On 14th – 15th of July 2018, Mr. and Mrs. Everars- van den Broek held their family run International E.c.h.a.o. Arabian Horse show under the patronage of Al Thumama Stud from Qatar. The 19th much-anticipated ‘Elran Arabian Cup’ took place at the beautiful facilities of Castle Alden Biesen in Bilzen, Belgium, to date one of the largest heritage sites in Flanders with thousands of visitors each year. As always, a big number of high quality horses were entered from all over the world. Contenders came from across Europe, the Middle East and the United States in a peaceful summer setting. A Breeders’ Evening held on the Saturday night added to the relaxed feel of this show, while the international judges had their work cut out during the day as they tried to decide which of the beautiful horses forward was most deserving of the champion title. The team of the judges included some of the most famous Arabian horse experts worldwide. For this edition, they were: Mr. Cedes Bakker (Netherlands); Mr. Ali Sharaawi (Egypt); Mr. Tomasz Tarczynski (Poland) and Mrs. Claudia Darius (Germany). Judging shows like the Elran Cup is always a difficult task even for the most experienced judges. The quality of the horses is always very high and this year we have seen a beautiful collection of junior horses, together with some of the famous and well known champions and many others that made this show one of the most exciting competitions in Europe. The Disciplinary Commission was ably composed by: Mrs. Jacky Vandyke (United Kingdom); Mrs. Janet Court (United Kingdom) and Dr. Laura Mascagna (Italy). Impeccable in his role of Ringmaster: Mr. Gerard Oben (Belgium). Show speaker: Mr. Eric Blaak (Netherlands). Music played by Mr. Kristof Heymans (Belgium). After the Saturday classes which had stirred the enthusiasm of the crowds, the Final Championships were held on Sunday. Tensions mounted as participants got prepared for their final exhibition. First to go was the Yearling Fillies Category (Class 17) sponsored by Al Jassimya Farm. With the highest score in the show, the Gold medal was earned by the bay AJ SAMARA (AJ MARDAN x SAMA AM) bred and owned by Ajman Stud and presented by handler Frank Sponle. Silver medal winner, the grey D RANNANAH (D KHATTAFx JUMILLA) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and presented by handler Paolo Capecci. Bronze medal winner the chestnut RA’EAH ATHBAH (PARYS K x HUSSA ATHBAH) bred and owned by HRH Abdulaziz Bin Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and presented by handler Nicolas Frère. The Yearling Colts Category (Class 18), sponsored by Al Shaqab Stud, was won by the bay CBA ILLIAS (LAWRENCE EL GAZAL x ILENA EL ARYES) bred and owned by Bouche Arabians of Claus Bouche and presented by handler Tom Oben. Silver medal winner the grey AJ NAWASH (AJ MARDAN x INSPIRED NAJLA) bred and owned by Ajman Stud and presented by handler Frank Sponle. Bronze medal winner the bay TAMMAM ATHBAH (FADI AL SHAQAB x STAR OF MARWAN) bred and owned by HRH Abdulaziz Bin Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and presented by handler Giacomo Capacci. Next to go was the Junior Fillies Category (19) sponsored by Hanaya Stud. Gold medal winner the bay NEMESI REGALIS (SA FAEZ SIMBAD x NASHIRA BY CHAWY NA) bred by Re Pietro, owned by Nayla Hayek and presented by handler Frank Sponle. Nemesi Regalis is truly a beautiful, graceful and refined young filly whose career is already full of great success. Silver medal winner the bay BADAWIA AL MUAWD (EMERALD J x MISTILL AL MUAWD) proudly bred by the Sons of Abdullah Bin Muhammed Al Subaie, owned by Mr. Jeff Sloan & Partners and presented by handler Frederik Van Sas. Bronze medal winner the grey UM GRAIBA AL SHAQAB (HARIRY AL SHAQAB x AMINA AL SHAQAB) bred and owned by Al Shaqab Member of Q.F. The Junior Colts Category (Class 20), sponsored by Al Ghaleb, brought together a great collection of young colts. Gold medal winner was the bay EMPEROR K.A. (QR MARC x EXPOSITA K.A.). It was a great day for Mr. & Mrs. Gheysens from Knocke Arabians who came to the show to support their incredible young colt. EMPEROR K.A. was presented by Schoukens Training Center. Silver medal winner the bay BADI ATHBAH (EKS ALIHANDRO x FEDORA AG) bred by Athbah Stud, H.R.H.P. Abdulaziz Bin Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, owned by H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani and presented by Schoukens Training Center. The Senior Mares Category (Class 21), sponsored by Ajman Stud, was greatly awaited by all. Gold Medal winner the extremely refined chestnut VALENTINO’S ANGEL MI (DA VALENTINO x ALWAYS AN ANGEL) bred by Mulawa Arabians Stud, owned by Al Baydaa Stud and Al Mai Stud and presented by Privilege SFQ. Silver Medal winner the bay NIRAH MEIA LUA (WH JUSTICE x NICEYA EL PERSEUS) bred by Maria Helena Perroy-Ribeiro, owned by Al Shahania Stud and presented by handler Tom Oben. Bronze medal winner the grey FER FIERA BLANCA (WH JUSTICE x CLIO FIERA BLANCA) bred by Yeguada Ferrero, owned by Ahmad Asa Albabtain and presented by handler Paolo Capecci. Note that FER FIERA BLANCA won by class score. Last but not the least to go the Senior Stallions Category (Class 22) sponsored by Knocke Arabians. The handsome grey SUNDOWN KA (QR MARC x L SERENELLA) bred by Mr. and Mrs. Gheysens from Knocke Arabians, owned by Mr Zaid and Murad Fandi and presented by handler Philippe Hosay won the Gold medal. The Silver medal was awarded to the chestnut ASCOT DD (GLORIUS APAL x LADY NINA DD) for the joy and proud of his breeder Dirk Dejonckheere, his owner HRH Abdulaziz Bin Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his handler Nicolas Frère. Note that ASCOT DD won by class score. The Bronze medal was earned by the gray FUERTE (SHANGHAI EA x FRYMUSZKA) bred by JAN DOBRZYNSKI, owned by ALBAYDAA STUD and presented by handler Privilege SFQ. During the show two other important awards were given: the Best Belgian Horse trophy sponsored by Baps and the Crowds Favorite Award. The first went to the 2years old bay colt EMPEROR K.A. (QR MARC x EXPOSITA K.A bred and owned by Mr and Mrs Gheysens from Knocke Arabians; while the second was grabbed by the yearling bay colt CBA ILLIAS (LAWRENCE EL GAZAL x ILENA EL ARYES) bred and owned by Bouche Arabians of Claus Bouche. With the last champions being announced, an end came to the 19th edition of the Elran Cup. We would like to thank Josy Everars, his wonderful family and of course the whole team for a perfect organization and show setup. The passion and dedication of the Organizers could be seen in every little detail. Respect to the judges and handlers who did their best to judge and present the horses at their very best.