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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