Some things never change, the All Nations Cup is no exception. In the run-up, there were difficulties, yes. But when Verdi's first tones of the Triumph March started to sound it all seemed as usual. Maybe some different actors in the same old scene and old acquaintances who had the same dream … winning championship honours at this prestigious show.

2019 All Nations Cup was less "show", just two days with the German National Championship on the previous. The focus was on the Arabian horse! Despite all difficulties, the ANC-Manager and VZAP-Chairman Wolfgang Eberhardt and his team kept smiling, were positive and gave 100 percent to organize another excellent All Nations Cup. "Never give up, my friend," probably this sentence of Verdi's Triumph March propelled the team – and they succeeded. Yes, some strong competitors preferred to stay at home but the spectators enjoyed superb horses and tough competitions nevertheless.

An old acquaintance – and an extremely successful one! – is HRH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid al-Nuaimi of Ajman Stud. His team garnered two Gold and a Silver championship. The bay yearling filly HDM Bella Ciao made the beginning. The show saw three competitive classes for yearling fillies with HDM Bella Ciao staying a nose ahead. Her sire is Triple Crown Winner AJ Azzam, a son of young but already influential AJ Mardan. On the female side of HDM Bella Ciao's pedigree, we find Rahafa Al Hawajer as her dam, sired by RFI Farid and out of Abby Gale LBA tracing back to the great producing Amety-B (Eternety x Amiga-B). By the way, it's the second time in a row Ajman Stud won this title. In 2018, Ajman Stud's yearling filly AJ Samara accomplished the same honours.

Silver was given to FAM Donatella (Dominic M x D Crystal Moon), bred by Morales Jordan and Federico Jose and owned by Al Jawaher Stud. The Dominic M daughter received the high-score of all yearling fillies with 92,04 points. Bronze was awarded to Ali Bin Mohammed Ali Al Ali's Adwaa Al Arab (Emerald C x HK Jojo RLC).

Ajman Stud's Shanghai EA accomplished Unanimous Gold Champion Senior Stallion. The appearance of the shimmering white stallion generated widespread enthusiasm among the spectators. He'd won his class with ease earning 93,21 points, including a full range of 20's for Type and Head. It was so great to see such a beautiful stallion and accomplished sire back in the show ring. Shanghai EA (WH Justice x Salymah EA by Khidar) is not only a multi-champion himself, winning Gold in Dubai, at the European Championships and in Aachen (as a junior) but also the sire of Triple Crown winner Excalibur EA (to name just one of many successful Shanghai offspring).

Shadi Al Khalediah (F Shamaal x Layal Al Khalediah), 2nd place of 7 – 10 yo stallions, received Silver. He is bred by Al Khalediah Stables and proudly owned by Reza Allahdahi, as far as the author knows it was the first precious metal for an Iran owned horse. Bronze was given to Atius O (Shahim Al Nakeeb x Atia Oone), bred in the USA and owned by Jas Stud. The grey stallion was 3rd behind Shadi Al Khalediah.

The Gold Champion Yearling Colt was of the second row, too: Dosar Al Sayed. The bay colt looks back on a great season so far, garnering Gold at the PSAIAHF in Saudi-Arabia and UKIAHS in the UK as well as Silver in Menton. Now he added Gold in Aachen to his collection. Bred and owned by Al Sayed Stud, Dosar Al Sayed is sired by Validoro (Polidoro FC x CR Lilly) of the Versace sire line. Dosar's dam is the well-known multiple champion mare Delight's Divah RB, by Ajman Moniscione.

Silver winning ELR Ferdinand (Morion x Fahrinna), bred by Anais El Arab (Tom Oben) and owned by Al Faisaly Stud, also was of the second row. Knocke Arabians' Jassid KA (QR Marc x Joumalia Nautiac) won the first class for yearling colts with the high score of all yearlings (92,17 points) and received Bronze.

Bred by Elkasun Arabians and owned by Al Khashab Stud, Gold Champion Junior Colt EKS Farajj looks back on a successful season, too. Earlier this year, EKS Farajj already garnered Silver in Sharjah and Dubai as well as Bronze in Menton. Through his sire Ibn Farid, EKS Farajj is a paternal grandson of RFI Farid while his Straight Egyptian bred dam EKS Bint Helwah is by Laheeb and out of Helwah AA (Al Ayad x Al Halah AA) and traces back to broodmare supreme The Vision HG.

Two years ago, HL El Ganador (HP Shakir Te x Lonco Baby Maria) accomplished Gold Champion Yearling Colt in Aachen. Now the dark dapple grey returned to the show ring and brought home Silver for his proud owner Hanaya Stud. Bronze was given to the FA El Rasheem son D Ibn Rasheem (x Angeliccah), proudly owned by Greek Mertyris Iosif – another new face among the prize winners.

The junior filly classes were very competitive with several already highly accomplished four-legged beauties. Among the competitors were 2017 World and ANC Gold winner LR Era De Excalibur, 2019 Dubai Gold winner A Vision Mi, 2019 PSAIAHF Gold winner Rshediah Al Khashab, just to name just a few examples.

It was the 2 years old AJ Portofino daughter Algamra (out of Ava Mariya) who garnered Gold for proud owner Al Sheikh Stud. Al Sayed Stud celebrated Silver with 3 years old LR Era De Excalibur (Excalibur EA x Expected Beauty RP) while Bronze was given to A Vision MI (Allegiance MI x Always Valentine MI), proudly owned by Albidayer Stud.

Spectators regarded the four senior mare classes as the major competitive threat. 30 mares, all but one over 90 points. All four class winners received more than 93 points; three classes were won by Polish bred mares plus numerous top positions. However, the Gold Champion Senior Mare again was bred and owned by Al Nasser Stud, Qatar; for the third time in a row that an Al Nasser Stud-bred mare won this prestigious title.

In 2017, Anoud Al Nasser garnered Senior Champion while Rehab Al Nasser accomplished Gold last year. The series of successes was being set forth by Maisa Al Nasser (Sinan Al Rayyan x Zenubia Al Nasser). Al Nasser Stud's owner Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani was also present on the occasion and received the trophy for his Straight Egyptian bred Maisa Al Nasser.

After the ceremony, Sheikh Nawaf said: "Under the great leadership of the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Qatar is progressing strongly, including the equestrian sport. As a competitor, we wish to represent Qatar with the best possible preparations. This fantastic result may be attributed to this work spirit. We're delighted with this achievement and will continue to work harder for more successes in the future."

The Kahil Al Shaqab daughter Alsa (out of Almeda), bred by Janow Podlaski, garnered Silver for her owner Ajman Stud. Before she received the highest score (93,83) in her class (4 – 6 yo mares b). The Michalow bred Shanghai EA daughter Wildona (out of Wilda) accomplished Bronze for her new owner Al Sheikh Stud.

Ekspulsja (Gazal Al Shaqab x Elandra) is worth mentioning, too. Bred by Michalow Stud and owned by Halsdon Arabians, the 15 years old mare won the class of 11 years old mares + with style.

Last but not least, the 2019 Lifetime Award was given to Al Lahab. The champion and champion siring Straight Egyptian stallion returned to Aachen where he gracefully received his Lifetime Award - a lovely painting by artist Katja Sauer was given to Al Lahab's proud owners Inge and Hansjürgen Friedmann.

Bred by Ariela Arabians, Al Lahab is by Laheeb out of The Vision HG. Though owned by German breeders Inge and Hansjürgen Friedmann, Al Lahab enjoyed the Italian sun as he stood at Capecci Training Center for a while. Now he will return to Friedmann's Lunzenhof in Germany.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Albidayer Stud, a championship for geldings was awarded. Gold was given to EM Polar (Lumiar Amadeus x Pepreszka). Born in 2009, he was bred by Bernard van de Putte and is owned by Teresa van Nes. Silver winning LME Raphael (Emerald J x Lavinias Design) is bred and owned by Armada Arabians while Bronze Champion El Amando (QR Marc x Emanda) was bred by Michalow and is owned by Stefanie Bovens.

Congratulations to all winners and successful competitors. We'd especially like to say thank you to all the sponsors, too, without them an event like this cannot happen. Warm thanks to the organizing All Nations Cup team, who helped make this a very memorable event. Thank you for cooperating with Arabian Horse Global Network. It is always a pleasure to visit this event which is a celebration of the Arabian horse. So, please, never give up!

Please figure out all results, lots of photos by Lore Beckers and Melanie Groger and live stream in replay on our website.