WINTER ISSUE & SPECIAL MIDDLE EAST 2020/2021

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WINTER ISSUE & SPECIAL MIDDLE EAST 2020/2021 DEAR BREEDERS AND LOVERS OF THE ARABIAN HORSE, Year 2020 will always be remembered as the year of pandemic, of the so-called Covid-19 coronavirus.

The economic impact has been disruptive from all points of view and its ripple effects have been acutely felt in all segments of the Arabian horse industry.

Virtually all sectors have been negatively influenced by the current global health crisis.

Confinement and restrictive measures policies have led to the cancellation of many Arabian horse shows or the postponement of others to later dates. Horse breeding, sales and other ancillary businesses have been similarly affected as they were only permitted under extraordinary

and success will only be achieved if we stay united and keep cooperating with one another in the best available conditions.

We are well aware that adapting to the future may be not easy; it will require us to combine the ‘new’ ways (limited numbers of participants at shows, fast Covid swabs or serological tests, masks, pocket sanitizers, etc.) with the ‘old’ ways of living and working. But, if we are receptive it may not be too hard.

We hope we all carry with us the positive achievements and acts of kindness we have heard of and witnessed during this time. Because our actions really DO matter.

We hope we appreciate way more travelling, both near and far, for all of the ways it enriches our lives. We hope

and reduced circumstances. This has resulted in layoffs or furloughing of workers who would otherwise be employed at barns, training centres, shows, sales, etc.

Yet, and amidst all these upheavals, the Arabian horse industry has come closer through technology to find ‘new’ ways to keep farms going and the community engaged. It is truly impressive the number of initiatives that have been taken by insiders in these Covid-19 times.

There have been webinars and online educational activities by which breeding knowledge has kept being disseminated across the world.

There have been the online horse shows, the online promotions, the videos, the photos contests, the online auctions, but also a multitude of actions of solidarity and support. To put in another way, there has been felt a sense of, and strong desire for, togetherness inside this community. And it is this spirit of global togetherness and camaraderie that must give us hope and keep us going.

In this time of crisis, we are all neighbours in the world,

more people choose to spend money on ‘experiences’ rather than ‘things’ after having felt the void of being isolated with all of our belongings.

We hope that when this all passes, we appreciate how technology has allowed us to remain connected to each other, but we have also realized that it is NO replacement for personal connection.

When this is all said and done, let’s continue to love and support this wonderful God given creature, the Arabian horse. Let’s choose to trust each other even more in these hard times as trust brings joy. Lastly, let’s take a few minutes to relax every day. So many beautiful articles have been included for you inside the 2021 Winter edition.

We wish they would bring you some carefree, cheerful moments on the coldest days of the year. Despite the difficult economic times, stay strong friends!

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editor

Arabian Horse Magazine Team

Editor/Publisher/Art Director GIANLUCA MARTINO Publisher/Public relations NOËMIE ZELLER Photographer/Graphic Designer GREGOR AYMAR Writers SONJA SMALDONE DOMENICO TOCCHI NAKASHEN VALAITHAM Technical Counselor WILLIAM RICHARDOT DE CHOISEY Graphic Designer NAZARIO BIZZOCO Official Photographers PAOLA DRERA ALESSIO AZZALI

riale Translations

SONJA SMALDONE Account

GIANLUCA MARTINO NOËMIE ZELLER

DEBORA MARTINO Print

ARABIAN VIBE - SALERNO Adv/Redaction ARABIAN VIBE mobile: +39 335 8262907 info@arabianhorsemagazine.it www.arabianhorsemagazine.it

Cover: ARRAAB ALJASSIMYA Owned by: Al Jassimya Farm

CONTACT FOR ITALY N. 406/016 - N. 1844/16 Direttore Responsabile: Oreste Mottola Iscritto al Registro della Stampa Periodica presso il Tribunale di Salerno il 15/12/2003 al numero 1158 Edito da: vibe arabians via irno 175, - 84133 Salerno iscritta al tribunale di salerno in data 18/02/2016

Arabian Horse Magazine non risponde della veridicità e dei contenuti dei testi pubblicitari.

Gianluca Martino - Publisher/ Public relations/ Art Director Ph: +39 335 82 62 907 - email: info@arabianhorsemagazine.it

CONTACT FOR EUROPE, US, MIDDLE EAST NOEMIE ZELLER - Publisher/ Public relations/ Photographer Ph: +41 764 12 00 93 - email: noemiezeller@icloud.com

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INDEX Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone

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rrion Farms is a sprawling property of over 150 acres located 90 minutes from Seattle in Ellensburg, Washington. The Farm is unique in every element - from the word-class equestrian centre to the natural beauty of the Cascade Mountains and the regal backdrop of Manastash Ridge. Founded in 1984 by Harold Orr and his wife Dolly, Orrion Farms has been a true landmark in the international Arabian horse world ever since.

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In 2016, Steve and Christina Poore took their place in the farm’s next chapter with a commitment to continue the Orrion Farms legacy in their own reimagined way, directed by Doug Leadley. And in 2020 they took Orrion Farms to the next level by purchasing a second location in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The second location will serve as the training facility where OFW and client horses will excel

Orrion Farms

Hello Francesca. Just to set the scene with our readers, will you please give me some background to you, your family and education?

My name is Francesca Aragno. I was born on a old farm located in a small rural village, surrounded by the love of my family and my animals. We did not used to be a ‘normal’ family at all…

I am the youngest of the family, I have got an older sister and brother, and a half sister too. We grew up with three simple values: respect, love and honesty.

I spent my childhood on the farm, playing with my dogs and my horses. Either in summer or winter, there was no one day I wouldn’t spend in the natural surroundings.

It was like a new challenge and a new adventure was waiting for me every day. Dad once came back home and he found me standing with a whip around the walker where I was training all my six dogs.

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When and where did you first meet an Arabian horse? Who was he/she?

I was born into the Arabian horse world and I inherited this passion from my father, Dr. Gianmarco Aragno.

When I was a child, he used to breed a lot and then we turned into the Arabian horses races.

Dad would wake up early in the morning, he would prepare the truck, he would unload the horses and would leave for the race.

For several years, he has been the best race trainer all around Italy and Europe, at a time when the races were so many and the horses to train too.

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Orrion Farms

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Portrait of a Show-Interviewer Francesca Aragno

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A Gift of Love

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Woody Arabians

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Portrait of a Belgian Judge Helen Hennekens-Van Nes

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Trapani Cup

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Riding Couple Diego & Anna Zoppellaro

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Italian Nationals 2020

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Francesca Aragno

A Gift of Love Words by Beth Ellen Hunziker, photos by Beth Ellen Hunziker, Elvis Giughera, Ferdinand Huemer, Gigi Grasso painting by Karina Peacemaker

This is a story of new love and enduring passion, of family and friendships, of wishes and dreams. It is a story of a very special Arabian mare who, like the sun, is at the center of it all - her name is Batistah - and this is how she became a gift of love...

On a soft spring morning, friends gathered at La Movida Arabians to share their grand passion for Arabian horses. As small groups mingled here and there, they spoke in hushed tones, as the hour was still early.

They were waiting for their host, Ferdinand Huemer, to announce the beginning of an informal presentation of some of his farm’s mares with their young foals at side. While they waited, guests were free to roam the spotless aisleways of the charming stables.

One of the stables was empty except for two visitors who stood at opposite ends of the aisleway, each in their own world. The first person, an older woman, was enjoying the solitude of the stable and the soft sounds of the horses munching their breakfast hay.

She noticed but did not look up at the young boy who entered the stable and walked to the first box. She wanted him to be able to enjoy the sweet solitude as well.

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The woman’s view of the young boy, who was no more than eight or nine-years-old, was unobstructed. She pretended to not notice how he shyly stood in front of the box reading the engraved name plate. He stepped closer and ran his fingers over it. He looked at it with intensity, perhaps trying to understand the pronunciation. He bent down and selected a carrot from a basket by the box and held it behind his back. He stepped closer and standing on tiptoe; looked over the wall at the big, bay mare whose back was to him. He made a small sound to get her attention - nothing. He tried again. This time the mare heard him. She turned to face him and stood for a minute with her attention focused on him. The boy made more little sounds, coaxing the mare to him. She finally cooperated and as she reached the box door, she extended her head toward the boy who was so overwhelmed at her nearness, he took several steps back. And so, they met.

A Gift Of Love

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Portrait of an Italian Handler Andrea Boscarino

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SEWC 2020

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Elegantica Training Center

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rom 10th to 11th October, A.N.I.C.A. (Italian National Association of the Arabian Horse) celebrated the 34th Anniversary of the Italian Nationals 2020 at the well-known ‘Horses Riviera Resort’ showground located in San Giovanni in Marignano, nearby Cattolica, in the province of Rimini.

In compliance with preventive guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health with regard to Covid-19, A.N.I.C.A. took serious steps to develop a management protocol designed to meet the various needs, both operational and regulatory, so as to guarantee the safety of both visitors and exhibitors, and to minimize any possible chance of transmission.

The covered area inside the Horses Riviera Resort was allowed to accommodate a maximum of 200 people, but everyone was required to communicate in advance their presence to A.N.I.C.A. Secretariat by filling an appropriate booking form.

130 Purebred Arabian horses, divided into 12 preliminary categories by sex and age, and strictly born and bred in Italy by Italian bree-

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al 10 all’11 ottobre 2020, l’A.N.I.C.A. (Associazione Nazionale Italiana del Cavallo Arabo) ha festeggiato il 34° Anniversario del Campionato Nazionale Italiano, presso le rodate strutture dell’Horses Riviera Resort di San Giovanni in Marignano, vicino Cattolica, in provincia di Rimini.

Nell’ottica di garantire la sicurezza dei visitatori e degli espositori, e per minimizzare al massimo ogni possibile occasione di contagio, A.N.I.C.A. si è attivata al fine di sviluppare un protocollo di gestione pensato per far fronte alle diverse esigenze, sia operative che normative attenendosi alle linee guida di prevenzione indicate dal Ministero della Salute, necessarie ad elevare il livello di safety dei fruitori dei servizi.

L’area coperta all’interno dell’Horses Riviera Resort, ha potuto ospitare un massimo di 200 persone, ma a tutti i partecipanti è stato richiesto di comunicare anticipatamente alla Segreteria A.N.I.C.A. la propria presenza compilando l’apposito modulo di prenotazione.

130 i cavalli arabi purosangue partecipanti all’evento di morfologia, divisi in

Italian Nationals 2020

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WRITTEN BY SONIA SMALDONE - Photos by PAOLA DRERA

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Riding Model - Shelly Denise

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Written by Sonia Smaldone - Photos by Paola Drera

t the eightieth edition of the Straight Egyptian World Championship Arabian Horse Show, held from 17th to 18th October at MVR Palashow Jumpers, in Vermezzo, just outside Milan, luxury came back again to play a central role in lending its name to the competition conceived by Mrs. Barbara Morali, CEO at Morali Group & C. This was a very important morphology event exclusively reserved for Straight Egyptian Arabian horses, the noblest and rarest horse breed, which today represent only the 4% of the Arabian Horses worldwide.

Located 15 km from the centre of Milan and close to main highways, the MVR Palashow Jumpers facilities offered a comfortable stay for both horses and their companions with first-class services ready to meet the needs of all participants in the show - breeders and spectators alike – while fully respecting anti-Covid-19 regulations.

As an exceptional sponsor of the eightieth edition, the 5-star Al Waab Farm owned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Member of the Qatari Royal Family. In Italy, Sheikh has become particularly famous for the acquisition of the Maison Valentino.

Main Sponsors also included: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (UAE); Halsdon Arabians (UK); Al Shiraa Arabians (UAE); Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (USA)

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ll’ottava edizione dello Straight Egyptian World Championship Arabian Horse Show, tenutosi dal 17 al 18 ottobre al MVR Palashow Jumpers di Vermezzo, alle porte di Milano, il lusso è tornato ad associare il proprio nome alla competizione ideata da Barbara Morali, Presidentessa del Gruppo Morali & C., un evento di morfologia molto importante focalizzato esclusivamente sui cavalli arabi di linea egiziana, i quali costituiscono solo il 4% circa dei Cavalli Arabi in tutto il mondo, rappresentando la razza equestre più nobile e rara.

Situato a 15 km dal centro di Milano e vicino alle principali autostrade, il maneggio di Vermezzo ha offerto una sistemazione sicura e confortevole ai cavalli e ai loro accompagnatori, con servizi di prima classe pronti a soddisfare tutte le esigenze dei partecipanti allo spettacolo, allevatori e spettatori, nonché il pieno rispetto delle norme anti-Covid-19.

Sponsor d’eccezione di questa ottava edizione, l’importante allevamento Al Waab Farm di proprietà dello Sceicco Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Membro della Famiglia Reale del Qatar, celebre in Italia per l’acquisizione, tralaltro, della Maison Valentino. Tra i principali Sponsor sono da annoverare anche: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (UAE); Halsdon Arabians (UK); Al Shiraa Arabians (UAE); Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (USA) and Hanaya Arabian Stud (Switzer-

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Portrait of an Italian Photographer Sunita Sassudelli “Arabian horses have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart” …

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The Lady of The Bronze J. Anne Butler

WHO IS SHELLY DENISE? PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, WHERE YOU ARE FROM AND YOUR FAMILY. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so.

Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end…

I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point.

HOW AND WHEN WERE YOU DISCOVERED AS A MODEL? DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO PURSUE MODELLING? I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica

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Painting Art Bernard De Claviere D’Hust

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Giacomo Capacci Arabians

Riding Model

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Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone

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rrion Farms is a sprawling property of over 150 acres located 90 minutes from Seattle in Ellensburg, Washington. The Farm is unique in every element - from the world-class equestrian centre to the natural beauty of the Cascade Mountains and the regal backdrop of Manastash Ridge. Founded in 1984 by Harold Orr and his wife Dolly, Orrion Farms has been a true landmark in the international Arabian horse world ever since.

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In 2016, Steve and Christina Poore took their place in the farm’s next chapter with a commitment to continue the Orrion Farms legacy in their own reimagined way, directed by Doug Leadley. And in 2020 they took Orrion Farms to the next level by purchasing a second location in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The second location will serve as the training facility where OFW and client horses will excel

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El Rey Magnum RCF (Basilio CS × Cirque Du Soleil BF)

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What made you prefer the Arabian breed to all the other breeds? Which bloodlines are mostly bred at Orrion Farms?

As we are both from Texas, horses were in some form or fashion always preHello Steve, hello sent in our lives. It Christina. Thank you very much for accepwasn’t until we were looking to purchase ting our interview. a vacation home in Let’s start from the Ellensburg, WA that very beginning. we discovered the Please, introduce yourself to our reaArabian horse. Their majestic presence ders. Give us some and the bond they background to you, your family and eduso easily form with Queen Ayda FWM (FA EL Shawan × TN Mariani) humans made them very cation. attractive to us. Prior to We were both born and raised in the great state of Texas. We now reside us purchasing the farm, OFW was most widely known for Dark Victory and his lovely daughters in Washington and that is where our love affair with the Arabian horse began. that still today prove to be wonderful producers!

Today we have included many domestic and alongside the top horsemanship and guidance of trainer and Scottsdale director Andrew Sellman.

They were very pleased to tell me more about it in the following interview…

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international bloodlines in our program from Marwan Al Shaqab and Kanz Albidayer to the Sundance Kid V son, PA Kid Khan. We also have a deep rooted love for DA Valentino and his daughters. We recently acquired all available frozen semen for the since passed legend and we look forward to the future success that provides to our program!

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What does the word ‘breeding’ mean to you?

What specific qualities or skills do you need to become a good breeder?

As breeders it is important to keep a long term goal in mind. We are looking not just to the next horse show or even the next foals coming, but into the next decade and how we plan to improve our herd for the betterment of the Arabian horse industry as a whole.

Lulu Marajj (Marajj X Silhouette FF)

What’s your philosophy? And your breeding strategy?

We like to place our focus on a beautiful collection of mares, bringing in the stallions that we feel will cross most successfully with each mare.

Who is/are the most important breeding stallion(s) at Orrion Farms at the moment? Why?

Currently we are using DA Valentino as a wonderful cross to our mares as well as our stallion EL Rey Magnum RCF who is proving to pass along his incredible Arabian type. For the 2021 season we are also very excited to be welcoming a handful of foals sired by Dominic M, our most recent acquisition, who seems to be one of the hottest up and coming sires.

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Which of your mares are you mainly using to improve or evolve your breeding program?

They all play a vital role in our program, it is not possible to choose just one. Each mare possesses qualities that we hope to

How do you tackle the concepts of ‘beauty’ and ‘functional correctness’ in our modern day Arabians?

We strive for the full package! It is important that an Arabian horse is complete in all aspects.

pass along to the next generation. This is why we spend hours as a collective team choosing the proper sire for each mare.

It is important to us that our horses all have a full and happy life, many with venture into the performance world (some already are) and they need to be conformationally correct and athletic to succeed here.

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Where did your passion for morphology competitions arise from? Please, outline some of the most important victories in the show environment so far.

From the breeding barn to the show arena, we value all aspects of this sport. We have been fortunate from the start to be surrounded with wonderful and knowledgeable people guiding our program to the top. Our first US Nationals was an amazing example of this start, Orrion Farms took home the Senior Mare, Junior Mare and Yearling Filly Championships in 2017. Since then we have moved on to win many more titles and gain many more beautiful memories!

What are the objectives you would like your breeding program to reach in the future?

For us the ultimate goal is to produce top Arabian horses in all aspects – beauty, conformation, athleticism and disposition. It is a

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goal that continues to evolve as our industry evolves. Together with the collective vision and knowledge of the Orrion Farms Team we plan to push the limits of greatness one foal crop at a time.

Will you please leave a final message to the readers of AHM? The Arabian horse has become a staple aspect of the Orrion Farms Family. So, we invite you to join us on this journey!

Thanks a lot for your contribution. It was an honor to talk to you. May the Arabian horse cast a spell on us and bring us together forever and ever!

@orrionfarms

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Hello Francesca. Just to set the scene with our readers, will you please give me some background to you, your family and education?

My name is Francesca Aragno. I was born on a old farm located in a small rural village, surrounded by the love of my family and my animals. We did not used to be a ‘normal’ family at all…

I am the youngest of the family, I have got an older sister and brother, and a half sister too. We grew up with three simple values: respect, love and honesty.

I spent my childhood on the farm, playing with my dogs and my horses. Either in summer or winter, there was no one day I wouldn’t spend in the natural surroundings.

It was like a new challenge and a new adventure was waiting for me every day. Dad once came back home and he found me standing with a whip around the walker where I was training all my six dogs.

When and where did you first meet an Arabian horse? Who was he/she?

I was born into the Arabian horse world and I inherited this passion from my father, Dr. Gianmarco Aragno.

When I was a child, he used to breed a lot and then we turned into the Arabian horses races.

Dad would wake up early in the morning, he would prepare the truck, he would unload the horses and would leave for the race.

For several years, he has been the best race trainer all around Italy and Europe, at a time when the races were so many and the horses to train too.

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He put me on the back of an Arabian stallion at the age of 3. His name was For, a Polish horse bought at Janow Podlaski.

What a horse! He was 1.43 m at the withers, solid body, strong perfect limbs and amazing movement; he wouldn’t care about anything but just run and win. At mornings, I would go out with dad and while he was preparing the truck, I would be standing in front of the stable of For and I would be watching him for hours. He was dancing all the time, even alone in the box, but he would put on a careful and focused look when he knew he would go racing.

Francesca, which are your favourite bloodlines? Why? Dad is a Polish bloodlines lover and, so am I. Most Arabian/Polish horses are not the most refined ones, but their presence, their movement, their eyes are just out of the ordinary.

Besides that, they are all horses that can give

you a lot of fun if you ride them, something I can’t stay without!

Tell us about early stages of your professional career inside the Arabian horse industry.

I started my professional career in the Arabian horse industry 5 years ago when I was still stu-

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dying, and I started working for Jeff Sloan and Denise Hearts’Arabian Horse World Magazine.

I did some marketing and I wrote articles for them for a year. At the same time, I was travelling a little around the world and got to know the business. I am very thankful to them for the great opportunity they gave me and I will always be. I respect both a lot for what they have achieved in life, especially Denise, her passion for Arabian horses is something visceral.

However, the person I am most grateful to is Jeffrey Wintersteen. He is the one who believed in me since the very beginning, he is my coach and my mentor. He has been very patient with me, I have to say, but still today he teaches me new things each time we are together.

He is a beautiful person, I am glad I have met him and, deep in my heart, I know that he is a true friend to me.

What’s the story behind Arabian Insider?

When was it founded? How many young professionals are there on the Team? Who are they?

Arabian Insider was prompted by a strong desire to achieve my goals according to a well de-

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fined vision: make the Arabian horse famous around the world like many other breeds.

This was, and still is, one of my biggest dreams.

It was not easy for me at first‌ I was quite young and not sure about what I was doing, but, deep in my heart, I felt this was the right project to believe and to invest in, not only money wise. I put all my efforts in it and now

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I could not be prouder.

Ally Nelson found the name Arabian Insider, which sounded just so good to me. Then, I developed my own first brand and main concept, and little by little the company has turned into what it is today.

Few months after the foundation of Arabian Insider, I asked my business partner Michel Reboulaz to join in the venture. I really needed him to develop this little crazy project I was working on. With no hesitation, he jumped on that train and, ever since, the two uf us have been working non stop!

Michel Reboulaz is for sure a fundamental element of the company just as much as I am. From day one, he put everything he had into it, wi-

thout sparing himself, and nothing, absolutely nothing, would be the same without him.

It was a dream that became a reality for both of us. Today, we have four employees and nearly fifteen freelancers working for us on a daily basis.

I could not be prouder and happier about what Arabian Insider has now become since the launch of the first TV show.

I decided to freeze my university studies in Human Medicine and invest all my future in Arabian Insider. This was a big life change for me, and my major breakthrough.

I understood how to handle a business, how to respect even more my clients and partners, and I realized how many sacrifices must be made to get what you want in life.

The most important thing I got in return for my good behaviour is respect and loyalty from others. These are most crucial things a person should have either in life or business relations.

What is the toughest part of your job? And the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started this business?

I learnt many life lessons thanks to Michael.

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I am glad because, just like my father, I can walk by people and look straight into their eyes.

Sometimes, I wish things could go different, but I have learned to be patient and keep working hard.

Results will come sooner or later.

What do you always put in your suitcase when flying abroad?

I travel a lot for my job and this is also the side I like the least of my job because it brings me away from my family that I always miss a lot.

But, I have become some sort of ‘pack up and go’ person and I can get everything done in only 15 minutes. I will choose my clothes depending on the weather, though, I will always take my sportswear and my Arabian Insider t-shirt with me, of course!

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Which is your favourite Arabian destination to travel to? And your favourite shows?

I love flying to Brazil! The atmosphere you can breath at shows there is simply fantastic, so real and so beautiful.

I love Paris because that is the coolest moment of the year, and I also love flying to Doha. It’s a city I feel very close to, and I guess it is nice to live in as well.

How do you think is your work received internationally?

I think people around the world like to follow Arabian Insider for its contents but, most of all, for the passion we try to convey through every single project we do. I think the whole industry was in need of a company like this, and considering all of

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many projects in store for the beginning of the new year that I hope I will be able to get off the ground.

Francesca, how and where do you see yourself in ten years?

I don’t know exactly where, but I would like to have a beautiful house full of animals, horses and a family, which is my biggest dream in life. the comments and feedback we receive worldwide, I can say that each time we really manage to bring together the entire community of Arabian horses lovers.

For sure, there is a lot to improve and we do accept constructive criticism. This enables us to improve year after year.

What would you like to achieve by the end of this year?

This 2020 has been a very particuliar year for me like for everyone else, I guess. Besides two losses in my family, however, it brought about some amazing moments I will always cherish; in particular, the Online show but also the 6 months I spent in the Middle East were indeed my two major achievements; the first on a professional level, the second on a personal one.

I have

In conclusion, would you please leave a message for our readers?

I hope that everyone will continue to follow their

passion and to believe in their dreams. Try to be positive and to always see all the beauty that life provides us because it is our responsability to be joyful and respectful of everything we receive every day.

I believe life brings you what you ask for, if you really are ready to get it. And I couldn’t be more blessed for everything life has given to me so far.

Thank you so much Francesca. This was quite a moving story. We on the AHM team wish you the best of luck. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, which we hope will be full of happiness, freedom and passion in everything you do!

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A Gift of Love Words by Beth Ellen Hunziker, photos by Beth Ellen Hunziker, Elvis Giughera, Ferdinand Huemer, Gigi Grasso painting by Karina Peacemaker

This is a story of new love and enduring passion, of family and friendships, of wishes and dreams. It is a story of a very special Arabian mare who, like the sun, is at the center of it all - her name is Batistah - and this is how she became a gift of love...

On a soft spring morning, friends gathered at La Movida Arabians to share their grand passion for Arabian horses. As small groups mingled here and there, they spoke in hushed tones, as the hour was still early.

They were waiting for their host, Ferdinand Huemer, to announce the beginning of an informal presentation of some of his farm’s mares with their young foals at side. While they waited, guests were free to roam the spotless aisleways of the charming stables.

One of the stables was empty except for two visitors who stood at opposite ends of the aisleway, each in their own world. The first person, an older woman, was enjoying the solitude of the stable and the soft sounds of the horses munching their breakfast hay.

She noticed but did not look up at the young boy who entered the stable and walked to the first box. She wanted him to be able to enjoy the sweet solitude as well.

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The woman’s view of the young boy, who was no more than eight or nine-years-old, was unobstructed. She pretended to not notice how he shyly stood in front of the box reading the engraved name plate. He stepped closer and ran his fingers over it. He looked at it with intensity, perhaps trying to understand the pronunciation. He bent down and selected a carrot from a basket by the box and held it behind his back. He stepped closer and standing on tiptoe; looked over the wall at the big, bay mare whose back was to him. He made a small sound to get her attention - nothing. He tried again. This time the mare heard him. She turned to face him and stood for a minute with her attention focused on him. The boy made more little sounds, coaxing the mare to him. She finally cooperated and as she reached the box door, she extended her head toward the boy who was so overwhelmed at her nearness, he took several steps back. And so, they met.

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The mare looked at the boy with her huge, dark eyes. She stood quietly, watching, waiting. The boy stepped towards the mare and again she extended her head over the box and lowered it to him. Her nostrils flared as she breathed him in. He smelled of innocence, fresh air, and sunshine. She exhaled and the fragrance of her sweet hayscented breath embraced him.

Š Elvis Giughera

True love sees not with the eyes, True love sees with the heart

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She was now close enough to touch The boy hesitated a moment and then slowly, gently, raised his hand to stroke her silky neck. They stood together in a world of their own - the big, bay mare and the small, shy boy. And although the woman watched from the far end of the stable, it was plain to see from the look on his face, and the touch of his hand, that the little boy had just fallen in love for the very first time‌

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© Elvis Giughera

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To a knowledgeable horse person, Batistah is a mare of rare quality, substance, and conformation. To a breeder, she is a vessel of hope and the promise of a beautiful future. To a shy, young boy, she is the most wonderful, kind, magical creature who ever drew breath. She is all these things and so much more.

Batistah’s story began long before she was born. Every chapter in her story was written by a breeder with a dream, a vision of their ideal Arabian horse. Batistah is the realization of those visions - those dreams.

However, for those dreams to come true, Batistah needed a catalyst, a person of passion, imagination, and vision - she needed Ferdinand Huemer of La Movida Arabians, a breeder whose circle of friends would come to know and love Batistah. In turn, she would change their lives forever.

In 1990, Ferdinand Huemer purchased several horses from America including the stallion El Perfecto, bred by Bru-Mar-Ba Arabians, Bruce Clark and Gerry Alexander. Although born in America, El Perfecto’s pedigree is straight Spanish. Both his sire, Vallehermoso, and his dam, Example, were bred in Spain and imported to the United States. El Perfecto contributed greatly to the La Movida breeding program. Later, Ferdinand’s dear friend Marieta Salas leased El Perfecto and then purchased him for her farm, Ses Planes, on the Island of Mallorca, Spain.

Also, among the horses Ferdinand imported, was the straight Spanish mare Baraquessa (Aram x Abha Batista). Baraquessa’ s dam, Abha Batista, was bred by Marieta Salas’s father, Don Pedro Salas. After some time at La Movida, Baraquessa was purchased by Ferdinand’s friend, Annemarie Auinger, a small, devoted breeder also in Austria. Baraquessa had nine foals including a gorgeous bay filly, Batistah, by El Perfecto. Annemarie says that from the moment Batistah was delivered into her arms, she was extraordinary.

Although, Ferdinand had sold Baraquessa to Annemarie, he followed her progress. He was so impressed with her filly, Batistah, that he asked to lease her and eventually purchase her.

It was a difficult decision, but Annemarie had two daughters from Batistah as well as her full sister. Annemarie knew Ferdinand would give Batistah the home of her dreams and help the mare to achieve her full potential.

Ferdinand immediately bred Batistah to the great Marwan Al Shaqab. For his faith in her, Batistah gave Ferdinand a gem - a beautiful chestnut filly he named Bali El Marwan.

This daughter of Batistah and Marwan Al Shaqab, Bali E Marwan, has become a supreme broodmare for La Movida Arabians. She is the dam of the spectacular daughters Berta El Jyar and Binta El Jyar, both full sisters are sired by Jyar Meia Lua (RFI Maktub x Jiullya El Jamaal), owned by La Movida. The extreme beauty, quality, and character of these fillies are testaments to their breeding.

While all these events were unfolding like a beautiful flower, the stars were aligning in the heavens, and the universe was setting into motion a series of events, which would change a family’s life... In 2001, Marieta Salas hosted a fantastic open house at Ses Planes. People came from around the world, including her dear friends Gigi Grasso and Elvis Giughera. When El Perfecto was presented, Elvis became mesmerized by his beauty and power, and even more by the kind and gentle nature he pass on his daughters. This was the horse of his dreams!

From that moment, a spark ignited a fire in his soul, and he made a silent vow to himself to one day own an El Perfecto daughter.

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© Elvis Giughera

© Gigi Grasso

© Ferdinand Huemer

...Vessel of hope, promise of the future...

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© Beth Ellen Hunziker

For 17 years, Elvis held his dream hidden in his heart. Then, in May of 2018, Elvis and his son Elliot attended Ferdinand Huemer’s annual La Movida open house. Elvis’s company, Arabian Essence, had provided the live feed broadcast of the party and presentation, making it a big international event.

The next morning, they all gathered for another small, informal presentation of mares and foals at the farm. When the party was over and guests were leaving, Elvis went in search of his son.

© Beth Ellen Hunziker

There in the silence and solitude of an empty aisle Elvis found Elliot. Normally, his son was very shy around horses. Yet there he was, stroking the neck of a large, bay mare. Elvis looked down at the mare’s name plate on the front of her box… it said, Batistah (El Perfecto x Baraquessa). Elvis looked with surprise at the mare and then at his son. He saw something in the boy’s eyes he had never seen there before… it was a look of pure love. In just a few moments, Ferdinand entered the stables and found Elvis and Elliot together with Batistah and the three of them talked while Elliot fed her carrots.

Ferdi also recognized the look of true love in Elliot’s eyes and an idea began to form in his mind - but he kept it a secret.

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Š Elvis Giughera

Her eyes are the windows to her soul

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The most precious gift of all is the gift of Love...

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For months, whenever Elvis and Ferdinand spoke, Elvis always asked about Batistah and her offspring. Then, on October 22, 2018, Elvis’s birthday, he received a call from Ferdinand. He told Elvis that because he had Batistah’s daughter, Bali El Marwan, and also her granddaughters, Binta and Berta El Jyar, he wanted to give Batistah to Elvis and his family. Elvis could not comprehend such an extraordinary gift! Ferdinand explained that he could never sell Batistah. He knew how much Elvis and Elliot cherished her and knew they would treat her like a queen. It was his sincere wish to make them all happy and for them to enjoy Batistah’s final years together…

“When Batistah arrived, she was open. Ferdie encouraged us to breed her again to Marwan Al Shaqab in hopes of getting another daughter like his Bali Al Marwan. We bought a breeding to Marwan, but in the meantime we bred her to ZT Magnofantasy (ZT Magnanimus x ZT Fantmaisa).

This spring, in the middle of all the Covid crisis, Batistah produced a gorgeous filly for us. We were thrilled! However, we quickly saw that all was not well…

© Elvis Giughera

Batistah arrived at Le Soleil Arabians in November of 2018. “The moment Batistah arrived at our home, our lives were changed forever,” says Elvis.

“She is now the center of our family and she is a part of everything we do. We saw a small part of her character at Ferdie’s farm, but now that she is living with us and we see her every day, we have learned her true character… she is almost human. Elliot is her boy. When he takes her to her pasture, she does not want him to leave. Wherever he walks, she follows him. One day, I went out to the pasture and Elliot was riding her! Since Batistah has joined our family, we have become very close friends with her breeder, Annemarie Auinger. I asked if Batistah was trained for the saddle and Annemarie said, ‘Maybe she had one or two lessons, but nothing for the past 17 years.’

Still, Batistah lets Elliot ride her with or without a saddle and she never says no to him.

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Batistah has blessed us with faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love...

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© Elvis Giughera

“Batistah had difficulty foaling… It seemed the filly aspirated some of the birth fluid and became very ill. We immediately rushed her to the clinic. We nearly lost the her…

Fortunately, the vets there were able to save her. Batistah and her filly, Soleada Le Soleil, had to stay in the clinic for several weeks and we went to visit them every day. It was a difficult time – especially for Elliot who loves them so much. We are grateful they are home with us now and doing well. Today, Batistah is in foal to Marwan Al Shaqab and we pray she will carry this foal and that they will both be safe. We are so happy and proud of Batistah and her filly, Soleada Le Soleil.

We have not enough words to express our gratitude to all our friends who made this possible.

“The weaving together of friendships, passions, and a shared vision has brought to life a joy unimagined. Today, my dream mare, Batistah, is here with my family, playing in the field with my son, and I believe a new love is forming. Thank you to Ferdinand Huemer for realizing my dream and giving us the opportunity to let Batistah join our breeding program. This is a true gift for me and my family, a gift of love that makes me feel truly blessed.”

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF WOODY ARABIANS A PLACE WHERE TIME STANDS STILL Interview by Samantha Mattocks Set in the undulating Italian countryside, you can find a little slice of heaven. For among the flowing waters and rich forests is Woody Arabians, founded by Giampaolo ‘Woody’ Gubbioti and run with his partner, Noëmie Zeller. It was in 1990 that the first Arabian horses stepped foot at this farm, found in Galeata in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, around 70 kilometres southeast of Bologna. And it is here where Woody’s dreams have come true.

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A

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rabian Horse Magazine crew has been visiting WoodyArabians for many years now.

In 2020 it was a special unexpected visit as it was made right on the way back from the Ströhen show in Germany.

After travelling 13 hours by a Mercedes Vito, what pla-

who has been in the network of our collaborators for many years by now.

In Galeata, Woody had organized a perfect welcoming party in a typical farmhouse of the area with a wonderful swimming pool in which we went dipping even before taking the room, a necessity dictated by the

ce can one choose to get some proper rest if not the picturesque Romagna hills surrounding Galeata? This is also the residence of Noemie Zeller, one of our Magazine’s best contributors.

Besides Gianluca Martino, the visitors’ group included Paola Drera, a well-known photographer from Milan

summer heat.

In the evening, we had dinner with typical dishes from Romagna, good wine and excellent music. We really began thinking that this is not only a place where to admire splendid specimens of Arabian horses, but truly an oasis of well-being and regeneration where

everyone can enjoy a beautiful holiday.

Quite surprisingly, we kept talking about random things all night with absolutely no reference to Arabian horses.

Galeata is a touristic and spa area that offers a lot to visitors, not only good food but also great hospitality thanks to the many super-equipped agritourisms in the area, and to the thermal Baths of Romagna and Castrocaro dating back to the Gothic-Byzantine period.

The next day, we woke up at dawn, had a delicious hearty breakfast and soon set out for the farm tour.

As the sun was coming up, the landscape was taking amazing colours, Paola and her models were simply entranced by the natural beauty of the place.

The wall at the main entrance to WoodyArabians was built in historic style, while for the welcome lobby they

used hand-made stones as per tradition.

The farm is crossed by the bright blue waters of the Bidente River, and all sparkles with the first rays of sun.

Along the river we saw some beautiful birds, “probably, grey herons” as Woody explained, a species that has become rare also in these areas.

A peaceful and inspiring scenario where horses spend most of their time outdoors in special sheds, certainly “the best anti-stress solution to the human being” as Woody pointed out.

In this place, everything was put in place and organized with fanatical attention to detail in order to offer maximum comfort to their four-legged friends.

After visiting the breeding farm, we moved to Noemie and Woody’s summer residence, followed by a group of Saluki dogs that are the typical desert greyhounds.

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Around the property stretches a wonderful garden dotted with palm trees and flowers of a thousand colours, where in the middle stands a building looking much like a mid-19th century castle, fully refurbished in line with the old times.

At Woody Arabians one can relive the magic atmosphere of the past, it really feels like time has stood still …

“From a young age, I have loved all animals,” smiles Woody. “I especially loved horses and dogs and I began breeding them. The first horses were Anglo Arabians, but that quickly evolved to purebred Arabians and Saluki dogs.

From the very beginning, I was fascinated by the arrival of a foal into the world and watching them grow into the vision I had in mind when I bred them. That feeling has never left me, and each breeding season is truly magical.”

The first purebred mare to arrive at Woody Arabians was Matiola, a beautiful grey who danced on to the farm in 1990. This was the beginning of a remarkable life with Arabian horses and since that day, Woody has established himself as a successful breeder of world-class Arabian horses, as well as that of a marketer and respected horseman.

“The horses I bred have the suffix ‘El Aziz’, chosen by my father Fernando,” explains Woody.

“These early horses became the cornerstone of Woody Arabians, and their lines live on today.

“The bloodlines at Woody Arabians are predominantly Russian with sprinklings of Spanish and Polish blood, as well as a few modern day lines. I love to blend the old and the new and create a contemporary Arabian horse that is a perfect combination of classic and modern, one that can perform in any sphere.”

Alongside Woody since 2012, and integral to both Woody’s happiness and the success of Woody Arabians, is Noëmie Zeller. Editor of Arabian Horse Magazine, Noëmie shares Woody’s deep love for the Arabian horse, having owned and bred them for many years. While her foundations were Crabbet Arabians, she has a love for all bloodlines and with Woody, they have bred some incredible Arabian horses. “Noëmie is my friend, my lover, my confidant and ultimately, my better half,” smiles Woody. Of their relationship, Noëmie says: “Our connection is everything; we are lovers and friends.

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Fa El Rasheem collection (Eos Rose La Perla, Eos Mea El Aziz, Eos Rose El Aziz, Isharaa El Aziz

We give each other a home and help during bad moments. The relationship we have makes the world we live a better place for both of us and it all starts with the deep passion and love for the Arabian horse.”

THE BROODMARES OF WOODY ARABIANS Looking at the horses that form part of Woody Arabians today, the broodmare band is impressive. “These mares are all so special to me,” says Woody. “They are my rare gems that radiate quality, sublime Arabian beauty, and substance.”

At the heart of Woody Arabians and holding pride of place as the Queen of the farm is the 16-year old mare M EOS, one of two WH Justice (Magnum Psyche x Vona Sher-Renea by El Sher-Mann) daughters at the farm. Bred in Italy by Benedetti Mauro, M Eos is out of Elgiria (Grandorr x Elma by Probat), combining those Russian sire-lines with the Polish, while her sire brings

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the modernity that Woody loves to breed. “M Eos is truly her father’s daughter,” smiles Woody. “She oozes that famous Justice type while her Polish damline has gifted her with a compact body and powerful movement. She was Gold Champion Mare at the Marina di Pietrasanta Show, but more importantly, she has blessed us with five fillies – Princess El Aziz (by Royal Colours by True Colours out of Xtreme Wonder), foaled in 2011; Emilia El Aziz (by QR Marc by Marwan al Shaqab out of Swete Dreams), foaled in 2013; Esmerelda El Aziz (by FS Eternal Flame by Kubinec out of Temptress MSC), foaled in 2014; and the full sisters, the 2017 Eos Rose El Aziz and the 2018 Eos Mea El Aziz, both sired by FA El Rasheem (FA El Shawan x Virtuosa MLR by Versace).”

Of these daughters, Emilia El Aziz was sold to Iran where she was named Silver Champion Filly at the Iran Nationals. Esmeralda El Aziz has been retained

M Eos (WH Justice * Elgiria)

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Karinka by Aswan) and out of Amplituda (Pesniar x Monogramma by Knippel), a mare with the incredible Monogramma in her pedigree. A US National Reserve Champion, Monogramma was a hugely influential broodmare at the Tersk Stud in Russia, producing none other than Monogramm (by Negatraz by Bask out of Negotka), one of the most important Russian sirelines in the 1990s. Of DA Alima’s progeny, the 2019 filly Anthaliah El Aziz (by Kahil al Shaqab by Marwan al Shaqab out of OFW Mishaahl), is especially noteworthy.

More on this very promising grey beauty later.

Also calling Woody Arabians home is another Darius-bred mare, this time the 12-year old fleabitten beauty DA NAJAH BINT MASSAI (Massai ibn Marenga x DA Nigeria by DA Energetic). Found within her pedigree an amazing eight crosses to the extraordinary mare, Mammona (Ofir x Krucica by Farys II), bred in Poland and who survived the long march to Tersk Stud in Russia while a foal. This amazing mare would go on to become the Queen of Tersk, and granddam of Monogramma, and she remains a true legend. Through DA Alima and DA Najah bint Massai, there are 11 crosses to Mammona, which is extraordinary and certainly brings that extra something to the Woody Arabians foals born from these mares.

DA Alima (WH Justice * Aplikala)

Continuing with the WH Justice family at the farm is the ethereal 11-year old grey mare, IMAN BY AJMAN, by Ajman Moniscione (WH Justice x Anthea Moniscione by Padrons Ghibli) and out of Nagiba AB (Nagib el Zaid x Aisha TS by Dorian), a mare who was also part of the Woody Arabians breeding program many years previously, thus making Iman by Ajman doubly precious for all at the farm. Ajman Moniscione is renowned around the world for his extreme type and success as a sire, and Iman by Ajman certainly under-

by Woody Arabians – more on her later – while Eos Rose El Aziz is a pretty bay princess who will definitely be one to look out for in the near future. “Eos Mea El Aziz has just started to bloom, and it will be exciting to see what they both produce,” says Noëmie. Meanwhile, their dam M Eos is in foal to the young Al Shira’aa owned colt AJ Sanad (AJ Mardan x AJ Sultana by Marwan al Shaqab) for 2021.

The second WH Justice daughter at the farm is the 2005 mare DA ALIMA, bred by Darius Arabians in Germany and using some of the best Russian bloodlines. DA Alima is out of Apilkala by Karnaval (Naftalin x DA Najah Bint Massai (Massai Ibn Meranga * DA Nigeria)

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Iman by Ajamn (Ajman Moniscone * Nagiba AB)

lines the quality that he produces. Add in the undeniable El Shaklan (Shaker el Masri x Estopa by Tabal) influence through her dam, along with the cross of the Polish, Russian and Egyptian lines, and Iman by Ajman is a very special mare indeed. She has already proven herself as a great producer through her daughters: the 2016 INDIA EL AZIZ (by FS Eternal Flame), now owned by Zamora Arabians in Switzerland; the spectacular 2017 Isharaa El Aziz (by FA El Rasheem), a filly set to turn heads in the future and who is being retained by Woody Arabians; and the 2018 Iylah El Aziz (by Excalibur EA by Shanghai EA out of Essence of Marwan EA).

“Her name means ‘the bright one’ or ‘the shining one’,” explains Woody. “Her name is fitting, and we cannot wait to see her truly shine.”

Away from these beautiful grey mares are four bay bombshells that are part of the core broodmare band at Woody Arabians. The first of these is 16-year old Psyntia (Psytadel x Taiga by Kubinec), bred by Karl-Heinz Stöckle of Osterhof Stud in Germany.

India El Aziz (FS Eternal Flame * Iman by Ajman)

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Psyntia (Psytadel * Taiga)

VD Royal Extreema (Royal Colours * Abaja)

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Eraos (Kanz Albidayer*VD Royal Extreema)

“It was love at first sight with Psyntia,” says Woody.

“She was undeniably beautiful, but she also has a kind soul that just captured my heart! She, too, traces to Mammona, a mare I admire hugely and love to have in my program for the strength that this line brings.

And PSYNTIA has the most beautiful ears on the farm – essential for breeding!” Psyntia has had fillies by Marajj (Marwan al Shaqab x RGA Kouress by Kouvay Bey), MPA Giovanni (Da Vinci FM x Glitzy

by FS Ritz) Monther Al Nasser (Ansata Hejazi x Aliah al Nasser by Imperial Mahzeer), and Fa El Rasheem.

“We are waiting with passion for her 2021 baby by SQ Ageeb (Fa El Rasheem x CS Amay by Royal Colours),” says Noëmie. “We think that this will be a very special foal indeed.”

Then there is the elegant 11-year old mare VD ROYAL EXTREEMA (Royal Colors x Abaja by Windsprees Mirage), bred by VD Arabians in Italy, and one of the most accomplished show horses at the farm. In 2011, she was awarded Gold Champion Filly at the Porto San Ellipsoid, Città di Castello and Montefalco Shows as well as the Silver Champion Filly at the Salerno Show. As a dam, she has been exemplary, producing the chestnut and flaxen 2017 mare Escada El Aziz by Montasser Al Zobair (Khidar x Falha Al Shaqab by Gazal Al Shaqab) as well as colts by Kahil Al Shaqab and Kanz Albidayer (Ajman Moniscione x DL Marielle

by Marwan Al Shaqab), including ERAOS, bred and owned by Zamora Arabians and winner of the Silver Junior Championship at the International B Show in

Bergamo last year. VD Royal Extreema is in foal to Dominic M (Da Vinci FM x Rosa la Valentina by DA Valentino) for 2021.

The next bay beauty is the seven-year old mare, the aforementioned Esmeralda El Aziz. “She is the last daughter of her beloved sire, FS Eternal Flame (Kubinec x Temptress MSC by Traditio),” says Woody.

“Born in 1996, this chestnut stallion was bred by Frank Spönle and for me, he was the most handsome stallion you can imagine. He was successful in the show-ring, being a real moving machine with a very nice long neck, refined head and big black eyes. But for me, what stands out the most, is his sweet character. Eternal Flame took care of the babies when they were separated from their mother in the most gentle of ways. For us, the old horses are the heart of the farm and Eternal Flame will always be the one and only king of Woody Arabians. He passed away peacefully in 2018 and he is greatly missed by the whole family.”

ESMERELDA EL AZIZ herself is a gorgeous young mare with a gentle expression, and she will be retained at Woody Arabians to continue her sire’s legacy. At the International B Show in Salerno, she was Silver Champion Futurity Filly, and she is now firmly a part of the breeding program. Her first foal was the filly Eternity’s Hope El Aziz (by ES Harir by AJ Dinar out of TF Magnum’s Magic), foaled the year that her sire was born.

In 2020, Esmeralda El Aziz produced another beautiful filly, Eisha El Aziz (by Kanz Albidayer) and she is in foal to Dominic M for a 2021 foal.

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striking three-year old son Ducan El Aziz (by ZT Marwetyn by Marwan Al Shaqab x ZT Ludjteyna by Ludjin El Jamaal) won Gold, Silver and Bronze titles across Italy as a yearling, while her two-year old daughter Darjana El Aziz (by Excalibur EA), was Supreme Overall Champion at the International C Show in Verona while still a foal.

Esmeralda El Aziz (FS Eternal Flame * M Eos)

The final group of broodmares at Woody Arabians are the burnished golden goddesses and while they make up the smallest group, their impact at the stud is just as important.

The first of these is the 16-year old mare DIAMANTHA, who is three-quarter Russian – again with the Mammona influence – as well as a tail-female Polish line. She is one of the top producers at Woody Arabians, blessing the stud with two fillies and three colts. As well as Danka El Aziz, Diamantha also produced the double Iranian National Gold Champion Filly Dakota El Aziz (by Aja Angelo by WH Justice out of Aja Aaisha) and Dilhan El Aziz by the Dubai Stud owned stallion, SG Labib (WH Justice x DF Halifa by Al Lahab). “DALIAA EL AZIZ, Diamantha’s filly from 2020 by Kanz Albidayer looks promising,” says Noëmie. “We are waiting for spring to see her progress.”

Finally, there is the grand dame of Woody Arabians, AP INDIRAH. Foaled in 1999, this fleabitten grey’s

The last of the bay beauties is the 13year old mare DANKA EL AZIZ, out of the Platinum World Champion, the straight Egyptian stallion Royal Colours, and is out of one of the breeding cornerstones at Woody Arabians, Diamantha (Nagadir x Dalia II by Narav Ibn Aswan). Again, Danka El Aziz has been successful both as a show horse and a broodmare. As a filly, she was unanimous Champion at the Italian Nationals, the Travagliato and the Città di Catsello Shows. “She is the farm’s most successful homebred filly to date,” explains Woody. “Danka El Aziz moved from being a show horse to a broodmare with ease, and she has consistently bred beautiful foals of great quality. Her 2012 daughter by HDB Shir Ibn Massai (Massai Ibn Marenga x Mayana by BJ Thee Mustafa), Danubia El Aziz, was sold to Italy while her 2016 daughter filly by Libano MPE (Marwan Al Shaqab x Thee Rahiba by BJ Thee Mustafa), Deauville El Aziz, remains at the farm.” Danka El Aziz’s Diamantha (Nagadir * Dalia II)

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Daliaa El Aziz (Kanz Alibdayer * Diamantha)

Danka El Aziz (Royal Colours * Diamantha) AP Indirah (Nevan * Imdella) sire is the Russian giant Nevan (Neman x Nevodka by Kilimandscharo) while she is out of the straight Egyptian mare Imdella (Imperial Imdal x Beat Street by Back Street), a mare with rich, old bloodlines. AP Indirah was Gold Champion at the Swiss Mountain Cup as a youngster and also placed third at the prestigious World Championships in Paris. Bred by Cutrona Pietro, AP Indirah has produced stunning foals for Woody Arabians. Her 2009 daughter Indonesia El Aziz (by Massai Ibn Marenga) was sold to Iran while her 2014 son, Idris El Aziz

by Hannibal by Gioia (SDP Taylor x Gioia APS by Ansata Sinan) is a promising prospect to take on the role of sire. “Now 22 years old, we all love AP Indirah,” smiles Woody. “She is a lovely mare to be around.”

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TF Malga (TF Romeo * Dulcia)

NEW BLOOD As all breeders know, it is important to bring in new bloodlines to the farm, and Woody and Noëmie are very excited for four new mares that have joined the stud.

The first of these is the nine-year old chestnut mare, TF MALAGA (ex Dulcia by Nagadir x Dulceineia) bred by Tripodi Arabians in Italy. “This mare will be a great asset in our breeding farm,” says Noëmie. “She is a granddaughter of our beloved DA Alima through her sire, TF Romeo (by Royal Colours). TF Malaga could easily have been a mare bred by us, with the straight Egyptian sireline of Royal Colours and her straight Russian damline that goes back to Nagadir. She is a

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very compact mare with that classical look that we love.” TF Malaga’s first foal for Woody Arabians was the very special filly Mancy El Aziz (by Kanz Albidayer) and the couple are eagerly awaiting her 2021 foal sired by the Ajman Stud-owned Antaris OS (RFI Farid x Justina by WH Justice).

The next mare to join the progamme has bloodlines that Woody and Noëmie have not used before in their breeding. This is the five-year old dark grey IVANA VERSACE. “Her sire is the well-known Vivegas, a double Versace (Fame VF x Precious as Gold by El Shaklan) son by Vervaldee (ex Giavanna by NV Beau Bey out of Precious as Gold) and out of the ever- beautiful La Dolce Vita (ex Bint Bint Mierka by Crystalad-

Ivana Versace (Vivegas * Indyah El Aryes)

dainn out of Bint Mierka)” says Woody. “Her damline traces back to Aryes El Ludjin (Ludjin El Jamaal x Arianna Shah by Shallenger), as she is out of Indyah El Ayres J (ex Imeleena by Jazzmeen out of Illyria El Jamaal), bred by the late Justine Bassingdale. Ivana Versace is in foal to Barjass Al Zobair (SMA Magic One x FM Gloriaa by WH Justice) for a very special 2021 foal, her first one. This mare has a wonderful arched neck, short ears and a very dished head, and she is so feminine.

We are very excited to see what she will bring to our breeding program.”

The five-year old grey mare ALOUETTE KA has also joined Woody Arabians. Bred by Knocke Arabians in Belgium, this lovely mare is sired by QR Marc and is out of Anartia KA,

by QR Marc and out of Altona, a Polish-bred mare by the legendary stallion Eukaliptus (Bandos x Eunice by Comet) and out of the treasured mare, Albigowa (Fawor x Algeria by Celebes).

With her wonderful Polish movement and large eye, Alouette KA is a wonderful addition to Woody Arabians.

Last year, she produced a charming colt, Amoon El Aziz (by WH Justice), and Woody and Noëmie are making their decisions as to who to breed this mare to next.

Alouette K.A. (QR Marc * Anartia K.A.)

The final new arrival is the four-year old bay beauty EOS LA PERLA, bred by EOS Arabians in Germany. “We fell in love with her immediately,” smiles Noëmie. “She is the sweetest mare and an amazing mover with a great body and neck topped with a very pretty, classic face.

She has a pedigree that we adore, being by Fa El Rasheem while her Polish-bred dam is Lenka (Piaff x Ludmilla by Pesal). She was shown as a yearling but we just want to keep her here at home with us and have time to mature. Our plan is to back her and give her some experience under saddle before she enters our breeding program. Eos La Perla really is very special, and we are excited for her future!”

EOS La Perla (FA El Rasheem * Lenka)

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Eos Rose El Aziz (Fa El Rasheem * M Eos)

THE FUTURE OF WOODY ARABIANS Woody and Noëmie have an exciting collection of young horses bred at their farm and who represent the future of Woody Arabians.

The first of these is their future broodmare, EOS ROSE EL AZIZ. “She was the first FA El Rasheem daughter born in our farm,” says Noëmie. “I still remember the day when she arrived. I had been anticipating her arrival so keenly. We were with M Eos as she prepared for delivery, I took a deep breath, and then there in the straw was this beautiful, tiny, strong filly. I loved her from that first moment and to this day, she remains my soul horse. At our first show, a regional show in Raven-

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na, she took the Supreme Title and Best in Show, underlining my belief in her. ‘Rose’ has now been backed and will have her first outing under saddle in 2021. She has a good size, a strong body, and that classic Rasheem look with the small ears, the big eye sockets, and the refined head. As with all our Rasheem progeny, Rose has a wonderful character and a willingness to please, something I appreciate very much.” Meanwhile, her full sister, EOS MEA EL AZIZ, is completely in the style of their dam but in dark bay. “She is a very solid filly with a strong body and a lot of character, and we are just letting her take her time to mature before she joins the broodmare herd.”

Eos Mea El Aziz (Fa El Rasheem * M Eos)

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Isharaa El Aziz (Fa El Rasheem * Iman by Ajman)

Also among the Fa El Rasheem daughters is the beautiful grey ISHARAA EL AZIZ, whom the couple describe as a very sensitive filly, also willing to please but less sure about herself. Her first show was in 2020 when, up against the best fillies in Italy, she took third place and Top Five at the all-important Italian National Show. “Isharaa is a very elegant young lady, with a very good shoulder and well-shaped neck,” says Woody. “She has a very fine throat and that wonderful, classic face passed on from her dam. We will breed her in 2021, and also back her. It is very important for us to make our Arabian horses used to many different situations and to keep them as flexible as possible.”

“We don’t like to show our horses too much, but it is always good to get your horses to the show to see how

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they compare against others. So, in 2019, we decided to show three of our homebreds, two fillies and a colt.”

The first of these was ANTHALIA EL AZIZ, a pretty grey with some amazing bloodlines. Her debut was at the National Show in Catagnia, Sicily, where she not only won her class, but was awarded Gold Champion Filly. She followed this up with second place and Bronze Champion Yearling Filly at the Vesuvio European Show, before going to the Fiera di Verona, where she also placed second, but this time named Silver Champion Filly at the Italian Show Tour. Woody and Noëmie are excited to breed this showy three-year old in the future and create the next generation in this valuable line.

Anthalia El Aziz (Kahil Al Shaqab* DA Alima)

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Also shown in 2019 was the filly that the couple considers to perhaps be one of the most beautiful horses ever born at the farm. “IYLAH EL AZIZ was foaled late in 2018 and she has been a powerhouse from that very first moment,” says Woody. “Her sire, the Triple Crown winner Excalibur EA, and dam, Iman by Ajman, gave their very best to Iylah. She is incredibly feminine, with a wonderful face with big black eyes

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and fine muzzle. She has an arched neck, a very strong body and strong legs. Like a swan, she becomes more beautiful with each passing year.” This stunning filly was shown once in 2019, at the National Show Granpermio Noceto in Parma, placing first and awarded unanimous Gold Champion Yearling Filly. In 2020, Iylah took part in the Aljassimya Online Show, where she also won her class and placed Gold Champion

Iylah El Aziz (Excalibur E.A. * Iman By Ajman)

Junior Filly. Her second physical show was at the International B Show in Bergamo, where she kept true to form, taking first place and the Gold title. Noëmie continues: “This filly has so much potential. Her last show, and maybe the most important of 2020, was the Italian National Show. Iylah earned the highest score of all the junior filles as well as first place and the Gold Junior Female Championship title. She made Woody

and I unbelievably proud, and it was a very emotional moment. She has enjoyed winter at home here at Woody Arabians, and we are impatiently waiting for springtime to come and to see our beautiful girl continue to shine.”

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Duncan El Aziz (ZT Marwteyn*Danka El Aziz)

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Darjana El Aziz (Excalibur E.A.*Danka El Aziz)

The third horse shown in 2019 was the young colt DUCAN EL AZIZ, who represents the second generation of Woody Arabians. He is a very leggy colt, with great movement and well-built in the body. At his first show in Sicily, he took second place and the Silver Championship title. Learning from this first outing, he then went to the Vesuvio European Show where he won his class and took the Gold Champion title. Ducan ended 2019 with a great Bronze title at the Fiera di Cavalli. In 2020, he was shown once, winning his class and taking the Gold Junior Male Championship at the International C Show in Trapani. “Ducan is now leased to a farm in Sicily and is breeding his first mares,” says

Woody. “This colt is a great combination of beauty and manners, as good manners in our horses are so important to us. We are curious to see his first foals in 2021, and we look forward to breeding the third generation from him.”

As well as showing Iylah El Aziz and Ducan El Aziz in 2020, the couple also showed three more horses.

The most successful of these was the beautiful chestnut filly DARJANA EL AZIZ. “This filly is amazing, and she is so strong being a cross of Royal Colours and Excalibur!” laughs Noëmie. “She has very strong legs, a strong body, a long and well-set neck, and a very dished forehead.

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Elvinyah El Aziz (FA EL Rasheem * M.M. Etienne)

Darjana had already proved how special she is when in 2019, at just six-months old, she went into the showring at the Fiera di Cavalli and was named Supreme Overall Champion Foal. Last year, she competed at the Arabian Dream International B Show, winning her class and being named Silver Champion. Darjana is now enjoying a well-earned break with her friends in the field.”

Noëmie’s special filly is the grey two-year old ELVINYAH EL AZIZ (by FA El Rasheem), whom she describes as “sweet as she can be. She is out of MM Etienne (Lornezo El Bri x Esfera by Fame VF) bred by Mario Matt Arabians. Elvinyah has wonderful, elegant movement, a well-built body, a nice neck, and very classic head. Most of all, she has a dream character, something that all the Rasheem daughters have, but especially this one.” She made her showing debut last

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year at the Arabian Dream Show, placing third in the International B Show and first and Bronze Champion in the Amateur Show. “We could not be more proud of her,” smiles Noëmie. “We are sure Elvinyah will be a wonderful broodmare in the future, and we are just enjoying watching her grow.”

MACY EL AZIZ was the youngest horse shown last year, a bay yearling by Kanz Albidayer and out of TF Malaga. Woody says: “She is an elegant young filly, very Arabian in type, and she needs time to grow in confidence. We took her to the Italian National Show when she was three months old and she placed Top Five. At the Arabian Dream International B Show, Noëmie showed her beautifully and they earned one vote for Gold. Macy is now enjoying her youth with our other weanlings, and we want to give her time to develop at her own pace.”

Macy El Aziz (Kanz Al Bidaye * TF Malaga)

Anahita El Aziz (Excalibur E.A. * DA Afrika)

With any breeding program, there are bittersweet moments and in 2019, two of the Woody Arabians mares passed away, leaving behind them very special daughters who will soon become the beating heart of the farm. The first of these fillies is Shayenne El Aziz, sired by SG Labib and out of the ethereal mare Shavina (Sandhiran x Esta-Shaghira by Ibn Estahsa), one of the farm’s last Golden Cross mares. The other filly is ANAHITA EL AZIZ (by Excalibur EA) and out of Woody’s favourite mare, DA Afrika (Massai Ibn Meranga x Aplikala), a wonderful chestnut mare that Woody adored. “We miss both mares so much,” says Woody. “But we are so thankful that we have their daughters to continue the breeding program, and we wait patiently for that time to come.”

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It is clear that Woody and Noëmie have not only a deep passion and dedication to the Arabian horse, but also for each other, and it is this love that ensures that Woody Arabians continues to thrive and makes it so successful. And of course, one of the couple’s biggest success was the arrival of their son, Geburt, in 2019, who will turn two at the end of January.

“Woody Arabians is a peaceful farm, and the horses have an amazing life here,” finishes Noëmie. “For us it is important that we ride our horses as we want to have that deep connection with them. We may have 40 horses, but they are our family and each one of them has a special place in our hearts. Our aim is to con-

tinue as we are now – breeding complete Arabian horses that can be both shown and ridden and, where necessary, to find owners that love them as much as we do.”

It is only fitting that the final word goes to Woody, who began his dream over 30 years ago: “The bloodlines that are the foundation of Woody Arabians still remain strong and we have carefully evolved the stud to where it is now.

That is a wonderful thing, to see the evolution of each generation. As we look to the future, we can reflect on the beautiful horses that we have bred, as well as anticipate the future. With each new foal crop comes new dreams fulfilled. But there is always something more to dream of – and hopefully, the best is yet to come.”

W W W. W O O D YA R A B I A N . C O M

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Interviewed By Sonia Smaldone

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udging Arabian horses’ conformation takes practice, but anyone who has spent quality time around these beautiful creatures can learn to do it. Judges usually look for a combination of balance, structure, muscling, gait, and breed-specific features. For the 2020 Winter edition, I had the honour to interview Mrs. Helen Hennekensvan Nes from Brecht, Belgium. She was pleased to walk me through the main aspects of her professional experience in judging Arabian horses.

Hello Mrs. Helen. Just to set the scene with our readers, give us some background to you, to your family and education please.

Hello everyone! Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to the public, however, I do think that most people already know me from the shows. I was born and raised in the Netherlands in the region of Rotterdam. My parents bred Welsh section A ponies and I have a lot of pictures of myself as a little girl on these ponies. When I was about 12 years old, I grey out of the Welsh ponies and asked my father for a bigger pony. My father had always loved the pure bred Arabians but never had the chance to buy one as there were almost none for sale at the time. In 1978, he bought a small 4 years old grey mare named Allegria. She was born in 1974 bred in Holland by a small breeder.

She was a Polish/Crabbet cross, her father was the Negativ son Gon and her mother was the Goldbey daughter Deglet Noer. This lovely mare was only 144 cm but gave me such wonderful years as a riding pony in my teenage years. When we bought her, this mare was in foal to Ibn Argos van Hulst

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(Argos) and she gave us a filly foal which we named Flaxman’s El Myrrah. The start of a long breeding program of Flaxman Arabians. Both mares lived their entire lives with us.

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til 33 years. They both gave us wonderful foals. El Myrrah was the mother of Flaxman’s Gloria which produced a stallion in Italy which won a lot which was Brianz Xavier. The stud was founded in 1978 and still exists. After High school, I studied to become a riding instructor at the wellknown school in Deurne (NL). I went on to learn about Arabians in the U.S.A. with Eldorado Arabians, Bill and Evelyn Larsen which bred Straight Egyptian horses. At the moment, we are running a professional Arabian horse farm in Brecht, in the country of Belgium.

When did you start getting interested in the purebred Arabian horse? Which are your favourite bloodlines? Why? I was born and raised with horses and ponies. I wanted a bigger pony and I got this lovely grey mare from my father, the foundation of Flaxman Arabians. We soon switched to Straight Egyptian bloodlines which we still have and breed but nowadays we also have the modern show lines and a lot of Polish horses. I cannot say I prefer one bloodline over another bloodline as all Arabians have qualities which I prefer.

When did you become a Judge? What specific preparation did you get?

I was only 24 years old when I passed the judges course. I did the course of the Arab Horse Society in England since there was no course in the Netherlands at that time. After I passed the 3 different stages of the exams in England, I was a probationer on the Dutch list for 3 years. I was taught by wonderful teachers such as: Robbie Den Hartog Sr., Peter Scheerder, Cees Mol, Deirdre Hyde, Peter Upton to name a few. After that probation time, I was put on the Dutch National list. And later on the ECAHO B AHM | 93

exist. Then, develop a good eye for Arabian Type.

Also be upright as a person and keep your opinion for yourself. Be happy for somebody else if they are happy with their horses. We all need to share the love for this breed more instead of being jealous of each other. list. I passed my ECAHO A list exam in Blommerod under Dr. Marek Trela and was put on the A list. I believe in year 2002. So I have been judging Arabian horses for a long time!

What do you feel has been your most rewarding experience as a judge?

It has always been a pleasure to judge with so many lovely colleague judges from all over the world. I have been able to get to know many other judges from the U.S.A., Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Europe of course. I have a very good and strong friendship with most of them.

What horse or horses have you judged that have left the greatest impression on you?

There have been so many horses in my judging career that left an amazing impression on me over the years. Of course everybody has their favourites.

In terms of mares, my all time favourite would be Emandoria while in terms of stallions it would be Fadi Al Shaqab. But, I was able to judge with many other great horses. Such an honour.

What are, in your opinion, the strengths of the breed and how do you tackle the concepts of ‘beauty’ and ‘functional correctness’?

I always try to follow the standard of the breed. Peter Upton has taught me a lot about that. Beauty for me has everything to do with their appearance in the ring. The way they snort and blow, their tail straight up, turning of their neck, their coat colour, a lot of factors play a role. Correctness and being functional is of course also a must. A horse should have a correct body, good legs and move like a dream.

Which particular skills are necessary to become an accountable judge?

To become a judge a person should study how a horse is built, skeleton, muscles etc. Then, also how a horse moves in walk, trot and canter. How legs are built and are supposed to be with all leg faults that AHM | 94

What advice would you give to a young person who wishes to pursue a career as a judge in this sector?

Always follow your National organisations judges course. Follow that program. And always go to shows and judge from the side. Train your eye.

Try to score the horses and compare with the scores from the judges in the ring. Try to do as many probations as possible with many different judges.

Go and visit long time breeders and listen to their stories about breeding these horses. I have been a judge for a long time but I still learn every day.

To what extent has the current global health crisis been affecting the industry?

I think this crisis has been bad for all of us involved in the Arabian horse industry. I hope that 2021 can bring us a better year with good health, great shows and beautiful horses. Hope things will improve and we all can enjoy our shows next season.

If you were empowered to effect change in the Arabian World, how would you go about it?

I would love to encourage people to use their Arabians in different segments of our industry. Not all foals which are born are going to be the next world champion. And a lot of them will make lovely pets. I would like to encourage even more the use of geldings for shows and riding purposes in the coming years. I admire Dawn Martin and Albidayer Stud for what they have done for our geldings the last couple of years to encourage people to show them. I would like to encourage people to also ride them in English and

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Western classes. An Arabian horse is very versatile.

And, as I am also an ECAHO sports judge, I would love to see more horses in the ring under saddle.

What else would you like to achieve at this stage of your professional career?

In 2021 we are opening our European AI centre here at our farm, which is a big achievement for me to be able to collect and ship semen of our lovely stallions all over Europe. We have invested in all new equipment to get this AI centre going. I am looking forward to working with a lot of breeders in the new year.

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Helen, do you feel like leaving a message to the readers of this interview?

I would love to leave the message to your readers to enjoy your horses. Love every minute you spend with them. Pure bred Arabians are so intelligent; they sense when you are happy or when you are sad. They are the best friends you can have. When this pandemic is over we can all visit one another again and enjoy our new-born foals.

Helen, thank you very much for your contribution.

It was an honour to interview you. May the Arabian horse cast a spell on us and hold us together even more in these unprecedented times‌

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WRITTEN BY: SONIA SMALDONE - Photos by Giovanni Messinese

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Fillies and Colts aged 1, 2 and 3 and Mares aged 4 to 10 and over, competed on the first day of the championship; whilst Males aged 4 to 10 and over, and Futurity classes (colts and fillies born in 2020) hit the arena on the second day.

The ECHAO Final Championships were attended by Fillies and Colts from 1 to 3 years, and

by Senior Mares and Senior Stallions. The winners of the 10th Trapani Arabian Horse Cup were as follows: In the YEARLING FILLIES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner, the chestnut MG Ginevra (My Star Ka x As Chanel Psyche) bred and owned by

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRE DI 1 ANNO, Medaglia d’oro la saura MG Ginevra (My Star Ka x As Chanel Psyche) allevata e di proprietà di Mg Arabians Snc. Medaglia d’argento, la saura Precioso Angelika (Precioso Psyche x Ria El Than) allevata e di proprietà di Piazza Enrico. Medaglia di bronzo, la grigia Nharira (E.S. Harir x Katane Naomi) allevata e di proprietà di Cassarino Rosario.

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRE JUNIOR, Medaglia d’oro la grigia Precioso Elthana (Precioso El Psyche x Ria El Than) allevata e

articularly in these difficult times, we on the Arabian Horse Magazine team have been happy to participate and celebrate the tenth edition of Trapani Arabian Horse Cup, a C-International (ECAHO) morphology competition organized by “Nuovo Gruppo Equestre Monte Erice” led by President Antonio Culcasi, and promoted by ANICA-National Association for the Arabian Horse.

The show took place over two days, from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th October, at “Pietra dei Fiori” Equestrian Center, in Bruca, in the area of Buseto Palizzolo. A beautiful structure with four fields, tribunes, parking, restaurant, bar and 350 boxes, which guaranteed the horses and their companions a comfortable stay and the compliance with anti-Covid regulations in the conduct of the show.

Nearly 100 Arabian horses entered the competition to perform under the watchful eye of 3 judges drawn by lot among those enrolled in the ECAHO: Mrs. Irina Stigler (Russia); Mr. Faustino Scanzi (Italy) and Mr. Tomasz Tarczynski (Poland). Disciplinary Commissioners: Mrs. Barbara Raso (Italy); Mr. Marco Capelli (Italy) and Mr. Giuseppe Fantauzzo (Italy).

Ringmaster: Mr. Marco Capelli (Italy). The official voice of this tenth edition was Mrs. Victoria Abbenante.

n modo particolare in questo periodo non facile, noi del Team di Arabian Horse Magazine, siamo stati davvero contenti di partecipare e celebrare la decima edizione della Trapani Arabian Horse Cup, il concorso di morfologia categoria C (ECAHO) Internazionale organizzato dall’associazione “Nuovo Gruppo Equestre Monte Erice” con a capo il Presidente Antonio Culcasi, e promosso dall’ANICA-Associazione Nazionale per il Cavallo Arabo.

Lo show si è svolto in due giornate, da sabato 3 a domenica 4 ottobre, presso il Centro Ippico “Pietra dei Fiori” a Bruca, nel territorio di Buseto Palizzolo. Una bellissima struttura dotata di quattro campi, tribune, parcheggi, ristorante, bar e 350 box che ha consentito il massimo comfort a cavalli e accompagnatori e di svolgere la competizione garantendo il rispetto delle norme anti-Covid”.

Circa 100 splendidi esemplari arabi si sono esibiti sotto l’occhio attento di tre giudici estratti a sorte tra quelli iscritti all’ECAHO: sig.ra Irina Stigler (Russia); sig. Faustino Scanzi (Italia) e sig. Tomasz Tarczynski (Polonia).

Commissionari Displinari: sig.ra Barbara Raso (Italia); sig. Marco Capelli (Italia) e sig.

Giuseppe Fantauzzo (Italia). Ringmaster: sig.

Marco Capelli (Italia). La voce ufficiale di questa decima edizione è stata la sig.ra Victoria Abbenante.

Nella prima giornata erano in competizione puledre e puledri di 1, 2 e 3 anni e fattrici da 4 a 10 anni e oltre.

Nella seconda giornata hanno sfilato, i maschi dai 4 ai 10 anni e oltre, e i Futurity (puledri e puledre nati nel 2020).

Ai Campionati finali ECHAO hanno preso parte puledre e puledri da 1 a 3 anni, fattrici e stalloni. I vincitori di questa 10° edizione sono stati i seguenti:

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Mg Arabians Snc. Silver medal winner, the chestnut Precioso Angelika (Precioso Psyche x Ria El Than) bred and owned by Piazza Enrico. Bronze medal winner, the grey Nharira (E.S. Harir x Katane Naomi) bred and owned by Cassarino Rosario.

In the JUNIOR FILLIES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner, the grey Precioso Elthana (Precioso El Psyche x Ria El Than) bred and owned

by Piazza Enrico. Silver medal winner, the grey Arlen (E.S. Harir x Althea) bred and owned by Milioti Antonino. Bronze medal winner, the bay Tresor Valentina (Tresor Angelino x Tresor Violetta) bred by Domenico D’Onza and owned

by Cassarino Rosario.

In the SENIOR MARES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner, the bay Mystica Khaleesi (Marwan Al Shaqab x Mystica Johara) bred by McGlinn Jeffery William and owned by Wail Mahamid.

Silver medal winner, the bay Maranfusa Cetty (Wadee Al Shaqab x GS Soave) bred and owned

by Graffato Salvatore. Bronze medal winner, the bay Ma Nina El Bri (Ch El Brillo x Calyenna El Jamaal) bred by Huber Christina and owned by Mg Arabians Snc. AHM | 104

di proprietà di Piazza Enrico. Medaglia d’argento, la grigia Arlen (E.S.Harir x Althea) allevata e di proprietà di Milioti Antonino.

Medaglia di bronzo, la baia Tresor Valentina (Tresor Angelino x Tresor Violetta) allevata da D’Onza Domenico e di proprietà di Cassarino Rosario.

Nella CATEGORIA FATTRICI, Medaglia d’oro la baia Mystica Khaleesi (Marwan Al Shaqab x Mystica Johara) allevata da McGlinn Jeffery William e di proprietà di Wail Mahamid. Medaglia d’argento, la baia Maranfusa Cetty (Wadee Al Shaqab x GS Soave) allevata e di proprietà di Graffato Salvatore.

Medaglia di bronzo, la baia Ma Nina El Bri (Ch El Brillo x Calyenna El Jamaal) allevata da Huber Christina e di proprietà di Mg Arabians Snc. Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRI DI 1 ANNO, Medaglia d’oro il baio Sahab Ah Stud (Excalibur EA x Magnolia NWA) allevato da Sa’id Bsoul e di proprietà di Glitter Arabians Srl. Sahab Ah Stud ha vinto per risultato di classe.

Vincitore della medaglia d’argento, il baio GS

In the YEARLING COLTS CATEGORY, Gold medal winner the bay Sahab Ah Stud (Excalibur EA x Magnolia NWA) bred by Sa’id Bsoul and owned by Glitter Arabians Srl. Sahab Ah Stud won by class result.

Silver medal winner, the bay GS Special One (My Star KA x Maranfusa Cetty) bred and owned by Salvatore Graffato. GS Special One won by class result. There was no Bronze medal winner at this 10th edition.

In the JUNIOR COLTS CATEGORY, Gold medal winner the bay Ducan El Aziz (ZT Marwteyn x Danka El Aziz) bred and owned by Woody Arabians. Silver medal winner, the grey Arp Spartacus (Extreme El Aziz x Amira By Harmony) bred by Polimeni Paolo and owned

by Taormina Giampiero. Bronze medal winner, the bay Patroklos T (Emerald J x Psyches Angel) bred and owned by Tantaro Giovanni.

In the SENIOR STALLIONS CATEGORY, Gold medal winner the chestnut Aj Mandar (Aj Mardan x Aj Mandara) bred by Ajman Stud and owned by Azzopardi Luis. Silver medal winner, the grey My Star Ka (S.M.A. Magic One x Mar-

Special One (My Star KA x Maranfusa Cetty) allevato e di proprietà di Salvatore Graffato.

GS Special One ha vinto per risultato di classe.

Non vi è stato alcun vincitore della Medaglia di bronzo a questa 10a edizione.

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRI JUNIOR, Medaglia d’oro il baio Ducan El Aziz (ZT Marwteyn x Danka El Aziz) allevato e di proprietà di Woody Arabians. Medaglia d’argento, il grigio Arp Spartacus (Extreme El Aziz x Amira By Harmony) allevato da Polimeni Paolo e di proprietà di Taormina Giampiero. Vincitore della medaglia di bronzo, il baio Patroklos T (Emerald J x Psyches Angel) allevato e di proprietà di Tantaro Giovanni.

Nella CATEGORIA STALLONI, vincitore della Medaglia d’oro il sauro Aj Mandar (Aj Mardan x Aj Mandara) allevato da Ajman Stud e di proprietà di Azzopardi Luis. Vincitore della medaglia d’argento, il grigio My Star Ka (S.M.A. Magic One x Marcs Star Ka) allevato da Paul Gheysens e di proprietà di Mg Arabians Snc. Vincitore della medaglia di bronzo, il grigio Marcipan Gold (DA MarAHM | 105

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cs Star Ka) bred by Paul Gheysens and owned

by Mg Arabians Snc. Bronze medal winner, the grey Marcipan Gold (DA Marcipan x Amara De) bred by Campagna Santino and owned by Muscolino Giuseppe Domenico.

SPECIAL TROPHIES During the competition, the Sicilian Championship titles were also awarded. They were given to the mare Maranfusa Cetty (Wadee Al Shaqab x GS Soave) bred and owned by Graffato Salvatore as for the Females; and to the stallion Marcipan Gold (DA Marcipan x Amara De) bred by Campagna Santino and owned by Muscolino Giuseppe Domenico as for the Males.

“Best in show”, among the winning horses of the Final Championships, the mare Mystica Khaleesi (Marwan Al Shaqab x Mystica Johara) bred by McGlinn Jeffery William and owned by Wail Mahamid.

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cipan x Amara De) allevato da Campagna Santino e di proprietà di Muscolino Giuseppe Domenico.

TROFEI SPECIALI Nel corso della competizione sono stati assegnati anche i titoli del Sicilian Championship che sono andati, per le femmine, alla fattrice Maranfusa Cetty (Wadee Al Shaqab x GS Soave) allevata e di proprietà di Graffato Salvatore; per i maschi, allo stallone Marcipan Gold (DA Marcipan x Amara De) allevato da Campagna Santino e di proprietà di Muscolino Giuseppe Domenico.

“Best in show”, tra i cavalli vincitori dei Campionati Finali, la fattrice Mystica Khaleesi (Marwan Al Shaqab x Mystica Johara) allevata da McGlinn Jeffery William e di proprietà di Wail Mahamid CONCLUSIONE: Organizzare la Trapani Horse Cup in questo periodo di emergenza sanitaria, è stato di sicuro un impegno oneroso per Antonio Culcasi e il suo Team, ma la passione che li unisce, li aiuta ad andare avanti e a migliorarsi di anno in anno.

forward and improve year by year.

For us on the AHM team, the stay in Trapani turned up to be very pleasant, comfortable rooms and excellent breakfast.

We spent two beautiful days in a quiet, safe and well-kept place with many enthusiasts who came down to Sicily to admire gorgeous Arabian specimens. Therefore, we want to thank everyone who gave us the chance to be there.

First and foremost, we want to thank President Antonio Culcasi and Nuovo Gruppo Equestre Monte Erice Association, but also the local authorities, the sponsors, the breeders / owners, the judges, the handlers, the photographers and all the other people who have contributed to the success of the 10th edition of the Trapani Arabian Horse Cup. A show conducted in a positive and beautiful atmosphere of cooperation and unrestrained passion for the Arabian horse.

As a matter of fact, they confided to us that the works on the 2021 edition have already begun and they will be fully committed to it. Once more, the competition will take place at Pietra dei Fiori Equestrian Centre, Buseto Palizzolo, in the province of Trapani, with many surprises in store for all of us!

Per noi di Arabian Horse Magazine il soggiorno a Trapani è stato davvero piacevole, camere confortevoli e colazione ottima.

Abbiamo trascorso due bellissime giornate in un posto tranquillo, sicuro e curato insieme ai tantissimi appassionati accorsi a Trapani per ammirare splendidi esemplari arabi. Pertanto, vogliamo ringraziare tutti coloro che ci hanno dato la possibilità nonché l’immenso piacere di condividere i momenti più esilaranti di questo Campionato. Prima tra tutti, il Presidente Antonio Culcasi, e l’Associazione “Nuovo Gruppo Equestre Monte Erice”, ma anche le autorità locali, gli sponsor, gli allevatori/proprietari, i giudici, gli handler, i fotografi intervenuti, e tutti coloro che hanno contribuito all’ organizzazione e alla buona riuscita di questa 10° edizione della Trapani Arabian Horse Cup. Uno show condotto in un clima positivo di grande cooperazione e passione irrefrenabile per il Cavallo Arabo.

Infatti, ci hanno confidato che stanno già lavorando all’edizione 2021, che si svolgerà di nuovo al Centro Ippico Pietra dei Fiori, a Buseto Palizzolo, in provincia di Trapani, con nuove sorprese in serbo per tutti noi!

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YEARLING FILLIES final Championship

SILVER PRECIOSO ANGELIKA

PRECIOSO PSYCHE X RIA EL THAN Breeder: Piazza Enrico Owner: Piazza Enrico AHM | 110

MG GINEVRA

GOLD

MY STAR KA X AS CHANEL PSYCHE Breeder: MG Arabians Snc Owner: MG Arabians Snc

BRONZE NHARIRA

E.S. HARIR X KATANE NAOMI Breeder: Cassarino Rosario Owner: Cassarino Rosario AHM | 111

YEARLING COLTS final Championship

SILVER GS SPECIAL ONE

MY STAR KA X MARANFUSA CETTY Breeder: Salvatore Graffato Owner: Salvatore Graffato AHM | 112

SAHAB AH STUD

GOLD

EXCALIBUR E.A. X MAGNOLIA NWA Breeder: Sa’Id Bsoul Owner: Glitter Arabians S.R.L. Società Agricola

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JUNIOR FILLIES final Championship

SILVER ARLEN

E.S. HARIR X ALTHEA Breeder: Milioti Antonino Owner: Milioti Antonino AHM | 114

PRECIOSO ELTHANA

GOLD

PRECIOSO PSYCHE X RIA EL THAN Breeder: Piazza Enrico Owner: Piazza Enrico

BRONZE TRESOR VALENTINA

TRESOR ANGELINO X TRESOR VIOLETTA Breeder: D’Onza Domenico Owner: Cassarino Rosario AHM | 115

JUNIOR COLTS final Championship

SILVER ARP SPARTACUS

EXTREME EL AZIZ X AMIRA BY HARMONY Breeder: Polimeni Paolo Owner: Taormina Giampiero AHM | 116

DUNCAN EL AZIZ

GOLD

ZT MARWTEYN X DANKA EL AZIZ Breeder: Woody Arabian Owner: Woody Arabian

BRONZE PATROKLOS T

EMERALD J X PSYCHES ANGEL Breeder: Tantaro Giovanni Owner: Tantaro Giovanni AHM | 117

SENIOR MARES final Championship

SILVER MARANFUSA CETTY

WADEE AL SHAQAB X GS SOAVE Breeder: Salvatore Graffato Owner: Salvatore Graffato AHM | 118

MYSTICA KHALEESI

GOLD

MARWAN AL SHAQAB X MYSTICA JOHARA Breeder: MCGlinn Jeffery William Owner: Wail Mahamid

BRONZE MA NINA EL BRI

CH EL BRILLO X CALYENNA EL JAMAAL Breeder: Huber Christina Owner: Mg Arabians Snc AHM | 119

SENIOR STALLIONS final Championship

SILVER MY STAR KA

SMA MAGIC ONE X MARCS STAR KA Breeder: Paul Gheysens Owner: M G Arabians Snc AHM | 120

AJ MANDAR

GOLD

AJ MARDAN X AJ MANDARA Breeder: Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Owner: Azzopardo Luis

BRONZE MARCIPAN GOLD

DA MARCIPAN X AMARA DE Breeder: Campagna Santino Owner: Muscolino Giuseppe Domenico AHM | 121

SPECIAL MOMENTS

AHM | 122

AHM | 123

SPECIAL MOMENTS

AHM | 124

AHM | 125

AHM | 126

AHM | 127

AHM | 128

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AHM | 131

Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone Hi Diego. Hi Anna. First of all, thank you very much for accepting our invitation and for sharing with us some of your time in this difficult period. Please, introduce yourselves to our readers.

How, when and where have you first met?

Diego and I met thirteen years ago at Arabian horse shows, but we both had our own lives already. We have been together for ten years, six of dating and three of marriage.

Diego, what impressed you most about Anna?

My feelings for Anna have been growing overtime. As we had known each other long time before we got engaged, I cannot say it was love at first sight, but I was impressed by the passion she put into everything she did. Anna has a very strong personality as well as being a charming woman.

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Anna, same question for you dear.

The thing that made me deeply fall in love with Diego was and still is his gentle disposition, his attitude and his way of sorting things out. He always manages to smooth those angular features of my personality.

Diego, tell us about your first steps in this industry.

Why did you decide to start a career as a trainer / handler in this sector?

I have always been in love with the Arabian horse since I was just a kid. Thanks to the many opportunities I was offered in the past, I have had the chance to turn my passion into my job.

There is no general program for all horses as each horse is unique and each specimen needs ad hoc preparation.

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Anna, I know that you have grown up with horses. What kind of relationship do you have with them?

I had my first approach to the world of the purebred Arabian horse long time ago. As a young girl, I was lucky enough to have my own first Arabian saddle horse and from that

AHM | 134

I moved on to work in the sector. I don’t have a ‘bosom’ horse you see, every horse who walks past here is, and will always be, in my heart. Each of them, for better or worse, gives me so much.

Which horse has been the most demanding to train?

There has never been a horse in particular I have struggled with; each horse is so peculiar.

As for the shows, I don’t have a preference, for sure entering a ring like the Paris one is an

overwhelming emotion, but all the shows are exciting you see...

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

We will always be with our Arabian horses, our whole life’s in them.

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What are the biggest consequences of Covid-19 pandemic on the Arabian horse industry in your opinion?

Quite sadly Coronavirus has disrupted not only our industry, but the entire world economy. The pandemic caught us all unprepared and made us suffer a lot from isolation and social distancing. Hopefully, we will get back to normal soon.

course, we want to thank you for this beautiful opportunity. See you soon!

Thank you guys. That’s been such a lovely interview. We can’t wait to see you competing in the most important shows on calendar.

Best all luck from all of us on the AHM

Guys, will you please leave a message of the readers of this interview?

We want to wish all of our friends and fellow breeders the very best in year 2021. We all need that. Stay always hopeful and strong. Of

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WRITTEN BY SONIA SMALDONE - Photos by PAOLA DRERA

F

rom 10th to 11th October, A.N.I.C.A. (Italian National Association of the Arabian Horse) celebrated the 34th Anniversary of the Italian Nationals 2020 at the well-known ‘Horses Riviera Resort’ showground located in San Giovanni in Marignano, nearby Cattolica, in the province of Rimini.

In compliance with preventive guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health with regard to Covid-19, A.N.I.C.A. took serious steps to develop a management protocol designed to meet the various needs, both operational and regulatory, so as to guarantee the safety of both visitors and exhibitors, and to minimize any possible chance of transmission.

The covered area inside the Horses Riviera Resort was allowed to accommodate a maximum of 200 people, but everyone was required to communicate in advance their presence to A.N.I.C.A. Secretariat by filling an appropriate booking form.

130 Purebred Arabian horses, divided into 12 preliminary categories by sex and age, and strictly born and bred in Italy by Italian bree-

AHM | 140

D

al 10 all’11 ottobre 2020, l’A.N.I.C.A. (Associazione Nazionale Italiana del Cavallo Arabo) ha festeggiato il 34° Anniversario del Campionato Nazionale Italiano, presso le rodate strutture dell’Horses Riviera Resort di San Giovanni in Marignano, vicino Cattolica, in provincia di Rimini.

Nell’ottica di garantire la sicurezza dei visitatori e degli espositori, e per minimizzare al massimo ogni possibile occasione di contagio, A.N.I.C.A. si è attivata al fine di sviluppare un protocollo di gestione pensato per far fronte alle diverse esigenze, sia operative che normative attenendosi alle linee guida di prevenzione indicate dal Ministero della Salute, necessarie ad elevare il livello di safety dei fruitori dei servizi.

L’area coperta all’interno dell’Horses Riviera Resort, ha potuto ospitare un massimo di 200 persone, ma a tutti i partecipanti è stato richiesto di comunicare anticipatamente alla Segreteria A.N.I.C.A. la propria presenza compilando l’apposito modulo di prenotazione.

130 i cavalli arabi purosangue partecipanti all’evento di morfologia, divisi in

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ders, participated in the morphology event.

The judges at this 34th edition of the Italian Nationals were as follows: Mrs. Darius Claudia (Germany); Mr. Reisel Gideon (The Netherlands); Mr. Moschini Christian (Italy); Mr. Scanzi Fausto (Italy) and Mr. Den Hartog Robbie (The Netherlands).

Disciplinary Commissioners: Mr. Ceccaroni Roberto (Italy); Mrs. Raso Barbaro and Dr. Bona Davide (Italy).

Ringmaster: Dr. Mascagna Laura (Italy). General Secretariat: Mrs. Alnovi Marzia and Mrs. Eva Simona (Italy).

Speaker: Mrs. Boschini Mirjam (Italy). Music by: Mr. Filippi Coccetta Gianluca (Italy). Doping: Dr. Vet. Zappulla Francesco (Italy). Livestream and Results by: Arabian Essence (Italy).

The Championships were inaugurated by Mr. Pellegrini Vincenzo, new President of A.N.I.C.A., who addressed those present with an impassioned welcoming speech to underline that the members of the association have made considerable efforts under current circumstances, organizing and coordinating everything in only ten days; in particular, the painstaking activity carried out by A.N.I.C.A. Secretary Manerba Alberto and A.N.I.C.A. Counsellor Teobaldelli Paolo. Also noteworthy, the presence at the event of Italian equine artist Mr. Mauro Malacarne with his beautiful collection of Arabian Horses portraits and sculptures, and of Mrs. Renata Tosi, Mayor of the touristic neighbouring town of Riccione, in witness of the perfect reception system of the territory for events such as the one here described.

The show started on Saturday 10th October at 9:30 and ended up on Sunday 11th October at 19:30 with the following results: In the Futurity Females Championship, first on the podium the chestnut Malika Moniscione (Ajmer Moniscione x Emarra Moniscione SWF) bred and owned by Buzzi Giancarlo and presented by handler Boscarino Andrea.

Second place, the bay Tessa di Mar (Dominic M x Isabeau Di Mar) bred and owned by Franchini Marco and presented by handler Giacomo Capacci.

Third place, the bay Euforia Regalis (Vivaldi Regalis x Cenerentola Chandra) bred and owned by Regalis Arabians Srl and presented by handler Zoppellaro Diego.

In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay CS Rashima (Fa El Rasheem x CS Opportunity) bred and owned by Ciacci Enzo and presented

12 categorie preliminari per sesso e per età, e rigorosamente nati ed allevati in Italia da allevatori italiani.

I giudici di questa 34° edizione del Campionato Nazionale sono stati: Sig.ra Darius Claudia (Germania); Sig. Reisel Gideon (Paesi Bassi); Sig. Moschini Christian (Italia); Sig. Scanzi Fausto (Italia) e Sig. Den Hartog Robbie (Paesi Bassi).

Commissari Disciplinari: Sig. Ceccaroni Roberto (Italia); Sig.ra Raso Barbaro e Dr. Bona Davide (Italia). Ringmaster: Dr. Mascagna Laura (Italia). Segreteria Generale: Sig.ra Alnovi Marzia (Italia) and Sig.ra Eva Simona (Italia). Speaker: Sig.ra Boschini Mjriam (Italia). Musiche a cura di: Sig. Filippi Coccetta Gianluca (Italia). Doping: Dr. Vet. Zappulla Francesco (Italia). Livestream e Punteggi: Arabian Essence (Italia).

I Campionati sono stati inaugurati dal Sig. Pellegrini Vincenzo, nuovo Presidente A.N.I.C.A., che ha pronunciato un accorato discorso di benvenuto al pubblico partecipante al fine di sottolineare tutti gli sforzi che i membri dell’associazione sono stati chiamati a compiere nelle attuali circostanze, organizzando e coordinando il tutto in soli dieci giorni; in particolare, la meticolosa ed indefessa attività svolta dal Segretario Manerba Alberto e dal Consigliere Teobaldelli Paolo. Da segnalare, la presenza all’evento anche dell’artista equino italiano Sig.Mauro Malacarne che ha presentato una bellissima collezione di ritratti e sculture di Cavalli Arabi, e della Sig.ra Renata Tosi, Sindaco della limitrofe città turistica di Riccione, a testimonianza del perfetto sistema di accoglienza del territorio per eventi come quello qui descritto.

Lo show è iniziato sabato 10 ottobre alle 9:30 e si è concluso domenica 11 ottobre alle 19:30 con i seguenti risultati: Nel Campionato Futurity Femmine, prima sul podio la saura Malika Moniscione (Ajmer Moniscione x Emarra Moniscione SWF) allevata e di proprietà di Buzzi Giancarlo e presentata dall’ handler Boscarino Andrea. Al secondo posto, la baia Tessa di Mar (Dominic M x Isabeau Di Mar) allevata e di proprietà di Franchini Marco e presentata dall’handler Giacomo Capacci.

Terza classificata la baia Euforia Regalis (Vivaldi Regalis x Cenerentola Chandra) allevata e di proprietà di Regalis Arabians Srl e presentata dall’handler Zoppellaro Diego.

Nel Campionato Puledre di 1 anno, Medaglia d’oro la baia CS Rashima (Fa El Rasheem x CS Opportunity) allevata

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by handler Capecci Paolo. Silver medal winner the grey Madama Moniscione (Ajman Moniscione x Medea Moniscione) bred and owned by Buzzi Giancarlo and presented by handler Boscarino Andrea. Bronze medal winner the bay SS Rawnaq (Kahil Al Shaqab x Ash Ranya) bred and owned by Stigler Stud and presented by handler Vetrò Giuseppe.

In the Junior Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Iylah El Aziz (Excalibur EA x Iman By Ajman) bred and owned by Woody Arabians and presented by handler Capecci Paolo. Silver medal winner the grey Sa Kamila (SA Faez Simbad x SA Karima) bred and owned

by Scipioni Angelo and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo. Bronze medal winner the bay Vestige (Ajman Moniscione x Giada GI) bred and owned by Iervolino Gianluca and presented by handler Zaniboni Roberto.

In the Senior Mares Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Petra PS (WH Justice x Papeete) bred by Pecorari Silviano, owned by Moretti Marco and presented

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e di proprietà di Ciacci Enzo e presentata dall’handler Capecci Paolo. Medaglia d’argento la grigia Madama Moniscione (Ajman Moniscione x Medea Moniscione) allevata e di proprietà di Buzzi Giancarlo e presentata dall’handler Boscarino Andrea. Medaglia di bronzo la baia SS Rawnaq (Kahil Al Shaqab x Ash Ranya) allevata e di proprietà di Stigler Stud e presentata dall’handler Vetrò Giuseppe.

Nel Campionato Puledre Junior, Medaglia d’oro la grigia Iylah El Aziz (Excalibur EA x Iman By Ajman) allevata e di proprietà di Woody Arabians e presentata dall’handler Capecci Paolo. Medaglia d’argento la grigia Sa Kamila (SA Faez Simbad x SA Karima) allevata e di proprietà di Scipioni Angelo e presentata dall’handler Capacci Giacomo.

Medaglia di bronzo la baia Vestige (Ajman Moniscione x Giada GI) allevata e di proprietà di Iervolino Gianluca e presentata dall’handler Zaniboni Roberto.

Nel Campionato Fattrici, Medaglia d’oro la grigia Petra PS (WH Justice x Papeete) allevata da Pecorari Silviano, di proprietà di Moretti Marco e presentata dall’handler Ca-

by handler Capacci Giacomo. Silver medal winner the chestnut Asyah Scah (Hasman Gyo x Amanthea Moniscione) bred by Trovò Giorgia, owned by Scah Arabians Srl and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo. Bronze medal winner the chestnut SG Wisar (Ajman Moniscione x Wiolett) bred and owned by Groane Stables Srl and presented by handler Capecci Paolo.

In the Futurity Males Championship, first on the podium, the bay AG Nobel Rafee (FA El Rasheem x AG Sahhara Gazal) bred and owned by Arsenault Ida’s AG Nobel Arabians and presented by handler Vetrò Giuseppe. Second place, the chestnut Tyron Di Mar (Dominic M x Padme Di Mar) bred and owned by Franchini Marco and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo. Third place, the bay SA Zatopek (SA Faez Simbad x SA Zein) bred and owned by Scipioni Angelo and presented by Elegantica Training Center.

In the Yearling Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the bay SS Dhafer (FA El Rasheem x Donna Diva)

pacci Giacomo. Medaglia d’argento la saura Asyah Scah (Hasman Gyo x Amanthea Moniscione) allevata da Trovò Giorgia, di proprietà di Scah Arabians Srl e presentata dall’handler Capacci Giacomo. Medaglia di bronzo la saura SG Wisar (Ajman Moniscione x Wiolett) allevata e di proprietà delle Scuderie Groane Srl e presentata dall’handler Capecci Paolo.

Nel Campionato Futurity Maschi, primo sul podio, il baio Ag Nobel Rafee (FA El Rasheem x AG Sahhara Gazal) allevato e di proprietà di AG Nobel Arabians di Arsenault Ida e presentato dall’handler Vetrò Giuseppe. Al secondo posto, il sauro Tyron Di Mar (Dominic M x Padme Di Mar) allevato e di proprietà di Franchini Marco e presentato dall’handler Capacci Giacomo. Al terzo posto, il baio SA Zatopek (SA Faez Simbad x SA Zein) allevato e di proprietà di Scipioni Angelo e presentato da Elegantica Training Center.

Nel Campionato puledri di 1 anno, Medaglia d’oro il baio SS Dhafer (FA El Rasheem x Donna Diva) allevato e di

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bred and owned by Stigler Stud and presented by handler Vetrò Giuseppe. Silver medal winner the chestnut RK Nadra (Excalibur EA x RK Andra) bred and owned by Shazin Farm and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo. Bronze medal winner the bay Fadian Scah (Fadi Al Shaqab x Creola LC) bred and owned by Scah Arabians and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo.

In the Junior Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Amarantas Rashmore (FA El Rasheem x AP Shakira) bred and owned by Amarantas Farm S.S. and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo. Silver medal winner the chestnut Amani Moniscione (Aj Mardan x Alma Al Tiglio) bred by Buzzi Giancarlo, owned by Piccioli Valentina and presented by handler Boscarino Andrea.

Bronze medal winner the grey Sahil By Kahil (Kahil Al Shaqab x Hassene By Hassan) bred and owned by Battisti Giuseppe and presented by handler Oberti Luca.

In the Senior Stallions Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Jamaal Di Mar (Marajj x Calyenna El Jamaal) bred by Franchini Marco, owned by Cristina C.’s Tre Stelle Farm Sas and presented by handler Capecci Paolo. Silver medal winner the grey Mohai (EKS Alihandro x Ajman DL) bred by Gladich Fausto, owned by Sorren-

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proprietà di Stigler Stud e presentato dall’handler Vetrò Giuseppe. Medaglia d’argento il sauro RK Nadra (Excalibur EA x RK Andra) allevato e di proprietà di Shazin Azienda Agricola e presentato dall’handler Capacci Giacomo. Medaglia di bronzo il baio Fadian Scah (Fadi Al Shaqab x Creola LC) allevato e di proprietà di Scah Arabians e presentato dall’handler Capacci Giacomo.

Nel Campionato Puledri Junior, Medaglia d’oro il grigio Amarantas Rashmore (FA El Rasheem x AP Shakira) allevato e di proprietà di Amarantas Farm S.S. e presentato dall’handler Capacci Giacomo. Medaglia d’argento il sauro Amani Moniscione (Aj Mardan x Alma Al Tiglio) allevato da Buzzi Giancarlo, di proprietà di Piccioli Valentina e presentato dall’handler Boscarino Andrea. Medaglia di bronzo il grigio Sahil By Kahil (Kahil Al Shaqab x Hassene

By Hassan) allevato e di proprietà di Battisti Giuseppe e presentato dall’handler Oberti Luca.

Nel Campionato Stallioni, Medaglia d’oro il baio Jamaal Di Mar (Marajj x Calyenna El Jamaal) allevato da Franchini Marco, di proprietà di Tre Stelle Sas di Cristina C. e presentato dall’handler Capecci Paolo. Medaglia d’argento il grigio Mohai (EKS Alihandro x Ajman DL) allevato da Gladich Fausto, di proprietà di Sorrentino Giulia e presen-

tino Giulia and presented by handler Capacci Giacomo.

Bronze medal winner the chestnut STY Esstimate (Don Giovanni J x Evita El Javier) bred by Steylaers Giovanna, owned by Zaniboni Roberto and presented by Zaniboni Roberto.

CONCLUSION: At the end of a difficult year due to Covid-19 coronavirus, which has also impacted on the Arabian Horse industry, looking at the gates of the Horse Riviera Resort reopen to A.N.I.C.A. was kind of emotional. The Italian Nationals 2020 were possible thanks to the hard work done by A.N.IC.A.|, the generous support offered by the many Sponsors and breeders-friends who believed in such an important event in Italy. The entire event had worldwide exposure as it was broadcast live streaming

by A.N.I.C.A. and Arabian Essence websites. From its part, Arabian Horse Magazine wishes to spot you again in 2021, in the hope that things will get back to normal soon.

tato dall’handler Capacci Giacomo. Medaglia di bronzo il sauro STY Esstimate (Don Giovanni J x Evita El Javier) allevato da Steylaers Giovanna, di proprietà di Zaniboni Roberto e da lui presentato.

CONCLUSIONE: A chiusura di un anno difficile a causa del Covid-19, per il quale anche il comparto del cavallo, del PSA nella fattispecie, non è stato risparmiato, vedere i cancelli dell’Horse Riviera Resort di San Giovanni in Marignano, riaprirsi ad A.N.I.C.A. è stato emozionante. Il Campionato Italiano 2020 è stato realizzato grazie al duro lavoro di A.N.I.C.A., al generoso supporto degli Sponsor e degli amici-allevatori che hanno, anche quest’anno, creduto in un evento così importante in Italia. L’intero show ha avuto esposizione mondiale, in quanto è stato trasmesso dal vivo con il Live Streaming dal sito ufficiale dell’A.N.I.C.A. e dal sito di ArabianEssence. Da parte sua, Arabian Horse Magazine conta di rivedervi tutti nel 2021, con la speranza che le cose tornino presto alla normalità.

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Futurity Female FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

TESSA DI MAR

DOMINC M X ISABEAU DI MAR OS BREEDER: FRANCHINI MARCO OWNER: FRANCHINI MARCO AHM | 148

GOLD

MALIKA MONISCIONE

AJMER MONISCIONE X EMARRA MONISCIONE SWF BREEDER: AZ AGR BUZZI GIANCARLO OWNER: AZ AGR BUZZI GIANCARLO

BRONZE

EUFORIA REGALIS

VIVALDI REGALIS X CENERENTOLA CHANDRA BREEDER: REGALIS ARABIANS SRL OWNER: REGALIS ARABIANS SRL AHM | 149

Futurity Male FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

TYRON DI MAR

DOMINIC M X PADME DI MAR BREEDER: FRANCHINI MARCO OWNER: FRANCHINI MARCO AHM | 150

GOLD

AG NOBEL RAFEE

FA EL RASHEEM X AG SAHHARA GAZAL BREEDER: AG NOBEL ARABIANS DI ARSENAULT IDA. L OWNER: AG NOBEL ARABIANS DI ARSENAULT IDA. L

BRONZE

SA ZATOPEK

SA FAEZ SIMBAD X SA ZEIN BREEDER: SCIPIONI ANGELO IMP.IND. OWNER: SCIPIONI ANGELO IMP.IND. AHM | 151

Yearling Fillies FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

MADAMA MONISCIONE

AJMAN MONISCIONE X MEDEA MONISCIONE BREEDER: AZ. AGR. BUZZI GIANCARLO OWNER: AZ. AGR. BUZZI GIANCARLO AHM | 152

GOLD

CS RASHIMA

FA EL RASHEEM X S OPPORTUNITY BREEDER: CIACCI ENZO OWNER: CIACCI ENZO

BRONZE

SS RAWNAQ

KAHIL AL SHAQAB X ASH RANYA BREEDER: ALLEVAMENTO STIGLER STUD OWNER: ALLEVAMENTO STIGLER STUD AHM | 153

Yearling Colts FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

RK NADRA

EXCALIBUR EA X RK ANDRA BREEDER: SHAZIN SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA A R.L. OWNER: SHAZIN SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA A R.L. AHM | 154

GOLD

SS DHAFER

FA EL RASHEEM X DONNA DIVA BREEDER: ALLEVAMENTO STIGLER STUD OWNER: ALLEVAMENTO STIGLER STUD

BRONZE

FADIAN SCAH

FADI AL SHAQAB X CREOLA LC BREEDER: SCAH ARABIANS SRL SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA OWNER: SCAH ARABIANS SRL SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA AHM | 155

Junior Fillies FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

SA KAMILA

SA FAEZ SIMBAD X SA KARIMA BREEDER: SCIPIONI ANGELO OWNER: SCIPIONI ANGELO AHM | 156

GOLD

IYLAH EL AZIZ

EXCALIBUR E.A. X IMAN BY AJMAN BREEDER: WOODYARABIAN OWNER: WOODYARABIAN

BRONZE

VESTIGE

AJMAN MONISCIONE X GIADA GI BREEDER: IERVOLINO GIANLUCA OWNER: IERVOLINO GIANLUCA AHM | 157

Junior Colts FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

AMANI MONISCIONE

AMANI MONISCIONE X ALMA AL TIGLIO BREEDER: AZ AGR BUZZI GIANCARLO OWNER: VALENTINA PICCIOLI AHM | 158

GOLD

AMARANTAS RASHMORE

FA EL RASHEEM X AP SHAKIRA

BREEDER: SOCIETÀ AGRICOLA DELL’AMARANTAS S.S. OWNER: SOCIETÀ AGRICOLA DELL’AMARANTAS S.S.

BRONZE

SAHIL BY KAHIL

KAHIL AL SHAQAB X HASSENE BY HASSAN BREEDER: BATTISTI GIUSEPPE OWNER: BATTISTI GIUSEPPE AHM | 159

Senior Mares FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

ASYAH SCAH

HASMAN GYO X AMANTHEA MONISCIONE BREEDER: ALLEVAMENTO GYO DI TROVO’ GIORGIA OWNER: SCAH ARABIANS SRL SOCIETA AGRICOLA AHM | 160

GOLD

PETRA PS

WH JUSTICE X PAPEETE BREEDER: PECORARI SILVIANO OWNER: MORETTI MARCO

BRONZE

SG WISAR

AJMAN MONISCIONE X WIOLETT BREEDER: SCUDERIA GROANE S.R.L. OWNER: SCUDERIA GROANE S.R.L. AHM | 161

Senior Stallions FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SILVER

MOHAI

EKS ALIHANDRO X AJMA DL BREEDER: FAUSTO GLADICH OWNER: SORRENTINO GIULIA AHM | 162

GOLD

JAMAAL DI MAR

MARAJJ X P CALYENNA EL JAMAAL APEETE BREEDER: FRANCHINI MARCO OWNER: SOC. AGR. TRE STELLE S.A.S. DI CRISTINA C.

BRONZE

STY ESSTIMATE

DON GIOVANNI J X EVITA EL JAVIER BREEDER: STEYLAERS GIOVANNA OWNER: ZANIBONI ROBERTO AHM | 163

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Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone

Horse training and handling is a tough profession for a man or a woman. However, Andrea Boscarino from Italy is undaunted. His love for horses is overwhelming to the extent of spending twenty-four hours with the most elegant animal in the world. Andrea lives in Lombardy where he co-owns the well-known BM Arabian Training Centre with his brother Angelo.

At BM Arabian Training Center each horse is treated individually. We take care of our clients’ horses as we get to know them and try to figure out which training technique is best for the horse we are dealing with. We don’t use a standardised training technique so as to always make any horse feel at ease, and keep both movement and ‘type’ as vital as possible.

Hello Andrea. Just to set the scene with our readers, will you please give us some background to you, your family and education?

Hello everyone! Thanks for this great opportunity.

My name is Andrea Boscarino. I am a professional handler of purebred Arabian horses and I have been breeding Arabian horses for about thirty years at the family stables located in the province of Varese, north Italy.

Is there a limit to what an Arabian horse can be taught through handling?

What a good Trainer must understand is what the horse actually teaches him. Like humans, horses too never stop learning.

How and when did this passion for Arabian horses begin? To what extent has the love for the Arabian horse affected your life?

In truth, we inherited this passion from our parents, Mr. Michele and Mrs. Lina Boscarino. My parents had started breeding Arabian horses a few years before my brother Angelo Boscarino and I were born. We both grew up around horses and fell in love with them.

The Arabian horse has impacted on our life from an early age to such an extent that we turned this passion into a job.

Andrea, have you developed a systematic program for handling Arabian horses at BM Arabian Training Centre? Can you describe this program? How have your handling techniques evolved over the years?

Who has been the most demanding horse to train?

As I said before, what’s truly important is to create a ‘connection’ with the horse in training, in this way even the most particular horses will be willing to listen to their Trainer’s requests.

What, in your opinion, really defines a good Handler?

What do you need to become a successful one?

Definitely, get to know the horses and their habits first, be very serious with clients, and advise them in the best possible way as if what you do for them you are doing for yourself.

What are your favourite bloodlines?

Well, we grew up in a family of breeders and lovers of the Russian bloodline, we have always been looking for mares deriving from PADRON, in my opinion one of the most important sires in history having created a

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dynasty of Champions of its own.

In our barns, we also have mares deriving from the extraordinary EL SHAKLAN, another champion in reproduction. Lately, I have started to appreciate more the Straight Egyptian horse.

Andrea, how do you feel about the showing environment? Do the most deserving horses in terms of I state that the quality of horses in Italy has significantly increased in recent years, and we get many requests for young promises from abroad, which means that Italy is certainly taken into high consideration by other states when it comes down to horses’ quality.

As for the shows, honestly there have been a few circumstances where I doubted the true standards of the Arabian horse, but as I often say, the world of the Arabian horse is a world apart, as you cannot argue with those who judge according to certain criteria. Personal taste may vary in terms of Type, Head and Harmony.

Quite often I can see a horse and get thrilled whilst this same horse means nothing to the person who is next to me.

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Which show have you been to as a Handler most recently? Share with us most exciting moments‌ We have recently participated in the Straight Egyptians World Championship in Milan with two mares: Nardene Al Naif belonging to Al Naif Stud from Qatar, who won the 2020 SEWC World Champion title; the other mare belonging to Nawasi Stud team, also from Qatar, won first place and the Senior Mare Bronze medal.

The most exciting moment was when I won the World Championship for the first time in my life. I had been waiting for it for a long time after all the other victories at the Italian Championships.

How important are the Fairs of Arabian horses?

Certainly the Arabian Horse Fairs are a great showcase that oers breeders competing in the shows every year a method of comparison, and with that, a great opportunity to understand which direction their breeding program is going, as well as an occasion to share exciting moments together with friends and other breeders.

Fairs are also important to show other countries in the world what Made in Italy breeding has done so far and it

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is able to do to enhance the value of Italian products on the international market.

people who have supported me up to now, and to those who will do so in the future.

How and where do you see yourself in ten years?

I take this opportunity to give you some great news: I have recently bought a new property together with my brother Angelo Boscarino where we will build our new BM Arabian Training Center. We will give our clients the opportunity to have a small clinic for gynaecology, a breeding station for stallions and frozen semen storage, all services that were not yet fully available at the previous stables. We would have much larger paddocks as the area exceeds two hectares of land available both for mares and their foals. I hope to see all my expectations fulfilled in ten years especially workwise, but, first and number one, I hope to continue arousing great emotions in all the

Andrea, will you please leave a message for the readers of AHM? Believe in your dreams because sooner or later they will come true if you truly believe in them: in everyday life, at work, on the farm, at shows. If you think it can be done, then go ahead with boldness.

I hope this 2021 will wash away all the problems and worries of last year due to the spread of Covid-19 pandemic disease. I hope I will see all my friends and colleagues again very soon. I miss them all‌

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Thank you so much Andrea. Your words have touched us deeply. May all your dreams come true!

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Written by Sonia Smaldone - Photos by Paola Drera

t the eightieth edition of the Straight Egyptian World Championship Arabian Horse Show, held from 17th to 18th October at MVR Palashow Jumpers, in Vermezzo, just outside Milan, luxury came back again to play a central role in lending its name to the competition conceived by Mrs. Barbara Morali, CEO at Morali Group & C. This was a very important morphology event exclusively reserved for Straight Egyptian Arabian horses, the noblest and rarest horse breed, which today represent only the 4% of the Arabian Horses worldwide.

Located 15 km from the centre of Milan and close to main highways, the MVR Palashow Jumpers facilities offered a comfortable stay for both horses and their companions with first-class services ready to meet the needs of all participants in the show - breeders and spectators alike – while fully respecting anti-Covid-19 regulations.

As an exceptional sponsor of the eightieth edition, the 5-star Al Waab Farm owned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Member of the Qatari Royal Family. In Italy, Sheikh has become particularly famous for the acquisition of the Maison Valentino.

Main Sponsors also included: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (UAE); Halsdon Arabians (UK); Al Shiraa Arabians (UAE); Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (USA)

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ll’ottava edizione dello Straight Egyptian World Championship Arabian Horse Show, tenutosi dal 17 al 18 ottobre al MVR Palashow Jumpers di Vermezzo, alle porte di Milano, il lusso è tornato ad associare il proprio nome alla competizione ideata da Barbara Morali, Presidentessa del Gruppo Morali & C., un evento di morfologia molto importante focalizzato esclusivamente sui cavalli arabi di linea egiziana, i quali costituiscono solo il 4% circa dei Cavalli Arabi in tutto il mondo, rappresentando la razza equestre più nobile e rara.

Situato a 15 km dal centro di Milano e vicino alle principali autostrade, il maneggio di Vermezzo ha offerto una sistemazione sicura e confortevole ai cavalli e ai loro accompagnatori, con servizi di prima classe pronti a soddisfare tutte le esigenze dei partecipanti allo spettacolo, allevatori e spettatori, nonché il pieno rispetto delle norme anti-Covid-19.

Sponsor d’eccezione di questa ottava edizione, l’importante allevamento Al Waab Farm di proprietà dello Sceicco Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Membro della Famiglia Reale del Qatar, celebre in Italia per l’acquisizione, tralaltro, della Maison Valentino. Tra i principali Sponsor sono da annoverare anche: Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (UAE); Halsdon Arabians (UK); Al Shiraa Arabians (UAE); Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (USA) and Hanaya Arabian Stud (Switzer-

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and Hanaya Arabian Stud (Switzerland).

As in past editions, the Championship was supported by the Qatar Foundation and by Sheikh Hamad Ali Bin Al Thani, who participated with Al Shaqab and Al Rayyan Studs. Other notable participating breeding programs were: Al Fala Stud, Abhaa Arabians, Al Qasem Stud, Al Sayed Stud, Al Qasem Stud, Al Naif Stud, Al Nawasi Stud, Al Rashediah Stud, TFK Stud, Al Wakeel Stud, Ezzaman Stud, El Farida Stud and Salayel Stud.

The entire Championship was supervised by Mrs. Christianne Chazel (France) and Mrs. Dominik Briot (France), two prominent Event Consultants in the sector.

Five international judges turned up to officiate the competition: Mr. Koenraad Detailleur (Belgium); Mr. Manfred Haine (Germany); Mrs. Helen HenAHM | 182

land).

L’intero evento è stato sostenuto, come nelle passate edizioni, dalla Qatar Foundation e dallo Sceicco Hamad Ali Bin Al Thani, che ha partecipato con le scuderie Al Shaqab e Al Rayyan. Altri importanti programmi di allevamento partecipanti sono stati: Al Fala Stud, Abhaa Arabians, Al Qasem Stud, Al Sayed Stud, Al Qasem Stud, Al Naif Stud, Al Nawasi Stud, Al Rashediah Stud, TFK Stud, Al Wakeel Stud, Ezzaman Stud, El Farida Stud e Salayel Stud.

Tutto il Campionato è stato supervisionato dalla sig. ra Christianne Chazel (Francia) e sig.ra Dominik Briot (Francia), tra le più note Event Consultants del settore. Cinque i giudici internazionali intervenuti a ufficiare la gara: sig. Koenraad Detailleur (Belgio); sig. Manfred Haine (Germania); sig.ra Helen Henneckens-van (Belgio); sig. Fausto Scanzi (Italia) e sig.

neckens-van (Belgium); Mr. Fausto Scanzi (Italy) and Mrs. Christine Valette (France). With the rank of Disciplinary Commissioners: Mr. Roberto Ceccaroni (Italy); Mr. Jean Marc Du Bois (France) and Mr. Bertrand Valette (France). Ring-master: Mr. Christian Moschini (Italy). General Secretariat: Mrs. Alessia Cabassi (Italy); Mrs. Ginevra Vallisneri (Italy) and Mrs. Patrizia Garbati (Italy). Speaker and music by: AMG (Italy). Web Streaming: Arabian Essence (Italy).

The show started on Saturday 17th October at 2.30pm after a delicious Welcome drink and ended up on Sunday 18th October at 7.00pm with the following results: In the YEARLING FILLIES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner, the grey Ayah Al Fala (Naseem Al

ra Christine Valette (Francia). Con il grado di Commissari Disciplinari: sig. Roberto Ceccaroni (Italia); sig. Jean Marc Du Bois (Francia) e sig. Bertrand Valette (Francia). Ring-master: sig. Christian Moschini (Italia). Segreteria-Generale: sig.ra Alessia Cabassi (Italia); sig.ra Ginevra Vallisneri (Italia) e sig.ra Patrizia Garbati (Italia). Speaker e musiche a cura di: AMG (Italia). Web Streaming: Arabian Essence (Italia).

Lo show è iniziato sabato 17 ottobre alle ore 14:30 dopo un delizioso Cocktail di benvenuto e si è concluso domenica 18 ottobre alle 19:00 con i seguenti riultati: Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRE DI 1 ANNO, Vincitrice della medaglia d’oro, la grigia Ayah Al Fala (Naseem Al Rashediah x Zummorroda Al Waab) allevata AHM | 183

Rashediah x Zummorroda Al Waab) bred and owned by Al Fala Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey Hind Al Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Or Marjuana) bred and owned by Al Rayyan Farm. Bronze medal winner, the grey Jazeya Al Rayyan (Bahhei Ezzain x Hanoof Al Rayyan) bred and owned by Al Rayyan Farm.

e di proprietà di Al Fala Stud. Vincitrice della medaglia d’argento, la grigia Hind Al Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan x OR Marjuana) allevata e di proprietà di Al Rayyan Farm. Vincitrice della medaglia di bronzo, la grigia Jazeya Al Rayyan (Bahhei Ezzain x Hanoof Al Rayyan) allevata e di proprietà di Al Rayyan Farm.

In the JUNIOR FILLIES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner the grey Asinaat Sa (Shams Sharav AA x Amasi Al Ayal) bred by Sanad Mansour and owned by Abhaa Arabians. Silver medal winner, the grey AB Deem (Al Ayal AA x Dalal Zamani) bred

by Abhaa Arabians and owned by Al Shaqab Stud.

Bronze medal winner, the grey Lian Al Qasem (Jawhar Al Qasem x Loubana Al Qasem) bred and owned by Taha Salah Al Qasem Stud.

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRE JUNIOR, Vincitrice della medaglia d’oro la grigia Asinaat Sa (Shams Sharav AA x Amasi Al Ayal) allevata da Sanad Mansour e di proprietà di Abhaa Arabians. Vincitrice della medaglia d’argento, la grigia AB Deem (Al Ayal AA x Dalal Zamani) allevata da Abhaa Arabians e di proprietà di Al Shaqab Stud. Vincitrice della medaglia di bronzo, la grigia Lian Al Qasem (Jawhar Al Qasem x Loubana Al Qasem) allevata e di proprietà di Taha Salah Al Qasem Stud.

In the SENIOR MARES CATEGORY, Gold medal winner the grey Nardene Al Naif (Sahib x Johara Al Naif) bred and owned by Al Naif Stud.

Silver medal winner, the grey Loubana Al Qasem (AL Ayal AA x Loubana) bred by Taha Salah and owned by Alsayed Stud. Bronze medal winner, the grey Safira Al Dohul (Safir Al Rayyan x Saja Al Sha-

Nella CATEGORIA FATTRICI, Vincitrice della medaglia d’oro, la grigia Nardene Al Naif (Sahib x Johara Al Naif) allevata e di proprietà di Al Naif Stud.

Vincitrice della medaglia d’argento, la grigia Loubana Al Qasem (AL Ayal AA x Loubana) allevata da Taha Salah e di proprietà di Alsayed Stud.

Vincitrice della medaglia di bronzo, la grigia Safira

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qab) bred by Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ali Saeed Al Nuaimi and owned by Al Nawasi Stud.

In the YEARLING COLTS CATEGORY, Gold medal winner, the grey Salam Akmal (Naseem Al Rashediah x Salmma BKV) bred and owned by Akmal Stud. Silver medal winner, the grey Afas Al Rayyan (Ezz Al Danat x Sulima Al Rayyan) bred and owned

by Al Rayyan Farm. Bronze medal winner the grey Shawwaf Al Shaqab (Bahhei Ezzain x Nouf Al Shaqab) bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud.

In the JUNIOR COLTS CATEGORY, Gold medal winner Al Ghazi Al Rashediah (Jamil Al Rayyan x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) bred by Al Rashediah Stud and owned by TFK Stud. Silver medal winner the grey Naaeem Al Waab (Barraq El Aliya x Nabeela Saqr) bred by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Thani and owned by Nasser Abdulla Nasser A Al Mansouri.

Bronze medal winner, the grey Moez Ezzman (Theeb Al Rayyan x Majedah Al Sharbatly) bred by Al Wakeel Stud and owned by Ezzaman Stud.

In the SENIOR STALLION CATEGORY, Gold

Al Dohul (Safir Al Rayyan x Saja Al Shaqab) allevata da Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ali Saeed Al Nuaimi e di proprietà di Al Nawasi Stud.

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRI DI 1 ANNO, Vincitore della medaglia d’oro il grigio Salam Akmal (Naseem Al Rashediah x Salmma BKV) allevato e di proprietà di Akmal Stud. Vincitore della medaglia d’argento, il grigio Afas Al Rayyan (Ezz Al Danat x Sulima Al Rayyan) allevato e di proprietà di Al Rayyan Farm. Vincitore della medaglia di bronzo il grigio Shawwaf Al Shaqab (Bahhei Ezzain x Nouf Al Shaqab) allevato e di proprietà di Al Shaqab Stud.

Nella CATEGORIA PULEDRI JUNIOR, Vincitore della medaglia d’oro il grigio Al Ghazi Al Rashediah (Jamil Al Rayyan x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) allevato da Al Rashediah Stud e di proprietà di TFK Stud. Vincitore della medaglia d’argento, il grigio Naaeem Al Waab (Barraq El Aliya x Nabeela Saqr) allevato da Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Thani e di proprietà di Nasser Abdulla Nasser A Al Mansouri.

Vincitore della medaglia di bronzo, il grigio Moez Ezzman (Theeb Al Rayyan x Majedah Al Sharbatly) allevato da Al Wakeel Stud e di proprietà di Ezzaman Stud.

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medal winner the grey Naseem Al Rashediah (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) bred and owned by Al Rashediah Stud.

Silver medal winner the grey Bebars El Farida (Imperial x Salma) bred by El Farida Stud and owned by Salayel Stud.

Bronze medal winner the grey Saeid Al Farida (Madeen Al Nakeeb x Imeila) bred by El Farida Stud and owned by Salayel Stud and El Farida Stud.

SPECIAL AWARDS Best in Show Females the grey Nardene Al Naif (Sahib x Johara Al Naif) bred and owned by Al Naif Stud.

Best in Show Males and Best Sire the grey Naseem Al Rashediah (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) bred and owned by Al Rashediah Stud.

CONCLUSION The truly exclusive facilities of MVR Palashow Jumpers in Vermezzo were allowed to host the most beautiful horses in the world also in such a difficult year. A combination of unmatched elegance and fineness, two beautiful days that went by in the name of true beauty and sport and in full compliance with anti-Covid-19 regulations. President Barbara Morali and her team worked very hard to manage the workload and hit the show deadline successfully.

“We have already started working on an upcoming important event, which will take place in 2021”, she announced. And we on the AHM Team will definitely be there.

Nella CATEGORIA STALLONI, Vincitore della medaglia d’oro il grigio Naseem Al Rashediah (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) allevato e di proprietà di Al Rashediah Stud.

Vincitore della medaglia d’argento, il grigio Bebars El Farida (Imperial x Salma) allevato da El Farida Stud e di proprietà di Salayel Stud.

Vincitore della medaglia di bronzo, il grigio Saeid Al Farida (Madeen Al Nakeeb x Imeila) allevato da El Farida Stud e di proprietà di Salayel Stud & El Farida Stud.

PREMI SPECIALI Best in Show Femmine la grigia Nardene Al Naif (Sahib x Johara Al Naif) allevata e di proprietà di Al Naif Stud.

Best in Show Maschi e Best Sire il grigio Naseem Al Rashediah (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) allevato e di proprietà di Al Rashediah Stud.

CONCLUSIONE: Una location davvero esclusiva quella del MVR Palashow Jumpers di Vermezzo che, anche quest’anno così difficile, ha potuto ospitare i cavalli più belli del mondo. Un connubio di eleganza senza pari, due belle giornate trascorse all’insegna della grazia e dello sport che si sono svolte nel pieno rispetto delle norme anti-Covid 19. La Presidentessa Barbara Morali e il suo team hanno lavorato sodo per gestire il carico di lavoro e rispettare con successo la scadenza dei preparativi per lo show.

“Stiamo già lavorando a un prossimo importante appuntamento, che si svolgerà nel 2021”, ci ha anticipato. E noi dell’AHM Team non mancheremo di sicuro.

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YEARLING FILLIES Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

HIND AL RAYYAN

ASHHAL AL RAYYAN x OR MARJUANA BREEDER: AL RAYYAN FARM OWNER: AL RAYYAN FARM

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GOLD MEDAL

AYAH AL FALA

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH x ZUMORRODA AL WAAB

Breeder: AL FALA STUD Owner: AL FALA STUD

BRONZE MEDAL

JAZEYA AL RAYYAN BAHHEI EZZAIN x HANOOF AL RAYYAN BREEDER: AL RAYYAN FARM OWNER: AL RAYYAN FARM

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JUNIOR FILLIES Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

AB DEEM

AL AYAL AA X DALAL ZAMANI BREEDER: ABHAA ARABIANS OWNER: AL SHAQAB STUD

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GOLD MEDAL

ASINAAT SA

SHAMS SHARAV AA x AMASI AL AYAL Breeder: Sanad Mansour Owner: Abhaa Arabians

BRONZE MEDAL

LIAN AL QASEM

JAWHAR AL QASEM X LOUBANA AL QASEM BREEDER: MR. TAHA SALAH ALQASEM STUD OWNER: MR. TAHA SALAH ALQASEM STUD

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SENIOR MARES Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

LOUBANA AL QASEM AL AYAL AA X LOUBANA BREEDER: TAHA SALAH OWNER: ALSAYED STUD

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GOLD MEDAL

NARDENE AL NAIF SAHIB x JOHARA AL NAIF Breeder: AL NAIF STUD Owner: AL NAIF STUD

BRONZE MEDAL

SAFIRA AL DOHUL SAFIR AL RAYYAN X SAJA AL SHAQAB

BREEDER: MOHAMMED ABDUL RAHMAN ALI SAEED AL NUAIMI OWNER: AL NAWASI STUD AHM | 193

YEARLING COLTS Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

AFAS AL RAYYAN

EZZ AL DANAT X SULIMA AL RAYYAN BREEDER: AL RAYYAN FARM OWNER: AL RAYYAN FARM

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GOLD MEDAL

SALAM AKMAL

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH x SALMMA BKV

Breeder: AKMAL STUD Owner: AKMAL STUD

BRONZE MEDAL

SHAWWAF AL SHAQAB BAHHEI EZZAIN X NOUF AL SHAQAB BREEDER: AL SHAQAB STUD OWNER: AL SHAQAB STUD

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JUNIOR COLTS Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

NAAEEM AL WAAB BARRAQ EL ALIYA X NABEELA SAQR

BREEDER: SHEIKH ABDULLA BIN KHALID AL THANI OWNER: NASSER ABDULLA NASSER A AL MANSOURI AHM | 196

GOLD MEDAL

AL GHAZI AL RASHEDIAH JAMIL AL RAYYAN x NABAWEYYAH EZZAIN

Breeder: Al Rashediah Stud Owner: TFK Stud

BRONZE MEDAL

MOEZ EZZAMAN

THEEB AL RAYYAN X MAJEDAH AL SHARBATLY BREEDER: AL WAKEEL STUD OWNER: EZZAMAN STUD

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SENIOR STALLIONS Final Championship

SILVER MEDAL

BEBARS EL FARIDA IMPERIAL X SALMA

BREEDER: ELFARIDA STUD OWNER: SALAYEL STUD AHM | 198

GOLD MEDAL

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH AL ADEED AL SHAQAB x NABAWEYYAH EZZAIN

Breeder: Al Rashediah Stud Owner: Al Rashediah Stud

BRONZE MEDAL

SAEID AL FARIDA ADEEN AL NAKEEB X IMEILA

BREEDER: ELFARIDA STUD OWNER: SALAYEL STUD AND ELFARIDA STUD AHM | 199

People AND

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MOMENTS

8TH STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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People AND

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MOMENTS

8TH STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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Alessia

FM FARAH

sa faez simbad x tidjani

owner scipioni arabians AHM | 208

Janira SA

Sa faez simbad x princesa pin

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Safiyah AL SAFIR

fadi al shaqab x sa sonja

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Wali al Safir wadee al shaqab x exposita ka

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Arctica RA

Sa faez simbad x H allure H

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Amaranda RA

Morion x alina ps

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We want to congratulate our clients for the results at the arabian dream show international b Safiyah al safir silver medal junior fillies Sa janira bronze medal junior fillies Wali al safir bronze medal junior colts Penelope ds gold medal senior mares Sawha el dine gold medal straight egyptian mares Sa zatopek gold medal futurity colts Amaranda ra top five yearling fillies Arctica ra top yearling fillies

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Enotri shanghai ea x enjoi e

owner Enotri eea partnership

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EEA

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“Arabian horses have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart” …

WHO IS SHELLY DENISE? PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, WHERE YOU ARE FROM AND YOUR FAMILY. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so.

Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end…

I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point.

HOW AND WHEN WERE YOU DISCOVERED AS A MODEL? DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO PURSUE MODELLING? I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica AHM | 218

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Bellucci, and they have always have been an inspiration to me. However, I didn’t want to pursue a professional career at an agency because I didn’t always agree with the industry standards as they used to be.

But, when social media platforms such as Instagram became bigger, I got in contact with some photographers and decided to start doing collaboration shoots as a hobby. One thing led to another and soon I received more and more requests for photoshoots.

I love doing collaboration shoots as it is a great way to push your creativity. Different photographers have different styles and it’s nice to style a shoot together and try out different things together.

I’m so happy to see how the modelling and fashion industry is changing now though. It is finally becoming more diverse and inclusive and I hope it continues to develop this way for both men and women in the industry. I recently graduated and I was approached

by an agency again, so I decided to also start doing it more professionally for the next years.

IF YOU HAD TO SAY–WHAT THREE THINGS MAKE A GREAT MODEL? Great part of modelling is about ‘look’, but I think what really makes a model stand out is the attitude and character. I feel like it’s so important to be kind and positive, as a positive character will always make the mood on set much better and, therefore, make the photoshoot much more fun – both for yourself and the photographer and crew.

Confidence also plays a big role in this. It is totally normal to feel nervous, especially in the beginning or during important shoots. Once you start doing more photoshoots and as your career as a model progresses, new experiences will definitely make you feel more confident naturally as you start getting the flow of it.

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I believe being versatile is also important, as you need to be able to interpret different roles according to the job or photographer’s needs.

Sometimes, you have to do something you’re really not used to doing, then you just have to know how to act and be capable of changing expression and act following a certain story.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCES MODELLING SO FAR? Last year I did a shooting in Milan. The crew rented a big mansion for the weekend just outside the centre as they were also shooting a video clip there. Meanwhile the photographer and I were doing a shoot for an interview with the Dutch FHM Magazine. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because of the company and location, but in general I think beach and nature shoots will always be my favourite. I love shooting in Ibiza because of the beautiful locations there.

In the end the most important thing for me is that there is a good connection between the

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photographer and I. When the vibe is good, I will feel more comfortable and it will allow me to be more creative.

ARE THERE ANY DESIGNERS THAT YOU REALLY LIKE TO WEAR? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? If I had to describe my style in one word, I would say: diverse. One day I am sporty or casual, the next more feminine and classy. One day dark, the next more colourful.

My closet has everything from jeans to leggings to dresses to skirts. I tend to pick my outfits based on my mood and the occasion. For my daily activities I usually wear jeans and sneakers, but when I go somewhere for dinner or have another occasion, I prefer wearing dresses and heels.

Although I do have some designer clothes, I personally don’t really focus on the brand when buying clothes. I usually just buy what I like. I do love to add some jewellery to my outfits as I feel like it always finishes up any type of look. In the end, when it comes to fashion and style, I think we should all wear what we feel most comfortable in, whatever that outfit may be.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT MODELLING IN YOUR OFF TIME? Besides modelling and horse riding, I am a dancer. Living near Amsterdam right now it’s what is kee-

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The world needs less judgement and more love!

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ping me busy most of my days. I fell in love with the salsa, bachata and kizomba dancing scene during my time in Spain and I have been dancing intensively since then. I don’t think there are days on which I don’t dance. The dance scene is one of the reasons I fell in love with Spain, and what gave me so many great friendships over the past years.

I also enjoy travelling a lot. I hope to plan some trips to Dubai and some countries in South America soon which have been on my list for a long time. I think travelling is a great way for everyone to grow as a person, meet people from different cultures and learn about their ways of living and thinking. Living abroad has made me a very open minded person and taught me so many valuable things.

There are so many things that I enjoy though. I love just spending time at home with my family and friends, going to the gym, reading, hanging out in the parks in Amsterdam in the summer or just watching movies.

BETWEEN MODELLING AND ARABIAN HORSES…TELL US WHEN YOU FIRST MET AN ARABIAN HORSE AND HOW YOU FELT ABOUT IT. When I was 10 years old, I met Mrs. Talitha Bakker

from Arabian Stud Europe in Harderwijk. My mom brought me to her stables and Talitha immediately told me I was welcome to come help her in the weekends and after school when I had time. I didn’t have much experience yet with handling horses but that came soon enough. Regardless my young age and experience, she included me in everything. She let me handle her mares with foals, stallions, the easy ones and the difficult ones. I soon became fearless in handling horses, breaking them under saddle, and all that comes with it.

We have had really great moments during those years, together with the other girls that came there. So many amazing horses, and so many I fell in love with, but most of all so many good memories. Now that we both moved - she moved to the east of the country and I moved to the west of the country - I don’t come there as often anymore, but whenever I have some time off or when she needs help I try to come and stay over for a few days. I love spending time there and being around her horses and dogs as it brings me so much inner peace!

DO YOU OWN ARABIAN HORSES YOURSELF? WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH HORSES? Unfortunately, I haven’t owned any horses of myself yet, mostly because I don’t have the time. I’m still moving around a lot and have been very busy with my studies AHM | 225

and work. Since the beginning of my time at Arabian Stud Europe I haven’t handled or ridden any horses other than Arabian horses though. I love their character, looks, and versatility. They are such loyal and intelligent horses. They have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart. I don’t know when, but I’m sure that one day when I’m settled down I’ll buy my own Arabian horse.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO ARABIAN HORSES BEAUTY COMPETITIONS? IF SO, TELL US WHICH INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN HORSES SHOW IS YOUR FAVOURITE ONE (DUBAI, MENTON, AACHEN, PARIS ETC...)

I used to go to many shows but in the past 3-4 years I haven’t attended many because I was abroad a lot.

Aachen has probably been the most memorable one for me. I always enjoyed the atmosphere there and the quality of the horses. A lot of my friends go there too, so it’s always fun to be there, see the horses, and catch up with friends. I also really like the show in Paris. I love the city and going there in winter just before Christmas always has something special! I haven’t been to Menton yet, but always wanted to go. I belieAHM | 226

ve I planned going there already 3 times, but always had to cancel as it usually was the weekend before my exams at University – study duties! Maybe next year now when I will be finally graduated.

LASTLY, WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WANT LESS OF IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT ABOUT MORE OF...?

This year has been a different and crazy year for everyone. To me personally, 2020 has been all about reflecting, learning, and appreciating the little things in life. We have all been so limited this year, but, in return, I got to reflect and change some habits. I have learned to appreciate the little things more, got to spend more time with my friends and family, and I am trying to surround myself with positive people only. There isn’t something I necessarily want more or less of in my life. I am lucky to have a very loving family, amazing friends, and be healthy. I hope that once the current situation has passed, I will be able to travel more again. But, most of all, I hope that in general the world becomes more positive, compassionate, and accepting of each other because the world needs less judgement and more love.

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Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone “It’s simple to take a picture - it’s more difficult to take one that means something” Successful photographers often become idols of new generations. It’s always interesting to see them in life, to take a glance behind the scenes, and hear their unique stories on how they got into photography. That’s the aim of the interview with Italian photographer Sunita Sassudelli, Sunny to her friends, a very talented artist with a soft spot for Arabian horse photography.

Hello Sunita. Welcome onboard! Let’s start from the very beginning. Did you go to school to study photography? Or are you a self-taught?

Hello everyone!

Yes, I got a BA in Photography and I graduated from the Art Academy in Brescia. Before that, I attended the Art Institute where I studied architecture, industrial and design photography.

Who were your early influences?

Honestly, I don’t know who influenced

my point of view, but I got captivated by the shots of many photographers. I think it is very important to learn something from every single artist since every shot is made with the heart.

My professors taught me that it is not enough to have learned the technique, but you need to bring passion and feeling into it, so that your shots will speak for you.

What is your favorite subject to photograph?

That is an easy one. My favorite subject are horses, forever my deepest passion.

Horses are my life!

Which is your favorite lens? Why? Now, I prefer my 70 - 200 lens. I think it is the best for horse shooting.

What photo-editing program do you use?

I usually use Photoshop, just for lights, colours and frame.

Are you a detail oriented person?

Of course, I am. It is essential to focus on details so to better understand

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what we have in front of us.

What does photography mean to you? How would you describe your photography style?

Photography is a way of being and thinking. It’s a world I feel to belong to since all forms of photographic artistry serve to offer other people a different point of view. I don’t know how to exactly describe my style. I always try to put my heart and soul into making shots that can speak for themselves, without explanation. It’s simple to take a picture - it’s more difficult to take one that means something…

What makes the good picture stand out from the average?

In order to have a good quality image, it is necessary to keep in mind a few but fundamental things. Not necessarily is it mandatory to study the shot before.

Especially with subjects such as horses, you will hardly be able to get the set photo always as you wish.

Thus, according to what I have learned, in order to have a good shot, it will be sufficient to take into account the light, moment/pose, framing and photographic cut. These elements can help distinguish a

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nice shot from a mediocre one.

What inspires you?

I know this may sound crazy, but it can be anything, even a small thing. A leaf, a shadow, a glimmer of light... if inserted in a certain context can create a wonderful image! It is also important to look around, follow different photographers and learn something from each of them.

How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

I always try to improve myself. Looking for unique shots makes me very happy. Each time, I think I can do it better, so if I find I have missed something the first time, next one I will try to focus more on it, so as not to make the same mistake again. In short, since I always have doubts about the final result, I am always putting more efforts into it.

Whose work has influenced you most?

My last three Arabian horses shows - the Straight Egyptian World Championship in Milan, the Italian AHM | 234

Nationals in Cattolica and the Purebred Arabians in Bergamo - are the ones that have impressed me the most. And they gave me the opportunity to show my vision. A difficult situation may also thrive a much better job. Being able to capture unique moments pays off all my hard work.

Among your works, which one is your favorite?

Why? I just don’t have a favorite work. As any good photographer knows the best job, thus, the preferred one, it’s the one yet to come.

What kind of tools do you use for post processing?

The post-production must be almost nothing, as natural as possible, without altering the subject, otherwise we are talking about a distorted shot and a fake one to me. At most, something can be removed whether it creates disturbance or a wrong reading of the photo. The few things I’m going to review are simply lights, colors and photographic cut.

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Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?

I have approached the world of Photography since I was a child. I have always liked the idea of being able to freeze a particular moment and make it immortal over time. After the Art Institute, I studied Design for three years, I was enthralled by Photography and, from there, I moved on with a two-year course in Photography to further expand my knowledge of the subject.

What is the most difficult part of being a photographer for you? And the most rewarding part?

For me, it is all about living up to the expectations of other people about my works. But, even more so, it’s important that I am fully satisfied about my own works. For sure, the most rewarding part of being a photographer is to see the final result. When you make someone happy about your work, it is peerless satisfaction and everlasting memory.

What are your hopes and dreams or future goals, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I hope I will be able to continue this journey in this beautiful world.

There’s a lot of joy that comes with being able to immortalize Arabian horses through Photography. For the future, I am not making too many plans, but I would certainly like to give my little point of view.

Thank you so much Sunita. Have faith in you and you can make everything true; think beyond your ability, go beyond your dream, have such courage to handle any situation. It is your journey and you can make it smoother with your dream. Best of luck from all of us on the AHM Team.

Sunny_ART

sunny_artphotovideodesign

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Interviewed by Sonia Smaldone

E

nglish born, J. Anne Butler is universally acknowledged as a leading Arabian horse sculptor of her generation.

Her outstanding portfolio is collected by a growing number of private and corporate collectors around the globe who find their lives enriched by the power, detail and her ability to capture the essence of her overwhelming passion for the Arabian horse.

I had the privilege to interview Ms. J. Anne Butler for the 2020 Winter issue and she was pleased to walk me through the main aspects of her artistry.

Hello Ms. Butler.

First and foremost, we’d like to thank you very much for welcoming this interview.

Just to set the scene with our readers, will you please give

us some background to you and to your family?

Thanks for this opportunity! My husband Ray and I love all things Italian. Food, wine, culture, but, first of all, our Italian friends!

I was born by the ocean. My love of nature and animals goes back to my idyllic childhood spent helping my father on our farm in the North West of England. Every inch of ground had to earn money so my ambition to have a horse did not happen until much later in life: an untamed wild mountain pony my children and I gentled down into a friendly amenable soul.

I spent a number of years raising my three boys alone and had a freelance job painting figurines for a Scottish based resin company. This meant I could work from home.

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can corporations whilst I was with Border Fine Arts.

Soon after meeting my now husband, Ray I left BFA and inspired by the beauty of the English Lake District started our own independent figurine company producing primarily local animals and sheep.

A highlight of this time is a head study sculpture of my late much missed father. I am also proud that our Queen proudly displays three of my creations in her private art collection.

When and Why did you start sculpting Arabian horses? Why did you choose bronze instead of painting or photographing to immortalize horses?

Bronze is eternal and timeless although I have painted. My paintings are very rare. I do love to photograph and used to design jewelry.

It was in the 1990’s that cajoled by my new step-daughter, Naomi, we visited Briery Close, a leading Arabian horse stud. Here, I fell in love with these God given creatures and mentored by their owner, Mrs. Hedley a major International Arabian horse breeder and judge. I was guided into a wonderful journey that has taken me to places I didn’t know exist resulting in lasting friendships with some incredible people.

Can you talk a little about your formative years as an artist? Have you been trained, and if so from what Institutions? Or are you self-taught?

I am almost entirely self-taught: anyone can observe and if they work hard enough, they can translate their images onto canvas or into sculpture. I have always had a yearning to design and create; if my life has a maxim it is that ...I always strive to leave a situation better than I found it. I recall sculpting sticks of chalk in school to combat boredom. My art teacher told me I would never make an artist so hopefully I have achieved a little success.

Working for Border Fine Arts as a painter soon led to me being invited to work in their sculpting studio with me also studying full time on a Design course with my local college, now part of the University of Newcastle. I sculpted sheep, cattle, dogs, cats and originated sculptures for Walt Disney and other AmeriAHM | 242

What i s your inspiration for your most recent “Born to Dance” collection?

“Born to Dance” is actually one bronze which I hope to produce as a life size bronze.

The title and the spirit of this statue does however epitomize the style and movement I endeavor to create in all my sculptures no matter what the subject matter. Most Arabian horse aficionados may not realize I sculpt a wide range of subjects and commissions. My figurati-

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ve bronzes I believe are equally appreciated in their sphere.

How do you capture the horses’ inner personalities in your works?

Horses are like people: no two are the same. This basic fact is so important when I am sculpting especially if the project is an individual commission.

I love to spend time with them and have a vast library of images and videos I can access onto my wide screen TV. Anyone can make a model, but creating a true sculpture comes from the sculptor’s soul. People ask ... how long does it take? The answer being... until it is perfect.

What are the different stages of your production?

All the time I have a multitude of ideas running around in my head. I collect images, videos, visit farms (or hope to post Covid-19) and interact with true breeders. This time is the most important. I need the spirit, positive energy and the soul of my subject to intermingle with mine.

If the project is a commission, Ray and I liaise with the client or corporate body and decide on a design, size and time frame.

When I am sculpting a design of my own, I have more freedom to make decisions.

Once a design is chosen although it will change as the sculpture speaks to me Ray is dispatched to cut the wood and attach a metal armature to which I will apply clay. Sometimes Ray mixes different clays together to achieve the perfect clay suitable for a specific purpose or to suit the temperature

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of the season. Arizona can be a little hot.

I sculpt the subject matter. Maybe, I will visit my subject and if it is a commission the patrons will visit to approve the work. The original clay, especially if it is to be enlarged to monumental size for a private or corporate entity will be viewed at every stage either physically or virtually.

When the clay is finished Ray takes the precious original to one of three Fine Art Bronze Foundries we use where skilled artisans work in conjunction with us to hopefully create the perfect, living bronze.

Do you also make Trophies for show competitions?

Yes. I have been honoured to create unique trophies for many diverse competitions around the world. Many are Arabian horse events; it was a particular honour to work with the SEWC for their show in Milan, the design capital of the world.

Delayed by world events next year some hugely different meaningful Bronze Memorial Trophies will be presented overseas.

A footnote - please give me and my team lots and lots of time to create your trophies.

How has your work evolved since you first began your own label?

And how is it now received internationally?

My label is ME not a large corporate organization.

I came from working for an International Resin Company where everything was decided by a committee and marketing people. My aim as J. Anne Butler is to aspire to perfection not purely to maximum profit. I

have also developed into creating much larger pieces cast in bronze where I can offer a highly personalized Fine Art product.

Whatever I produce regardless of subject or size I want it to be as unique as possible. Nothing will ever go out unless I am 500% satisfied with it.

My bronzes carry my name, my label and they must excite and be innovative.

Internationally the world is a small place. Our marketing is a combination of virtual networking and whenever possible eyeball to eyeball contact with our clients. Living in Scottsdale is a magical opportunity to interact with international visitors. We market globally.

Shipping is easy no matter where you live. My label is recognizable as J. Anne Butler not just any bronze. There are other great sculptors out there each with their unique essence whom I admire immensely. I believe my artwork my unique label is unique and shows its own special excellence. “My aim through my art is to amaze you, delight you and make you completely happy�

Any shows, galleries, or publications where our readers can find your sculptures?

Our major shows are the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the Arabian Breeder National Finals also in Scottsdale, and the Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas. We would love to attend more overseas shows.

The only other outlet anywhere in the world J Anne Butler art is offered apart from buying directly from us is in the Bahraini World Trade Centre at AvanteAHM | 247

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garde Jewellery by our dear friend, Pedro Mahmoud.

Ray is currently building a virtual gallery to not only sell my art around the world but also to talk to, socialize with and discuss new ideas with our beloved global family.

mizing their relationships and interactions with the people of that region.

Ms. Butler, would you like to leave a final message to our readers and to those who are now curious to get to know you better?

Ray and I continue to be so blessed with an incredible multiplicity of friends in terms of age, race, religion, background and location. Every last one of you brings such diverse joy to our lives. All united by your love of art.

Thank you for your support and friendship now and in the future.

Ms. Butler, the art world is anxiously awaiting your future creations. It was sheer excitement speaking with you!

What is the best advice you can give to your clients?

And what’s your promise to them?

Enjoy and Cherish. A bronze is not a financial investment, it is an item of beauty you are the guardian of for your life time and future generations.

I promise we always put quality ahead of everything else. My aim through my art is to amaze you, delight you and make you completely happy.

What are your hopes and dreams or future goals, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I want to be able to create unique, art that has never been done before and will thrill people for centuries to come. I have so many ideas; for example, a bronze desert scene incorporating every aspect of Arabian culture; the horse, camels, birds and wildlife epito-

www.ArabianHorseSculpture.com www.JAnneButler.com AHM | 249

BRONZE CHAMPION COLTS, INT. EGYPIAN EVENT, TRAVAGLIATO 2014 - ITALY. BRONZE CHAMPION COLTS, EGYPTIAN EVENT, SALERNO 2014 - ITALY. TOP FIVE COLTS, STRAIGHT EGYTPTIANS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, ROME 2014 - ITALY. STANDING AT: Kaliggi Arabian Stud of Mr. Mobilia Marco, Via delle Rose 3, 98030 GAGGI (ME).

AVAILABLE FOR THE BREEDING SEASON, FRESH & FROZEN SEMEN at Clinica Equina Delle Terme, Dr. Minolfi Alessandro, C/da Praie Fiume, 98050 Terme Vigliatore (ME), Mobile: (+39)392 2730320.

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FRASERA RAMSES SHAH Multi-Champion - European Egyptian Event, Lanaken 2011, Champion Stallion & Best in Show

HA AMINA

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Text by: William Richardot de Choisey Translation by: Sonja Smaldone Pics by: Private Collection Translation by: Sonja Smaldone Pics by: Private Collection Art is necessary to represent animal nature in its purest truth. For this purpose, we need fine artists who

express their sensitivity through their artworks and the technique of their choice, be it pencil, gouache or painting on canvas.

The pure-bred Arabian has fascinated all the people who have discovered him during their various pe-

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regrinations over the previous centuries, and who then felt the need to communicate their impressions and their feelings on an animal who today is the subject of debate in many areas.

A set number of great animal painters have managed to fix on canvas beautiful specimens who do not always look like today’s models, but who can be admired in old representations. The exceptional painter Bernard de Clavière has adopted a meticulous approach and a stunning application, his technique is so pure to create indescribable moments of awe that leave us dumbstruck, such is the beauty of a breed that has been preserved for centuries.

Bernard de Clavière d’Hust has been a highly skilled horseman since his childhood, and his strong involvement in the equine sector undoubtedly allows us to enjoy and appreciate outstanding pictorial representations that can only emanate from an extraordinary artist.

A man of excellence who was fed to many travels and meetings with breeders around the globe and whose aesthetics representing the noblest human achievement can only delight all of us.

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