FONTAINEBLEAU (WAM)
The Equestrian Arena Le Grand Parquet in Fontainebleau, France, hosted the fourth show of the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup (EAHGC) in the 2024 season, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS).
In the Junior Fillies Championship, Ooona Umm took home the gold for Moell and Moell Arabians while the silver went to Gloryana for owner Rob Heijmans, and bronze was taken by Lilly X for Joost Boel – Elizar Arabians.
Owned by SEA Horse Stud, Amos SH won the golden medal ahead of TSL Majeed for Cameg Arabians, and Magadi De Nautiac was the recipient of the bronze medal for Rachel et Christian Bourrasse.
Competition in the Senior Mares Championship saw Vilma BV (Yeguada Bautista) winning ahead of Yvie while Carayon Jeromes Lohenberg Kalinka settled for bronze.
Ali Khan won gold for Paula Bohmer in the Senior Stallions Championship, with Pegase Du Castel earning silver for Gastelu Arnaud – Azlizea Sarl, and Ase Farhan owned by L'Ecurie Swiss landing the bronze medal in third place.
The EAHGC comprises 10 rounds held in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, and South and North America in coordination with the competent authorities in each country, with valuable cash prizes allocated for the first five winners of each round.
The event winners were crowned by Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, Director-General of the EAHS, in the presence of Ahmed Al Mulla, Deputy Head of Mission at the UAE Embassy in France, Ali Al Amari, Head of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Embassy, and Adel Al Amiri, Head of the Department of Political Affairs.
The crème de la crème of Arabian horses from France and various EU countries participated in the competition, which is one of three held in Europe.
The second leg takes place on June 15 in Denmark, and the Czech Republic will host the next one on August 23.
Director-General Al Harbi expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support and directives in hosting the EAHGC in multiple locations in different countries as part of his continuing efforts to raise the status of Arabian horses and the preservation of its bloodlines.
Al Harbi stated that the event at Fontainebleau was a success and saw a strong presence from owners and breeders, confirming that the necessary steps are being taken to achieve the goal of this show, which is to support owners and breeders all over the world by providing distinguished competitions that enable them to win prizes.
He added that shows of the EAHGC were able to reserve a distinguished place in selected regions around the world where owners and breeders need support to preserve Arabian horses.
The EAHGC season started in February at Australia's Willinga Park followed by the Kingdom of Bahrain hosting the caravan in Manama in the next month.
The American city of Scottsdale in Arizona also played host later that month, which was held in conjunction with the Arabian Breeders World Cup in the final week of March.