2009 Mediterranean Championships

editerranean M Championship“A” Show The Mediterranean Championship A Show couldn’t be held in a lovelier setting. Menton, France, is located on the famous Côte d’Azur, one mile north of the Italian border. It is the first major European Arabian show of the season, offering its spectators a first glimpse at the world’s brightest and best Arabian horses, all making their season debuts at this small but significant event.

“I always look forward to the show in Menton,” says show judge Nasr Marei. “If I am not judging I will attend nevertheless as a spectator. It is a wonderfully organized show in a superb setting — different from any other show in Europe or the Mideast.” Indeed, the show’s backdrop alone is reason to attend. The tranquil seaside city of Menton, France, with the gorgeous Mediterranean coast on one side, and the picturesque Ligurian Alps on the other, is one of the world’s most desired tourist locations. Italian-inspired architecture, umbrella-lined beaches, and a moderate climate year-round — the venue would be popular for its location alone. But it’s the superb caliber of horses and boutique-style venue that keeps exhibitors and spectators alike coming back year after year.

This was the event’s 16th year, and true to form, it was expertly run thanks to hosts and organizers Christiane Chazel and Dominik Briot, along with a smart, attentive staff. The challenge to this year’s organizers proved to be the weather — it stormed heavily on the first night of the show drenching the grounds and damaging the ring, stands, and tents. But by Sunday morning things were back in place, no horses were injured, and the show began only a half an hour late.

June 20-21, 2009 Menton, France

by Kirsten Matheison Photos by Erwin Escher

With only 60 horses competing, down from 80 the previous year, it was truly a case of quality not quantity. “The quality was by far really exceptional, worthy of the most important European shows,” notes judge Titti Gagliani.

Turning heads was Senior Male Gold Champion Al Lahab (Laheeb x The Vision), owned by the Friedmann family from Germany. “He was stunning as ever,” says Marei. “It was a wellearned win. He will have tough competition this year. If I was his owner I’m not sure I would have brought him back to the showring after all the success accomplished in the past. But he has a wonderful head and captivating eyes — my type of a stallion.” Adds Gagliani, “The straight Egyptian Al Lahab is a well-known winner — a very typey and complete stallion. He is easy to judge at the highest points for the pride of his lucky owners the Friedmann family.”

Senior Female Gold Champion was Kwestura (Monogramm x Kwesta), owned by Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi of

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Top left and right: Gold Senior Stallion AL LAHAB (Laheeb x The Vision), owned by I. and H. Friedmann, Germany.

Silver Senior Stallion Marquis (Marwan Al Shaqab x Rohara Magnifica), owned by HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia.

the UAE, who purchased her for a record price at last year’s Polish auction.

“Everyone was stunned by Kwestura’s presence in the ring — she can make even the best of her competitors fade away,” says Gagliani. “She is an amazing mare,” adds Marei. “I’ve seen her show many times, and she deserved to win the championship here, even though she was somewhat under condition. She is very pretty, with outstanding movement. She has a beautiful neck and a pretty, feminine head.” Kwestura’s son Kabsztad (by Poganin), also an import from Poland’s Michalów Stud, was named Junior Male Silver Champion. “Kabsztad is a colt with a bright future ahead and I love his harmonious ‘Polish’ neck, so similar to his mother’s,” says Gagliani.

Junior Male Gold Champion was Maharaja HDM (Marajj x Miss Yahsminah Elamal), owned by the McGlinn family of Australia. Says Marei, “I saw him often when he was just born and told everyone that he would be a serious horse to deal with in the showring in the future. I was not wrong. He’s grown so much since I saw him earlier this year, and I cannot wait to see him years down the road. Now he looks like a stallion but yet he is not exactly one.”

Bronze Senior Stallion EDEN C (Enzo x Silken Sable), owned by Dona Bellinger, United States.

See more show results and photos at www.arabianhorseworld.com Number of horses present: 64 Judges: Maria Assunta (Titti) Gagliani, Italy; Nasr Marei, Egypt; Dr. Richard Pihlström, France; Marek Trela, Poland; Ann Nordén, Sweden SENIOR STALLION Gold: Al Lahab (Laheeb x The Vision), I. and H. Friedmann, Germany Silver: Marquis CAHR (Marwan Al Shaqab x Rohara Magnifica), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia Bronze: Eden C (Enzo x Silken Sable), D. Bellinger, United States SENIOR MARE Gold: Kwestura (Monogramm x Kwesta), HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, UAE Silver: Ladi Veronika (Versace x Nisrs Natevka), Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, UAE Bronze: Magora (Gazal Al Shaqab x Margotka), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia

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Top left and right: Gold Senior Mare Kwestura (Monogramm x Kwesta), owned by HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, UAE.

Bottom left: Silver Senior Mare LADI VERONIKA (Versace x Nisrs Natevka), owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, UAE. Bottom right: Bronze Senior Mare Magora (Gazal Al Shaqab x Margotka), owned by HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia.

Gagliani agrees. “This is a fascinating young stallion. We shall certainly hear from him in the future.”

Of the Junior Female Gold Champion Najdah Al Zobair (Marwan Al Shaqab x JFN Bint Ludhan), owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Ali Al Thani of the UAE, Marei notes, “She is extremely elegant and pretty — adorable and so feminine.

Very balanced and harmonious. I wished I could have taken her home with me.” Says Gagliani, “Qatar can be proud for winning the Junior Female Gold Medal with the lovely and very typey Najdah Al Zobair over her valuable competitors Alma Al Tiglio and Fedora RG, both from Italian breeders.”

Other notable competitors? “I have a special feeling for the impressive Marquis CAHR (Marwan Al Shaqab x Rohara

Magnifica), the well-known stallion belonging to Al Khalediah Stables of Saudi Arabia,” says Gagliani. “I also appreciated the refined lovely winner of the Silver Medal Fillies, Alma Al Tiglio (Ajman Moniscione x Amanda Al Tiglio), bred and owned by Giancarlo Buzzi of Italy, who is also the lucky breeder and owner of Ajman Moniscione.”

Small, perhaps, but the Mediterranean Championship show at Menton truly has it all — amazing performances in an amazing setting.

Menton is important in our little world of Arabian horse shows,” says Marei. “It’s a good indication of what to expect for the rest of the season. It is not only the first title show of the season, it has also established an amazing track record of success over the years.”

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Top left: Gold Junior Stallion MAHARAJA HDM (Marajj x Miss Yahsminah Elamal), owned by Mystica Arabians, Australia.

Top right: Silver Junior Stallion Kabsztad (Poganin x Kwestura), owned by Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia.

Bronze Junior Stallion Ali Moniscione (Psytadel x Alianna Moniscione), owned by Giancarlo Buzzi, Italy.

Junior COLT Gold: Maharaja HDM (Marajj x Miss Yahsminah Elamal), Mystica Arabians, Australia Silver: Kabsztad (Poganin x Kwestura), Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia Bronze: Ali Moniscione (Psytadel x Alianna Moniscione), G. Buzzi, Italy; JUNIOR FILLY Gold: Najdah Al Zobair (Marwan Al Shaqab x JFN Bint Ludhan), Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Ali Al-Thani, UAE Silver: Alma Al Tiglio (Ajman Moniscione x Amanda Al Tiglio), G. Buzzi, Italy Bronze: Fedora RG (WH Justice x Psyches Angel), Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia STALLIONS NINE YEARS AND OVER (4): 1. Al Lahab (Laheeb x The Vision), I. and H. Friedmann, Germany; 2. MCA Magnum Gold (Magnum Psyche x Litique), Sheikh Khaled Bagedo, Saudi Arabia; 3.

Om El Bahreyn (CG Balih El Jamaal x Om El Benedict), C. Reeves, Great Britain; 4. Frasera Ramses Shah (Shahil x Ansata Nefe Isis), F. Santoro, Italy

MARES SEVEN YEARS AND OVER (3): 1. Kwestura (Monogramm x Kwesta), HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, UAE; 2. Donna Nathy HRT (Don El Chall x Hi Elegance), N. Azzali, Italy; 3. Mandolinn (Mascat x Marusha), Maxwell, Great Britain FOUR- TO EIGHT-YEAR-OLD STALLIONS (7): 1. Marquis CAHR (Marwan Al Shaqab x Rohara Magnifica), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; 2. Eden C (Enzo x Silken Sable), D. Bellinger, United States; 3. Nijem Ibn Eternity VI (Eternity Ibn Navarrone D x Naravna), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia; 4. SC Dagash (Davidoff x Verbala), Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, UAE; 5. Monther Al Nasser (Ansata Hejazi x Aliah al Nasser), Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Thani, Qatar FOUR- TO sIX-YEAR-OLD MARES (7): 1. Ladi Veronika (Versace x Nisrs Natevka), Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, UAE; 2. Magora (Gazal Al Shaqab x Margotka), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; 3. Khaleifa (Kubinec x Farids Mandolin), Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, UAE; 4. Abha Katmandou (El Perfecto x Abha Yamir), Mardaras, Spain; 5. LH Gina Lola Bridgeta (MPA Giovanni x LH Maharani), S. Patrick, France

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Top left and right: Gold Junior Mare NajdaH Al Zobair (Marwan Al Shaqab x JFN Bint Ludhan), owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Ali Al-Thani, UAE.

Silver Junior Mare Alma Al Tigilio (Ajman Moniscione x Amanda Al Tiglio), owned by Giancarlo Buzzi, Italy.

Bronze Junior Mare Fedora RG (WH Justice x Psyches Angel), owned by Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia.

THREE-YEAR-OLD COLTS (5): 1. Kabsztad (Poganin x Kwestura), Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia; 2. El Palacio VO (Al Lahab x El Dorada), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; 3. ASH Dream Of Glory (WH Justice x Donna Diva), T. Bentchikou, Belgium; 4. Sheyk de Gargassan (Perfect de Lafon x Emira de Gargassan), Domaine de Gargassan, France; 5. Ebshak Asmir (EB Mega Shak x Asmira), Grammegna, Italy THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLIES (4): 1. Layan Al Khalidiah (Dakharo x Padrons Amour), HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; 2. Marabella KD (Marwan Al Shaqab x Ganges Jewel), Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, UAE; 3. Julia Jina Bea (WH Justice x Phimilah Jina Bea), E. Martinez, Spain; 4. Latiffa (Fai Shittan x Fai Murana), F. Tripodi, Brazil TWO-YEAR-OLD COLTS (8): 1. Maharaja HDM (Marajj x Miss Yahsminah Elamal), Mystica Arabians, Australia; 2. Ali Moniscione (Psytadel x Alianna Moniscione), G. Buzzi, Italy; 3. Shannan El Madan (Shael Dream Desert x Perla K), HH Prince Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia; 4. RFI Farid (RFI Maktub x RFI Fayara El Shiraz), Aretusa Arabians, Italy; 5. NW Siensei (Gazal Al Shaqab x NW Siena Psyche), Albaydaa Farm & Al Gabry Farm, Egypt TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLIES (12): 1. Najdah Al Zobair (Marwan Al Shaqab x JFN Bint Ludhan), Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Ali Al-Thani, UAE; 2. Fedora RG (WH Justice x Psyches Angel), Athbah Stud, Saudi Arabia; 3. Juwanda OS (WH Justice x Shak Lavanda), Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, UAE; 4. Princess Of Marwan (Marwan Al Shaqab x Amety B), Mystica Arabians, Australia; 5. Djoonam OS (Ajman Moniscione x Khaleifa), Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi Stud, UAE YEARLING COLTS (6): 1. LA Karat (WH Justice x LA Khahari), Egli and Zurkirchen, Switzerland; 2. Shangay EA (WH Justice x Salymah), Equus Arabians, Spain; 3. Grenadier (El Nabila B x Grenadyne), P. & J. Maxwell, France; 4. Marshal NWA (Marwan Al Shaqab x Magnum Silhouette), Ole Larsen, Denmark; 5. TF Romeo (Royal Colours x DA Alima), F. Tripodi, Italy YEARLING FILLIES (8): 1. Alma Al Tiglio (Ajman Moniscione x Amanda Al Tiglio), G. Buzzi, Italy; 2. CS Amay (Royal Colours x CS Opportunity), M. Sensi, Italy; 3. Anood Al Nasser (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Aleysha Al Nasser), H.H. Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, Qatar; 4. Nooran Al Khalidiah (Padrons Immage x Robin K) HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; 5. Abbiat El Shams (Ajman Moniscione x Naima El Shams), G. Andrioli, Italy

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