"The Daughters of the Wind" is a famous Arabian poem written in the 6th century inspired by the beauty of Bedouin horses. At the Arabian Horse Event in Bruges two "daughters of the wind" accomplished Best in Show awards; both – IS Elasca as well as Tahani Al Khaled – are epitomes of grace and beauty.

The Bruges Arabian Horse Event consists of a two-day show set in the historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Bruges. The first day of this event sees a European C-Show being held while the second day is host to a highly-acclaimed international B-Show. It's a truly international set of judges combined with a wonderful setting help to make the Bruges Arabian Horse Event a highlight on the European showing calendar. With beautiful horses, wonderful Belgian countryside and the ‘Venice of the North' within easy access, this show offers all that you could ask for in a weekend away with the Arabian horse.

At the international C-Show, a lovely yearling filly gained the title Best in Show. It is the grey Ascot DD daughter IS Elasca, proudly owned by Marianne, Dave and Laura Smith of Armada Arabians, located in Essex, UK.

IS Elasca, as the prefix of the name suggests, was bred by Ismer Stud and represents the fifth generation of wise breeding decisions. It started, when Holger Ismer decided to breed Eunizar (El Azrak x Eunice) to Zyrafa (Abu Afas x Zygota). The success of following generations was propelled by stallions like Czako, Pamour, Altis, and – finally – Ascot DD, resulting in the lovely IS Eslaca who was exported together with her dam IS Elanda to Great Britain. Nevertheless, a wonderful achievement for Ismer Stud which celebrates in 60th anniversary this year.

After winning the yearling filly class with ease, IS Elasca received Unanimous Gold Champion Junior Filly while Delicious KK (Kanz Albidayer x Vvivacious) – winner of two-year-old fillies – and Ghaaliya (SMA Magic One x Gezaana) were awarded Silver and Bronze respectively. Delicious KK and Ghaaliya are bred and owned by UK farms.

The Junior Colt Championship brought another success for a British farm when Lucciano (Santorini x AA Lavinia) accomplished Unanimous Gold Championship.

One more championship saw a unanimous decision of the judges when Michalow bred Elgazonda (Al Maraam x Elgara) received Gold Champion Senior Mare. They grey eleven years old mare is owned by Jadem Arabians, Belgium, who also bred Best in Show Amateur and Best Belgium bred horse, Magnifique J. The Emerald J daughter Magnifique J is owned by X-Treme Arabians, Belgium.

The Best Belgium horse of the international B-Show was bred by Johanna Ullström. Prideful owner Audentia Partnership celebrated the success of their fine Sharahm daughter Shirin JJ out of SF Shaklina, making Shirin JJ a granddaughter of famed champion mare and type icon ZT Sharuby.

But it was the eight years old Tahani Al Khaled who took away the award for Best in Show. A fine, feminine daughter of bay MCA Magnum Gold who inherited her chestnut colour from her dam LC Tornita (Padrons Psyche x BO Tornita).

Tahani Al Khaled, proudly bred and owned by Al Khaled Stud, Saudi-Arabia, is no newcomer to the show ring. As a yearling, Tahani Al Khaled already earned Bronze in Menton and Aachen coming back to Menton in 2013, achieving Bronze as a junior, too. When Tahani Al Khaled returned to the show ring earlier this year, the roses for Gold Champion Senior Mare at the prestigious Prince Sultan Arabian Horse Festival just suits her fine.

Arabian Horse Global Network would like to extend thanks for the excellent collaboration to Jurgen Lievrouw, Tim Dejonghe, and their organizing team. It is always a pleasure to be at the Arabian Horse Event in Bruges.

Figure out all results of the international B-Show here and the European C-Show here.