“Around the World with the Egyptian Arabian Horse” The 2011 Egyptian Event
Lexington, Ky. (August 3, 2011) - The 31st Annual Egyptian Event, held at the Kentucky Horse Park, June 7-11, 2011, was undoubtedly the most successful Event yet. With over 300 Egyptian Arabians competing for nearly $225,000 in prize money, international show judges representing Saudi Arabia, Italy and Brazil, and attendees from around the world gathering for the Event’s unique sense of camaraderie, it was a fantastic week to be in Lexington, Kentucky!
The Event kicked off on Tuesday morning, June 7 with a complimentary seminar entitled “Getting to the Show and Back: From a Vet’s Perspective,” presented by Dr. Duncan Peters of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. This well attended presentation provided valuable information on safely trailoring your horse. Following the seminar, Tuesday’s classes included the stunning Most Classic Head, along with Hunter Pleasure Open, Western Pleasure Open, Produce of Dam and Get of Sire.
Wednesday morning began with the complimentary seminar, “Mastering Good Horsemanship,” presented by Gil Merrick, USEF Team Leader for Dressage at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympic Games, and sponsored by Hylant Group Nashville and Markel. Gil based this clinic on his basic principle of horsemanship, stating, “Becoming the very best horseman we can be puts us on an educational journey that we share with our horses throughout our lives. And there are some fundamental principles of good horsemanship that we must master along the way if we are to meet with success in our quest.” Classes continued throughout the morning, beginning with Amateur Western Pleasure and culminating after lunch with the always exciting Stallion Showcase. As each Straight Egyptian stallion entered the covered arena, the crowd cheered; the audience was then invited to join the stallions in center ring for the opportunity to photograph the stallions, give them a nice pat on the neck and visit with their owners. Afternoon classes included the Amateur Halter Egyptian Mares class for junior handlers and the first of the “Kalkata Stakes” classes, the Two-Year-Old Straight Futurity Colts. The “Kalkata Stakes” provides the opportunity for participants to choose the horse they think will win in each of the Two-Year-Old Straight Futurity Classes. If their horse wins, they share a portion of the pot. At the close of the afternoon session, individuals headed outdoors to enjoy the popular Barn Parties, including great food, bubbling champagne and numerous presentations of spectacular Egyptian Arabian horses.
Thursday, June 9 was filled with exciting competition and fun activities. Presenters Fanus Crous, Louise Cordina, Glenn North and Marion Richmond treated Thursday morning attendees to their complimentary seminar, “Top Notch Down Under: Egyptian Arabians in Australia and New Zealand,” using photos and informative references to present the unique opportunities confronting the breeders in that region. Morning classes included Hunter Pleasure for amateur and junior riders and the Two-Year-Old Straight Futurity Fillies “Kalkata Stakes” class. This year's Kalkata winners took home a combined total of over $6,000 in winnings in this "just for fun" activity! Egyptian Event youth were treated to a pizza party lunch, followed by a youth halter and showmanship clinic presented by USEF Judge, Dana Coffey. The excitement continued into late afternoon with the breathtaking Native Costume class and much-anticipated Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge (EBC) classes. The amateur-led EBC classes trumped all others in the amount of prize money, with a total payout exceeding $140,000! Barbe Jo Myers of Barmyre in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was first-place winner in the Fillies class with Barmyre Amurrah (Imperialamirkamar x ESA Malaaka). Bob Miars of Miars Arabian Ranch in Murchison, Texas, was first-place winner in the Colts class with Masir Al Mar (Amaar Al Rayyan x Maymaara Maysam SA). Both can proudly attest to the slogan “You've got to be in it to win it,” as each are $28,000 richer because of their participation!
Thursday evening featured the always-popular Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge Live Stallion Breeding Auction in the covered arena. With over 65 stallion services auctioned and canapés and cocktails sponsored by Lyday Farms, the EBC auction always exceeds our expectations. The excitement for the 2012 EBC classes was set in motion! Auction attendees continued the enjoyment into the night as they kicked up their heels and enjoyed delicious Kentucky barbecue and country line dancing at the EBC celebration “Hoedown.”
Attendees enjoyed Peter Upton’s Friday morning seminar, “Lady Anne Blunt: The Legacy of Shekyh Obeyd and Crabbet,” where Peter chronicled the contribution of Lady Anne Blunt to Arabian horse breeding worldwide. As the classes continued, youth enjoyed creative activities with mask and stick horse decorating. Preliminary classes filled the morning and afternoon, as the excitement built up to the festivities of the evening. At the close of the afternoon classes, crowds fled back to their hotels in preparation for the highly anticipated “Around the World to Venice” Carnival Masquerade Gala & Fundraiser, held at The Embassy Suites Hotel.
The Gala was surely an evening no one will soon forget, with guests donning their Venetian masks, decorations overflowing out of the ballroom and entertainment by the Baroque Trumpeters and Memory Laine Venetian Artists. After an elegant dinner, the live auction was held featuring world-renowned Arabian artwork and a trip to Alfala Stud in Saudi Arabia!
The final day of the Event began on Saturday with the Membership Meeting, Breakfast and Founders’ Lecture, sponsored by Al Shaqab, Member of the Qatar Foundation. Attendees were treated to a presentation by HRH Princess Alia of Jordan and Peter Upton regarding their new book, Royal Heritage - The Story of Jordan's Arab Horses. The audience in this standing-room only seminar was captivated with tales and historical details of the Arabian horse, from the early days of the Bedouin tribes to the 21st century. Later in center-ring, amateur handlers thrilled the audiences in the Egyptian Halter Mare and Stallion Championships, while the afternoon was rounded out with Hunter Pleasure, Egyptian Halter Geldings, and Western Pleasure Championships, closing with the thrilling, Liberty Finals – always a crowd-favorite.
The Saturday evening championship session began with the adorable, always-popular Stick Horse class. Children ages 2-6 galloped around the ring in their ‘show’ attire, and then lined up in center ring where everyone received a blue ribbon! Following the opening ceremonies, the crowned Junior Champion Filly Gameelah LDA (Thee Desperado x Magidaat Al Gamal LDA), owned by Nayla Hayek, was led to the winners’ circle by Frank Spönle, and the Junior Champion Colt JLS Aayns Al Reejis (Scapa x LPS Thunderstruck), owned by Jay Jolley, MD, was presented by Ricardo Rivero. Once the lovely youngsters exited the ring, the exotic Senior Mares and Stallions took center stage. Laian Al Shaqab (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Meseda Al Shaqab), owned by Al Shaqab, garnered the title of Senior Champion Mare, while Al Raheb AA (Laheeb x The Vision HG), owned by Al Fawaz Stud, took home the Senior Champion Stallion title. Michael Byatt went on to lead the stunning Laian Al Shaqab to the title of Supreme Champion Mare, while the crowd-pleasing Al Raheb AA, with handler Paolo Capecci, walked away with the coveted Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Stallion title.
From every standpoint, the 2011 Egyptian Event was a triumph! The Pyramid Society was honored to have Al Baydaa as the 2011 Signature Sponsor, as well as Premier Diamond Sponsor, Salayel USA. Each sponsor and patron is integral to the longstanding success of the Egyptian Event. All of those involved with The Pyramid Society and the Egyptian Event look forward to another memorable year in 2012!
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The Pyramid Society is an international breeders’ organization established in 1969 and dedicated to the promotion of the Egyptian Arabian horse. For more information about The Pyramid Society and the Egyptian Event contact (859) 231-0771, info@pyramidsociety.org
