Dubai 2020

With most European countries in the grip of COVID-19, many international morphology championships are struggling to get underway this year. A massive travel ban has been put on all sorts of public transport and travelers. Cities, streets, train stations and airports are nearly deserted as travelling is strictly forbidden except for really serious work, health or family issues. Although the UAE remain safe for travelers, the 17th edition of Dubai International Championship takes place behind closed doors, with no public audience, being restricted to championship participants, owners, stables, trainers and judges. As a result, the arena seating areas are empty, but with some very limited seating in the VIP lounge. The decision to hold the Championship as a closed event comes after much debate together with the main authorities and stakeholders of the industry who are strongly supporting European precautionary measures. The show Organizing Committee takes the inevitable but necessary action to cancel two major constituents of the show - namely the Horse Fair and the Arabian Horse Auction. These two events usually attract 10,000 visitors; something to think about. Despite a tough protocol, eight international judges have managed to make their way that far. In the beautiful and elegant show-ground there are: Mr. Bialobok Jerzy (Poland); Mr. Constanti James (Unites States of America); Mr. Detailleur Koenraad (Belgium); Mr. Fornieles Santi (Argentina); Mr. Murillo Kammer (Brazil); Mrs. Schibler Renata (Switzerland); Mr. Smith Graham (Australia); and Mr. Veray Marc (France). Disciplinary Commissioners: dr. Sujeet Bhaskar Suryawanshi; dr. Umer Raza Gill; dr. Abdel Wahab ben Ali Amira; Mr. Kais Ben Hadi Ouelhazi; and Mr. Jean-marc Dubois. Ring-master: Mr. Jean Bernard Kupaj. Official speakers: Mr. Abdulla Rashid and Mrs. Souad Al Slimani. Official scorer: Mr. Hany Fahmy; Technical assistant: Mr. Biju Peter. Control marks: Mrs. Dominik Briot. Official photographers: Mr. Morhaf Assaf and Mrs. Lisa Abraham. The show attracts many world class entries this year and as you can imagine each and every class has very strong contenders including past and present world champions. The people in the arena stand out for their great spirit of cooperation so the shows goes ahead - in a controlled environment - to showcase the world the best of the breed. There are moments of tension during the competition, but also of shared joy. A warm applause of exultation welcomes the new Champions as they trot in the ring for the award-winning ceremony. They are: In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the grey AJ AL BRRAQAH (FA EL RASHEEM x FELICIA RLC) bred and owned by Ajman Stud. Silver medal winner the grey D SIREEN (D SERAJ x D RA'AFAH) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner the grey D FAREHAN (D SERAJ x ELLE FLAMENCA) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Junior Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay AJ SAMARA (AJ MARDAN x SAMA AM) bred and owned by Ajman Stud, Germany. 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 SHIHANAH (FA EL RASHEEM x D SHAHLA) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Senior Mares Championship, Gold medal winner, the grey MOZN AL BIDAYER (S.M.A. MAGIC ONE x MATTAHARII) bred and owned Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qassimi. Silver medal winner, the bay AJ TARIM (EMERALD J x ESPINILLA) bred and owned by Ajman Stud, Germany. Bronze medal winner, the grey BAVIERA HVP (MARWAN AL SHAQAB x HB BESSOLEA) bred by Nelson De Oliveira Prata Pinto Moreira, United States of America, and owned by Abhaa Arabians. In the Yearling 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 bay GHALY AL HAWAJER (DOMINIC M x GHALYAH AL HAWAJER) bred and owned by Dr. Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Alhajri. Bronze medal winner, the chestnut ARJUWAN AL BIDAYER (AJ MARZAN x ALLEZANDRA ALBIDAYER) bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saudi Al Qasimi. 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 bay MUTHABAHI AL HAWAJER (FA EL RASHEEM x ZT MAGRUMI) bred and owned by Dr. Ghanem Mohammed Obaid Alhajri. Bronze medal winner, the bay ADMIRAAL (EMERALD J x HANIYYAH) bred by M. A. Al Subaie, United Kingdom, and owned by Ajman Stud. In the Senior Stallions Championship, Gold medal winner the grey EXCALIBUR EA (SHANGHAI EA x ESSENCE OF MARWAN EA) bred by Equus Arabians and owned byAl Saqran Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey AJ KAFU (SHANGHAI EA x AJ KAHAYLA) bred and owned by Ajman Stud, Germany. Bronze medal winner, the chestnut EDEN C (ENZO x SILKEN SABLE) bred by Rhonda L. and Rhoda Coleal, United States of America, and owned by Abdulwahab Saeed Alsayed. There are no Special Awards at this 17th edition. CONCLUSION Everyone is aware of how much time, endeavor and stress goes into organizing and running a show - any kind of show. Nevertheless, when the show is one of the most important on the global stage with prize money of $4 million US dollars on offer the implications of dealing with COVID - 19 are simply horrible. There has been a great spirit of solidarity at the show which often comes through the hard times. We often remember shows or events for certain horses or things that happen to stay etched in our mind. The 2020 Dubai International Championship will always be remembered for that sense of fellowship and mutual understanding shown by all in trying to make the best out of this difficult moment of history. All the judges, officials, owners, breeders handlers and trainers of the show are now struggling to get back home due to flight cancellations and the great unknown impacts of COVID - 19 which seem to be changing day by day, and for the worst. We are beyond grateful to everyone involved with the 2020 Dubai International Arabian Championships for putting their fear apart in the name of the Arabian horse. We wish you a safe flight back home.