The Wels Arabian Horse International Show has been a standing date on many people’s calendars since more than twenty years as this event opens its doors for the new show season in Europe. Wels, a small village on the slopes of the Alps, near Linz in Austria, welcomes Arabian horse celebrities from all over the world to compete in front of an exclusive board of judges. During this weekend, Wels turns into an equine capital as the show always takes place on the premises of the ‘Pferd Wels Fair’. Arabian Horse Magazine attended the event also this year. We never miss Wels show, first of all for all, because of all the hard work that Mrs. Anne Heiloo and Mrs. Susanne Werth always put in it. They have really chipped away tirelessly at this monumental task during the year to let the people enjoy this show with a perfect organization. Thus, we only have to thank the show’s main organizers, Mrs. Anne Heiloo, President of the Austrian Arab Horse Society (VVÖ) and Vice- President, Mrs. Susanne Werth, who have fulfilled this duty with considerable style. Nearly 100 horses entered the competition and the quality was great. Each Class and Championship had different sponsors. The show was awesome and the tribunes were full. Many visitors, breeders and VIPs from worldwide arrived to see one of the best shows of the year. The four-judge panel was composed by: Dr. Gianmarco Aragno, (Italy); Mr. Josy Everars, (Belgium); Mrs. Renata Schibler, (Switzerland) and Mrs. Anna Stojanowska, (Poland). In her role of Speaker, Mrs. Jaroslav Lacina, President of the E.c.a.h.o. As Ringmasters: Mr. Gerard Oben (Belgium) and in the pre-ring Mr. Peter Hegemann (Germany) and Wolfang Auer (Austria). The Disciplinary Committee did a great job thanks to the contribution of Dr. Thomas Stohler (Switzerland); Mrs. Elisabeth Chat (Austria) and Mrs. Isabella Auer (Austria). A beautiful medley of musical compositions was played by Mr. Michael Karel Zbiral, (Czech Republic). Official show photographers Mrs. Paola Drera (Italy) and Mrs. Gudrun Waiditschka (Poland). INTERNATIONAL FINALS. In the Yearling Fillies, the grey D NAWASI (FA EL RASHEEM x D NAWAL) was unconditionally the prettiest one and got the Gold medal. Presented by handler Spönle Frank, she is bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. The Silver went to the grey AJA DEIA (AJ MARDAN x AJA SABIBA) bred by AJA ARABIANS, JANE & MALCOLM HICKFORD AJA Arabians, owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank; while the Bronze was earned by M.M. SABEA (WH JUSTICE x M.M. SANTANA) bred and owned by MARIO MATT ARABIANS. In the Yearling Colts, the grey AJ EAZM (AJ MARDAN x YSADORA) bred and owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank was crowned Gold medal winner. Silver medal winner the bay D BAREQ (FA EL RASHEEM x ROYAL EMIRA) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Bronze medal winner the grey AJA EL DORADO (AJ MARDAN x AJA ESTRELLA) bred by AJA ARABIANS, JANE & MALCOLM HICKFORD AJA Arabians, owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. Honored as Gold Champion Junior Filly, the bay NEMESI REGALIS (SA FAEZ SIMBAD x NASHIRA BY CHA) bred by PIETRO RE, owned by HANAYA ARABIANS, NAYLA HAYEK Hanaya Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. The Silver medal was taken by RAHAF AL ZOBARA (KAHIL AL SHAQAB x AJ MASHKORA) bred by AL ZOBARA STUD and owned by ALHADDAR STUD, SH. MOHAMMAD ALI ALSABAH, while the bay PRISCILLA OS (POSEIDON OS x EL LUCINA OS) bred by VA GESTUT OSTERHOF, FAM. STOCKLE and owned by ABHAA ARABIANS, AHMED A ALBABTAIN was crowned Bronze medal winner. In the Junior Colts Category, Gold medal winner D SHALLAL (FA EL RASHEEM x D SHAHLA) bred and owned by DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Silver medal winner AJ RADMAN (AJ MARDAN x AJ RAHIFA) bred by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud, owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. Bronze medal winner ELSHAAN (MARSHAN x ELENA BINT EURO) bred and owned by SAX ARABIANS, REINHARD SAX. In the Senior Mares Category, Gold medal winner the very refined grey AJ DINARA (AJ DINAR x HS DANCING QUEEN) bred by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI and owned by AL SAQRAN ARABIAN HORSE STUD. Silver medal winner DA JAKARTA (LAWRENCE EL GAZAL x DA JUSS’DIVA) bred and owned by DIAMOND ARABIANS, CORNELIA KOLNBERGER. Bronze medal winner PSYCHE KREUZA (EKSTERN x PALLAS-ATENA) bred and owned by CHRCYNNO PALACE STUD, A. POSZEPSZYNSKA. In the Senior Stallions Category, Gold medal winner the stunning grey MOUNTASSAR AL ZOBAIR (KHIDAR x FALHA AL SHAQAB) bred by AL ZOBAIR STUD, SH. ABDULLA BIN MOHAMMED ALI AL THANI and owned by NASEEM STUD, KHALIL EBRAHIM ALI MUKTAR. Silver medal winner SAFEER BY SIBILLA (MG MAGIC GHASSAN x MAGIC SIBILLA) bred by MARINELLA ABAGNALE, owned by HANAYA ARABIANS, NAYLA HAYEK Hanaya Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. Bronze medal winner ANTARIS OS (RFI FARID x JUSTINA) bred by VA-GESTÜT OSTERHOF, FAM. STÖCKLE Gestüt Osterhof, owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. There were so many extra awards given out at this show. It did mean that most owners did leave with some kind of prize and so everyone was happy. The Best Mover award went to PSYCHE KREUZA (EKSTERN x PALLAS-ATENA) bred and owned by CHRCYNNO PALACE STUD, K. POSZEPSZYNSKI. The Best in Show (highest score of judges) title was taken by DA JAKARTA (LAWRENCE EL GAZAL x DA JUSS’DIVA) bred and owned by DIAMOND ARABIANS, CORNELIA KOLNBERGER. The Most Classic Head Mare title was earned by the chestnut AJ BARARI (VERVALDEE x LA BELLE VERSACE) bred and owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. The Most Classic Head Stallion award went to the chestnut AJ RADMAN (AJ MARDAN x AJ RAHIFA) bred and owned by AJMAN STUD, SH. AMMAR BIN HUMAID AL-NUAIMI Ajman Stud and presented by handler Spönle Frank. Many countries joined with excitement in the 2018 Wels Arabian Horse International B Show that is always fair and impartial as much as very well thought-out. It turned out to be an amazing weekend for many Austrian breeders competing successfully at the international show, best of all Cornelia Kolnberger of Diamond Arabians and Mario Matt Arabians. The Wels Arabian Horse Show was also a dynamic start for global players Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, Al Saqran Stud and Ajman Stud into the European show season. Everything went smoothly, we had a lot of spectators and many high-class horses. Most of these horses will be seen in the show-rings of Aachen this September and for those going, you can look forward to seeing them compete. In the springtime, and in this picturesque part of Europe, the Wels show is always enjoyable – not least because the setting in the Alps is so incredibly beautiful and the company is nearly always perfect. See you there in 2019!