The Mystique Of Spirit Ranch by Theresa Cardamone

Pictured: H Bella Bellezza H | Photos by Cat McKenna

by THERESA CARDAMONE

Spirit Ranch is the physical manifestation of lifelong horsewoman Marti Moyes’ passion and creative outlook on life. More than an equestrian center or breeding farm, it is better described as an oasis, a place to enrich oneself and rejuvenate emotionally and in the physical realm. Located in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, Spirit Ranch offers “premium horsemanship, passionate hospitality, and personal healing.”

While Marti was raised around horses, she is a relative newcomer to the Arabian breed. Her search for horse property in the Phoenix area led to the purchase of a facility that had a training operation in residence. Arrangements were made for the trainer to stay on, and Marti fell in love with one of the Arabian horses in the barn. The purchase of H Bella Bellezza H in February 2021 laid the first brick in the Spirit Ranch breeding program.

An elegant, typey daughter of Da Vinci FM, from the El Nabila B daughter, Sashaa LHT, Bella’s pedigree is a tapestry of carefully woven threads of classic bloodlines that encompass the globe. She has already impacted the breeding program with her splendid 2022 filly by 2016 World Champion EKS Alihandro. “The filly, who we call Angel, is amazing,” says Marti. “From her smooth, elegant body to her perfectly dished face, we couldn’t be more pleased.”

Pictured clockwise from top le : Bint Bella Mazin GA, H Bella Bellezza H & Cassies Song, H Bella Bellezza H, Agusto GA

Later that year, Marti added Bint Bella Mazin GA, by the exotic JJ Bellagio and from the Egyptian-bred Bella Mazin, along with the Magnum Psyche daughter, Cassies Song, whose dam SR Cozette offered multiple lines to the immortal Bask. Cassie is the dam of the 2016 Youth National Reserve Champion Sport Horse JTH Mare, Karried Away SRU and five-time U.S. National Top Ten amateur Western Pleasure Khonfirmed CF.

In early 2022, Marti added the American-bred Desiree BHF (Denali BHF x Franchesca BHF), who was in foal to the fabulous Eden C, a triple-U.S. National Champion and a World Silver Champion. Desiree’s pedigree is an inspirational step back into the 80’s, with many crosses to Bey Shah anchored by the influx of Russian blood through Muscat and Nariadni. Bred to Eden C in the past, Desiree had already produced 2015 U.S. National Champion Hunter Pleasure Futurity and 2013 Top Ten Yearling Colt, Nicodemus PF, and the 2020 U.S. National Top Ten Futurity Filly, Nikita PF. It is no wonder that her 2022 colt has lived up to every expectation.

Another important part of Spirit Ranch are Marti’s two exceptional geldings, Agusto GA and Mystic Midnight PF. Agusto won his class as a stallion in Scottsdale in 2020 and is a son of D Angelo and DD Crown Jewel, the 2007 U.S. National Reserve Champion Mare AAOTH. Mystic Midnight is by the phenomenal stallion Ever After NA and out of the prolific producer Mystic Rose BHF. She is also the dam of 2020 Youth and Mid Summer National Champion ABS Yearling Colt, Mystic Emerald PF, 2019 U.S. Reserve National Champion Mare AAOTH Mystic Dream WRR, 2013 U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly, Mystic Love WRR, and six other U.S. National Top Ten winners!

Marti Moyes clearly has an eye for quality in all that she holds close. And that includes the people who gravitate into the Spirit Ranch experience. Currently, Marti is in the process of earning the credentials that will allow her to grow her services to include Equine Therapy beginning next summer. To accomplish that goal, she is keeping an eye out for a larger property elsewhere in the Valley. Marti is confident that her program will draw an exceptional community of people who are as passionate about life and the Arabian horse as she is.