THE 2002 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PARIS.
--A FEAST FOR EGYPTIAN BLOODLINES
by Judith Wich

     The World Championships for Arabian Horses took place in Paris from December 6^th through December 8th, and was held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Paris is, year after year, the meeting place for the international community of Arabian horse enthusiasts. Being held a few weeks before Christmas Paris was festively illuminated by innumerable lights. The World Championships are always the peak as well as simultaneously the end of the season and offer three days of tough competition, intense emotions and delight. Indeed, it was a not-to-be-missed venue and a great experience for the eighteen Pyramid Society members and friends who attended!

     With 90 entries from 15 different countries, the show had again attracted high quality Arabians from all over the world. The judges for the World Championships were Mr. Klaus Beste (Germany), Mr. Peter Gamlin (Great Britain), Mrs. Nayla Hayek (Switzerland), Mr. Rick Moser (USA), Mrs. Ann Norden (Sweden), Dr. Francesco Santoro (Italy) and Mr. Marc Veray (France).

     This year’s Egyptian bloodlines dominated the entries and were very well represented among the class winners and champions as well. The World Championships provided a fantastic showcase for the Egyptian Arabian and for the grand results that can be reached with them. What truly made the 2002 show special was the great success Qatar achieved, and that all four World Championship titles went to one and the same country– something never before seen in Paris!

      The show started on Friday morning with the first section of the junior females. This class was not only high in numbers with 14 entries, but offered excellent quality as well. The truly exquisite Egyptian-Related Sundos Al Nasser (Ashhal Al Rayyan x MS Elvira) came in second place with 452 point. Many remembered this very harmonious and impressive filly from the All Nations Cup in Aachen where she won her class and was named Reserve Champion of the show. Sundos Al Nasser was bred by and is owned by Al Nasser Stud of Qatar. Following with 451 points was the straight Egyptian Johara Al Naif (Ansata Shalim x Al Johara). This fairylike filly has an impeccable pedigree and a very charismatic air about her. Bearing the aura of a true desert princess she fascinated the audience. Johara Al Naif comes from Qatar with her breeder and owner, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasir Al Ahmed of Al Thani’s Al Naif Stud.

      The winner of the first class of mares aged 4 years or more went to the exotic Straight Egyptian Bint Saida Al Nasser (Imperial Mahzeer x Saida). She received extremely high marks for type as well as for head and neck. This mare has already achieved top show credentials, winning for example the title of Jordan International Senior Champion Mare, Middle East Champion Mare and the Qatar National Reserve Championship in 1999. Bint Saida is bred and owned by the Al Nasser Stud of Qatar. In second place came Gelgelah Al Badeia (Imperial Madori x Anhar Al Badeia). She possesses that “special something” everybody is looking for along with a dramatic presence. Gelgelah is a wonderful representation of the Egyptian Al Badeia breeding program, with its long history of great quality.

      In the following group of mares Egyptian-related ZT Sharuby (ZT Sharello x ZT Bint Ruby) gained the victory. This ultra-feminine mare was not only the crowd favorite, but apparently highly appreciated by the judges as well. She scored no less than ten times 20 for type, head and neck! Being bred by Count Frederico Zichy-Thyssen, she is now owned by Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohamed Bin Ali Al-Thani of Qatar. Another breathtaking beauty from the Middle East followed right afterwards. Regal Ansata Malaha is a top quality example of the adage “blood will tell”. She is sired by Ansata Halim Shah out of Ansata Malika by Jamilll and goes back to the Halima dam line. Ansata Malaha was bred by Judith & Don Forbis of Ansata Arabian Stud, and is owned by H.H. The Emir of Qatar.

      Second placed in the next class was Al Lahab (Laheeb x The Vision HG). He moved with great elegance in the ring, every inch an Egyptian. Bred in Israel, Al Lahab is today owned by the Friedmann family of Germany.

      The 2002 European Champion Stallion Khidar (Ansata Sinan x Elizja) was the class winner in the first competition of grown-up stallions. This very harmonious silver beauty, clearly stamped by his famous father, is owned by Nesj Arabians of Belgium.

      Then it was time for the “King of Paris”. Al Adeed Al Shaqab showed himself splendidly in front of the judges and it was obvious that he enjoyed his presentation as much as the spectators loved watching him. He scored 20 fourteen times, equalling an untold total score of 479 points! Sheikh Hamad Bin Ali Al-Thani, the stud director of Al Shaqab, could not have been more pleased with this excellent outcome. Al Adeed Al Shaqab is sired by the genetic giant Ansata Halim Shah out of Sundar Alisayyah with his dam line going back to the influential Al Badeia breeding program.

      Everyone waited with great anticipation for the Finals on Sunday. The number of spectators had been very high during the first days of the World Championships and for the Finale the grandstands were overflowing. To start out, the Female Junior Championship was awarded to Qatar’s Johara Al Naif, and Marwan al Shaqab proved victorious for the second year in a row by winning the Colt Championship. The senior mares were truly a feast for the eyes as they assembled in the ring for their competition. And, as the national anthem of Qatar was played once again, ZT Sharuby was crowned Champion Mare with Bint Saida Al Nasser winning the Reserve Championship. The last decision of the show to be made was for the 2002 World Champion Stallion and the judges were unanimous in naming Al Adeed Al Shaqab the winner.

THE EGYPTIAN EVENT 2003
Mark your calendars for June 2nd-7th, 2003
A Show Like No Other      

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