My personal memory of the 2004 All Nations Cup is an extremely vivid outline, which in a small way justified some of our personal choices regarding our stud and our horses. So how do you choose the right thing for yourself, for your children, for your animals, for the Arabian breed, for the future of the breed or even the universe? Naturally some decisions aren’t terribly important. For example, you might decide to have potato chips instead of chocolate. But other decisions may involve a choice between right and wrong, and maybe the wrong choice may impact on something you love, well into the future.

Below are some questions that are applicable to all facets of life. You can apply them to family issues, friends or even breeding horses! Questions that may help us all stop and think before deciding the right thing to do.

1.What does my conscience—that “little voice” inside my head—say about it?

2.Could it hurt anyone or anything—including me?

3.Is it fair?

4.Would it violate the Golden Rule? (How would I feel if somebody did it to me?)

5.Have I ever been told that it’s wrong?

6.Deep down how do I feel about it?

7.How will I feel about myself later if I do it?

8.What would the people I respect say about it?

And as www.goodcharacter.com states, if you still can’t decide, talk it over with someone you trust and respect.

A MEMORY, ALL NATIONS CUP 2004   by Carmel Rowley

When life is lived at a fast and rushed pace it’s often referred to as “living life on the edge”. This comment immediately comes to mind when I think back to attending the All Nations Cup at Aachen in 2004 . The crowd participation, the talented and amusing commentator,  the head splitting music, pounding feet combined with vocals to rival the highest octave in a rock stars register, virtually rattled windows and raised the roof.

Imagine, the roaring crowd, a choking, hazy cigarette smoke filled indoor facility and six judges with stewards centre ring. All were constantly avoiding high spirited horses whose handlers were assisted by their personal whip wavers (hazers) ensuring the horses remained animated and excited. In fact, the event at times took on a surreal atmosphere, putting an over active imagination into overdrive thinking of gladiators and screaming crowds at the colosseum.  So, for three days I lived on the edge. On first impression the manner in which the horses were shown was concerning, especially when you consider the younger horses. However, whether you agree or disagree, breeders, owners and trainers are free to make their own choices when it comes to being a part of this practice.

The whip waving hazers in centre ring certainly were an intriguing and thoroughly disturbing practice.  In days gone by the purpose of a horse show was to showcase breeding stock for the interest of the greater public and interested breeders. But when you add the whip waving helper it swings the pendulum from the time honoured tradition of breed evaluation, to a circus.  At times the focus appeared to be centred on a whip whacking, waving individual racing around the arena resembling something out of a bad comedy. Several times they narrowly missed whipping the judges in their quest to liven up the exhibits. I was unable to come to terms with this VERY embarrassing and dangerous idea. The practise had me vividly visualizing the consequences should something go terribly wrong. In a society that becomes more litigious as each year passes it has to be asked, is this practise wise?

Aachen was not without the stereo typical practises that are present at most Arabian shows world wide. For example, it was a shame to see the gorgeous faces of several horses smeared by a high gloss substance that gave the appearance of being virtually laminated or moulded with shiny plastic. Also the old shaved “panda” eyes still keep making an appearance. Where is everyone’s individuality and originality? Instead, all play the follow the leader game. I suppose that’s because they eventually want to be the leader. There didn’t seem to be any semblance to the rules and guidelines carefully laid out many years ago. But rules can easily be changed. Hence, the whole issue arises another question. How far is too far when it comes to preparing the halter horse? I suppose it becomes more of a personal, rather than moral issue for the individual exhibitor.

Having said the above, the All Nations Cup  is certainly now a tradition around the world. It brings together friends, rivals, and competitors all drawn by a common interest in the Arabian horse. Standing ringside it was fascinating to have a up close picture of a selection of the world’s most beautiful horses. It must be stated that generally the horses appeared to handle all the excitement, music and crowd participation by not taking undue fright but there was lots of huge nostrils blowing, blood pumping clearly through raised-roadmap veins, eyes wide open, rapidly blinking, sides heaving and perspiration popping from the faces of both horses and handlers. Some handlers had difficulty keeping up with their hyper exuberant charges, the overly long leads allowed the horses to be well in front. One handler suffered a well placed, nasty kick in the leg when he fell too far behind his entrant.

Some of the horses most remembered are the demure beauties, Champion mare Loubna, aristocratically lovely and Reserve Maroutssia, stylish and elegant, both worked with grace and charm and did great credit to their breeders, owners, handlers and Nation of origin. The spectacular stallions gave the appreciative audience another chance to re think the meaning of “charismatic”.  The eye catching Imperial Baarez showed the tremendous scope of a champion but had to concede to the eventual Senior Champion stallion Eternity Ibn Navarrone D who caught your eye and held you mesmerised with his clean lines and spectacular heritage.

Kubinec, whose public felt resoundingly that this handsome and charismatic chestnut deserved more and Pesal was worth every cheer of spontaneous appreciation for his athletic ability and spectacular presence. The young stock sent a clear message of a promise for the future with the personal favourite Pianissima going Junior Champion filly. She is an exceptionally balanced, feminine bay with a refinement that set off her pretty head to perfection.

Sundos Al Nasser the Reserve Champion filly showed her smooth lines and particularly charming head, coupled with an elevated yet reachy way of going. Lady Sorrel was looked for and easily found, being a lovely chestnut showing all the correctness, type and femininity one looks for in an Arabian filly.  Nijem Ibn Eternity the Junior Champion colt bore the banner for his lovely sire and JJ Carismatico a striking individual whose vitality and presence were accompanied by good manners went Reserve Champion. The numbers of beautiful Arabian horses at Aachen did not disappoint, they were a feast for the eyes and food for the soul.  A captured memory for everyone present, whether it’s an older stallion making a final appearance or a foal making its debut.

Arabian horse shows could once be termed as the glue that helped to hold the breed together, people sticking at and working for the love of the Arabian horse. I guess love can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Certainly, attending the All Nations Cup, you will find it fast and pacy, enthralling and thought provoking. Nowadays, the jury is still out concerning the love of the breed idea. But, for three days the experience of “living life on the edge” is one I will never forget.