Before we knew it, October was over and we galloped into November at full speed. However, last month is worth taking another critical look, perhaps critical or maybe just analytical, and considering what made it such a successful month for Polish Arabian horses and their breeders, as well as for the Polish Arabian Horse Breeders Association itself.
We started the month on a wave of successes of Polish Arabians at the Prague Intercup. Our first publication last month were the congratulations to the Poszepczyński Family and the Chrcynno-Palace Stud, breeders of the phenomenal Bronze Senior Mare Champion at the All Nations Cup: Echo Anastazja. There were more Polish-bred and Polish-owned horses in Aachen, many of them with high scores in their individual classes, but only Anastazja came back home with a new title. Nevertheless, the performances of the Polish team gave hope for very interesting championships at the end of October.
Before that happened, two events took place simultaneously – one at the Michałów Stud Farm, and the other at Klikowa Arabians Stud. The first was the jubilee 15th edition of the Polish Sports Championships for Purebred Arabian Horses – PAHBA sponsored elegant blankets for the winners. The second was the Judges’ Course & Breeders’ Seminar, which this time had an international dimension, which is a reason for us to be proud.
Mid-October, breeding inspections were held in Janów Podlaski and Michałów. We are pleased that they were reopened to breeders who take keen interest in the Arabian breed in Poland. We hope that next year’s spring and later editions will also be organised in such an open formula.
A lot happened at the races as well – suffice to mention the Wielki Szlem Stakes or Criterion. And since the season is coming to an end and it is getting colder at the race track, October was the last month when crowds came on the regular to see the horses. After all, we can soon expect sub-zero temperatures in Poland, which means fewer people at the races.
At the end of the month, some of us met in Belgium for the European Championship organised this time by ECAHO and Stud Book du Cheval Arab. Although, looking at the show catalogue, one could easily get the impression that this was actually the European edition of the Polish Nationals. Polish horses not only dominated the classes, but also the championships, winning 11 out of 18 titles and all 7 special awards, including the Best Breeder, which this year went to the Janów Podlaski Stud. Let’s get into the details:
1. gold for the colt Elon KL – Klikowa Arabians
2. gold for the yearling Comoros – SK Janów Podlaski
3. gold for the mare Mamma Mia – bred by AHS Grabow nad Pilica
4. gold for the stallion Erantis – Janów Podlaski
5. two silvers for the filly Bianca of Sinus & the yearling Ghaila AO – Polia Arabians
6. silver for the mare Pustynna Noc – bred by SK Michałów
7. silver for the stallion Paris – bred by Janów Podlaski & owned by Polia Arabians
8. bronze for the filly Wildonara – SK Michałów
9. bronze for the mare Adelita – Janów Podlaski
10. bronze for the stallion Pinito – bred by Janów Podlaski
The latest news came on Halloween. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced a new composition of the Council of the Polish Jockey Club. Our colleague Szymon Głowacki joined the Council and will represent PAHBA. Furthermore, Minister Czesław Siekierski appointed Monika Słowik as President, and Aneta Szyc became one of the Council members. Not only has a representative of our Association returned to the Council, but – more importantly – for the first time the purebred Arabian community has three representatives on the Council associated with horse breeding, racing, endurance and equestrian sports.
May the end of the year be equally successful for us and for Polish Arabians!
Photograph courtesy of Auriane Schwanen & Arabian Insider
