAYEB (RFI FARID x LADY VERONIKA) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. ANC Highest Points Winner Males, EXCALIBUR EA (SHANGHAI EA x ESSENCE OF MARWAN EA) bred by EQUUS ARABIANS - Sorocca, Albert and owned by AL SAQRAN ARABIAN HORSE STUD. ANC Best Straight Egyptian Bred ABUDIN AL AQABA (KP AL NAHIM x AISHA AL AQABA) bred and owned by AL AQABA ARABIANS STUD - Hobein, Waltraut. ANC Best Movement EXCALIBUR EA (SHANGHAI EA x ESSENCE OF MARWAN EA) bred by EQUUS ARABIANS - Sorocca, Albert and owned by AL SAQRAN ARABIAN HORSE STUD. ANC Most Classic Head ALEXXANDERR (EXCALIBUR EA x AR MOST IRRESISTIBLE) bred by Butler, Frances and Carson, Brandi and owned by AL SAYED STUD - Alsayed, Khalid & Abdulwahab. With a record number of participating horses, nations and spectators, the 2017All Nations Cup was a breathtaking event in general. The German Arab Horse Society and the Nations Cup Committee would like to warmly thank all sponsors for their support. Without their aid such a high-carat international show event would not be possible. Thank you to all the guests who attended the event and made their affection felt. A big thank you to all the breeder and handler friends, without whose help the All Nations Cup in Aachen would not exist. They are already working on the 2018 All Nations Cup and, as usual, it is going to be... Fantastic!