2013 World Cup Show

2013 Ar abian Breeders World Cup

InternatIonal allIance In the cIty of lIghts

by K a r a L a r s o n

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Opening Night Gala at XS Nightclub at the Encore Resort.

erving as the ostensible connecting point between International and U.S. owners, breeders, trainers, and horses, the Arabian Breeders World Cup is an event growing in size, quality, and significance in the Arabian horse show calendar. In its seventh year, the event was held at the South Point Equestrian Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. from April 18th-21st, once again proving that it can cater to all corners of the ideal horse Arabian show experience. Beyond the breathtaking horses adorning the coliseum-seating arena, the accommodating, all-inclusive, and entertainment-focused style of Las Vegas encases the show with ease and panache.

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The show opened with amateur classes on Thursday, which featured many breeders and owners showing their own horses, making for an especially momentous beginning. Thursday evening also included the annual Opening Night Gala at XS Night Club at the Encore, an aptly named host resort, given the venue is the only nightclub to be chosen a second time by the organizing committee. A chance to catch up with friends and enjoy the Las Vegas nightlife, the Gala showcased what the city has to offer this Arabian crowd in this perfect opening celebration.

CHanGes and iMproVeMenTs

The Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance is an organization open to change, trying new things, and finding ways to better showcase our Arabian horse.

The changes made to this year’s World Cup were alterations to the arena; in the design of the ring, the layout of the VIP area, and the procedure on championship Sunday. Scott Benjamin, an integral

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member of the World Cup show committee, was happy with the outcome of such changes. “We took a lot of risk in terms of modifying the show, and there were some skeptics who thought the ring looked smaller and weren’t sure about the VIP area. And, of course, in Sunday’s championships, for the first time ever in North America, there was the opportunity for horses to win from anywhere in the championship lineup on Sunday,” Scott shares. “In the end, all of those things turned out to be extremely positive. Everyone loved being closer to the horses and the VIP area, and those who thought the ring was too small realized that it was the perfect size—just big enough to make the horses look fantastic without disturbing the handlers.”

Taryl O’Shea, Co-Manager of the show, agrees that the changes made at this year’s show only enhanced the magic and allure of the entire event. “The World Cup show is always a fun show with the excitement of Vegas, the incredible horses, and the international sponsors that you don’t see at any of the other shows,

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Trainer’s THouGHTs on THe World Cup David Boggs:

David Boggs and Pogrom.

“The quality was so spectacular; it’s a great event—extremely exciting and exhilarating. I think it’s one of the best shows the breed has to offer. The competition was at an all time high— there were a lot of high-powered stallions from all over the world and more international attendants than I’ve seen in a long time.

Without question, the highlight of the show was the Supreme Gold Champion Stallion *Pogrom. The stallion class was really the best in the breed, so it was extremely exciting and a great win. Obviously, the venue at Las Vegas is very exciting and lots of fun, and I think the show is doing great things for the halter industry. People really like the atmosphere that the show brings and many walked away already looking forward to next year.”

Andrew Sellman:

Andrew Sellman and Om El Soraya.

“The Las Vegas World Cup show is one of our favorites! The atmosphere at the show remains very positive due in large part to all the hard work and good energy from the show commission. The quality of horses at this year’s show was as strong as ever! Great owners and breeders from all over the world consider the show important enough to bring their finest animals to compete, which makes for very stiff competition, and in turn, creates some great worldwide business being done between Arabian horse enthusiasts. The highlight of the show for me was the championship Sunday; I was thrilled to be competing with some of the best Arabians in the world!”

Sandro Pinha:

“I think the show continues to be a wonderful venue to showcase Arabian horses in the U.S. Once again, well done; my hat is off to the whole show committee. The quality of horses competing this year was absolutely amazing and second to none—truly a world-class horse show! My personal highlight of the show was the 5-year-old Stallion El Chall. It was absolutely the most exciting presentation I have ever had with a horse up to this point in my life.”

Sandro Pinha and Mystica Antasia.

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but we also changed the look of the venue this year.”

Taryl continues, “we offered a very dramatic look with the horses entering though a stage-like entrance into a little smaller viewing area, allowing spectators that closer look at the horses. As a show committee, we continually work on making the show better and more exciting for the horse people. This year, I think we accomplished that.”

QualiTY oVer QuanTiTY

The World Cup is not a show that relies on high horse numbers or mass amounts of classes; instead, it reigns in its ability to focus on the value and merit these incredible horses have to offer the diverse crowd.

Through the uncovering of talent in the deep classes offered this year, something unique occurred. It ended up that every one of the champions this year at Vegas were all former Scottsdale champions. In response to this, Scott Benjamin believes it reflects the connection building between Vegas and Scottsdale. “Some would

Ricardo Rivero

Michael Byatt and WH Justice.

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Izabella Zawadzka and George Z.

Al Rasheem Pool Party.

Rodolfo Guzzo and Natalia Nieves.

Wayne Newton

say that Vegas has become more Scottsdale in style, but I think it’s the other way around. I think the Scottsdale show has become more Vegas in style and internationally focused. Those kinds of horses are now influencing and changing the way the halter horses are bred, shown, and received in North America. And we’re really proud to facilitate that international standard.”

Everyone present at the World Cup seems to concur that the quality of horses overall was better than ever.

Scott Benjamin reflects on the most impressive aspect of the show in his eyes—the stallions. “The senior stallions were astounding. There were six or seven amazing stallions in the championship on Sunday, and that’s never been something we’ve had in Vegas. Now, we’ve always had great mares, yearling fillies, and super nice colts, but we’ve never had the quality of stallions that we had this year. It shows me that people now are bringing their horses out to showcase them at shows like Scottsdale and Vegas, regardless of whether or not they win.”

Michael Byatt and WH Justice.

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inTernaTional appeal

One of the most impactful aspects of the Breeders World Cup is the international relationships and connections that it inspires and facilitates. In the judging panel alone, the international mix of the show is made apparent. This year’s judging panel included Eduardo Moreira Caio of Brazil, Sylvie Eberhardt of Germany, Jaroslav Lacina from the Czech Republic, Lewis McKim from Canada, Allan Preston from Australia, and Cory Soltau of the United States. Further indication of the global influence of the Arabian is seen in the flags lining the ceiling of the coliseum, in the diverse and passionate crowd of owners, breeders, and spectators, and of course, in the horses that fill the arena.

Pogrom

A real indication of the international presence at the show came in Pawel Kozikowski’s presentation of Poland’s invincible hero, *Pogrom, bred and owned

by Janów Podlaski State Stud in Poland, but currently Greg Gallún and Al Rasheem.

2013 Judges

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oWners and Breeders Aude Espourteille, Longtime breeder and avid Arabian enthusiast

Aude Espourteille

“I loved the show! It was incredible to see breeders from all over the world arriving to see the Arabian World Breeders Show! The quality of horses was excellent and included a wide variety of pedigrees. The highlight of show for me was seeing Izabella Z receiving her award. There were tears from every eye in the audience! I love her dedication to the Arabian horse!”

Olivia Strauch, Manager of Excalibur EA, the champion 2-year-old and Silver Supreme Champion Young Stallion “It was a delight to see so many amazing horses class after class. I was especially impressed with the junior colts as it is not common to see so many good ones in one show. And it was a big honor to have the opportunity to see some of the most coveted horses in the world (Najdah al Zobair, WH Justice, *Pogrom) together in the same ring, which also made this edition a very special flavor.”

Olivia Strauch, Princess Laetitia d'Arenberg and Excalibur EA.

Murray Popplewell, Rae-Dawn Arabians, one of the top five breeding farms at this year’s show “In my opinion, this is the best show on our circuit. The show is very classy with the Las Vegas venue, and still, it offers extreme quality in every class. The best horse show is the one you win or get beat by better horses. Personally, our highlight of the 2013 show was RD Dynamo finishing as a bronze winner in the Junior Stallions, and also seeing our two Bey Ambition fillies do so well. We ended up selling one of them, one finishing by winning the legacy class and the other finishing third in the same class. It’s always nice after selling, that the new owners have a big win.”

Murray Popplewell

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on lease to David and Terry Anne Boggs and Jeff and Andrea Sloan. Pawel, in his impressive win in the Supreme Champion Senior Stallion class, shares his feelings on the unique event. “The show was great—it was a great adventure for me. I met many interesting people and made a lot of new friendships. Besides this, the quality of the horses was very good. I was surprised, because not just some, but all the horses looked amazing; their condition and preparation was on the highest and most impressive level.” Beyond being amazed by the show’s turnout and level of quality, Pawel experienced a win that he will certainly never forget—a win that further emphasized the incredible quality of the four-year-old Polish stallion.

“For me, the highlight of the show was definitely showing *Pogrom. I have known this horse since the beginning, so winning with him was one of the greatest moments in my life. I can only hope that I’ll be able to do it again in the future. And I would of

course like to thank David Boggs and the Midwest team for the opportunity and great show.”

Scott Benjamin and the rest of the show committee are aware of the international weight the show is beginning to carry and the growth that it is inspiring for the Arabian horse. Further commenting on the international collaboration that Vegas has enlisted, he believes the impact of the event is changing our show industry for the better. “The international collaboration has rejuvenated and changed the way other shows do things. In Vegas, we’ve learned a lot from the international trendsetters and we’ve tried to take what’s most productive from around the world and incorporate it into the event. In Vegas, you can sit closely with both newcomers and royalty, all mingling together and loving this horse—all boundaries overcome. It’s not just economic boundaries that are broken down, it’s political and religious boundaries

Pawel Kozikowski, Pogrom and David Boggs.

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Murray and Shirley Popplwell, Hank DeShazer, George Z, AHBA Ambassador Award honoree Izabella Zawadzka, Carol Steppe, Bob North, Janene Boggs, Scott Bailey and Jay Constanti.

too. There are Muslims and Christians and atheists and Europeans and South Americans and Middle Easterners and Australians all sitting together, enjoying this horse at the same time in a place that is conducive to such.” Scott continues, “Vegas is a magical place full of acceptance, but that’s part of what makes everyone so comfortable there, because there’s no preconceived idea of who you should be or how you should proceed. It’s been a great place to bring the world together and feel like you have access to everybody.”

More THan a Horse sHoW

The premise of the show is built upon the concise, yet comprehensive schedule of classes with several exciting presentations of our breed’s finest intermittently featured throughout the class sessions. This facilitates a different kind of show that is focused on showing great horses along with setting aside proper recognition for presentations like the International Stallion Showcase,

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which was held on both Saturday and Sunday evening and featured nine stallions all bred outside of North America. For this presentation, individual showings of the stallions were followed by audience members joining the horses and handlers inside the arena in a rare opportunity to interact with legendary stallions on a personal level.

Additionally, on Sunday, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Nasr Marei, a longtime breeder, international judge, and well-known aficionado for the Arabian horse. His farm, Albadeia Stud, which is nestled at the base of the Great Pyramids of Giza, goes back as far as seven decades and ten generations into a family legacy built around the Arabian horse. The next presentation was the Handler of Excellence Award presented to Ricardo Rivero of Guzzo/Rivero Arabians Worldwide for the second time. The new, Dams of Distinction Tribute, was presented to two incredibly worthy mares;

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the first being National Champion and producer of international champions, Felisha BHF, owned

by Robert and Dixie North, who was on site and looking spectacular. Also honored was 19-year-old Bint Bey Shah—a mare that has produced again and again for the Bob Boggs family as the leading living broodmare in the world with 23 sons and daughters in seven different countries and second-generation offspring in some 30 countries. The Ambassador Award was awarded to Izabella Zawadzka, a woman recognized as the “First Lady” of Polish Arabian breeding, an international judge, and the Vice President of the World Arab Horse Organizations— clearly a shining example of an ambassador of the Arabian horse. And lastly, the coveted Arabian Breeders Cup was awarded to Om El Arab for an incredible third time for having the most success with multiple horses accredited to a single breeder in the World Cup competition. For 2013, the top five breeders included Stonewall Farm, Oak Ridge Arabians, Rae-Dawn Arabians, North Arabians, and Western Cross Ranch. These awards and their recipients represent the honor that a life dedicated to the Arabian horse can inspire for a lifetime.

Chris and Sonya Bickford presenting Ricardo Rivero with the Handler of Excellence award.

aT THe end oF THe daY For Scott Benjamin, the World Cup is a step in a fresh and innovative direction for the Arabian horse industry, and yet, the mark it hopes to leave traces directly back to the source of our passion—the Arabian horse. “In the end, I want Vegas to be known for bringing the world together in one place where we all celebrate the horse at the very highest level and exchange ideas. It’s a fair playing field where the best horses win based on their merit. People can bring the best horses from around the world, and they’re confident others will do the same. I really want the legacy of Vegas to be in the celebration of the horse, the people, and the leaders that have made the Arabian horse what it is today. I hope it inspires us all to love and appreciate and promote the Arabian horse on a fundamental level.”

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Janene and Austin Boggs.

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AHba liFeTiMe aCHieVeMenT aWard Winner nasr Marei What makes the Arabian Breeders World Cup an important show for the Arabian horse? The World Cup is providing a great opportunity to breeders from Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and South America to come together with their horses and compete. I believe it is the only, or at least the most important International Bob North, Scott Bailey, AHBA Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Dr. Nasr Marei, show in the USA next to Scottsdale Carol Steppe, Hank Deshazer and Jay Constanti. where horses from all countries compete together. We have the World Championships in Paris, and now, AHBA has offered an equally important show across the Atlantic. By adopting slightly modified show rules of conduct and a judging system used in Europe and the Middle East, I think that the organizers of the World Cup show have bridged the gap between the old and new worlds as far as showing and judging methods are concerned. It is important to start developing a universal system to conduct shows and evaluate them on a basis of Standard Platform(s).

One more thing I feel when coming to this show, whether as a spectator like this last April, or as a judge, as I was in the first show of 2007, is that this is a very friendly and inviting show. The organizing committees over the years have managed to add a relaxed, pleasant, and friendly atmosphere.

What did it mean to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award? It meant a great deal to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award—I was thrilled when I first received the news. As I mentioned in my acceptance speech, “any honor or recognition that comes from one’s peers is always deeply moving and humbling.” Being appreciated by people that know about breeding Arabian horses, or by a distinguished organization like AHBA, is very rewarding. They can appreciate how much sacrifice, effort, time, and dedication were involved. They are the best ones to tell you if you have done a good job throughout the years. If they do, one should consider this as an honor to what was achieved until this point and also an incentive to do more. It is a great merit that will always be cherished.

In the international scope of the Arabian industry, what benefits does the Breeders World Cup offer? Basically, the show does a good job getting breeders from all over the world together, bringing horses that were bred in different countries with different visions and philosophies in one place, standardizing show conduct rules and judging systems, and finally, it is always educational to young and/or new breeders to attend serious shows like this, especially when there are some seminars and round table discussions as was the case in this show of 2013.

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Gold Supreme Champion Senior Stallion and 4 Years Stallion winner POGROM (QR Marc x Petla), shown by Pawel Kozikowski for owner Janow Podlaski State Stud, POL.

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Silver Supreme Champion Senior Stallion and 12 & Older Stallion winner WH JUSTICE (Magnum Psyche x Vona SherRenea), shown by Michael Byatt for owners Kerjean Family, FRA. 3.

Bronze Supreme Champion Senior Stallion and 5 Years Stallion 2nd place BAAHIR EL MARWAN (Marwan Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea), shown by Andrew Sellman for owner The Baahir Group, USA.

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Gold Supreme Champion Senior Mare and 6-8 Years Mare winner NAJDAH AL ZOBAIR (Marwan Al Shaqab x JFN Bint Ludhan), shown by Michael Byatt for owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, UAE. 2.

Silver Supreme Champion Senior Mare and 4 Years Mare winner GAZALA HBV (Gazal Al Shaqab x Tiaraa Rose), shown by Sandro Pinha for owner Arabian Soul Partners Ltd, VEN. 3.

Bronze Supreme Champion Senior Mare and 6-8 Years Mare 2nd place FALCONS LOVE NOTE BHF (Falcon BHF x BHF Shahs Luvsong), shown by Keith Krichke for owner Robert & Dixie North Family Trust, USA.

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Gold Supreme Champion Junior Stallion and Junior Stallion of 2010 winner OM EL SANADEED (Om El Shahmaan x Om El Jinaah), shown by Michael Byatt for owner Al Shahania Stud, QAT. 2.

Silver Supreme Champion Junior Stallion and Junior Colt of 2011 (A) winner EXCALIBUR EA (Shanghai EA x Essence Of Marwan EA), shown by Ted Carson for owner Haras Las Rasas, URY.

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Bronze Supreme Champion Junior Stallion and Junior Stallion of 2010 2nd place RD DYNAMO (Bey Ambition x TF Falconsimprint), shown by Claudio Machado for owners Murray and Shirley Popplewell, CAN.

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Gold Supreme Champion Junior Mare and Junior Filly of 2011 (B) winner BADIAA AL SHAHANIA (Marwan Al Shaqab x Majalis), shown

by Michael Byatt for owner Al Shahania Stud, QAT. 2.

Silver Supreme Champion Junior Mare and Junior Mare of 2010 2nd place MYSTICA ANTASIA (WH Justice x LL Albufera), shown by Sandro Pinha for owner Awaad Mubarak, KWT. 3.

Bronze Supreme Champion Junior Mare and Junior Filly of 2011 (B) 2nd place OM EL SORAYA (Om El Bellissimo x Om El Sariyana), shown by Andrew Sellman for owner Aljassimya Farm, USA.

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Gold Supreme Champion Yearling Colt, Junior Colt of 2012 (C) winner and Legacy Yearling Colt 2nd place PRUSSIA MI (ABHA Qatar x Parada), shown

by Michael Byatt for owner HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Al Saud, KSA. 2.

Silver Supreme Champion Yearling Colt and Junior Colt of 2012 (C) 2nd place A JERICHO (A Jakarta x Destiny VF), shown

by Pawel Kozikowski for owner Norma-Jean Abel, CAN.

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Bronze Supreme Champion Yearling Colt and Junior Colt of 2012 (B) winner TITAN AS (El Nabila B x Om El Beladeena), shown by Sandro Pinha for owner Arabian Soul Partners Ltd, VEN.

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Gold Supreme Champion Yearling Filly and Junior Filly of 2012 (E) 2nd place AJ MANAYER (Vitorio TO x Anna Marie BHF), shown by Pawel Kozikowski for owner Ajman Stud, UAE. 2.

Silver Supreme Champion Yearling Filly and Junior Filly of 2012 (E) winner MERA ALSAYED (RHR Marcedes x Bonne Chance TBA), shown

by Sandro Pinha for owner Al Sayed Stud, KSA. 3.

Bronze Supreme Champion Yearling Filly and Junior Filly of 2012 (C) winner RHR CASHMERE (OFW Magic Wan x Nostalggia), shown by Michael Byatt for owner Al Shahania Stud, QAT.

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Gold Champion Stallion/ Colt ATH and Stallion 3 & 4 Year-Old ATH 2nd place AL SHAHEED NA (Ever After NA x JA Psilk N Lace), shown

by Kenny McDonald for owner Al Shaheed Stud, USA. 2.

Silver Champion Stallion/Colt ATH and 1 & 2 Year-Old Colt ATH winner BRAVO SWF ( Jagger SWF x Focus Starlet), shown by Michael Bills for owner Stonewall Farm Arabians LLC, USA. 3.

Bronze Champion Stallion/ Colt ATH and Stallion 3 & 4 Year-Old ATH winner VICTORIOUS LD (DA Valentino x Queen Adiamonds), shown by Austin Garrett for owners Les and Diane Van Dyke, USA.

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Gold Champion Mare/Filly ATH and 5 Years & Older Mare ATH winner WC CIAO BELLA (Xceptshahn x JE Ali Selene), shown by Michael Bills for owner Holly Woods Dillin, USA. 2.

Silver Champion Mare/Filly ATH and 1 & 2 Year-Old Filly ATH winner VICTORIA WP (PCF Vision x Psyches Psecret), shown by A.J. Marino for owner Arturo Ortega Olive, MEX. 2.

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Bronze Champion Mare/Filly ATH and 1 & 2 Year-Old Filly ATH 2nd place CLARISSA FF (CraveFF x Caro Lynn DPA), shown by Kenny McDonald for owner Matt Sheard, USA.

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Freestyle Liberty Champion ONE LAST ROMANCE (El Nabila B x GR Tara Lee), shown by Gil Valdez for owner Romance Arabians, USA.

AHBA Futurity 2 Year Colt Champion IDENTITY PA (Magnum Chall HVP x Miss Amerika), shown by Dean Wikel, owner of owner Pegasus Arabians, USA.

AHBA Futurity 2 Year Filly Champion BELLA LUNA PA (Masquerade PA x Fadila PCF), shown

by Michael Bills for owner Pegasus Arabians, USA.

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AHBA Futurity 1 Year Colt Champion A JERICHO (A Jakarta x Destiny VF), shown by Jocelyn Hazlewood for owner Norma-JeanAbel, CAN.

AHBA Futurity 1 Year Filly Champion ALTIMA USA (Rahere x RA Khansuela), shown by Adam Rickert for owner John Blincoe, USA.

AHBA Legacy Yearling Colt Champion OCTAVIUS NA (Ever After NA x Psylk Obsession), shown by owner Michael Bills, USA.

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AHBA Legacy Yearling Filly Champion RD CAPELLA (Bey Ambition x Madiera El Marwan), shown by Abdul Aziz Al Tamimi for owners Murray and Shirley Popplewell, CAN. â–

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