Radman *AJ
AJ Mardan x AJ Rahifa
GOLD SUPREME CHAMPION SENIOR STALLION CHAMPION SENIOR STALLION 6-7 YEARS OF AGE Presented by Rodolfo Guzzo Proudly Bred & Owned by Ajman Stud Represented by Royal Arabians | info@RoyalArabians | www.RoyalArabians.com PLAY VIDEO
Jude
ALJASSIMYA WH Justice x Toscana PGA
HIGH SCORE OF THE SHOW GOLD SUPREME CHAMPION SENIOR MARE CHAMPION SENIOR MARE 8 & OVER Presented by Rodolfo Guzzo Proudly Bred by Aljassimya Stud | Owned by Royal Arabians Cindy McGown & Mark Davis | info@RoyalArabians | www.RoyalArabians.com PLAY VIDEO
StardomSky *Dominic M x OFW Jewel Of Marwan
GOLD SUPREME CHAMPION YEARLING COLT Presented by Rodolfo Guzzo
Proudly Bred & Owned by Desert Sky Arabians | www.DesertSkyArabians.com Represented by Royal Arabians | info@RoyalArabians | www.RoyalArabians.com PLAY VIDEO
Emerging Victorious:
Aspire Arabians by THERESA CARDAMONE
Ivan and Sheryl Osorio’s aspiration to breed and show world-class Arabian horses was the inspiration for Aspire Arabians. From the purchase of their first mare in late 2015, their passion for horses and dedication to learning both
the intricacies of the Arabian horse industry and the science of breeding has catapulted Aspire to elite status. That first mare, the Afire Bey V daughter
Flirtacious Fire PF, earned the farm its first U.S. National Championship in 2017 in Ladies Side Saddle English.
Sheryl recalls poring over Ivan’s issues of Arabian magazines with him many
years earlier, waiting for the time when they could turn their attention from career-building to horse ownership. As Ivan approached his retirement, Sheryl
started taking riding lessons at Sharon and Glen True’s nearby Glass Farm. Their initial focus on the performance end of the Arabian business led to visits
to the Nationals and meeting and gleaning information from a plethora of knowledgeable horse people. Ivan especially credits Tim Shea and Chris Wilson for generously sharing their accumulated wisdom about performance horses.
In 2018, Ivan turned his attention to the halter division, fascinated with
pedigree research and the creativity of breeding. He and Sheryl continued to ask
questions of everyone they met. “Our name describes our intent,” Ivan explains. “We don’t know as much as many others, but we aspire to learn more every day. We talk to people who are knowledgeable about the Arabian horse.” Sheryl
adds, “We feel it is important for there to be a balance of beauty and movement. Greg Gallún suggested we take the judge’s course to learn correct conformation
and what judges are looking for, which gave us a good foundation. We also took
a workshop with Cindy Reich and got great advice from our Florida neighbors, George Zbyszewski and Frank Hennessey.”
Aria La Croixx enters the ring grandly at the ABWC (below), and both colts enjoy their winner’s circle moment (right).
After hearing of the wonderful opportunity to lease fantastic
broodmares from Hennessey’s, Ivan knew where to look to get the
right cross for a breeding to Emerald J (QR Marc x Emandoria).
“The secret to linebreeding is to use a very strong female line,” George Z informs. “When Ivan asked if I would recommend H Embrace H (Besson Carol x Embra), I said it was a perfect choice because she shares the same great “E” dam line as Emerald J.” The
resulting colt, Ernando AA, was exceptional from the day he was born, and Sheryl and Ivan were careful to place him in trusted
hands to see how he developed. “We are very sensitive about the
Ernando AA
well-being of the horses,” Ivan explains. “We want our horses treated humanely, and Andy Sellman has both the skill and the understanding.”
They soon found out their trust in Andy was well placed. To their great joy, Ernando was named the
2021 Scottsdale International Champion Yearling
Colt in his show debut. He followed that by winning the Silver Supreme Champion honors at the 2021 Arabian Breeders World Cup and the U.S. Reserve National Champion Yearling Colt title at the Mid
Summer/Youth Nationals. Then, in February 2022, Ernando became the Scottsdale International Gold
Champion Stallion Junior Stallion. As their first homebred representative, Ernando’s weighty victories
have elevated the young Aspire Arabians breeding program to the industry’s highest level.
Meanwhile, Andy became aware of an opportunity to
purchase another colt born in 2020, Aria La Croixx (Delacroixx x La Belle Shawan HVP). He had earned
the Champion ABS Yearling Colt title at the 2021 Mid Summer/Youth Nationals. After debating the wisdom of campaigning two top contenders of the
same age, Ivan and Sheryl decided La Croixx was too good to pass up, and they made the purchase. They
opted to enter both colts in the Arabian Breeders
World Cup because, under its European system, horses are presented individually, allowing Andy to show them both himself. They arranged for Ted
Carson to handle one, should both colts advance to the championship. And it was a good thing they
did! Aria La Croixx was the unanimous choice of the six judges as 2022 ABWC Gold Supreme
Champion Junior Stallion, while Ernando AA was the unanimous Silver Supreme Champion!
Sheryl was elated to witness their
success. “It was an unbelievable thrill, and we look forward to what they will do in the future,” she says. “We recently
bought a 140-acre farm in Ocala, so our
immediate plans are to get that up and running and continue to breed beautiful
horses that can move.” Adds Ivan, “We are interested in seeing what both colts will do under saddle. We believe Andy
has earned a say in their future, and he
will help us decide when to start them.” “Those boys have a big future!” Andy offers. “We talked with a top performance trainer about the timing
for getting them both broke to ride. But they are both eligible for the new Futurity for two-year-olds at the
Nationals, and I think they could win
Aria La Croixx
most of the $100,000 prize money!
They may breed a couple of mares, and there are fun times ahead in the
Three-Year-Old Futurity the following year. Ivan and Sheryl are
a pleasure to work for. They are smart, authentic, and modest and always try to be objective and learn more. It’s a drama-free relationship where everything is out on the table.”
George Z couldn’t agree more. “The Osorios are the best kind
of people. They are level-headed and dedicated and can have
intelligent conversations about bloodlines and the horse business. I am delighted to be a factor in their learning process and expect that Aspire Arabians will have great success in the future.”■
Proud Owners of ABWC UNANIMOUS GOLD & SILVER SUPREME CHAMPION JUNIOR STALLIONS
Delacroixx x La Belle Shawan HVP
Emerald J x H Embrace H
ARIA LACROIXX | ABWC Gold Supreme Champion Junior Stallion Champion Junior Colt 2 Years of Age, Bred by El Shawan Legacy Partners
Training Center
Proudly Owned by ASPIRE ARABIANS, LLC Represented by Orrion Farms Training Center 715.760.2466 | www.OrrionFarms.com
ERNANDO AA | ABWC Silver Supreme Champion Junior Stallion Reserve Champion Junior Colt 2 Years of Age Scottsdale International Gold Champion Junior Stallion Bred by Aspire Arabians, LLC
Jemina FH
Eminence PS x FH Jadore
BRONZE SUPREME CHAMPION SENIOR MARE FIRST PLACE SENIOR 6-7 YEAR OLD MARE BODY & TOPLINE HIGH SCORE OF THE SHOW Presented by Andrew Sellman Bred by John Michael Vosburgh Proudly Owned by PCF Arabians Sam Peacemaker 480-963-5222
*Halyr Meia Lua VO L UM
E 52 ,
NO
. 7 | $2 2
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MarcieaBey RD
Bey Ambition x RD Marciena
BRONZE SUPREME CHAMPION MARE/FILLY ATH Presented by Murray Popplewell
Proudly Bred and Owned by Rae-Dawn Arabians Murray & Shirley Popplewell | Alcides Rodrigues, trainer Saskatoon, Canada & Scottsdale, AZ, U.S.A. | RaeDawnArabians.com
Photo by Lysa Roman
BellaSorpressa JR
Exxalt x Impressa MI
SILVER SUPREME YEARLING FILLY Presented by Lucho Guimaraes Proudly Bred & Owned by Jr’s Dream Arabians Joanne Gunabalan | www.jrsdreamarabians.com Lucho Guimaraes, trainer luchoguimaraesarabians.com
BellaSorpressa...
JR
“Once we arrived in Michigan, Joanne took us straight to the barn to visit the new baby,” recalls Lucho. “We all couldn’t believe what we were looking at! I knew right then and there I was looking at one of the most beautiful babies I had seen in my career, and I told Joanne that this baby was going to be a big-time horse for her program and for the industry.” Serendipitous as it was, there could be no other name for the newborn beauty by Exxalt. And so, she was christened JR Bella Sorpressa, Italian for “a beautiful surprise.” The name fit perfectly. And Lucho’s prediction last April would prove to be correct. In February, JR Bella Sorpressa was a crowd favorite at the Scottsdale show, winning the International Supreme Bronze Champion Yearling Filly title, followed by another major title at the Arabian Breeders World Cup where she was named Silver Supreme Champion. According to Lucho, “She created quite the stir, winning the hearts of many owners and breeders attending that show.” The young Bella is the result of Joanne’s careful study of pedigrees and conversations with knowledgeable people in the industry. Joanne and her husband, Ram, run a small boutique breeding program, breeding one to five mares a year. Their original partnership of Impressa with Jeff Sloan quickly led to the Gunabalans purchasing her outright. Upon meeting the mare’s breeder, Greg, Julie and Jane Farrell of Mulawa International in Australia, they became fast friends, which led to the purchase of the amazing stallion Kavalle MI (pronounced Ka-vall). From this stallion alone, they’ve produced three Canadian National Champion Futurity Colts in a row (the first time ever), with JR Savall (in 2019), JR Francois (2020), and JR Jon Pierre (2021); and the 2021 Mid Summer National Champion Arabian 2-Year-Old Filly JR Frangelica. All are out of another dynamic foundation mare and AHT Dam of Excellence, JR Francesca (Marwan Al Shaqab x Valori TRF), with the exception of JR Savalle (x Serena SWF). In addition to producing champion title holders JR Redmond, JR Diamond Girl and JR Magicman, they and the young Bella serve as a reflection of Joanne’s belief in
her dam since the beginning. She remains steadfast in her commitment to keep her as one of the cornerstones to her breeding program. “Impressa is just a lovely mare who passes on her quality to her offspring,” she says. Lucho agrees. “Joanne has always believed in Impressa MI. Though many have tried to buy her, that’s one she was never able to part with. Maybe Bella is a gift of gratitude for Joanne’s belief in her.” Impressa MI is currently 30 days back in foal to Exxalt once again, and Joanne is excited about the prospect of another beautiful baby—just maybe not a surprise this time.
coverage ABWC
Photos by Ashlyn Coleal, Meaghan Estes & Teana Long | Photos sponsored by Royal Arabians
Event photos available to view and purchase at: ahtimes.com/photos
ABWC
coverage
open house and presentation RAE-DAWN ARABIANS Following a day of exquisite mares and fillies, event goers were treated to a Friday evening filled with amazing food and entertainment hosted by Murray and Shirley Popplewell. Once again, they opened their doors to an admiring audience ready to continue their appreciation of incredible Arabian horses and shared camaraderie. Known for their welcoming personalities, the huge crowd was not disappointed.
presentation and luncheon GRK FARMS STALLION
The sun kissed Saturday afternoon and lunch break were a perfect time for GRK Farms’ presentation of JR Francois on the show grounds. Attendees were provided a buffet of easy-to-go tacos in order to devote their attention to this national champion. If being by the Gazal Al Shaqab son Kavalle MI, and Marwan Al Shaqab daughter JR Francesca were not enough, champions abound in this stallion’s pedigree with legendary produces the likes of Bey Shah, Padrons Psyche, Versace and DA Valentino. This 5-year-old is now showing his own promise, passing on his proven genetics to the next generation of superstars. With deep appreciation, GRK Farms thanks those who purchased breedings to JR Francois during the show.
Avalon Photo
After wrapping up the day witnessing striking colts and stallions, Royal Arabians changed up the theme Saturday evening with an intimate setting and auction of embryo right to some of the finest mares in the world. Incredible food and entertainment accompanied the opportunity for breeders to take their programs to the next level by purchasing future prospects not otherwise offered to the public. Also present was the chance to bid on a breeding to the stallion sensation of the year, AJ Radman, whose book is closed for 2022. His winning bid of $50,000 was donated by Ajman Stud to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Bidders from all over the world were awarded handsomely for their pursuit of perfection with future beauties of the breed.
grand opening and presentation ORRION FARMS “One of the most amazing events I have ever attended.” “Everything was first class and so welcoming to all.” “The new facility is like a luxury hotel for horses!” There was no better way to end the day of championship classes and the show, than to spend a Sunday evening with Orrion Farms at their new training showroom in Scottsdale. Everyone was anxious to arrive and see the amazing facility and its horses. A presentation of their stallions, along with good food, good drinks and good company, all came together to put a period to the end of a celebratory weekend of passion and love for the Arabian horse.