The 2014
—The Pageantry Of Paris by JEFF WALLACE
Could there be a more wonderful setting for this legendary annual event called the Salon du Cheval than Paris? For decades, to win the gold at the Salon du Cheval earns that horse the undisputed right to claim itself as World Champion, and across the board, Arabian enthusiasts from around the globe seem to agree. And the traditions surrounding the annual event, having adapted to the new venue the last few years—at a location just outside of the heart of Paris—were beyond fantastic. With amazing sight lines from every seat, the setting was intimate enough to get close looks at each entry without leaving your spot. The arena was decorated with a simple elegance, that of a runway from a famed fashion show during Paris Fashion Week, with Haute-blooded Arabians parading one by one. Photographers swarmed in and around arenas and work areas, evoking a paparazzi feel in an ‘everything Arabian’ sort of way. The extremely high quality of the entries as a whole was staggering. Every entry was beautifully conditioned, turned out, and presented regardless of owner, trainer, or country they represented—they were simply ready to take on the equine catwalk of Paris.
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