By Elena Zobova Photography: Elena Zobova

The 1m55 Grand Prix class counting towards the Longines rankings – the final qualifier of the World Cup Central European League – was very demanding. A technically challenging course set by Sweden’s Peter Lundström to select the best competitors from Central and Eastern Europe to go to the 2019 World Cup Final in Gothenburg.

Only two pairs produced clear rounds: Radoslaw Zalewski (POL) and the BWP mare Ilatina (Nabab de Reve – Cita VC B Bos Z x Carthago Z), and Wojciech Wojcianiec (POL) and KWPN stallion Naccord Melloni (Nabab de Reve - Oberlina x Acord II). In the jump-off both Wojciech and Radoslaw had one pole down but due to a much better time Wojciech was the one to take home the victory. Third came Kullo Kender (EST) and Artas with one time penalty in the first round. Fourth place went to Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski (POL) and the OS mare Chacclana (Chacco-Blue - Ramilana x Capilano), who had one pole down, but with the best time in round one. The first three places in the Central European League were occupied by Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski, Kullo Kender and Wojciech Wojcianiec respectively.
While Jaroslaw has to choose between Chacclana and Polish-bred gelding Jerico (Wieland - Jennifer x Ever For Pleasure) and Wojciech has two more qualified horses – Holsteiner gelding Cassio Melloni (Caretino - Ornelia x Cassini I) and OS stallion Chintablue (Chintan - Dociacca x Chacco-Blue) – Kullo Kender, the young rider from Estonia, will have to put all his trust in his fabulous gelding Artas. It is quite obvious that this horse did not come from nowhere!
Artas was bred and raised by Darius ČEpelė in the small Baltic country of Lithuania. His sire, Aromats, was sold from Germany to Latvia, where he became one of the most significant stallions, producing not only showjumping horses like Alfons RA (out of Fiorella x False Pass) and Auro RA (out of Vuuga x Vugat I), both successfully competing with Rein Pill under the Estonian flag, but also numerous dressage horses up to Grand Prix level. To mention but a few, such as Arums (out of Ausekle x Amulets) with Russian rider Stanislav Cherednichenko, and Arlekino (out of Glukoza x Gudvils) under the saddle of Belarussian Hanna Karasiova. Aromats offspring are well known for their character, their edurance, their all-round ability and their easiness to work...

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