Arabs under the spotlight
A US-bred Arab takes top stallion title at Arabian UK International show
After last year’s dearth of shows, 2002 has been non-stop for Arabian fans. The UK International is the onlyopportunity in Britain to have six judges assess horses on the same day.
This year, the judges were Sheikh Hamad al Thani of Al Shaqab stud in Qatar, Titti Gagliani from Italy, Annette Hedley from the UK, Jack Maritz from South Africa, Pekka Paakonen from Sweden and Willi Poth from Germany.
The three-year-olds were the strongest of the filly sections and provided champion and reserve. The German chesnut BB Mara by Kubinec claimed the championship, with every point squeezedout of her by handler Frank Sponle. She is owned and bred by the Basile family. Sam Madgwick’s graceful Noura, also by Kubinec, gave a great show to take reserve.
The colt champion was the typey British-bred three-year-old colt Ora el Masri, by last year’s champion stallion Orashan, who won his section. The easy winner of the yearling colts, Jackie Ware’s US import Psyche Bey, was called in as reserve.
Under saddle
The ridden classes (Frances Hutchinson – ride, Hon Mary Ann Wragg – conformation) were dominated by Darren Crowe, who had three horses through to the six horse championships, before winning with Mrs McCarthy’s PHA Silvern Risalm.
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This imposing grey stallion was repeating his win of the previous year. Second was Cas Ibn Kalibur, a lovely little bay horse, in his first season under saddle.
Darren also won the mare class with another grey horse of Crabbet bloodlines, SueRose’s Southern Masjic, and was second in the gelding section with Ms Lake’s Silvern Enchanter, a half-brother to his champion.
Winning the geldings and taking reserve champion was Brenda and Vicky Marsh’s Johara El Kheil, who has had a great season, produced by Claire Fitch.
Top stallions
Lots of good movement was evident in the stallion classes with national champion Aazari, owned and bred by Joan Culnaneand Lisa Snape, continuing his successful season, winning the junior class before going on to stand reserve champion.
The champion stallion came from the intermediate class where Imperial Kamill, was awarded a total score of 95.2, thehighest total yet at this show.
Imperial Kamill is a US-bred straight Egyptian, owned by Donald and Susie Duke. He was imported at the end of last year and gave a spectacular show for handler Mark Gamlin. His charisma added to his correct conformation to make him a superb example of the Arabian breed.
| Read the full report in this week’s Horse & Hound (5 September), or click here to subscribe and enjoy Horse & Hound delivered to your door every week. |
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