The second "Egyptian Event UK" took place at a new venue - the beautiful Addington Manor which is ideally placed in central England just south of Buckingham. Although entries were slightly up on last year and some lovely Arabians were on view it must have been disappointing to all concerned that entries forward ranged from zero to a maximum of eight.

The Judges

Liz Salmon/US
Willi Poth/France
Dr. Francesco Santoro/Italy
Dr. Nasr Marei/Egypt
Audrey Paul/UK (Reserve)

The Categories

The Event is basically arranged into three sections -
Straight Egyptian (SE) of which there are relatively few in this country but their numbers are growing annually via imports and breeding
Egyptian Related/Bred (ER) - sired by a SE or both grandsires SE (in either case the dam must not be a SE)
Egyptian Influenced (EI) - having a SE within three generations (sire/dam; grandsire/dam; great grandsire/dam) which must cover a considerable number of Arabians in this country. Indeed it seemed strange to see several "Russian" Arabs (in both the ER and EI sections) but they of course are perfectly acceptable via the Egyptian stallion Aswan (Nazeer x Yosreia) who was used so extensively at Tersk. Equally some "Polish" Arabians could have entered - via Aswan's son Palas. Perhaps owners are still unsure of their horses' pedigree qualification - if you are just send details to the organisers and they will soon say "Yeah" or "Neigh"! So check your Arabians' pedigrees and make date for 2002! Stallions, colts, mares, fillies, foals and geldings all have in-hand classes, plus the ridden, dressage and "speciality classes" - 54 in all!

The Horses

The 2000 show Supreme Champion Maysoun (Ansata Halim Shah x Maysouna) had returned to Germany after his brief stay at the Jones' Bychan Stud but his influence continued via his son Orashaan (Maysoun x Orasha by Malik) who is making a return visit to Bychan. Indeed the Jones family had brought three horsebox loads and seemed to be showing (and winning) in almost every in-hand class!

The SE youngstock section was headed by the Bychan colt Jedah (Orashaan x Siametta) and the filly Kateefah (Kerim Shah x Moneeshah) owned and bred by Mrs A Potts and shown by Lisa Carter. Reserves were Mrs R Brown's EA Sinbad (Orashaan x AK Sheherezada) and the Marr's Divine Grace (Thee Desperado x JA Amazing Grace).

The Brood Mare class was won by the USA import Raqqisa (Gamal Al Arab x Rahmaa), now owned by Pam Cooper with her Maysoun colt foal taking the Foal Championship.

Photo: Marilyn Sweet
Aliha and Emma Maxwell

We returned to the arena mid-way through the evening for the Costume Class. The two entries had a combined age of 45 - not that anyone would know that from their performances! The incomparable Aliha (Indian Silver x AK Atallah) with Emma Maxwell was back in the limelight and loving every minute! Second was the Marawan daughter Hidayed owned by Mr and Mrs Tatam.

Photo: Marilyn Sweet
JA Amazing Grace

SE mares were very few in number but the Marrs' JA Amazing Grace (AK Ishmael x AK Sharoufa) lived upto her name and made her UK debut a Championship winning one in the hands of Mark Gamlin with Emma Maxwell showing Delyth Gamlin's A Little Tenderness (Crusader x Bint El Sanaa) to the Reserve.

Photo: Marilyn Sweet
Narissma

The atmosphere went up a gear as the stallion classes commenced. EI Male Champion was the tall and attractive Narismma (WSA Charisma x Nazieka) owned, bred and shown by Rebecca McCormick but it was a close shave as Caroline Reeves very explosive little stallion G Shakib (Ibn Estopa x Omel Shiva Estopa) was awarded 100% for his movement! ER Champion was another marked 100% for movement - Andrea Taylor's Hakka (Al Hakkim x Kyrenia) - a rare individual who manages to out-trot Rhodri Jones! Reserve was another big mover - Susan George's 20 year old Artist (Aswan x Stitha) bred by the Tersk Stud.
What could the Straight Egyptians come up with now? Well, after all those offspring of Orashaan it was time for him to make his own entrance! Flying round the ring Orashaan scored 92 - the highest points of the show - to take the Championship ahead of his Bychan neighbour Emiratus B (El Thay Mameluk x Ibn Galal 1) bred by Babolna Stud (Hungary).

Photo: Marilyn Sweet
Belkis Al Badia

Up a gear again - this time for the Liberty Class, judged by Dr Marei. First in was Emma Maxwell's SE mare Belkis Al Badia (Crusader x Bint Al Badia) showing off a great trot and just pipping (amongst others) Magdalina. This mare has obviously got a special relationship with Emma as she came back into the ring to receive her reward of a beautiful framed picture of an Arabian cantering in the desert wearing just a rope loosely round her neck (the Aliha of the future?)

The Championships

Photo: Bert van Lent
Supreme Champion of the Show: Orashaan

Final Championships time! This is where the Juniors and the Seniors for each sex/section come together and then the Section Champions until there are just two left - a ER/EI Supreme and a SE Supreme and then they become the Supreme and Reserve Supreme of the Show! Phew! Lots of lovely rosettes/sashes/trophies available here plus £1000 to the Supreme and £500 to the Reserve!

SE Female Champion: Amazing Grace Reserve: Kateefah
SE Male Champion: Orashaan Reserve: Jedah
ER Female: Haiti Shaklana Reserve: Meenah
ER Male Champion: Ora El Masri Reserve: Hakka
EI Female Champion: Karalisa Reserve: TAS Fascination
EI Male Champion: Narissma Reserve: Grando
ER/EI Supreme Champion: Narissma Reserve: Ora El Masri
SE Supreme Champion: Orashaan Reserve: Amazing Grace
Supreme Champion of the Show (also High Points Champion): Orashaan
Reserve Supreme Champion of the Show: Narissma

Final message - look at those pedigrees and book the date for the 2002 Egyptian Event UK! Executive Director Merylyn Drain, Patron Donald Duke and their hard-working team would be delighted to see you!

Marilyn Sweet