Scottsdale Show News - Monday February 23, 2015
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015
Welcome to the 2015 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show News and Reviews for Monday, February 23nd. The sponsors for today’s news are David Boggs, the staff and clients of Midwest Station II.
The Scottsdale show has come to an end and what a great show it was! Late yesterday I took a tour of some of the stalls. I love how inventive and creative people are in designing their stall fronts. As the days progressed throughout the show, more and more ribbons and roses are added, making them all the more festive. No wonder the local public loves to come to the Arabian horse show. One couple stopped me to ask directions and also about the show. I pointed them in the right direction and then asked them what brought them out to the show. They said they come out every year to see the show because everyone is so nice, the horses are gorgeous and that no other breed presents their horses with such class and beauty. Needless to say, I was very proud of our community and the Scottsdale Show Organizers. They are wonderful ambassadors for the breed. They have created a show that appeals to Arabian horse owners and the general public as well.
Some of the most beautiful horses competing at the Scottsdale show this year were presented by David Boggs and the handlers of Midwest Station II. The alabaster stallion Hariry Al Shaqab, bred and owned by Al Shaqab, Member of the Qatar Foundation, was the Unanimous Senior Champion Stallion. I remember watching Hariry for the first time when he was shown at Scottsdale as a yearling and how impressive he was even then. As the years passed, Hariry has only improved. Now at five years of age, he is a vision in white. Hariry’s exquisite beauty draws us to him like a moth to light, yet his imposing stature and masculine presence demand our respect. Hariry embodies everything we love about Arabian stallions. As a sire, it is the breeder’s good opinion that matters for Hariry. His great beauty and star-studded pedigree inspired hope for breeders and many gave the young stallion a chance with their prized mares. Hariry has fulfilled his promise by siring absolutely beautiful foals.
In another unanimous decision by the judges, the exotic, dark beauty Wieza Mocy was named Scottsdale Champion Senior Mare. Mocy is one of the most universally loved mares of this generation. Her great beauty combined with her kind and graceful countenance charms everyone, yet she is spirited and confident in herself – you just can’t help but fall in love with her. Wieza Mocy was bred by the Michalow State Stud of Poland. She is owned by Michalow and leased by Janey Morse of Oak Ridge Arabians. Although Janey’s stallion Vitorio TO is on lease to Michalow State Stud for two years, he was still the Leading Sire of Signature Champions this year.
The Ames Family had the opportunity to breed to Wieza Mocy last year. They selected the Polish National Champion and U.S. National Champion Stallion Pogrom. Both Pogrom and Wieza Mocy are sired by QR Marc. The result was a spectacular bay filly who was named after her mother and grandmother, she is Wieza Bella. There is no doubt this little beauty will follow in the footsteps of these great Arabian matriarchs and become a champion and a champion producer too. We all look forward to the opportunity to meet her.
Midwest also presented the Reserve Junior Champion Filly Byronica RH, a full sister to the superstar mare, RH Triana. Byronica RH was bred by Robin & Drago Kragulj of Robinhood Arabians and she is owned by Estancia de Catalina of Argentina. The Reserve Junior Champion Colt, Falah Al Shaqab, was bred and owned by Al Shaqab, Member of the Qatar Foundation. The success and influence of this great breeding farm continues to expand, it touches all lovers of the Arabian horse around the world.
One of the highlights of the show was interviewing people about their Scottsdale experiences. It’s very gratifying to meet so many new comers to the breed and to see their unbridled enthusiasm. Admit it! It’s pretty hard to not fall in love with the Arabian horse. It is also very inspiring to talk with long time breeders, owners and trainers and hear their stories and to see how their love for the Arabian horse has endured. Among some of my favorites were Tim and Marty Shea of Shea Stables who manage the breeding career of leading performance sires Afire Bey V, Noble Express and others. Sheila Varian had horses showing in both halter and performance - you can't beat the Varian bred horses for beauty and athletic ability. Patti Scheier's stallion SF Veraz sired Champions in both halter and performance - way to go! Larry Jerome of Jerland Farm had three Top Ten Western Pleasure horses - all in one class! Audrey Zinke's superstar stallion Im The Real Deal won another reining championship with Crystall McNutt. The pair now has won eight National Champion and Reserve titles and has dominated Scottsdale for years. Scottsdale really does have something for everyone!
One of my favorite aspects of the show is to visit the booths of artists who paint and sculpt the Arabian horse. This small but very talented group shows amazing diversity in their depiction of this breed. Judith Wagner has been an Arabian artist for many years. Her work is detailed and fanciful. Canadian born artist Shannon Lawlor’s work is described as hyper-realism – you can see every hair – and she uses negative space to create very realistic, yet contemporary pieces. Sculptors Judy and Kim Nordquist’s art is spectacular. This mother and daughter team actually work on pieces together. They are so close, they seem to share the same vision in their works. I also met two new very talented artists whose work I greatly admired; Bassim Al-Shaker and Falah Alsaedi, both are from the country of Iraq. Bassim said the Arabian horse is the most natural inspiration for them because it is a part of their heritage, a part of their culture, a part of them and who they are. Bassim Al-Shaker’s art is very painterly, it has an old world quality combined with a distinctive and contemporary style. The work of Falah Alsaedi applies aspects of cubism to create very energetic and dynamic pieces. It is obvious the Arabian horse remains a never-ending source of inspiration for artists. The young Arabian artist Karina Peacemaker again created a beautiful piece, which graces the cover of this year’s Scottsdale show program. Karina donated the original painting to the AHAA. It was generously purchased by Cindy McGowan and Mark Davis of Royal Arabians who have a growing collection of Karina’s artwork.
We hope you enjoyed the 2015 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. We invite you visit the website at www.scottsdaleshow.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scottsdalearabian and at www.arabhorse.com/arabian-news
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