Reign Of Marwan … Rain Of Menton
by Jeff Wallace
Each year, the Arabian public congregates in the south of France to celebrate the horses they love. The achingly beautiful seaside town of Menton hugs the picturesque cliffs, ordinarily providing incredible vistas in every direction. This year, a persistent rain cloaked the area with low-lying clouds, hampering the view. But the steady rain of Menton did nothing to dampen the reign of Marwan as a dominant sire line once again, at the 2015 Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship in Menton, France. 258 | ARABIAN A R A BI A NHORSE HOR SETIMES T I MES
Menton
Judges
The quality of horse f lesh at Menton is always shockingly high and therefore beyond pleasurable to all on-lookers—just truly amazing and this year was no less. *Hairy Al Shaqab, a glorious white son of Marwan Al Shaqab, bred and owned by Al Shaqab, took home the gold in stallions, as was expected, given the quality and beauty this stallion brings to the arena. *Baahir El Marwan, the silver winner with Glenn Schoukens for Al Saqran, was also quite dazzling and perfectly presented, and is a stunning grey son of Marwan Al Shaqab as well. The mare championship brought three more gorgeous greys to the winners circle. Klassical Dream MI, bred by Mulawa Stud and now owned by Al Khalediah was at her best on championship day with Philipe Hosay at the end of the lead. Her carriage and statuesque beauty, are both lovely to the eye. Klassical Dream MI is a reminder somewhat of AN Marieta, her paternal great-grand dam who was a United States Reserve
National Champion Mare, many years ago. The silver recipient, Norma, whose maternal grandam WN Nastasea was a gift from the late Deedie Wrigley to Director Jaworowski of Michalów Stud is a smooth beauty with a powerhouse Polish trot. The bronze winner, Salwa Al Zobair, perfectly presented by Tom Schoukens, hails from the E Line of Michalów Stud through her amazing dam, the champion *Eukaliptus daughter Esklawa. She is a wonderful tribute to her breeding, including her sire, the Marwan Al Shaqab son from Albidayer Stud, Marajj, and to her breeder/ owner Alzobair Stud of Sharjah. Menton is an experience much like that of the Kentucky Derby. Dawn Martin, for one, had on a magnificent black hat, celebrating the appearance of the sun finally, as did some of the ladies in attendance this year. The atmosphere is quite festive and is definitely the international spot to be and be seen, on the global annual Arabian show calendar.
Volume 46, No. 2 | 259
Paolo Cappeci celebrating a win.
Giampaolo Woody with trophy in hand!
Al Shaqab Team
NoĂŤmie Zeller, Christianne Chazel (show organizer) and Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Thani, owner of Al Zobair.
260 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Menton
Senior Male Gold Champion HARIRY AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x White Silkk), bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud.
Junior Male Gold Champion GALLARDO J (Emerald J x Gomera J), bred by BVBA C. Jamar-Demeersseman, and owned by Ajman Stud.
Yearling Male Gold Champion ALEXXANDERR (Excalibur EA x AR Most Irresistible), bred by Frances Butler and Brandi Carson, and owned by Al Sayed Stud. Volume 46, No. 2 | 261
Dubai Stud Team
Gigi Grasso, Elvis Giughera and wife Margaret. 262 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Lara Ames and David Boggs.
Al Sayed Team
Menton
Senior Female Gold Champion KLASSICAL DREAM MI (Klass x Mustangs Magnum), bred by Mulawa Arabian Stud, and owned by Al Khalediah Stables.
Junior Female Gold Champion DELIGHT’S DIVAH RB (Ajman Moniscione x Honey’s Delight RB), bred by Adriana Espindola B de Moura, and owned by Alsayed Stud.
Yearling Female Gold Champion SULTANAT AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl), bred and owned by Al Shaqab. Volume 46, No. 2 | 263
Al Sayed Team
Dawn Martin from Albidayer Stud. 264 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Irina Stigler.
Sheikh Mutlaq bin Mesharif - Manager of Al Khalediah Stables.
Menton
2015 ARABIAN HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP, MENTON June 13-14, 2015 • Menton, France
Senior Male Championship
Junior Female Championship
Gold: HARIRY AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x White Silkk), B/O: Al Shaqab Stud Silver: BAAHIR EL MARWAN (Marwan Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea), B: Taylor Arabians, O: Al Saqran Stud Bronze: E.S. HARIR (AJ Dinar x TF Magnum’s Magic), B: Sheikh Abdullaa Bin Majid Al Qassemi, O: Al Saqran Stud Top Five: EL PALACIO VO (Al Lahab x El Dorada), B: Manny Vierra, O: Al Khalediah Stables
Gold: DELIGHT’S DIVAH RB (Ajman Moniscione x Honey’s Delight RB), B: Adriana Espindola B de Moura, O: Alsayed Stud Silver: OM EL AISHA ALJASSIMYA (WH Justice x Om El Aliha), B: Om El Arab International, O: Aljassimya Farm Bronze: BINT HAZY AL KHALEDIAH (El Palacio VO x Hazy Al Khalediah), B/O: Al Khalediah Stables Top Five: PIACOLLA (Enzo x Polonica), B: Michaloów Stud, O: Athbah Stud KHAMILAH ALBIDAYER (Shaghai EA x Kadidjha De Jalima), B/O: Albidayer Stud NESJ EL DAIKHIMA (Ajman Moniscione x Nesj El Khimala), B: Mr. & Mrs. Everars – Van Den Broek
Junior Male Championship Gold: GALLARDO J (Emerald J x Gomera J), B: BVBA C. Jamar-Demeersseman, O: Ajman Stud Silver: EKS MANSOUR (EKS Alihandro x EKS Phateena), B: Elkana Trust, O: Al Shahania Stud Bronze: EQUIBORN KA (QR Marc x Espadrilla), B/O: Knocke Arabians
Yearling Male Championship Gold: ALEXXANDERR (Excalibur EA x AR Most Irresistible), B: Frances Butler and Brandi Carson, O: Al Sayed Stud Silver: D AASEF (Marajj x Lumiar Bint Balzac), B/O: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud Bronze: AMAAR AL NASSER (EKS Alihandro x REema Al Nasser), B/O: Al Nasser Stud Top Five: ARTEMAS GA (Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl), B: Sally Bedeker, O: Stella Bella Arabians LLC WAJEEH ATHBAH (EKS ALihandro x El Dorada), B/O: Athbah Stud
Senior Female Championship Gold: KLASSICAL DREAM MI (Klass x Mustangs Magnum), B: Mulawa Arabian Stud, O: Al Khalediah Stables Silver: NORMA (Gazal Al Shaqab x Nina), B: Michalow Stud, O: Al Muawd Stud Bronze: SALWA AL ZOBAIR (Marajj x Esklawa), B/O: Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Al Zobair Stud Top Five: L FARAHDIBA (WH Justice x Feemi), B: Loenhult Arabstuteri, O: RB Arabians
Yearling Female Championship Gold: SULTANAT AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl), B/O: Al Shaqab Silver: D SHIREEN (Kahil Al Shaqab x Magic Mon Amour), B/O: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud Bronze: SAMA AM (Eden C x Sara Al Mohamadia), B: Al Mohanadia Stud, O: Ajman Stud Top Five: MOZN ALBIDAYER (S.M.A. Magic One x Mattaharii), B/O: Albidayer Stud
Best Straight Egyptian winner D OMNIA (Frasera Mashar x Royal Emira), B/O: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Female Best in Show winner KLASSICAL DREAM MI (Klass x Mustangs Magnum), B: Mulawa Arabian Stud, O: Al Khalediah Stables
Highest Score in the show winner HARIRY AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x White Silkk), B/O: Al Shaqab Stud
Male Best in Show winner HARIRY AL SHAQAB (Marwan Al Shaqab x White Silkk), B/O: Al Shaqab Stud ■
Volume 46, No. 2 | 265