We are in Abu Dhabi!

From arrival to a welcome party, then straight on to day one of the Al Shira'aa Horse Show. This is the ninth time we are hosting the Flanders Embryo Auction in the Emirates.

This time in Abu Dhabi, where we see showjumping horses competing that were auctioned here as embryos. In the seven-year-old class, Hervas FFA Z (Heartbreaker), owned by Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahya'ie and purchased in Sharjah, was one of the most promising horses.

With our eyes on the jumping arena, we also conducted an interview with Patrick De Roeck, one of our regular buyers and consignors at the auction.

Luk Van Puymbroeck and Gerald Lenaerts received a short Arabic lesson to really get into the spirit. It is striking how much riders from the Emirates know about European bloodlines and how strong their interest is in breeding and sport.

Al Shira'aa, sponsor of Bolesworth, Hickstead, Chantilly, Hamburg and the German Bundeschampionat, gives a tremendous boost to equestrian sport at home and abroad and is hosting the Flanders Embryo Auction for the fourth year in a row.

Last year saw a record-breaking edition, which challenges us to once again present a strong collection. Tomorrow, Friday 23 January, we kick off at 8:00 p.m. local time (UAE), which is 5:00 p.m. CET (Amsterdam time).

Stay tuned. If you can’t attend the auction, follow us online and register to bid.

This is your chance to get a spotted foal. Embryo J-Nius VV Z out of Jenna vt Meulenhof (Diamant de Semilly), the full sister to Emerald vt Ruytershof