For many years, the championships have been the basic method of evaluation and breeding selection of purebred Arabian horses, primarily in the United States of America, and also in some countries of Western Europe. In these countries, Polish-bred Arabian horses sold abroad (…) achieved many successes at shows, winning numerous championships, especially in the USA, and (…) in France and Sweden. For example, in the decade 1968—1977, in the stallion class, 3 stallions imported from Poland and 2 of Polish origin became US National Champions, and 4 stallions imported from Poland and 5 of Polish origin became US Reserve Champions, which together constitutes 90% of all reserve champions. In the mare group, 2 mares imported from Poland and 4 of Polish origin became US Champions in those years.

It should be emphasized that stallions that have won championships are much more successful, and breeding them achieves particularly high prices. Their offspring also achieve higher sums at sale.

Taking into account the high rank that the fact that a horse has won a championship or reserve championship gives to Western recipients, our breeding authorities decided to organize the first championship of pure-bred Arabian horses this year, in order to give even greater splendor to the top of our Arabian horses, which already constitute the world elite within this breed.

It should also be emphasized that championships have enormous spectacular value for the audience watching them.

The cream of the crop of breeders from the USA, Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, England and other countries, as well as coach trips from France and Germany, arrived for the championship in Janów Podlaski, as well as for the 10th Arabian horse auction.

The Championship was organized by the authorities of the Animal Breeding and Trade Association and CIE Animex, with the active participation of the directors of the Arabian horse stud farms in Janów Podlaski, Michałów and Kurozwęki.

It should be explained that the basis for the assessment of horses competing for the titles of champion and two vice-champions is exclusively conformation and type, and in addition to great beauty and correct and harmonious conformation, very much attention is paid to the type of the horse. The judges do not know the names of the horses being assessed or their origin, and when giving their verdict they only state that they have selected horses with such numbers as champion and vice-champions.

As is customary in other countries, judging was done by one person. Foreign breeders were appointed as judges, which guaranteed complete objectivity. The horses selected for evaluation were shown in four groups - classes.

Class 1 – yearling and 2-year-old fillies – judged by the renowned West German breeder Holger Ismer. 15 young fillies (7 from SK Janów Pódl., 3 from SK Michałów and 5 from SK Kurozwęki) entered the extensive round: 8 grey, 6 bay and one chestnut. The championship was won by the 2-year-old grey Winda (Bandos — Wilma), bred by SK Janów Pódl., and the reserve champions were: the 2-year-old grey Gizela (Palas —Gilza) and the 2-year-old chestnut Żołna (Palas — Zazula), both bred by SK Michałów.

Class 2 — young 4- and 5-year-old mothers included in the breeding — judged by Hoist Eggert — president of the Arab Society in Germany. After a long, very detailed inspection of the 12 mares presented in this class (6 from SK Janów Pódl., 3 from SK Michałów and 3 from SK Kurozwęki), the judge awarded the title of champion to the 5-year-old grey Enklawa (Bandos — Engracja), bred by SK Janów Podl.; the vice champion was the 4-year-old grey Europa (Bandos — Eunice) from SK Janów Pódl., and the 11th vice champion was the 5-year-old grey Draperia (Gedymin -Dratwa) bred by SK Michałów.

Then, from among the 6 mares distinguished in classes 1 and 2, three judges (H. Ismer, H. Eggert and William Richardot de Choisey – director of the “Salon Konia” in Paris) selected the champion and two reserve champions of young mares. The title of champion was once again won by two-year-old Winda, and the reserve champions were the mares Enklawa and Europa, all from SK Janów Podl., and all sired by the stallion Bandos.

A special excitement, which the constant rain could not cool down, was caused by the exit of 18 older mother mares, assessed in class 3, to the round. The experienced breeders gathered at the championship and the numerous Arabian horse lovers had a unique opportunity. Before their eyes paraded the elite of purebred Arabian mares, such as could not be gathered in any country in the world. Of these 18 mares, at least half probably had equal rights to the title of champion. Therefore, the breeder from England, Patricia Lindsay, who judged this class, had a difficult task. She is an experienced expert in purebred Arabian horses.

In the interests of truth, it should be added that the group of 18 elite broodmares could have been slightly larger, but the breeders decided not to include several mares with small foals and those who could be harmed by long-distance transport in the championship. The champion was the beautiful, noble, 9-year-old bay mare Elewacja (Celebes — Eliota), bred by SK Janów Podlaski, the 10st reserve champion was the 16-year-old grey Artemida (Chazar — Atnhara), the XNUMXnd reserve champion was the XNUMX-year-old grey Fama (Nabór — Fregata) — both bred by SK Michałów. During the presentation of the champions, the type of the mares was clearly visible. The champion Elewacja, inbred to Witraż, represented the Kuhailan type, while the beautiful reserve champions — Artemida and Fama — were robust, large-framed mares of the Saklawi type.

The "beaten field" included a number of beautiful mares, such as Janów's bay Algeria (Celebes — Algonkina), the grey Euforia (Bandos — Eulonia) from Kurozwęki, the grey 16-year-old Béatrice (Picluszok — Bandola) from Janów, the bay Mitra (Celebes — Manilla), the grey Fatima (Negatiw — Fama) from Michałów and the only one in this group, the chestnut Janów Derby winner Orgia (Krezus — Orla), who, although she was not in her best shape on the day of the championship, we remember her as a beautiful four-year-old on the Warsaw Track.

Class 4 — stallions — was judged by the first breeder of Arabians in the USA, a loyal friend of Polish breeding, Dr. Eugen E. La-Croix (Łasina Arabians, Arizona). Eight stallions entered the round (seven from SK Janów and one from SK Kurozwęki). This important part of the championship was spoiled by the constantly increasing rain; the horses looked unspectacular, and judging was difficult. The champion was the 8-year-old, gray Eukaliptus (Bandos — Eunice by Cornet), and the reserve champions were the 7-year-old gray Partner (Eleuzis Panna) and the 5-year-old bay Aloes (Celebes — Algoa) — all bred by SK Janów Podlaski.

It is worth emphasizing that two champion mares and a champion in the stallion class are sired by the stallion Bandos (Negatiw — Bandola by Witraż).

The crowning achievement of the championship was the “Parade of the Distinguished”. The following paraded in front of the breeders and the audience: the first stallion champion Eukaliptus, then his mother, the beautiful bay mare Eunice (daughter of Comet), and then the 23-year-old bay Ellenai (Wielki Szlem — Eleonora) — mother of 17 foals, including Eleuzis 1962 (in the USA), the leading stallions in our studs Elfa 1963 and Elbrus 1965, Elkina — champion of the USA 1972, and many valuable mothers; the 4-year-old gray Etruria (Palas — Etna) — champion of the “Salon Konia”, Paris 1978; the 20-year-old gray Etna (Faher — Elżunia) — mother of 14 foals, including the stallions: Etiwa (in the USA) and the leading stallions in Poland Etapa and Etana; El Paso (Czort — Ellora) — champion of the USA in 1976, father of the mare Wizja — champion mare of the USA in 1977; 29-year-old bay mare Ellora (Witraż — Elza) — mother of the outstanding leading stallions El Azrak, Elfur and El Paso and a number of valuable mares; Banat (El Azrak — Bandola) — valuable sire and champion of England; and finally, the “first lady of Janów” paraded through, the legendary 31-year-old mare Bandola — mother of Bajram (in the USA), Barysz (in Canada), Bandos, Banzaj (in the USA), Banat and a number of valuable mares.

After selecting champions and vice-champions in each class, their breeders received prizes funded by various institutions.

The championships and the "parade of distinguished" were watched by a large audience, which rewarded the distinguished horses with applause.

In the afternoon, there was a screening of two films dedicated to Arabian horses, prepared for television and directed by Wiktor Meller. These films were made in cooperation with French television and are shown by the largest television stations in the world, bringing fame to our purebred Arabian horses.

On the following day (August 29) there was a show of horses intended for sale at auction.

The eagerly awaited day of August 30th has finally arrived - the annual and jubilee XNUMXth Arabian horse auction in Janów Podlaski. As usual, it was not known until the very last days how many buyers would come.

In the morning, foreign buyers individually viewed the horses they were interested in.

The auction began promptly at 14 p.m. It took place in a large circus tent that could accommodate about 2 people.

All the seats for the public were packed, but we were most interested in the sector designated for foreign buyers. This segment was equally packed, but there were many foreign observers there, as well as families of buyers and breeders. Before the auction began, representatives of Animex and ZHiOZ were pleased to note that almost all of our regular customers had turned up, and a few new ones had also arrived.

There were 22 buyers in the auction: 15 from the United States, 4 from Sweden, 2 from Germany and one breeder from Belgium, who turned out to be a very good customer. The auction was led by Marek Grzybowski from Animex, a master in this profession.

The horses shown in the ring looked very favorable in the spotlight.

The first mare to be brought out into the arena, the four-year-old grey Dotacja from SK Michałów, aroused interest and was purchased by Peter Herman from the USA for 37 thousand dollars, with a starting price of 20 thousand USD. The next 3 mares were quickly purchased by breeders from Sweden at prices close to the starting prices. No. 5, the beautiful Saklawianka Sekwoja from SK Kurozwęki, was sold to the USA for the sum of "only" 18 thousand USD.

Starting from No. 6, the intensity of the auction decreases; four mares find no buyers, while others are bought at prices close to the estimated prices.

A new mood was brought by the appearance of the beautiful, 7-year-old bay mare Algorada from the Janów stud. Despite the relatively high starting price (27 thousand USD), buyers started the auction energetically. In addition to her great beauty, the mare's origin was important, by stallion Celebes from mare Algonkin, and therefore inbred to stallion Witraż, and the fact that she is in foal to stallion El Paso. After fierce bidding, Algorade was purchased by Tom Lazor (Gingei Blue Arabians, USA) for 76 thousand USD.

Then, several mares were purchased at average prices. Only the gray Elegia (daughter of Comet) from SK Michałów was purchased to Patterson Arabians (USA) for USD 53.

There was a lively auction of the mare Willa (by Celebes) from SK Janów Podlaski. She was bought by Erik Sörensen (Sweden) for USD 36 (starting price USD 12).

However, the last eight mares attracted particular interest from buyers.

Dr. Eugen LaCroix and Dr. Egon Oppenheim fought for the 9-year-old Elizja (Celebes — Elipsa) from SK Janów Podlaski. After a fierce auction, the latter remained on the market, and the price went from 20 thousand to 60 thousand USD. The five-year-old gray Flinta (by Negatiw) from SK Michałów was bought for 50 thousand USD by our new client — Mrs. Dacja Depauw from Belgium. The same breeder acquired the beautiful 15-year-old gray Ceramika (Negatiw — Cerekiew) from SK Janów Podlaski after a lively auction.

Two valuable mares were purchased by Dr. E. LaCroix. The first was the 17-year-old daughter of Comet — the mare Arba from SK Janów Podlaski, for whom he paid USD 44, and the second — the 15-year-old mare Algoa (Czort — Algonkina) from SK Janów Podl. — sold for USD 88.

The course of the auction of the mare Algoa was the most fascinating. When the price went from 20 thousand to 50 thousand USD, only Dr. E. LaCroix and D. Patterson remained on the battlefield, and when the bidders reached 87 thousand USD, Mr. Patterson stood up, approached Dr. LaCroix and with no doubt regret (as this mare comes from a dam line developed for years at Patterson Arabians), but at the same time with a smile, gave him his auction number. Dr. LaCroix bought Algoe for 88 thousand USD. This price turned out to be a record at this year's auction.

There were two more interesting auctions. The heroine of the first one was the 9-year-old gray daughter of Negatiw, the mare Forsa, bred by SK Michałów, who had an exceptionally beautiful bouquet. With a starting price of USD 27, the auction was joined by such powerhouses as Dr. Skeggs, Dr. LaCroix and Tom Eazor, all from the USA, and E. Sörensen from Sweden. The mare was bought for USD 50 by Dr. Skeggs. The same breeder paid a "not bad price" - USD 75 for the 6-year-old daughter of Bandos - the gray mare Newa from SK Janów Podlaski.

Buyers showed less interest in stallions. However, they had the opportunity to buy the exceptionally handsome stallion Ellorus (Krezus — Ellora), bred by SK Janów Podlaski, for 50 thousand USD. This stallion is in no way inferior to his famous 3/4 brother — the stallion El Paso, US champion, for whom Americans were willing to pay astronomical sums. Or maybe it was a good thing that Ellorus will remain in Polish Arabian horse breeding?

The several Arabian geldings presented at the auction did not attract any interest from foreign buyers.

The final result of the auction in Janów was as follows: 26 mares were sold for USD 818 (average price per head - USD 000) and 31 stallions for USD 462 (average USD 2); a total of 28 horses were sold for USD 500 (average price USD 14).

The average price of a mare was about 1967 thousand dollars higher in the year (6) than in the previous year (1978 - 25 USD, 572 - 1979 USD). Therefore, this year's auction in Janów Podlaski should be considered a success.

Author: Antoni Święciki
Source: "The first championship of pure-bred Arabian horses and the 1979th auction in Janów Podlaski" (XNUMX) – Antoni Święcki