The silver stallion whose journey has just begun…

Written by Zarah Perkins

“I remember getting the call from Janina Merz when Atticus was foaled. I was kind of bummed because I wanted a filly,” laughs Michael Weinstein, breeder of the interna- tionally up and coming young stallion, Atticus ENB. “His dam, Om El Benedine had foaled an exquisite El Nabila B filly the year before and we lost her in an accident, and I desperately wanted a replacement.”

“Atticus was an absolutely beautiful baby,” Janina recalls. “Very feminine looking as in my opinion, many of the best breeding stallions are at birth. I called Michael and said that a star had been born!”

Of course, no one then could have foreseen just how prophetic Janina’s words were to prove. Now, at just seven years of age Atticus has not only acquitted himself admirably in the show ring - being named 2019 Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion and 2021 Scottsdale International Silver Champion - but more importantly, from just a handful of US bred foals, he is emerging as a superstar sire of the rarest and most exceptional quality.

His exquisite bay filly, Alesia ENB (from the PCF Vision mare, Aliyah Vision PCF)one of four daughters that made up his entire first foal crop - has been a prolific show winner for her owners Murray and Shirley Popplewell of RaeDawn Arabians, claiming among her successes, champion at the 2021 Arabian Breeder’s Cup where she was also awarded the highest movement points of the show – a truly remarkable feat for a yearling filly! Atticus himself, received the second highest score.

But it is Alesia’s extraordinary ¾ brother, RD Atlantis (from Giana Leah, Aliyah Vision’s daughter by Polidoro) who has really catapulted Atticus the sire into the global spotlight. While still a weanling, word of this huge-eyed and ultra-refined colt spread quickly around the world. Following a heated international bidding war between US, Middle Eastern and European interests Atlantis was eventually sold to French bree- ders, Kalliste Arabians who have entrusted his undoubtedly illustrious future to the auspices of Jadem Arabians in Belgium.

A great breeding horse is usually the result of a great pedigree and Atticus ENB is no exception. His sire, El Nabila B requires little introduction. Born at the Babolna stud in Hungary and the result of the mating of two World Champions – the explosively masculine, chestnut Russian superhorse, Kubinec (Balaton by Menes x Kosmetica by Muscat) and the swan white, airy moving Straight Egyptian mare, 218 Elf Layla Walayla B (Assad by Ansata Halim Shah x 223 Ibn Galal 1 - making her twice inbred to the iconic SE matriarch, Hanan): El Nabila B’s pedigree is a breeder’s poem of power and beauty!

Still a radiant presence at 27, over his long life Nabila has been crowned national champion both in Brazil and the United States, a title he claimed at the unprecedented age of 14, and built an international reputation as one of the world’s great broodmare sires. Om El Benedine, Atticus’ tall and typey dam comes from an equally important and storied lineage - sired by the legendary El Shaklan son, Sanadik El Shaklan and out of the Sharem El Sheikh daughter, Om El Beneera. Beneera - the last foal of her world-renowned dam Estopa who gave birth to her at 27 - grew up to find the most prolific and important line in the Om El program producing both exceptional daughters and sons like Om El Azeem – all inheriting her big eyes, big movement, and big personality.

Michael freely admits that El Nabila B’s reputation as a sire rest largely on the quality of his daughters, so it is worth noting that his arguably two best sons, Atticus ENB and the late Titan AS (a dramatic chestnut stallion who sadly died young) were both bred from Om El arab mares. Thus, Atticus’ qualities as both an individual and a sire undoubtedly owe much to his dam who brings not only four closes crosses to Estopa, but the proven stallion producing power of the

Om El Beneera line.

“I think Atticus represents the perfect balance of his pedigree” says Michael. “Like his father, Atticus is a soft, kind horse. He loves to puff up and snort and blow but he’s basically very sensible. He also has inherited Nabila’s perfectly vertical tail carriage, small tight ears and broad flat forehead with big prominent eyes. He is very leggy like his dam’s family. And his long neck, high set into a powerful, sloping shoulder comes both from his maternal grandsire, Sharem El Sheikh and his father, but the beautiful curvy polls and super clean throats which seem to be characteristic of all his foals so far – that is definitely Nabila.”

Ironically, while Atticus’ pedigree is one of his greatest strengths it may also be the reason that he initially failed to capture the imagination of US breeders. “Americans like their bays,” laughs Michael, “and they tend to gravitate to a certain set of bloodlines. Atticus is unusual amongst most American halter bred stallions in that he has no Gazal Al Shaqab blood, no Marwan, no Justice, no Padrons Psyche, no Bey Shah, no Minstrel blood – in fact he is a complete outcross for most modern mares, and we are seeing that outcross strength now in his babies.”

If Atticus was not on local breeder’s radar other Arabian horse connoisseurs were paying attention. “Scott Benjamin (renowned judge and breeding consultant) came to see him and absolutely loved him!” says Michael. As a result, Benjamin became the stallion’s first international agent, selling multiple frozen semen breeding’s most notably in Australia and New Zealand. The resultant exciting Antipodean foal crop, most still weanlings, currently represents the largest group of Atticus progeny anywhere in the world.

Atticus’ pedigree is also unusual in that he is a very rare modern representative of the Bairactar sire line, the oldest sire line in the world long prized for their substantial bodies, large eyes and trainable temperaments. Bairactar himself, was a white Seglawi stallion brought from the desert to the royal stables in Germany in the early 19th century where he was renowned for his almost unworldly Oriental beauty. The line exists today only through descendants of the fifth-generation Polish bred stallion, Amurath Sahib: a superlative broodmare sire and one of the cornerstones of Polish breeding, his daughters produced the legendary Bask, Bandola and founded the world-famous E-line at Michalow. The Poles, in efforts to reinvigorate this line have previously used Atticus’s sire, El Nabila B with a handful of mares being retained. This year, on Jeff Wallace recommendation, 7 of the Polish state studs’ best mares will be bred to Atticus in hopes of producing a breeding colt.

While today as a mature stallion Atticus is more beautiful than ever – since he was last seen in the showring his body has filled out and muscled up and his coat has burni- shed into a spectacular flea-bitten silver – there are no current plans to bring him out again. “Atticus has shown that his future lies as a breeding horse,” says Michael. “He has already proven himself to be a sire of both exceptional fillies and colts which is cool in itself. I think that his son Atlantis RD is one of the best colts I have ever seen, anywhere and a far better horse than his sire, in the same age, more extreme for sure. That he is consistently out-siring says everything about Atticus’ potential as a breeding horse!”

Now for Atticus a new chapter is on his way to open – he is heading to Europe!

AN INTERVIEW BY SONIA SMALDONE

“Albert Sorroca also pursued a dream about a perfect Arabian horse. Shanghai EA turned out to be the personification of these dreams. It is definitely due to him that the position of Equus Arabians has changed on the breeding map. Today, Albert Sorroca tells Arabian Horse Magazine about his road to the circle of the world’s horse breeding elite.”

Who’s Albert Sorroca, exactly?

The passion for the creative process has always been present in me. My first childhood memory is when my mother gave me a seed so I could plant it and see how it grew. It was my first opportunity to feel the connection with nature and feel the emotion of creating.

I come from a family of artisan bakers, of which I have had the honour of being an active part. In my youth, I combined my Law studies in University, with work in the family company. Even then, I loved to create, and enjoyed, as an art, the transformation that occurred during the whole process of creating the bread that we made.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Law and a Master of International Trade, I founded my own law firm, becoming one of the most prestigious European business consultancy firms. Combining the management of my firm, with numerous business projects as:

-Partner of Eurogestores law firm based in Brussels, dedicated to defending the interests of Spanish and international companies facing the UEE.

-President in Renewable Energies Investment Funds, mainly owned by the European Investment Bank.

-Member of the Board of Directors of several companies in the food and agriculture sector, real estate and venture capital, all of them national and international.

-Member of the Plenary Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona.

-Professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and Associate professor at ESADE University and Abat Oliba University.

- Editor of the Legal Section of the Encyclopedic Dictionary Grijalbo and the

Monthly Newsletter of the EEU under the tradename “Euroconfidencial”.

- Author of diverse conferences, articles and presentations relating to questions of the professional specialization of the law. But still, I could never give up my passion for creation and genetics. For many years, before dedicating myself to the breeding of Arabian horses, I dedicated myself to breed of the birds, which I enjoyed enormously and managed to win several World Championships. Then the Arabian horses crossed my path, and I decided to park the birds, to dedicate myself fully to the breeding of the Arabian horses. And here I continue, with the same enthusiasm and passion as the first day, and trying to seek the greatest expression of excellence...

Sorroca, when did you become a breeder in the truest sense of the Word?

After travelling a lot and visiting many of the best studs in the world, and learning from those who were most successful, I defined in my head, what my ideal Arabian horse prototype was. Then I have focused all the efforts that the foals that are born every year approach this ideal horse that I have in my head. This permanent self-criticism in search of the highest quality is always current in the work of Equus Arabians Spain. Not only have I not lost this, but I have increased the level of self-criticism and demand regarding the quality of the horses we breed at Equus Arabians Spain.

When and how did your Arabian dream begin? The horse has always been very present in my life. First my grandfather, and then my father, were great horse riders. This family tradition made the horse a special and amazing animal for me. On one of my trips, I was able to attend an arabian horses show. I was impressed by his beauty and movement. I’ve never before known this breed of horses. After this, I studied in detail the main traits of Arabian horses, and decided they are the best from all points of view, and most importantly, the ones that generated the most passion for me.

Among your international multi-champion horses are Shanghai EA, Excalibur EA, Zeus EA, Sulaiman EA and Lyric EA. How has each of these horses changed your life? Shanghai EA was the first time that my dream came true for Arabian horses. He physically and morphologically represented the ideal horse I had in mind that I pursued in my dreams. In addition, Shanghai EA turned out to be and remains an excellent stallion, as well as their sons and grandsons, are also. I think he has created a legacy, and with his son Excalibur EA, they are called to be legends in the world of Arabian horses. I remember perfectly when Shanghai EA was born and the excitement of seeing the horse of my dreams. It was almost perfect, like porcelain. I also remember the moment of the birth of Excalibur EA. From the first moment, he stood up gallantly. From that moment on, I knew he would be a model for the future. He has proven it with his charisma and attitude. As a result of these two stallions, I have had the opportunity to live a dream I have always pursued.

Subsequently, I have had the luck to raise other stallions products of the Shanghai EA’s legacy, same like the multi champions Zeus EA (full brother of Excalibur EA), Sulaiman EA (son of Excalibur EA), and Lyric EA (son of Shanghai EA). These three stallions, still young, are called to be exceptional ones.

So far, how many generations have you bred? We are now in the sixth generation. This explains the strength of our breeding program and its global influence.

Are there any particular foals with high breeding and showing potential right now?

We are very pleased with the foals born this year through our breeding program. The average is outstanding quality and has a high potential for show and breeding. It has been a year with excellent foals.

Could you sum up Equus Arabians Spain’s philosophy and breeding strategy in a few words?

The quality of Arabian horses is connected to multifactorial issues, and it is mandatory to be concentrated on the key factors. We always strive to obtain the maximum quality standards with a strict and demanding selection process. For this, we work from three concepts: phenotype, genotype and epigenetics. Regarding the phenotype: make it excellent, taking into consideration the following evaluation criteria: a) Conformation and structure. b) Movements and legs. c) Shoulder and neck. d) Head.

From the point of view of the genotype: we follow these evaluation criteria: a) Strength or not of the dominant and/or recessive strokes. b) Heritability. c) Compensation of genetic characteristics. d) Predictability.

Finally, we attach great importance to epigenetics: it involves incorporating into the breeding program and the development of the foals trying to identify those elements not quantifiable in the phenotype and genotype. This helps the correct development of the foals. The aim is to improve the result by assessing the influence on the heritability of characters. In any case, we think that the keyword to value the final quality of a horse has to be: “Harmonious”.

In what other parts of the world is Equus Arabians Spain making a difference, Mr Sorroca?

In our work at Equus Arabians Spain, we strive for self-criticism, perseverance, continual improvement to excellence, never giving up, resilience, work, study and learning, and humility. These values and work enabled Equus Arabians

Spain to be the European stud which settled with its stallions in the United States. First, Shanghai EA, and later, Excalibur EA, were the first reference stallions used by American breeders as they expanded their breeding program. Because of this, American breeders and trainers changed their mentality, realizing that far from their borders they could find fabulous Arabian horses that had characteristics their own didn’t have (such as movement, head, etc.).

As a result, the most influential breeders and trainers of America began placing a priority in their agendas the participation in our European championships at Aachen, Europe, and Paris. We experienced the same thing in the Middle

East, as evidenced by the fact that our MultiChampions Shanghai EA and Excalibur EA are currently based there. As well as Zeus and Sulaiman EAs.

With humility but also great satisfaction and pride, I believe Equus Arabians Spain is one of the most relevant studs to unite the passion for Arabian horses across continents. One funny anecdote I can relate to is that when I first visited America and the Middle

Arabians Spain has undoubtedly been worldwide. It has contributed to improving Arabian horses, positively influencing breeding programs. In the last ten years, our stallions’ progeny have won more than 200 awards worldwide, including gold, silver, bronze, and coveted titles.

Equus Arabians Spain future goals: what are they? In what ways will your Arabian

East to show the breeders the Shanghai EA photos, nobody knew me or Equus Arabians Spain. In 15 years, when I travel to these same countries to visit our breeders’ friends, Arabian horse lovers addressed me as “Mr Shanghai” and asked for a picture and autograph. As such, Equus Arabians Spain has made a difference in various parts of the world since its establishment 15 years ago.

Who are the most successful Equus Arabians Spain horses in recent shows?

I am very proud that the influence of the pedigrees of Equus

Dream develop in the future?

By acquiring the best specimens, continue contributing to the development and improvement of Arabian horse breeding worldwide.

With the new year coming and a new breedings season starting in 2023, what are your wishes for breeders?

As breeders and friends, we wish you the best of success and continue working together passionately to continue with the positive advancements in Arabian horse breeding!

There is a heavenly place in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi called Al Dhafrah, where the desert meets the sea. A kilometre-long coastline is a home to spectacular beaches and islands. The AHM team, led by Gianluca Martino, is heading to Al Mirfa Corniche along with photographer Ahmed Taha, cameraman Francesco D’Antonio and reporter Carola Santopaolo. They look forward to reaching the Al Dhafrah Arabian Horse Championship’s lovely equestrian facilities right on the white sandy Al Maghirah beach. For some years, this appointment has catapulted the team here to enjoy Arabian horses of the finest strains and highest competitiveness, in a breath-taking natural setting that can stop any visitors in their track. Held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al

Nayan, and organized by EAHS led by H.E. and Show Director Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, the competition is exclusively open to horses registered in Emirates Arabian Horse Society by the closing date of entries. A record of 575 purebred Arabian horses belonging to about 323 owners, has entered this year’s tournament, which has required a skilled judging committee including 11 members: Mr Abdulla Mohamed AL Kaabi (Qatar), Mr Ahmed Alnuaimi (United Arab Emirates), Mr Ali Darawsha (Israel), Mr Ali Shaarawi (Egypt), Mrs Antonia Bautista (Spain), Eric Gear (France), Mrs Irina Sti- gler (Italy), Mr Lucas Gozdzialski (Poland), Mr Mohamed Badrawy (Egypt), Mr Mohamed Oussidhoum (Morocco), and Mr Rashid Naser (United Arab Emirates). With the grade of Disciplinary Commissioners: Dr. Sujeet Suryawanshi, Dr. Abdel Wahab Ben Ali Amira, Dr. Haitham Babiker Tayfour, Dr. Mamdouh Hassan Fouad, Mr. Kaies Ben Hadi Ouelhazi, Dr. Farah Zouaghi, Dr. Faiyza Filknaz, Dr. Dalal Alkatheeri, Mr. Salem Alkatheri, Mr. Pradeep Rajamani. In the show arena, Mr. Eidha Almenhali (United Arab Emirates), Dr. Mohamed Hammad (Egypt), and Mrs. Lizette Svensson (Sweden) perform as Ringmasters. Official commentators: Mr. Mohammed Alhajjaji and Mrs. Sara Alakour (Arabic language), and Mr. Eric Blaak (English language). Results by Mr. Biju Peter (United Arab Emirates). Official photographer Mr. Morhaf Al Assaf.

The show started on January 18, 2023 at 11:00 Asia/Dubai (08:00 Europe/Rome), And Ended Up On January 22, 2023 At 23:00 Asia/ Dubai (20:00 Europe/Rome) with the following champion horses:

In the YEARLING FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP (Class YFC), Gold medal winner Jenin Al Firas (Aja Eldorado x Louna Gca) bred and owned by Firas Fuad A.H. Mashal. Silver medal winner Kunooz Al Bahya (Emerald J x Kalipso Settimocielo) bred by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, and owned by Salmaa Mohamed Saif Bin Sewaif Al-Ali. Bronze medal winner Al Jazaiyria (Farid Al Hawajer x D Nasimah) bred and owned by Haitham Mohamed Saeed Binfraish Alkindi.

In the JUNIOR FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP (Class JFC), Gold medal winner, J.M.H Hajer (Fa El Rasheem x Ekatera) bred and owned by Jumah Mohammed Hamdi Bin Hamdi Alshemeili. Silver medal winner, Has Faiza (Sa Faez Simbad x Has Esmeralda) bred by Peppoloni Cristina Az. Agraria, and owned by Muhammad Salman Anwar Chaudhry Anwar Ali. Bronze medal winner Petra Bhm (S.M.A. Magic One x Petra Sf) bred and owned by Ali Ghanem Ali Humaila Almazrouei.

In the SENIOR MARES CHAMPIONSHIP (Class SMC), Gold medal winner D Ghaneeemah (Kahil Al Shaqab x D Aziza) bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Al Juwaher Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Gazelle Bhm (Alexxanderr x Mva Imperial Mist) bred and owned by Ali Ghanem Ali Humaila Almazrouei. Bronze medal winner Mva Imperial Mist (Imperial Mistaar x Mva Heavens Grace) bred by Jane Washburn and Laurie Emery, and owned by Saleh Ali Saleh Abdelrahman Alteneiji.

In the YEARLING COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP (Class YCC), Gold medal winner Sharar Alyah (Aj Marzan x Maria Alyah) bred and owned by Alyah Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Aj Aryan (D Seraj x Arsenia Os) bred by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, and owned by Fadhel Abbas Husain Aljamri. Bronze medal winner Asad Al Bahya (Alexxanderr x Ayat Almuawd), bred by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, and owned by Hamad Mubarak Obaid Alsalmeen Almansoori.

In the JUNIOR COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP (Class JCC), Gold medal winner Lamar Bhm (Ajman Moniscione x Pa Livia) bred by Bin Humaila Stud, Ali Ghanem Ali Humaila Almazrouei, and owned by Saif Ali Rashed Ali Almazrouei. Silver medal winner M Munther (Exxalt x Dhai Alsakab) bred and owned by Mansour Saeed Hamad Azzan Almazrouei. Bronze medal winner Sarab Al Maha (Kaheelan Al Maha x Aj Lamess) bred and owned by Al Maha Arabian Horse Stud.

In the SENIOR STALLIONS CHAM -

PIONSHIP (Class SSC), Gold medal winner Rabdan R (Fa El Rasheem x Sg Rowadah) bred and owned by Mohamed Haitham Mohamed Binfraish Alkindi. Silver medal winner D Yasal (Fa El Rasheem x Hudha) bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Ali Rashed Matar Al Neyadi. Bronze medal winner Js Oscar (Aj Marzan x D Crystal Moon) bred by Al Juwaher Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Al Noor Arabian Horse Stud.

Special Awards

During the Special Awards ceremony, Ajayeb Almanhal (Ghaith Al Zobair x Al Theresa) bred and owned by Fahed Salem Saeed Alzaabi won the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup. Mr Alyammahi, Mr Alraeesi, Mr Alhefeiti, Mr Alketbi, and Mr Alzaabi were crowned the Top 5 Handlers in the UAE.

H.H. SHEIKH HAMDAN BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN AWARDS

In keeping with his tradition of generosity, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan made available to winning breeders and owners in the Al Dhafrah Region additional special honours. In each of the participating classes, these were the results:

In the Yearling Fillies Class, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, Ghala Al Haboob (Aj Marzan x Gadeer Al Haboob) bred and owned by Ahmed Saeed Mohamed Sayah Alhameli. Second place for M. Mabrouka (Perseus

K.A. x Zadora) bred and owned by Mansour Saeed Hamad Azzan Almazrouei. Third place, M Jud (Perseus K.A. x Al Aryam Shahama) bred and owned by Ahmed Mohamed Rashed Mohamed Almazrouei.

In the Junior Fillies Class, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, M. Kareema (Ammar Alsakab x R.S. Alzubra) bred and owned by Hadef Salem Ali Salem Al Hameli. Second place for Balqees Al Haboob (Hilal Al Sayed x Baidaa Al Muawd) bred and owned by Ahmed Saeed Mohamed Sayah Alhameli. Third place, Kehelit Babel (Aj Barzan x Karawana Babel) bred by Babel Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Mohamed Hamad Mohamed Ali Al Mansoori.

In the SENIOR MARES CLASS, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, Al Aryam Salma (R.S. Boushra x Jj Salina) bred by Al Aryam Arabians and owned by Saeed Mohamed Ali Alrasas Almansoori. Second place for Siluen By Justice (Wh Justice x Amira El Nefous) bred by Scaroni Gian Enrico, and owned by Ahmed Mohamed Rashed Mohamed Almazrouei. Third place, Cervinia (Enzo x Cerelia) bred by SK Janow Podlaski, and owned by Alkendi Sawayeh Ali Ahmed Alhameli.

In the YEARLING COLTS CLASS, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan

Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, Al Ghazi Abz (Yas Bhm x Al Aryam Leila) bred and owned by Amir Mohamed Zayed Khalfan Almansoori. Second place, Hayman R (Fa El Rasheem x D Huyam) bred by Rabdan Arabian Horse Stud, and owned by Mohamed Hamad Mohamed Ali Al Mansoori. Third place Al Ahel (Magic Magnifique x M Majd) bred and owned by Mohamed Saeed Suhail Ali Almazrouei.

In the JUNIOR COLTS CLASS, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, Brgan (Sq Shaddad x Noor Al Haboob) Ahmed Saeed Suhail Saeed Almansoori. Second place, Arkan Al Bahya (Aj Bttal x Aj Abaad) bred by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, and owned by Eissa Sayyah Eissa Khalfan Almansoori. Third place, M Munther (Exxalt x Dhai Alsakab) bred and owned by Mansour Saeed Hamad Azzan Almazrouei.

In the SENIOR STALLIONS CLASS, first on the podium for the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Award for UAE National Breeders in Al Dhafrah Region, Nomaas Al Haboob (Excalibur E.A. x Naseem Al Haboob) bred and owned by Ahmed Saeed Mohamed Sayah Alhameli. Second place for NOMAAS AL HABOOB (Excalibur E.A. x Naseem Al Haboob) bred and owned by Ahmed Saeed Mohamed Sayah Alhameli. Third place, El Fado (Wh Justice x Enya) Bred By Z.P.H Strusiniaka Sp. Z.O.O., and owned by Saeed Ahmed Saeed Mohamed Alhameli.

Conclusion

The decision to hold the Al Dhafrah Arabian Horse Championship 2023 reflects the keenness of the wise regional leadership to preserve the heritage and support Arabian horse owners, encouraging them to raise and acquire the best breeds, and enable more UAE breeding programs to participate in the event. The show’s conclusion got attended by His Excellency Nasser Muhammad Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafrah Region, Mohammad Ahmed Al-Harbi, General Director of the Emirates Arabian Horse Association, and Director of the Championship, Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Championship, CEO of Al Aryam Stables, and a consistent number of owners and breeders of purebred Arabian horses. In his remarks, Mohammed Al-Harbi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Al Dhafra, for supporting Arabian horse owners and breeders, as well as the Al Dhafrah Region as a whole by sponsoring the championship. The 2023 championship edition, Mohammad Al-Harbi pointed out, is considered one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of horses participating (575), the number of owners (323) and their quality. In addition, the percentage of owners who won the cham- pionships reached 70% this year, which is a very high rate. Similarly, 62% of the winning horses at the 2023 edition were winners, indicating that most participants were winners. He also commended the beautiful venue and the use of shields, which are part of the UAE’s heritage and national industry.

AHM team is immensely grateful to all the venerable members of the Higher Organizer Committee - H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Chairman H.E. Khalifa Abdullah Alnuaimi Vice-Chairman, and H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Al-Harbi, EAHS General Director and Show Manager. We are always honoured to be there and play our small part in the successful outcome of this event. Thank you to all government agencies and sponsors who contributed to supporting the tournament and providing the necessary facilities for its success and distinction. Heartfelt thank you to the media colleagues of the show’s technical team. It was a truly felt team effort. Of course, thank you to all the participating breeders and owners, the indefatigable judges, the impeccable disciplinary commissioners, the exceptional handlers, the English and Arab commentators, the photographers, the behind-the-scene hardworking groomers, and all the wonderful people who cared for us, had fun with, and made us feel at home. We will keep great memories of this bubbling 2023 edition and hope to have soon another chance to cross paths!