Excalibur EA - A look back.

With the start of the Arabian Show Season in the United Arab Emirates, we take a look back at one of the Iconic Stallions! Excalibur EA, who was stabled in the UAE with Al Hawajer Stud back in 2017. The Arabian season starts today with the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival and the following auction in the coming weeks.

Early Year

Bred by Albert Sorroca of Equus Arabians in Spain, who also bred both of his parents, Excalibur EA had a successful early show career under Ted Carson in the US and included US National Champion Yearling Colt and Arabian Breeders World Cup Silver Champion Colt in Las Vegas. In 2012 he was spotted by Olivia Strauch, Farm Manager to Princess Laetitia d'Arenberg of Estancia Las Rosas and was duly purchased as a herd sire. He spent 2013 growing up in the incredible surroundings of Estancia Las Rosas in Uruguay, left to play and breed a number of mares. During that time, Olivia discovered that Excalibur was truly out of the ordinary. The opinion was sought, the Princess was approached and the decision was made. Excalibur was good enough to take to Europe.

Europe

The Colt made his way to Europe to continue competing. Despite several successes, no one had predicted the outcome of Aachen. Excalibur EA received the highest score ever recorded at an ECAHO (European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations) show with a total of 95.33, on his way to securing All Nations Cup Unanimous Gold Champion Junior Stallion with trainers and handler Tom Schoukens.

Excalibur EA continued to conquer Europe and completed the 2014 season with wins at the European Championships ultimately earning the prestigious European Triple Crown Honours.

UAE

The relationship between Estancia Las Rosas and Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri's Al Hawajer Stud had been growing in strength to strength and similarities for several years with the use of broodmares and a lease agreement that they already had in place for stallion Dominic M (Da Vinci FM x La Rosa Valentina). It took a lot of convincing to get them on board with the idea of leasing Excalibur EA. Excalibur EA had many breeding commitments across Europe and it was a huge risk to send him into Senior Classes for the first time considering his success as a junior. On the insistence of Manager, Rebecca Wendon's discussions ensued. Eventually, a plan came together and the five-month, 2 UAE Show Lease was agreed. During this time with Al Hawajer Stud, Excalibur EA would have access to the fantastic selection of mare not only advancing breeding programs at the stud but ultimately the availability of great breeding stock to the Arabian community across the UAE.

With Tom Oben, one of the top trainers in Europe and the Middle East, Excalibur EA took on challengers under the Al Hawajer Stud banner and didn't disappoint. At the Abu Dhabi International Championships winning highest points of the show and Unanimous Gold Champion Stallion and at the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships (considered the same level as the World Championships in Paris) again as highest scoring horse of the show and Gold Champion Stallion, as first at this event with handler Tom.

Future

The five-month lease came to a close in the UAE in that May. Excalibur is very much missed in the United Arab Emirates, he did a great job in raising the profile of Al Hawajer Stud, owned by Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri and managed by Rebecca Wendon, who till this day support the Arabian Community with top-class Arabians and an exceptional reproduction clinic.

The ultimate close to this season will be the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships, held at the Trade Center in Dubai from the 12th - 13th March 2020... Where you can see some of the most exquisite Arabians in the world!!

We hope to see you in attendance