2024 Polish National Arabian Horse Show and Pride of Poland Auction
by Jeffrey Wintersteen
Gold Champion Yearling Filly Anagramma (out of Aminata) is bred and owned by Janów Podlaski Stud. She is by European Champion Stallion Picasso Di Mar who had a number of very nice foals at the stud. Picasso Di Mar, though bred in Italy, hails from the Michałów dam line of Szweykowska via Wadera by Doktryner.
Gold Champion Yearling Colt Comoros was bred and owned by Janów Podlaski Stud. The gray colt is by HL El Ganador who had only a few, but excellent foals at the stud. Out of Cedora, Comoros was already residing in the traditional stallion barn of Czołowa, an indication of the high hopes Janów has for him.
Sired by Polish National Champion Stallion Paris, Gold Champion Junior Filly Wildonara (out of Wildona) is bred and owned by Michalow Stud. Pictured here with her regular handler Artur Łojowski, the duo went on to win a Silver medal at the Prague International in September.
The Gold Champion Junior Colt Elon KL (QR Marc x Erigone) is bred and owned by the Polish private breeders Klikowa Arabians. What makes this win unique, is the three-year-old grey colt was taking a break from his summer racing at the track in Warsaw where he had already notched a second place. Shortly after the Polish Nationals, Elon won his first race. There is little doubt that Elon KL epitomizes the very best of the Polish Arabian.
The Gold Champion Senior Mare and Best in Show was Adelita (Kahil Al Shaqab x Altamira) from Janów Podlaski Stud. The senior mare classes were easily the most competitive, but this fleabitten grey stole the show.
The Gold Champion Senior Stallion Erantis (Ascot DD x Eugara) was a vision with his handler Janów’s Mateusz Tokarski. He is just now getting his chance to prove himself as a sire. From his dam line perspective, it is promising – Erantis hails from the same dam line as Janów greats Eukaliptus and Europejczyk.
The WAHO Challenge Trophy is presented to horse that has made an indelible impact on the breed. This year’s recipient was the 30-year-old Ganges (Monogramm x Garonna), presented by his regular handler Mariusz Liśkiewicz, also retired from shows. The bay stallion made the five-hour trip up from his maternal Michalow Stud. When breeding manager Magda Helak-Kulczynska was asked if they were concerned about him making the trip, she said, “No, he still acts like he is seventeen.”
Anette Mattsson sums up what it was like to see Ganges back in the ring. “The Pride of Poland is always special and I always return home with a lot of precious memories of special moments, but this year's ‘special moment’ is something I will carry in my heart forever. My once-in-a lifetime horse is the amazing Ganges and we have had many precious moments together when he was on lease to Sweden, and I had the honor of driving him from Michalow to Sweden and back. Ganges is a larger than life horse and an outstanding sire. I was thrilled when I was told that he, now at age 30, was awarded theWAHO trophy. Right before the prize ceremony I went behind the tent to say hello to my boy and it was so emotional when he turned towards me when I greeted him, just like he always does when I visit him in his stall. With tears of pride and joy falling down my cheek I watched him prance around the ring letting everyone know that he is the king. Watching Ganges in the ring with his friend and trainer Mariusz Liskiewicz you could feel the wings of history and I can not think of a better horse to represent the greatness of Polish breeding.”
One of the auction's high sellers at 120,000 Euros, was the 2020 mare, Alexandra (Wortex Kalliste x Amarena), bred byJanow Podlaski Stud. She is on her way to Qatar.
The stallion Barok (Om El Bellisimo x Baida), stole quite a few hearts with his gentle ways.Niclas and Sarah Holm and their 12 year-old son, David,were the lucky bidders, and welcomed Barok at their at Bränninge Arabian Stud, Sweden. "We all love Barok immensely. He is the sweetest boy!”, says Sarah Holm . "The mare that we purchased in the Silent Sale, Zlotna (El Omari x Zlota Gaza), is also a lovely horse, and I definitely want to present her.
Niclas and Sarah Holm and their 12 year-old son, David, look forward to welcoming him at their at Bränninge Arabian Stud, Sweden.
Seventy-one year old Marjan Vrančič attended Polish Arabian Horse Days with his wife, son and daughter in-law from Slovenia. He has always loved Arabians and the weekend was suppose to be only a relaxing getaway. That changed when the chestnut stallion Belmari (El Omari x Bint Ermina by Kabsztad) from Białka, enter ed the sales ring. "The moment Belmari came in he reminded me right away of the stallion I used to own,” explains Marjan, “a Mirok Monpelou son, TM Aikonos. He was my riding partner. The purchase of Belmari was not planned at all... but my son Marko and his wife Tamara convinced me to ‘jump in’ and take part at the auction. Now I am not sorry at all, as his disposition is just amazing. The plan is to break him to ride and hopefully I will get a new riding partner.”
Tamara also added her thoughts to what turned out to be a festive evening. "Vineyard Arabians is a purebred Arabian farm located in the south of the small but beautiful Slovenia. We have always been attracted to Polish Arabians and my husband, Marjan, and I have been attending Polish Summer days in Janow for the last 17 years together. The Polish Arabian is the epitome of the breed to us: powerful, elegant, smooth, intelligent, with wonderful dispositions. In our breeding program we strive for beautiful horses that are people loving and easy to work with. They need to be good movers, as in our opinion the beauty and type have a lot to do with charisma and movements. Our horses find their new owners all over Europe and we are proud to say we are maintaining contact with each of them over the years.“Coming to Janów Podlaski this summer was like a reunion of many friends that we have all been awaiting for years. We had not planned to buy any horses at the auction this year, however, a fabulous thing happened when Marjan ended up bringing home a beautiful stallion. We believe he will be a wonderful contribution to our breeding program, coming out of a dam line we cherish so much. He is also the first horse bred by Białka State Stud that ended up in our stable. Belmari is settling wonderfully in his new home, showing his wonderful disposition daily. He is as sweet as a stallion can be. In the Spring he will have a chance to breed some of our mares, and hopefully we will get some beautiful foals by him in 2026.”
One of the more touching moments of the weekend came during the Summer Sale on Monday. Karolina Misztal had been one of the official photographers of the show and sale. During the Summer Sale, however, at Lot 21 Kampala Kampala (Al Ayal AA x Kasandra by Ekstern), Karolina disappeared from the ring and took up a bidding number. When the bidding ended, Karolina’s face melted into tears of joy. “Participating in this year's Pride of Poland auction was a surprise prepared for me by my beloved Adrian," explains Karolina. “When I was heading to the Arabian Horse Days, I never imagined that I would return with my very own horse, and a purebred Arabian at that! We chose a mare from Michałów Stud. When the final hammer fell and Erik shouted ‘sold’, I was overwhelmed with joy! I couldn’t hide my emotions as I ran up to my mare, stroked her, and said, 'Hello, dear.' I will never forget this moment and wish everyone could experience such incredible emotions. Now Kampala is part of our family, and I can’t imagine life without her.”
The Janów breeding parade was held shortly after the Summer Sale concluded, with former Director and now special advisor Marek Trela and Breeding Manager Weronika Sosnowska giving there thoughts of the breeding program with a number of mares with foals. The first into the ring, however, was the bay stallion Pogrom (QR Marc x Pętla by Visbaden). Pogrom has already left some valuable broodmares at the stud, but as Trela made clear, his best breeding days may be ahead of him.
On Tuesday, Polish Arabian Horse Days made it to Michałów State Stud where everyone was warmly welcomed by Director Monika Słowik and special advisor former Director Jerzy Białobok with a delicious lunch, and, of course, a breeding parade.Forty-eight stallions, colts, fillies and mares with foals were presented. The finale was the reigning queen of Michałów and multiple World Champion Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab x Emanda by Ecaho). She was then joined by the staff of Michałów to a standing ovation.
