By Ally Nelson
Located on the French Riviera is the “Pearl of France,” the picturesque and charming town of Menton. And each year in June, the Arabian horse community enjoys all that Menton has to offer while attending the Mediterranean and Arab Countries’ Horse Show, a bucket list event. 2023 was no disappointment, with horses competing worldwide, including those bred in the Middle East, United States, Europe & South America.
The show started on June 24th with a lovely welcome event held on the beach at La Cabane Plage, coordinated by Ms. Margot Chazel, providing an opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to reconnect, mingle and enjoy engaging conversations focused on the common passion of Arabian horses.
The next morning, the fillies opened the show, showcasing some of the most beautiful yearling fillies in the world. A standout in her class section was the Al Shaqab bred and owned filly Shahalel Al Shaqab, sired by Na-Mous Al Shahania, out of the SMA Magic One daughter, Siwar al Shaqab. The second-class winner of the yearling fillies division was a beautiful bay named D Ghamrah, sired by D Shakhat and out of the FA El Rasheem daughter, D Ghaliah.
Moving into the junior divisions, the two-year-old fillies and class winner was Alawiya Al Sheikh, a daughter of Shanghai EA and out of the World Champion mare, Algambra. The three-year-old fillies class was won by a lovely filly owned by Akmal Stud: Nourah Al Khalediah, sired by Hilal al Khalediah, out of the PA Gazsi daughter, Ghazalat al Khalediah.
Next, the Senior mare classes started with the four to seven-year-olds. This class was won by D Shihanah, who was also awarded the best head award. Shihanah is sired by FA El Rasheem, out of the D Shahla. The final class of the day was the eight and over mares, which was won by a lovely Ajman Moniscione daughter, Aijana OX.
Moving on to Sunday morning, the show began with the yearling colts competition. A crowd and judge’s favorite in the yearling classes was a colt bred by Dubai Stud and owned by Al Thamer Stud, D Hayel. D Hayel is sired by up-and-coming stallion D Shakhat and out of an FA El Rasheem daughter. Later that day, this stunning black colt was named Menton Gold Champion Yearling Colt.
D Hayel (D Shakhat x D Jawaher)
Silver Champion Senior Stallion EKS Farajj (Ibn Farid x EKS Bint Helwah).
Following the yearling colts, the arena was graced with the junior and senior stallions. The two-year-old colt class winner was the American-bred horse RD Rajan, sired by Polidoro FC and owned by Hanaya Arabian Stud. Next, the three-year-old class was won by D Shahhar, a grey colt by Excalibur E.A. Shahhar also won the best head award.
And then, with much anticipation, the senior stallions entered the ring. The competition included World Champion EKS Farajj, and World Champion D Seraj. Both stallions have made a name for themselves in the show ring and as important sires, and they each won their sections respectively before returning to the ring for the championships later that afternoon.
Judge’s atop Harley-Davidsons for their Championship afternoon entrance.
As the spectators enjoyed a lunch break on the beach, the horses who qualified to return for the championships were being prepared, and at 3:00 PM it was time for the championships. In a real show of pomp and circumstance fitting the glory of the Menton show, the judges were brought back into the arena on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. To be sure, the show committee of Menton never fails to excite the crowd with entertaining opening ceremonies, and this year was no exception! The horses competing in the championship dazzled as well, with Dubai Stud’s young superstar D Seraj taking gold honors in the Senior Stallions Championship.
Class medals were awarded as follows:
Gold Champion Senior Stallion D Seraj (FA El Rasheem x Ladi Veronika).
Yearling Fillies Championship
GOLD – Shahalel Al Shaqab
SILVER – D Aserah
BRONZE – D Ghamrah
Junior Fillies Championship
GOLD – Alawiya Al Sheikh
SILVER – TM Bella
BRONZE – Nourah Al Khalediah
Senior Mares Championship
GOLD – D Shihana
SILVER – Aijana OX
BRONZE – Janet
Best In Show Female
1st – Shahalel Al Shaqab
2nd – D Shihanah
Yearling Colts Championship
GOLD – D Hayel
SILVER – LR Anselmo
BRONZE – Poker Face KL
Junior Colts Championship
GOLD – D Shahhar
SILVER – RD Rajan
BRONZE – Sidarta AS
Senior Stallions Championship
GOLD – D Seraj
SILVER – EKS Farajj
BRONZE – Harbi Al Adwan
Best In Show Male
1st – D Shahhar
Tied for 2nd – D Hayel
Tied for 2nd – D Seraj
All photos by April Visel Photography on behalf of Arabian Horse World.
