Rae-Dawn Arabians 2019, published in Arabian Horse Times

“What a year!!!!”

As the year began and final preparations for the 2018 Scottsdale All-Arabian Horse Show were underway, Murray and Shirley Popplewell welcomed trainer Bruno Guiraldelli’s parents to Scottsdale from their home in Brazil. It was their first trip to America and, indeed, their very first flight. That set the stage for a memorable start to a stellar year for Rae-Dawn Arabians.

“I think that we should reflect on our last year, because it was actually one of our strongest years at the National level,” Murray states. “2018 Scottsdale was amazing for us. Along with all the other wins, winning the Junior Championship for Fillies was something that we always thought we would like to do, but we never thought we ever could do it. Having Bruno’s parents on the sidelines while Bruno won it for us with Giana Leah PCF, a filly we recently purchased, was the highlight of the Scottsdale show. This was an amazing accomplishment for Bruno as he has just been with us for a little over four years.”

Rae-Dawn’s remarkable 2018 was just getting started. Murray calls the Arabian Breeders World

Cup (ABWC) one of his favorite shows. “Not because it’s in Las Vegas,” he clarifies, “but because we get a world look into it. Judges come from all over the world and it gives you a very different perspective. It’s always a fun show. It’s only four days long and it is only halter, which makes it quick and easy. And Las Vegas isn’t a bad place to go, either.”

At the 2018 ABWC in Las Vegas, it was Murray’s turn to shine when he led homebred RD Marzella to the title of Reserve Champion AHBA Futurity 2-Year-Old Filly ATH. “It was a blast!” Meanwhile, Bruno and RD Momentum, another homebred, won their junior yearling colt section—and these were only two among numerous wins.

At that point, sights were set on the Region 7 Championships in late April, and Bruno floated an idea that resonated with Shirley and Murray. “He said to us, ‘Why don’t we see how we can do with Bey Ambition? I think it could be a good year for him.’ So, we decided to bring him out and he was the Region 7 Champion Stallion. He’s 13 years old, and he’s looking better every day.”

At the Region 2 Championships in June, Rae-Dawn kicked the year up a notch, sweeping the female Championships. RD Quianna was

crowned Region 2 Champion Yearling Filly and Madora MI was named the 2-Year-Old Champion Filly. Then, in the Saturday night finals, Bruno stepped it up with RD Marciea Bey, who was crowned Region 2 Champion Mare in a very competitive class.

In July, Rae-Dawn Arabians was a sponsor of the first Arabian horse show ever held in China, prompting an historic visit by Murray, Shirley and Bruno. They then flew directly home to their farm in Canada, where they rendezvoused with the Canadian Nationals-bound show string.

With just a six-hour drive to the show grounds in Brandon, Manitoba, the well-rested horses performed spectacularly, giving Rae-Dawn its best Canadian Nationals results ever.

Six of the eight contenders were champion or reserve: PCF Crystal Vision was the Reserve Champion Mare, RD Capriotti the Reserve Champion Futurity Colt, RD Beyanda was Champion Futurity Filly, Madora MI was Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, RD Barcello was Reserve Champion Futurity Gelding, RD Momentum the Reserve Champion Yearling Colt, and of course, Bey Ambition was named Canadian National Champion Stallion.

As Murray tells it, the Rae-Dawn string Murray & Shirley Popplewell & Bruno Guiraldelli was “cocked and loaded” in October for with 2018 Canadian National Champion Bey Ambition. the premier show of the year, the United States National Championships. Three of the nine entries were named either U.S. National Champion or Reserve and the other six each earned a strong top ten. Murray recalls the magic moments, “Giana Leah PCF, our Scottsdale junior champion, exceeded everyone’s expectations by going unanimous National Champion Yearling Filly in the open class. Then, our homebred, RD Marciea Bey, was the National Reserve Champion Junior Mare in a very tough class.

“After Bey Ambition won in Canada we decided, well, let’s take him to U.S. Nationals—nothing ventured, nothing gained! We brought the old boy out again and he surprised us. He came to the party! He had fun, and WE had fun! We bought about two hundred Bey Ambition flags and handed them out to as many people as we could, including some Brazilian trainers. We almost made a spectacle of it … we had a great time! The place was rocking! That Saturday night, on the green shavings, Bey Ambition went National Reserve Champion with Bruno at the lead behind a great stallion, Polidoro FC, led by Michael Byatt.

When you come that close to the big guys, that’s what you want to do. We had nine National titles last year. For one farm to do that, we really feel quite honored.”

Celebrating 2018 U.S. National Champion Open Yearling Filly Giana Leah PCF, bred by PCF Arabians.

As Rae-Dawn continues to flourish, the Popplewells are careful to provide the proper support for their already talented team. “We’ve added Alcides Rodrigues and his wife Margaux to our group recently.

Bruno and Alcides will share the halter duties. Besides, when you’re schooling horses, it’s always good to have someone else standing back to take a look. It takes a team. When you surround yourself with good, honest people, it certainly makes a difference. These are people that we have spotted in the industry who have morals and the winning smile. I think it comes right down to it, if you’re happy, it shows.”

When asked to name a favorite, Murray acknowledges two special horses. “RD Marciea Bey, by Bey Ambition, is The Queen of the farm. She is a horse that I put on a pedestal. And Giana Leah, who is the closest thing to perfect in my eyes. Everybody has a different eye, but in my eyes, she’s the perfect horse. I call her The Princess. We have The Queen and now we have The Princess.”

Murray and Shirley Popplewell appreciate the world of the Arabian horse. “We’re having fun,” he states.

“People think that we give back to the Arabian community, but we pay back. It’s what it does for us that is important. It keeps both of us active. We’re not giving, we’re paying back.”

With the accomplishments of 2018 to build upon, 2019 is likely to become another “year to remember” for Rae-Dawn Arabians.

Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | Halter • 2019