WILLIAM OPPEN

The art of judging Arabian horses' conformation and movement takes some practice, but anyone who has spent time with these beautiful creatures can learn. A judge usually looks for a combination of balance, structure, muscling, gait, and breed-specific characteristics. Mr William Oppen from Argentina is the subject of my interview for the Autumn issue of 2022. I appreciated his taking the time to walk me through some of the main aspects of his professional experience judging Arabian horses. 1. Hello, Mr Oppen! I appreciate you accepting our invitation so graciously. Tell us a little bit about you, your family, and your education to help set the stage for our readers. 1. I was born in Argentina in 1964 and graduated from Veterinary School in 1989 from North East National University. I am married with Gladis, and I have two kids, one boy William Jr and one girl Carolina, both at University. 2. When did you start getting interested in the pure-bred Arabian horse? 2. Immediately after graduating from Veterinary School, I started working at Zichy Thyssen Arabians in Argentina, which led me to learn about Arabian horses. Count Federico Zichy Thyssen has been an international breeder and great master for over forty years. I started as a farm Veterinarian and soon moved up to the Farm Manager position, which I have held for almost twenty years of my life between two periods with him. 3. At what age have you become a judge? What specific preparation did you get?3. I passed my judge exam in 2007 in Brazil. Over these years, I have worked with Arabian horses, attended shows internationally, and visited other breeding programs around the world to prepare myself. To be a judge is more formal than what we do in our daily basis work. I mean looking, assessing, and qualifying horses at the farm at any time. 4. What are, in your opinion, the strengths of the Arabian breed? How do you tackle the concepts of 'beauty' and 'functional correctness'? 4. First I believe that an Arabian horse is the most beautiful of all breeds, no doubt! No other horse breed has the attitude of pride to show itself in the way Arabian horses do. The harmony in an Arabian horse with the small wide-dish head, with big black eyes showing intelligence, big round nostrils, arched- long neck, short back, strong croups, and correct and properly built legs to run for miles adding incredible stamina, make an Arabian such a breed on its own. 5. Which horse or horses have you judged that have left the strongest impression on you? Why? 5. I can't think of only one. I have seen many great horses in my life, judging or attending shows or visiting other farms. However, to answer your question, a young colt captured my heart. It was in Cape Town, South Africa, judging the show. It was EKS Alihandro, a yearling at that time, the way he showed himself with extreme attitude, full of energy and charisma impressed me a lot, and I knew he could be a great horse shortly. 6. What do you feel has been your most recent rewarding show as a judge? 6. Just being an international judge is a reward itself for me! It's not possible to think about one show. I had the honour to be part of the judging panel in highly prestigious shows, to name a few, Brazilian Nationals, Abu Dhabi (with 758 horses), Aachen and, lately, Menton. I don't want to forget smaller shows. But close to my heart, like Prado in Montevideo, Uruguay, Colombia Nationals, Cape Town (South Africa), and other Brazilian shows. I have seen beautiful horses in all of them, a pure pleasure to my eyes. 7. What particular skills are necessary to become an accountable judge in front of the public? 7. I believe honesty is the most crucial skill, then knowledge and experience through the years as a judge and seen many horses during my working life. 8. How has the global health crisis affected the Arabian horse industry? Has it affected your job? 8. Well, I guess the global health crisis has affected all businesses, sports, and regular life. No shows or other horse events could get held during the pandemics. In my case, I spent the health crisis working in my actual position as Manager of Al Ghanayim Stud in Kuwait. 9. Mr Oppen, are you also a breeder? If yes, tell us a bit about your breeding program. Which bloodlines do you breed? Why? 9. During my working years, I have intervened in breeding decisions at the places where I worked, at Zichy Thyssen Arabians, then Al Shaqab Stud (almost nine years), and now at Al Ghanayim Stud. I like Straight Egyptian lines, and all related lines to Gazal Al Shaqab and Marwan Al Shaqab mixed with Russian/Polish lines from Padron, Magnum Psyche and others. I have two mares in Argentina breeding with El Shaklan's grandson. I hope they will work well. 10. In 2023 and 2025, the World Arabian Horse Championship will be held in Qatar. How do you feel about this? 10. I don't have an opinion on this matter. I guess life evolves, and the Arabian horse industry constantly looks for the best interest. We must wait and see the outcome of this new experience that will be the World Arabian Horse Championship held in Qatar. 11. What else would you like to accomplish at this stage of your career? How do you picture your future, Mr Oppen? 11. I feel very accomplished with my career in the Arabian horse industry. I love what I do as a Veterinarian/Manager. I worked for prominent breeders such as Count Federico Zichy Thyssen and Al Shaqab Stud, and I am trying to help Al Ghanayim Stud in Kuwait scale to the next level. I hope to succeed in this new goal, and then I hope to get more invitations to judge at international shows, which always makes me very happy. Thank you very much, Mr Oppen! Wishing you all the best on your journey