2015
Bruges International Ar abian Horse Event by Jeff Wallace with Theresa Cardamone
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Bruges ruges
2015 Bruges International Arabian Horse Event organizers Jurgen Lievrouw and Tim Dejonghe did everything within their power to produce an event where every need and comfort of the horses and exhibitors was anticipated and provided for. From excellent stabling to accessible promotional areas, no detail was overlooked in welcoming entries from all over Europe and the Middle East. The stunning, lush green setting and the very responsive show crew neutralized a pervasive rain and chilly temperatures. Bruges has become a hotbed of major players in the Arabian industry, with breeders, exhibitors and handlers of both straight Egyptian and modern globalized bloodlines presenting their top contenders. Talented trainers from all over Europe brought immaculately turned out beauties to vie for the various championships. In a dominant showing, Spönle-trained horses were gold champions in five divisions: the Junior Fillies, Yearling Fillies and Colts and the Senior Mares and
Stallions. Aja Carerra, an example of the golden cross of Marwan Al Shaqab and WH Justice, and bred and owned by Aja Arabians, was not only the Gold Champion Yearling Filly, but also the recipient of the coveted title, Best in Show. Gold Champion Junior Filly with Frank Spönle was AJ Barari who has a particularly interesting pedigree. Bred and owned by Ajman Stud, she is double Versace, by Vervaldee (Versace x Giavanna) and out of La Bella Versa FR (Versace x SA Shareyd). Versace and Giovanna are 3/4 siblings out of the *El Shaklan daughter Precious As Gold, a world-renowned mare that appears three times as AJ Barari’s great-granddam. Brothers Tom and Glenn Schoukens also had a great show, including Glenn’s presentation of the double Versace-bred Cadance PA, Gold Champion Junior Stallion. By the Versace grandson Cavalli and out of the Versace daughter Donatella, Cadance PA’s victory served to remind the world that the field of trainers in Europe is deep in talent. Raphael Curti won the Senior
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Bruges Mare class with L Farahdiba (WH Justice x Feemi) over Ajman Stud’s eventual Gold Champion Senior Mare Eagleridge Passionata (Sanadik El Shaklan x River Oak Dimity). Curti and partner Philip Looyens earned additional multiple silver championships for their clients at Privilege. Unofficially, the buzz in the crowd for the Gold Champion Yearling Colt made it clear that he had made a lasting impression. AJ Azzam, bred and owned by Ajman Stud and shown by Spönle, is by the Vervaldee son AJ Mardan and out of the Marwan Al Shaqab daughter, Ysadora. His incredible front end, exquisite head, and overall charismatic presence and quality make him one to watch in the future. In addition to Bruges, AJ Azzam was also the unanimous Gold Champion Yearling Colt and Best in Show at Wels.
Gold Champion Senior Stallion AJA JUSTIFIED (WH Justice x Aja Beneja), bred by Aja Arabians and owned by Ajman Stud.
The horses shown at Bruges once again provided spectators with a glimpse of what can be expected as the show season progresses. The finest horses, the finest organizers, the finest setting . . . there is no doubt that, come rain or shine, serious horsemen will be back in force at next year’s event. ■
Senior Stallions Championship Gold Champion AJA JUSTIFIED (WH Justice x Aja Beneja), B: Aja Arabians O: Ajman Stud Silver Champion MADHER AL JAMAL (Nader Al Jamal x Mahity El Jamal), B/O: Jean Mattens Bronze Champion HLA CHEVAL (Stival x Mizpah Unique), B: Kathleen & Joe Monroe, O: Branninge Arabian Stud Senior Mares Championship Gold Champion EAGLERIDGE PASSIONATA (Sanadik El Shaklan x River Oak Dimity), B/O: Ajman Stud Silver Champion L FARAHDIBA (WH Justice x Feemi), B: Loenhult Arabstuteri, O: RB Arabians Bronze Champion DANA AM (Ajman Moniscione x Felicia Psyche), B/O: Al Mohamadia Stud
Silver Champion Senior Stallion MADHER AL JAMAL (Nader Al Jamal x Mahity El Jamal), bred and owned by Jean Mattens.
Gold Champion Senior Mare EAGLERIDGE PASSIONATA (Sanadik El Shaklan x River Oak Dimity), bred and owned by Ajman Stud.
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Bruges Junior Stallions Championship Gold Champion CADANCE PA (Cavalli x Donatella), B: Pegasus Arabians, O: Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud Silver Champion KAMIL AL CAPE (Shanghai EA x Tressor of Marwan EA), B/O: Al Capa Arabians Bronze Champion MARIUS MADONNA K.A. (QR Marc x FS Magnum’s Madonna), B/O: Knocke Arabians Junior Mares Championship Gold Champion AJ BARARI (Vervaldee x La Bella Versace), B/O: Ajman Stud Silver Champion BASMA AM (Savio x Balleria BVA), B/O: Al Mohamadia Stud Bronze Champion ABHA YALTA (Abha Qatar x Abha Quartz), B: Ganaderia Ses Planes, O: Al Salam Stud
Gold Champion Junior Stallion CADANCE PA (Cavalli x Donatella), bred by Pegasus Arabians and owned by Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud.
Yearling Colts Championship Gold Champion AJ AZZAM (AJ Mardan x Ysadora), B/O: Ajman Stud Silver Champion SAUD AM (Van Gogh AM x Abha Palma), B/O: Al Mohamadia Stud Bronze Champion FOREVER DAVINCIO (Aja Angelo x Davinity FM), B/O: Forever Arabians Yearling Fillies Championship Gold Champion AJA CARRERA (ZT Marwteyn x Aja Carina), B/O: Aja Arabians Silver Champion MALAK SUDAIR (Van Gogh AM x Principessa Bint El Sid), B: Malorny Fabio, O: Al Sudair Stud Bronze Champion AJ EMANA (AJ Mardan x Emandoria), B/O: Ajman Stud ■
Best in Show winner AJA CARRERA (ZT Marwteyn x Aja Carina), bred and owned by Aja Arabians.
Gold Champion Yearling Filly AJA CARRERA (ZT Marwteyn x Aja Carina), bred and owned by Aja Arabians
Best Straight Egyptian winner WADAD ZAMANI (Laheeb x Zena Al Buraq), bred by Al Kasasi Oman and owned by Hanaya Stud.
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