Roccalumera is a very nice small Sicilian town situated on the Ionian coast in the province of Messina. It belongs to the Union of Municipalities of the Ionic Valleys of ‘Peloritani’. It is a town of ancient origins that today boasts ancient traditions and an extraordinary glittering sea to which its inhabitants and the many tourists who come during the summer season just wish to surrender. The name Roccalumera comes from the Latin ‘Roccae Alumeriae’ meaning ‘Alum Rock’. ‘Rock’ by the owners and ‘Alum’ to indicate the important mines that were located on this territory. Today Roccalumera has a resident population of roughly 4,187 inhabitants who during the summer season grows exponentially due to the many tourists which flood in. Tourism is very much linked to the country’s economy with its many commercial activities at the service of the tourists. Well aware of this are the current Mayor of Roccalumera Gaetano Argiroffi and the City Council which have always done and still do their utmost to promote and organize a full program of artistic, cultural and sports events that make it more pleasant the stay of tourists and not only… Rounding out the schedule, there is the now famous Marikshel Arabians Championship that was held on 17th and 18th June 2017. After the two previous editions in 2014 and 2015 (the first on a Regional level and the second on a National level) the event made a great leap forward in 2016 crossing the Italian border and landing on the international stage. The 4th edition has been a resounding success that has gone far beyond the most optimistic expectations thanks to the organizers who, over the past months, have taken care of every aspect of the show. The equestrian competition was sponsored by the City of Roccalumera led by Mayor Gaetano Argiroffi and directed, for the technical part, by Mr. Santo D’Amore, well-known breeder of award-winning horses who - together with his son Mr. Salvatore and his daughter-in-law Mrs. Santina Gugliotta - dealt with every aspect of the show earning plaudits and praise from all. Their hospitality was just great. 80 enrolled Arabian horses and riders came from Italy, France, Germany, Malta and Saudi Arabia, and were evaluated by an international jury which had the difficult task of selecting ‘the Best of the Best’ as most of the horses are real stars on the world stage and boast a track record of victories that would put many ‘human champions’ of the sport to bitter shame! This exceptional event conveyed in Roccalumera hundreds of people interested in this lovely show (including breeders, handlers, owners, and groomers). It was a unique event down there in Sicily because Arabian horses were brilliantly shown according to the highest quality morphology tests (movement, conformation, beauty, and trot) before the eyes of hundreds of spectators, participants and the judges who were part of the Jury. The appointed judges who intervened to evaluate our beautiful Purebred Arabians were: Mr. Gianmarco Aragno (ITA); Mrs. Sylvie Eberhardt (DEU); Mrs. Christine Jamar Demeersseman (BEL); Mr. Soheil Sanati (IRAN) and Mr. Kahil Mukhtar (Bahrain). Impeccable in his role of Ringmaster, Mr. Roberto Ceccaroni. Disciplinary Commissioners: Dr. Vet. Laura Mascagna and Mr. Amadio Sparapan. The music was played by Mr. Giusesppe Tomarchio. The Final Championships gave the following results. As for the Yearling Females Category, Gold Medal winner the pretty bay GRETA MAA (MONNTRACHET x FARAH BY SHALOM) bred and owned by SOCIETA’ AGR. TENUTA POGGIO BINAIA Srl. Silver Medal winner the chestnut MC CHANEL BY DAVIDE (AG NOBEL DAVIDE x DANUBIA EL AZIZ) bred and owned by CERVELLIONE MARIO. Bronze Medal winner the gray LOVE (GS DAHAB x SC BLANCA) bred by Culcasi Antonio and owned by MICELI MAURIZIO. With regard to the Yearling Males Category, Gold Medal winner QS PONENTE (SULTAN AL SHAQAB x NAWAL BY APOLO) bred by MORANDI GIOVANNI’S QUIRAT STUD and owned by FICICCHIA CONCETTA AZ. AGR. Silver Medal winner, the gray FERS (ARDASHIR RG x SAFIRA RG) bred and owned by ROMANO VITO. Bronze Medal winner the bay NAHID (LIBANO MPE x GS AMANDA) bred and owned by GRIFO’ MATTEO. Gold Medal winner for the Junior Fillies Category was the graceful gray OBAYANA K.A. (ESPRESSIVO x ODALIS DE NAUTIAC) bred by GHEYSENS PAUL - NV ZOUTEKREKEN and owned by CRISTIANO VITO. Silver Medal winner the gray HANAYA JAZEEBAH (KENZ AL BAIDAA x IMHAJAA) bred by HANAYA ARABIANS and owned by FONTANELLA MAGIC ARABIANS. Bronze Medal winner, the gray MAGIC EL JADIDA (MAGIC FARAONE x MAGIC OHARA) bred and owned by FONTANELLA MAGIC ARABIANS. With regard to the Junior Colts Category, the handsome PERSEUS K.A. (ESPRESSIVO K.A. x PHIROUETTES) was awarded with a well-deserved Gold Medal. He is bred by KNOCKE ARABIANS and owned by PERSEUS Partnership: Grossi, Filippini, and Jacoban. Silver Medal winner, the chestnut GALL OF MARWTEYN (ZT MARWTEYN x GALLIA) bred by STANISLAW SLAWINSKI and owned by SHAFEI FARAG OMAR ELSAADY. Bronze Medal winner, PRECIOSO PSYCHE (SHANGHAI EA x NIRVANA BINT NAJIMAH) bred and owned by PIAZZA ENRICO. Last to perform were the Seniors Categories. The beautiful bay AV DOHASSAI (MASSAI IBN MARENGA x AV DOLIMHA) bred by VALLE ARABA DEI F.LLI SANCHI S.S. and owned by WOODY ARABIAN was awarded with the title of Gold Champion Mare. Silver Medal winner the gray mare NAWAL BY APOLO (TS APOLO x ZAIRA DR) bred by DE LUCA ROBERTO and owned by FICICCHIA CONCETTA. Bronze Medal winner the bay mare FARAH BY SHALOM (AG SHALOM x BROOK) bred by SANTANGELO VINCENZO and owned by SOCIETA ‘AGR. TENUTA POGGIO BINAIA Srl. As for the Stallions Category, Gold Medal Champion the stunning gray TF STAR IBN PSEQUEL (PSEQUEL x TF LUNA) bred and owned by TRIPODI FRANCESCO AZ. AGR. Silver Medal Champion the gray PHAVEZ BY IMPERIA (MAHRABI PA x AP IMPERIA) bred by LO VOTRICO MARIO and owned by RIZZO VENERINO. Bronze Medal Champion the multiawarded gray ENGULO EEA (SHANGHAI EA x ENJORA EA) bred by ENZO LTD (USA) and owned by FONTANELLA MAGIC ARABIANS. In addition, Best in Show was the already crowned Gold Champion Junior Filly, the gray OBAYANA K.A. (ESPRESSIVO K.A. x ODALIS DE NAUTIAC); the title of Best Head Females went to NAWAL BY APOLO (TS APOLO x ZAIRA DR) while Best Head Males was Engulo EEA (SHANGHAI EA x ENJORA EA). Best Mover, the chestnut stallion DH OMAHA JUSTYNN (WH JUSTICE x TINA EL ARABICA). With the presentation of these special awards glowing under the beautiful sun of Sicily the fourth edition of the Roccalumera Show came to an end. There was a special familiar feel over the Gala dinner held on Saturday evening at the ‘Main Palace Hotel’ together with all the breeders. Everyone could finally relax and defuse the tension. Definitively, a show to be scheduled again for next year, especially for Arabian horses lovers and children. The Arabian horse is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse breeds. He is a very noble horse, with an arched neck and a shiny coat. To be just as shiny is the sea of Roccalumera, true blue Sicilian sea with all its beauty and crystal water. In their final greetings that preceded the end of the show, Mayor Argiroffi and the organizers Santo D’Amore, his son Salvatore and his daughter-in-law Santina Gugliotta invited everyone not to miss the fifth edition in 2018 that might have many pleasant surprises. For sure, Arabian Horse Magazine will be there!