Please enjoy the third and final part of our coverage of Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships 2023 held in Oman in January. Photography by HH Photography and Design and Alessio Azzali.
The Championships
With all the classes completed, it was time for the championships. The very first champions crowned at any news show are always remembered. They remain special, for years to come, and no one else can ever be ‘the first’ again.
GOLD: SHAIKHA MUDHAR
First in was the Yearling Filly Championship, and straightaway, there was an upset as Shaikha Mudhar (Marajj x Nahawand Al Zobair), who finished second in her class, took the Gold title above her class winner, D Duweyyah (D Seraj x D Dalia), who had to settle for Silver. Bronze went to the winner of the second yearling filly class, Rawabi al Zobair (D Seraj x Rouwaya Al Zobair).
SILVER: D DUWEYYAH
BRONZE: RAWABI AL ZOBAIR
There was also a reversal in the Yearling Colt Championship as D Faher (D Shakhat x D Fannanah) took Gold ahead of Shaalan al Zobair (Raud al Zobair x Nawader el Zobair) in Silver – who also took the award for the High Score Male. Jalmood al Zobair (Nashmi al Hawajer x Durah al Hawajer), who also finished second in the first yearling colt class, took Bronze.
GOLD: D FAHER
SILVER: SHAALAN AL ZOBAIR
BRONZE: JALMOOD AL HAWAJER
The Junior Female Championship saw a very beautiful group of fillies enter the ring. Taking the unanimous Gold Junior Female Championship was AJ Sanem (AJ Azzam x RK Sadeem) with D Tamia’a (D Seraj x D Azalea) Silver and AJ Tejan (AJ Kafu x AJ Tarim) Bronze.
GOLD: AJ SANEM
SILVER: D TAMIA’A
BRONZE: AJ TEJAN
The Junior Male Championship was also a unanimous result, with Tarantino C (El Tino x Scarlett C) taking the Gold title. Hama Mudhar MP (Dominic M x Baraka MP) took Silver, while Aali Akmal (FA el Rasheem x HHC Ali-K), who finished third in his class, was named Bronze.
GOLD: TARANTINO C
SILVER: HAMA MUDHAR HP
BRONZE: AALI AKMAL
RK Sadeem (Magid Monisicone x BV Especially Stivana) was named unanimous Senior Female Champion, and also the High Score Female, making history for the Ajman Stud with both mother and daughter being named unanimous champion at the same show. AJ Masari (FA el Rasheem x AJ Marateb) was awarded the Silver and D Jahraa (Excalibur EA x D Jawaher) the Bronze.
GOLD: RK SADEEM
SILVER: AJ MASARI
BRONZE: D JAHRAA
The final championship, the Senior Male, was also unanimous, with the title going to Shahwan al Hawajer (FA el Rasheem x Joharat al Hawajer). Shareem RC (FA el Rasheem x EKS Shakira) took Silver ahead of his class winner, E.S. Rasheeq (FA el Rasheem x Vitorio Secret TO) in Bronze.
GOLD: SHAHWAN AL HAWAJER (and lead photo)
SILVER: SHAREEM RC
BRONZE: E.S. RASHEEQ
The final awards were then presented, with the Best Breeder going to Dubai Arabian Stud. The Best Omani Horse to Farids Jahira (RFI Farid x SF Qamars Jewelle), bred by Joann Marie and Corinne Colao and owned by Sultan Mohammed Al Farsi, who scored 91 points in the two-year-old filly class.
Best Breeder: Dubai Arabian Stud
Best Omani Horse: Farids Jahira (RFI Farid x SF Qamars Jewelle) owned by Sultan Mohammed Al Farsi
As selected by the judges and Disciplinary Committee, Mohsin al Ajmi, Ahmed al Harassi, and Abdulla al Abri were named Best Omani handlers and they will be travelling to a training centre in Europe to spend time and learn more about conditioning and showing horses as well as preparing them for the show-ring. This is a great opportunity, and part of the aims of Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Show. Alongside this, an Initiative Fund for Omani Breeders has been set up to support their breeding programmes, as well as educate them in breeding and nutrition. Alrubatiya is all about education and making the Omani Arabian breeding programmes as strong and competitive as possible, and it is wonderful to see. We need more of this in the world, we really do.
Some of the Best Omani handlers
The show closed with a ridden display with commentary that clearly depicted a story. There was no translation offered, so those who did not speak Arabic were not wholly sure what was happening, but we enjoyed the moment nonetheless.
Part of the dramatic ridden display
The final thing was the presentation of flowers and a cake to Al Sayyidah Dhabia Bint Sami Al Busaidi, and she received a warm applause for being the driving force behind Oman’s first international show.
The presentation to Al Sayyidah Dhabia Bint Sami Al Busaidi
So, with a flourish, Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships came to an end. As already mentioned, this was a happy show with happy people and that showed in the relaxed way the horses were shown. Everyone had a smile on their faces, and there was a real sense of camaraderie among handlers, spectators, and organises alike.
The show’s mission statement reads:
“To connect horse lovers worldwide and support the local breeders’ equestrian ecosystem by increasing their visibility and recognition.”
With the success of this first show, it is clear to see that Al Sayyidah Dhabia Bint Sami Al Busaidi and her team are firmly on the right path, and I look forward to next year’s running of Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships – an event that I am sure is going to continue to grow and draw international acclaim for the Sultanate of Oman.
For part one of Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships , click here.
For part two of Alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships, click here.
