ARABIAN BREEDERS WORLD CUP CROWNS 2013 CHAMPIONS
Seventh Annual Event Draws International Entries, Attendees and Attention
(Scottsdale, AZ) – The 2013 Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance (AHBA) World Cup show was held April 18th through 21st at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, NV. With some 200 entries representing the industry’s most award-winning breeders, the show ranks among the most prestigious in the industry and attracts global attention and attendance. This marked the seventh annual World Cup event at the South Point Equestrian Center where the staging incorporates theater-style production to create added drama and excitement. The show was again honored by the continuing support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, as the World Cup High Patron.
Amateur classes opened the show on Thursday with some $162,000 in prize money split between yearling and two-year-old fillies and colts in the AHBA Futurity and Legacy classes. Many of the horses were shown by their breeders or owners making these classes especially exciting and meaningful to the participants.
As is the World Cup tradition, the annual Opening Night Breeders’ Gala was on Thursday night and, by popular demand, the party retuned to the XS Nightclub at Encore. XS now has the honor of being the only club to host two galas. By all accounts the Gala is the party of the year for this Arabian crowd.
The 2013 World Cup international 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.
The show committee orchestrated several beautiful visual tributes to the international scope of this show. Flags from some 26 nations participating in the World Cup over the past seven years graced the ceiling of the arena. Sunday afternoon championship classes opened with a color guard presentation from Nellis Air Force Base. Then a parade of all the national flags entered the arena for a colorful and moving example of the global influence of the Arabian bred.
As further evidence of the international flavor of the show, the frequently praised music production originates in Belgium with DJ Kristof Heymans. Show committee and BOD member Scott Bailey commented, “He is by far the best horse show DJ in the business.” The arena sound system and relocated exhibit area allowed some 42 commercial exhibitors to enjoy the music and the call of the classes by announcer Tony Shubert. Sue Houston of Cowgirl Upscale, Blair of Brown Eyed Filly and Nancy Gates of Heirloom Halters each offered enthusiastic appreciation for the wonderful, energetic music.
Technical innovations and communications played an important role at the World Cup where a computer program for tabulation of the judging scores was provided by another Belgian company. This software and iPad interface is the brainchild of Michaël Steurs of Arabian Horse Results who grew up going to horse shows with his mom.
Their scoring database was made readily accessible to iPhone users anywhere through a free app offered by iEquine, the producers of live feed. The global interest in this show is evident in the live feed statistics; some 6,447 unique visitors accessed the feed through nearly 812,000 views of the World Cup video during the four-day show.
The schedule on both Saturday and Sunday included the return of popular World Cup International Stallion Showcase sponsored Markel Insurance. The presentation featured nine stallions all bred outside North America. The Showcase included:
*Emigrant, bred by Michalow State Stud, owned by Valley Oak Arabians representing Poland
*Faraa Al Shaqab and *Saiaf Al Shaqab, both bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud, representing Qatar *Julleyn El Jamaal, bred by Haras Mela Lua of Brazil, is owned by Varian Arabians of the United States
*LA Karat, bred and owned by Egli & Zurkichen, representing Switzerland
*Monther Al Nasser, bred and owned by Al Nasser Stud, and leased by Aljassimya Stud, also represented Qatar
*Petrus Carol, bred by Ailton Jose Braga Domingues of Brazil, owned by Kathy Dube and on lease to Montanta Arabians
*Rahere. bred in Australia by Bremervlae Arabians and owned by Security West Corporation of the United States.
*Shael Dream Desert bred by B. Bigotti of Italy and owned by Freeland Farms of the United States.
Following the individual presentations of each stallion, the audience joined the Showcase stallions on arena floor to get up close and personal with these magnificent
stallions. On Saturday evening a reception hosted by Markel Insurance followed the presentation.
The AHBA is committed to offering educational seminars as part of the World Cup event. In keeping with that commitment, an educational partnership between the AHBA and both Cal Poly Pomona and Michigan State University was announced. Each school received a donation of $10,000 from the AHBA.
The World Cup includes presentation of awards recognizing outstanding contributions made to the breed. Ricardo Rivero of Guzzo Rivero Arabians Worldwide received the Handler of Excellence Award for a second time. The award honors the spirit of good sportsmanship and outstanding preparation in competition.
The announcement of a new Dams of Distinction Tribute came with presentation of inaugural awards to two outstanding mares. National Champion and producer of international champions, Felisha BHF, made a final show ring appearance to receive her award, as new owners Bob and Dixie North announced her retirement. Nineteen year-old Bint Bey Shah, foundation mare for the Bob Boggs family was also honored. She is Leading Living Broodmare in the World with 23 sons and daughters in seven different countries and second generation offspring in some 30 countries.
Dr. Nasr Marei received the organization’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the breed. Dr Marei is a world-renowned breeder, international judge and gracious ambassador for the Arabian breed. His famed Albadeia Stud represents a family legacy of over seven decades and ten generations of Arabian horses.
Izabella Zawadzka, recognized as the “First Lady” of Polish Arabian breeding, received the Ambassador Award. A long-time international judge, Vice President of European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO) and WAHO Executive Committee member, she is one of the most beloved members of the Arabian community and a true ambassador of the breed.
The Arabian Breeders Cup is awarded to the breeder achieving the most success with horses in the World Cup competition. Om El Arab International won top honors with their name added to the prestigious perpetual trophy for a third time. Top five top breeders for 2013 included Stonewall Farm, Oak Ridge Arabians, Rae-Dawn Arabians, North Arabians and Western Cross Ranch.
One Last Romance won the ever-popular Cox Communications Arabian Freestyle Liberty Jackpot Championship for owner Romance Arabians.
The following lists highlights from Sunday’s championships with the complete winners list available online at www.ArabianHorseResult.com:
ATH Supreme Champion Mare/Filly: WC Ciao Bella for owner Holly Dillin, Western Cross Ranch, Texas.
ATH Supreme Champion Stallions/Colts: AL Shaheed NA for owner Al Shaheed Stud
Supreme Champion Yearling Filly: AJ Manayer, bred by Oak Ridge Arabians and recently sold to Ajman Stud
Supreme Champion Yearling Colt: Prussia MI, bred by Ambition Investment PTY, LTD owned by HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Al Saud
Supreme Champion Junior Mare: Badiaa Al Shahania, bred and owned by Al Shahania Stud
Supreme Champion Junior Stallion: Om El Sanadeed, bred by Om El Arab International and owned by Al Shahania Stud
Supreme Champion Senior Mare: Najdah Al Zobair for breeder and owner Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani
Supreme Champion Senior Stallion: *Pogrom bred and owned by Janow Podlaski State Stud and on lease to David and Terry Anne Boggs and Jeff and Andrea Sloan
In summarizing the 2013 show, founding ABHA member and World Cup Director, Robert North said, “From the beginning we recognized that for this show to achieve the level of success we envisioned we had to create a show that was fun, relaxed and fair. Every year since launch, we have reviewed the show with a critical eye to make improvements for the following year. In only seven years this show has risen to one of the top two or three shows in the world. We will continue to make improvements for all of our competitors and our commercial exhibitors. We appreciate and thank all of our founding members who believed in this vision and everyone who continues to support the World Cup through sponsorships. We recognize the importance of their contributions.
The Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Arabian horse and providing opportunities for those unfamiliar with the breed to become acquainted with these horses and get involved in the Arabian horse industry. For additional information, see http://www.arabianbreedersworldcup.com.
