PIANISSIMA, bay mare, *2003 (Gazal Al Shaqab/Pianosa). Owner and Breeder: Janow Podlaski State Stud. Strain: Not recorded, family of Szamrajowka (ca. 1810).
On August 12th 2012 Poland’s WAHO Trophy was awarded to one of the most famous Arabian mares of all time: Janow Podlaski Stud’s incomparable Pianissima. She is the only mare in the history of the breed to be named twice European Triple Crown winner, first as a Junior and then again as a Senior (All Nations Cup, European Championship, and World Championship). She has also won both the Polish National Junior and Senior Champion Mare titles, as well as the Best In Show titles in both Junior and Senior categories on her home turf. During her show career, Pianissima has travelled the world to take the titles of US National Junior Champion Mare, Al Khalediah Senior Champion Mare in Riyadh and Dubai Senior Champion Mare in the United Arab Emirates. Every Championships title she has won has been by unanimous decision of all the judges.
The Trophy presentation ceremony took place in front of a large and appreciative international audience on the occasion of the Polish National Championships. The Trophy was presented jointly by Mrs. Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka and Mr. Peter Pond, WAHO Executive Committee Member and Vice President respectively. Dr. Marek Trela walked Pianissima round the ring as she bid a dignified last farewell to the audience in what was announced as her last ever public appearance in a show ring. Already the dam of several excellent foals, this exceptional mare now moves into the quieter but hopefully equally rewarding stage of her life – as a treasured broodmare in the familiar peaceful surroundings and extensive pastures at her home stud.
Pianissima particularly enjoys bananas as her special treat and who knows, maybe her foals will inherit not only her beauty and charisma, but also her taste for bananas!
Photo of Pianissima
L-R: Mrs. Krystyna Karaszewska; Mrs. Nancy Gallun; Mr. Feliks Klimczak, President of the Polish Jockey Club; Mrs. Anna Stefaniuk; Mrs. Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka, WAHO Executive Committee member; (behind Mrs. Zawadzka, obscured, is handler Mr. Pawel Kozikowski); Dr. Marek Trela; Mr. Peter Pond, WAHO Vice-President who presented the Trophy; Mr. Greg Gallun and Miss Johanna Ulstromm
