“That pure Arabian with the charisma, the spirit, the beauty, and the romance, that still to this day gives me a thrill.” —
ON THE COVER (L-R): RH Triana (ROL Intencyty x Sylviah WLF), *Honeys Delight RB (*JJ Senor Magnum x Honeymoon FHP), and *MD Hibat Allah, (DA Valentino x *Anastasiaa)
J eff S loan
Partners Norm Pappas, Jeff Sloan, and Jamie Jacob
THE ARIA COLLECTION AND SAHARA SCOTTSDALE –
Pursuing New Standards of Excellence by Denise Hearst
T
he imprimatur of a finely-managed partnership and an unerring eye for quality is reflected in a rare assemblage of Arabian horses of exceptional quality. For proof, look no further than the six-year string of U.S. National Champion halter horses owned and/or bred by the Aria Collection – a partnership comprised of Jeff Sloan, Norm Pappas and Jamie Jacob. It’s a phenomenal achievement in our breed. A laser-like focus and a sixth sense about Arabian horses that will not only be show champions, but also producers or sires of champions, is required. As Jeff Sloan says, “We seek horses that can not only deliver at the highest levels of competition, but also as breeding horses.” One example of that mindset takes us back to 2004, when Jeff saw the extraordinary yearling *Pianissima in the pages of Arabian Horse World ’s December 2004 issue, and could think of little else. Everyone said, “The Poles will never let her go.” But within six months, Jeff and a group of partners signed a two-year-lease for the filly. *Pianissima became the figurehead of his new Arabian breeding entity, Aria International. The enterprise grew to include leases of the mare *Emandoria and the Polish
National Champion Stallion *Piaff, plus the purchase of five lots in the 2005 Pride of Poland auction. Of course, we know how that turned out: *Pianissima and *Emandoria became U.S. National Champion and Reserve Champion Junior Mares, respectively, and one of the lots purchased, *Elandra, was named U.S. National Reserve Champion Senior Mare. After their leases ended, they all went on to further glory, both in the showring and breeding barns. If anything, Jeff’s vision has grown broader and more grand in the years since. Today, the Aria Collection horses are based at the partnership’s Scottsdale facility, Sahara Scottsdale. And what an elite collection it is. Aria bred and/or owned horses in recent years include: four National Champion Mares, two Reserve Champion Mares, one U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly, and one U.S. National Champion Yearling Filly. On the male side of the ledger, there was a U.S. National Champion Stallion, a U.S. National Junior Champion Colt, a U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, and a U.S. National Reserve Champion Yearling Colt. Scottsdale and Vegas results reflect a similar pattern. And then there is the deep satisfaction of having bred
SAHARA > 1 < WORLD
HONEYS DELIGHT RB
* J J S e n o r M a g n u m x H o n e y m o o n F H P, 2 0 0 8 m a r e
*
*HONEYS DELIGHT RB (*JJ Senor Magnum x Honeymoon FHP), enjoyed a long, successful show career, including 2016 Scottsdale Champion International Breeders Classic Senior Mare, 2016 Scottsdale Supreme Silver Champion Senior Mare, 2015 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Classic Senior Mare, 2013 U.S. National Champion Mare Four Years and Older, 2012 Brazilian National Gold Champion Young Mare, and 2012 All Nations Cup Gold Champion Filly. Her success continued through her daughter ARIA APHRODITE (by Aria Impresario), 2017 U.S. National Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and 2016 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Classic Junior Filly, and her son ARIA MAJESTY (by *Marwan Al Shaqab), 2018 Scottsdale Champion Classic Junior Colt and 2018 U.S. National Reserve Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Colt, pictured on the opposite page. SAHARA > 2 < WORLD
“It’s like buying a sports team, except our stars are horses” — N orm P aPPas
ARIA APHRODITE
Aria Impresario x *Honeys Delight RB
and owned the 2018 Scottsdale Champion Junior Colt Aria Majesty (*Marwan Al Shaqab x *Honeys Delight RB), and following that win with the 2019 Scottsdale Champion Junior Filly Aria Venetian Lace (EKS Alihandro x BH Beijings Velvet), both out of mares who were National Champions for Aria. “Our success has largely been driven by Jeff’s keen ability to see great horses early, followed by our team’s (Greg and Nancy Gallún, Andy Sellman, and Michael Carpio) ability to prepare and present them so beautifully,” says Norm Pappas. “Additionally, being partners with Jamie Jacob has enabled us to act quickly on adding stars to our program. It’s been a great experience to develop a world-class program in the Arabian horse world in such a short period of time. It’s like buying a sports team, except our stars are horses.” As Jamie says, “Having accomplished my
ARIA MAJESTY
*Marwan Al Shaqab x *Honeys Delight RB
business goals in life, to now enjoy this level of success and pride of ownership with Arabian horses has enhanced my life in many surprising ways beyond just winning in the showring.” At Sahara Scottsdale, training and showing is provided by Andy Sellman and Michael Carpio, while the program management of the Sahara Scottsdale operations is handled by Greg and Nancy Gallún. “It’s one thing to have a vision, but to have such a professional and capable team to execute the vision makes all the difference,” notes Jeff. “They have been a huge part of making it all go.” “Economically, it makes sense to have Sahara Scottsdale,” adds Norm. “But it is also a great place to showcase our horses and make sure they get the special care they deserve. And I must say, it is also a beautiful location!” The third entity owned by the partnership is Marquise, the public auction in Scottsdale, which recently concluded its third Scottsdale Auction. “The Marquise Auction was Jeff’s idea but each of us have contributed in various ways to ensure success,” adds Norm. “It’s been a great way to bring the Arabian horse community together to celebrate and to set market values for the breed.” The impact of the Aria Collection since the three gentlemen got together is a source of great pride to all of them. While neither Norm or Jamie were what one could call “horse people” early on, SAHARA > 3 < WORLD
ROL Intencyty x Sylviah WLF
RH TRIANA “Aria doesn’t just make strategic moves for the short term. Everything is done with the future of the Arabian horse in mind. Jeff has put together a scenario that not only feeds his passion for horses, it encourages growth and longevity in breeding Arabian horses. I am honored to be involved with this outstanding organization. We are committed to leaving the Arabian horse industry better than we found it.”— A ndy S ellmAn SAHARA > 4 < WORLD
they are enamored of the breed now. “Triana was my first introduction to Arabians,” says Norm. “I didn’t realize at the time, but it was a fun pursuit to own and campaign such a champion. RH Triana is special as our first major horse, but with *Honeys Delight RB, *Baha AA, *Baviera HVP, Conquest BR, Aria Athena, Aria Majesty, Aria Venetian Lace, and so many other great horses, it is hard to choose favorites. We have bred or purchased many great horses, and we have a few ‘Michelangelos’ that we’ll never sell.” As Jeff points out, “In the Arabian horse experience there are many different ways to enhance the quality of one’s life. For example, my dad loves reading about the history of the Arabian horse. He loves learning it, and he loves being able to share what he’s learned with other people. Then there are the travel opportunities that a passion for Arabian horses can present and, of course, the many realms of competition. “Norm and Jamie take a lot of pride in being the best at what they do,” continues Jeff. “I’ve seen that in their personal lives, and in their community philanthropy. Both of them are highly successful businessmen and are very competitive by nature. Everything they do is about doing it right, and doing it with a potential outcome that leads to success. “It’s my responsibility to deliver that kind of success and the pride that comes with it,” continues Jeff. “They’ve pushed me farther, they’ve raised the bar, they have elevated the standards and the expectations. Everything we do is at the highest level. That’s what drives Norm and Jamie, and triggers their enthusiasm and passion for this business. “In that context, there are three ways those standards and expectations are expressed. One is in the showring, one is in the breeding barn, and the third is through the level of service that we provide both through Sahara and through Marquise, and achieving those objectives on behalf of the people who participate. That’s who Norm and Jamie are as people and it reflects their track record, both in life and in business.” On the horse ownership side of the
ARIA TRESOR RH TRIANA (ROL Intencyty x Sylviah WLF), opposite page, another showring
Conque st BR x R H Tr i a n a
star whose wins include 2016 Scottsdale Champion Classic Senior Mare, 2015 Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Champion Senior Mare, 2015 U.S. National Champion Senior Mare, 2012 Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Gold Champion Junior Mare, 2012 Scottsdale Champion Classic Junior Filly, and 2011 U.S. National Champion Junior Filly.
Among her winning progeny are: ARIA MIDAS (by Conquest BR), 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Weanling Colt ARIA TRESOR (by Conquest BR), 2019 Arabian Breeders World Cup Gold Supreme Champion Junior Mare, 2019 Scottsdale International Breeders Cup Reserve Champion Junior Filly and 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Junior Filly ARIA TRYON (by *Equator PASB), 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Junior Colt UNFORGETTABLE J (by MPA Giovanni), 2017 Canadian National Champion Futurity Filly, 2017 U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly ARIA TRIUMPH (by *Magic Magnifique), 2018 Scottsdale Reserve Champion International Breeders Classic Egyptian Heritage Senior Male GLORIANA MJMD (by Conquest BR), 2018 Canadian National Champion Yearling Filly, 2018 U.S. National Reserve Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Filly.
“I want to make sure with each horse we acquire, that underlying all the glitz and the glamour, there is the potential to make a contribution to the breed.” — J eff S loan business, Norm, Jamie, and Jeff enjoy the process of finding a special horse and developing a vision for what it will achieve. “Seeing that vision come to life is really exciting,” says Jeff. “Take Triana for example. Certainly we found the right way to breed her, and now she’s producing champion foals right and left. Particularly the pairing with Conquest which resulted in the 2018 colt Aria Midas, who was purchased by Peng Jiang of China, and the 2017 filly Aria Tresor; both were Gold Champions at the 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals in Scottsdale. Another filly from the Conquest-Triana cross is the 2017 Gloriana MJMD who was 2018 Canadian National Champion Yearling Filly and U.S. National Reserve Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Filly. “We also had a Triana colt by Delacroixx born this year. He’s only a month old but we’re as excited about this colt as we have been about any foal. He’s got it all. We paid a huge sum for Triana, but she has already returned her purchase price in the sale of offspring and embryos. Everyone who comes to the farm wants to see and touch the great Triana, and take selfies with her — she’s a once in a generation horse.” Other hallmark mares who have produced well for the Aria Collection are: *Honeys Delight RB (*JJ Senor Magnum x Honeymoon FHP), dam of Aria Aphrodite (by Aria Impresario), 2018 U.S. National Top Ten Futurity Filly, 2016 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Junior Filly and U.S. National Top Ten Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Filly, and 2018 Scottsdale Junior Champion Colt Aria Majesty. *HED Caramba SAHARA > 5 < WORLD
ARIA MIDAS
Conque st BR x R H Tr i a n a
ARIA TRYON
McBRIDE PHOTO
* E quator x R H Tr i a n a
Tr u s s a r d i x M C S o p h i e
ARIA QUINTESSA
(Trussardi x MC Sophie) 2015 U.S. National Champion Yearling Filly.
(Magnum Psyche x HED Cajun Queen), 2008 U.S. National Top Ten Three to Five-Year-Old Mare and 2006 Canadian National Champion Two-Year-Old Mare, is the dam of Delacroixx (by RD Dynamo), 2019 Scottsdale International Gold Champion Senior Stallion, 2018 Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Gold Champion Junior Stallion, and 2018 U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, among other wins. “There’s just something about Caramba that I love beyond her role as a broodmare,” Jeff says. “I have an emotional attachment to her. She is the sweetest horse you’ll ever meet, and at the same time she is so significant as a producer. *Valentine HVP (DA Valentino x Angel of Marwan) is another important mare for the program. Her daughter by FA El Shawan was 2018 ABWC Las Vegas Supreme Bronze Champion Junior Mare. We think she is one of our best producing mares already.” And then there is 2016 U.S. National Champion Mare *MD Hibat Allah (DA Valentino x *Anastasiaa), of whom Jeff says, “A keystone broodmare for sure.” Currently, there are six stallions standing at Sahara Scottsdale. SAHARA > 6 < WORLD
“All of our stallions are show horses, but ultimately their proof of value comes as breeding horses,” notes Jeff. “We do have more stallions than is common. That may be somewhat opportunistic, as when a great stallion came along at the right price and we made an acquisition. But we don’t stick with a horse if he doesn’t sire what we need. That’s not to say that he wasn’t a great sire, but perhaps not right for our mares. Breeding is so exacting today. You have to strive to produce the very best. You can’t do that with one or two stallions across an array of mares like we have. The best way to achieve that objective is to use a variety of stallions for different reasons. It allows us to create, like an artist might, different colors, features and textures in our foals. The primary role of our stallions is not for the purpose of marketing
a lot to show for it. A stallion has got to be a lot more than a show horse if you’re talking about contributing to the breed’s history.” That said, in looking at the Aria stallions and colts, Jeff and the partners point to those that are “earning it” in the breeding barn. “Without question Conquest BR is,” says Jeff. “He has shown us that he is a legitimate sire with his Scottsdale winners. His foals have a certain quality about them. He tends to improve the mare, and sire a typier horse, one that if you look at the scorecard *MD HIBAT ALLAH (DA Valentino x *Anastasiaa), 2016 U.S. National Champion Senior Mare. Her son PAZZAZZ (by Stival) was Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Auction Colt AOTH in the same year.
MD HIBAT ALLAH
*
SAHARA > 7 < WORLD
DA Valentino x *Anastasiaa
breedings to the public. When we have a stallion in our barn, it’s because we want to use the stallion. “We breed to outside stallions as well. We breed to *Marwan Al Shaqab every year, and we’ve used EKS Alihandro and *Equator. We are also using Versace. And we are part of a group that I lead that has exclusive access to FA El Rasheem semen in North America.” Jeff is careful to wait to promote a stallion as a breeding horse until he has proven himself as a sire. “As a breed, we overuse superlatives to the point at which they are meaningless. After 35 years in the horse breeding business, I’ve learned to temper my enthusiasm. I’ve had stallions that were successful in the showring and bred a lot of great mares, but did not have
E K S A l i h a n d r o x B H B e i j i n g s Ve l v e t
ARIA VENETIAN LACE
“Andy puts his heart into every aspect of the horse’s presentation in the ring. But it starts with contributing to the selection of which horses are to be shown at which shows, to the training and conditioning, and the development of a horse that presents itself beautifully — a horse that is comfortable and enjoys being there. He nurtures the horse’s mind as well as its body. And I think that comes shining through in all of Andy’s horses.” — J eff S loan
BH BEIJINGS VELVET B e i j i n g B H F x B H Ve r s a c e s Ve l v e t
ARIA VENETIAN LACE, above, (EKS Alihandro x BH Beijings Velvet), 2019 Arabian Breeders World Cup Gold Supreme Champion Yearling Filly, and 2019 Scottsdale Champion Junior Filly.
BH BEIJINGS VELVET (Beijing BHF x BH Versaces Velvet), 2017 Scottsdale International Gold Champion Mare, 2017 U.S. National Reserve Champion Senior Mare, and 2014 U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly. She has begun a bright breeding career with her first, already a winner, Aria Venetian Lace.
SAHARA > 8 < WORLD
BAVIERA HVP
*
Champion Senior Mare and 2016 Brazilian National Gold Champion Young Mare, continued her winning way in the U.S. Her notable wins include 2018 Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Gold Champion Senior Mare, 2018 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Classic Senior Mare, 2018 U.S. National Champion Senior Mare. She is now on lease to Abhaa Arabians of Kuwait, and will be shown in Europe and the Middle East with Paolo Capacci.
you can check all the boxes, and be assured that they are the type of horse that can go to Scottsdale and win. Horses like Aria Midas and Aria Tresor, both out of RH Triana, are pretty darn exciting. “Another horse that is earning it is *Baha AA (Al Ayad x Baraaqa AA). He is proving that he is a great horse who can contribute the blood of the straight Egyptian Arabian in ways that cross over into the broader breed. He has sired some really high quality offspring; we’ve got some of them, and we’re excited about them. “And of course, there’s Aria Impresario
(*Marwan Al Shaqab x GC Echlectica), the greatest male show horse in recent memory, and the only two-time Scottsdale Supreme Champion Stallion. By total number of get sired, he is one of the most prolific sires of winners at Scottsdale, U.S. Nationals, and Regionals in the last six years. “He has style and a show horse attitude. His foals show so willingly and naturally and happily. It translates into a great show horse. He reproduces himself, and frankly, with all these pretty horses breeding pretty horses, there is a need for him — his offspring inherit his fine throat, long neck and shoulder, and overall correctness, including good feet and legs. Plus he has a great mind. “The younger stallions, like Brazilian National Champion Stallion *TS Khidam El Shawan (FA El Shawan x Samantha HVP), and Delacroixx (RD Dynamo x *HED Caramba), are young and starting SAHARA > 9 < WORLD
*Marwan Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea
*BAVIERA HVP (*Marwan Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea), 2017 Brazilian National Gold
DELACROIXX HED CARAMBA
RD Dynamo x *HED Caramba
*
Magnum Psyc he x HE D Cajun Q u e e n
“Beyond the fundamental importance of a good pedigree and correctness of conformation, we should never ignore the intangibles of quality, charisma and spirit that make a really good horse superior.” — J eff S loan
*HED CARAMBA (Magnum Psyche x HED Cajun Queen), 2006 Canadian National Champion Two-Year-Old Fillies Jackpot.
*HED Caramba’s notable progeny include: DELACROIXX (by RD Dynamo), 2018 Arabian Breeders World Cup Gold Champion Junior Stallion, 2018 U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, 2016 Canadian National Champion Yearling Colt/Gelding, 2016 Scottsdale Champion Signature Stallion Auction Yearling Colt/Gelding AOTH, 2016 U.S. National Reserve Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Colt DM VALENCEA (by DA Valentino), 2009 Scottsdale Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Yearling Fillies AOTH SYMPHONY OF LOVE (by *El Nabila B), 2011 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Signature Three-Year-Old Fillies ATH and 2010 Scottsdale Champion Filly\Mare JTH S A H A R A > 10 < W O R L D
ROHARA EMISSARY (by Aria Impresario), 2010 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Auction Yearling Colt/Gelding AOTH AJ THEE LUCA (by Thee Desperado), 2013 Egyptian Event Gold Champion Junior Colt, and 2012 Egyptian Event Reserve Champion Junior Colt HEY MAN AL SHAHANIA (by *Marwan Al Shaqab), 2016 Canadian National Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and 2015 Canadian National Champion Yearling Colt
ARIA IMPRESARIO (*Marwan Al Shaqab x GC
ARIA IMPRESARIO *Marwan Al Shaqab x GC Echlectica
Echlectica), 2006 bay stallion, 2015 U.S. National Reserve Champion Senior Stallion, 2012 Scottsdale Supreme Champion Classic Stallion, 2012 Scottsdale Champion Classic Senior Stallion, 2012 U.S. National Reserve Champion Stallion, 2009 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Senior Stallion, 2009 U.S. National Champion Junior Stallion, 2009 U.S. National Reserve Champion Futurity Colt, 2007 Scottsdale Champion Junior Colt, 2007 Scottsdale Supreme Champion Arabian, and 2007 U.S. National Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Colt
Among his National and Scottsdale Champion and Reserve get are: ARIA APHRODITE (x *Honeys Delight RB), 2017 U.S. National Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and 2016 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Classic Junior Filly ROHARA EMISSARY (x *HED Caramba), 2010 Scottsdale Reserve Champion SSS Auction Yearling Colt/Gelding AOTH H MERCURY H (x GC Merpsydita), 2012 U.S. National Reserve Champion Futurity Gelding ARIYA ENCORE (x Airiya), 2012 Scottsdale Champion SSS Three-Year-Old Gelding ATH, 2012 U.S. National Champion Junior Gelding, 2013 Scottsdale Champion SSS Hunter Pleasure Futurity PAVARATI (x RA Fames Nanu), 2012 Scottsdale Reserve Champion SSS Three-Year-Old Colt ATH IMPRESARAH (x BB Challady), 2015 Canadian National Reserve Champion Mare AAOTH LLC FASARIO (x RD Fabreanna), 2014 U.S. National Reserve Champion Stallion Four Years Old & Older RASIKA (x Marrissah), 2013 U.S. National Champion Three-Year-Old Filly AV MONTSERRAT (x Marcela), 2013 2nd Int’l Arabian Horse Festival Kuwait Silver Champion Junior Colt BLACK OPZZ (x Miss Enzo JB), 2013 U.S. National Champion Three-Year-Old Gelding and 2014 Canadian National Champion Gelding GC SEASONS OF LOVE (x GC Memoirs Of Gaishea), 2012 U.S. National Champion TwoYear-Old Filly FIRST IMPRESSION AF (x Psylaila AF), 2012 Scottsdale Reserve Champion SSS Two-YearOld Filly ATH SHARIFF RCA (x Crysstel), 2012 Canadian National Champion Two-Year-Old Colt *IMPRESSA MI (x Mulawa Alexa), 2013 Canadian National Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, 2013 U.S. National Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, 2014 Scottsdale Champion International Breeders Classic Senior Mare, 2016 Canadian National Champion Mare, 2016 U.S. National Reserve Champion Senior Mare ARIA IMPRESSIVE (Aria Impresario x RD VERSARIA (x La Bella Versace FR), *Sofiyaa), 2018 U.S. National Top Ten 2014 Scottsdale Reserve Champion SSS Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Colt and Auction Yearling Filly AOTH, 2015 Canadian 2019 Scottsdale Champion IAB Egyptian National Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, 2016 Heritage Junior Male, owned by The Scottsdale Reserve Champion SSS Classic Impressive Group, Ocala, Florida. Three-Year-Old S A H A R A > 11 < W O R L D
“His foals show so willingly, naturally, and happily, and that, combined with the correctness of conformation he typically sires makes great show horses!” — J eff S loan
Ve r s a c e x L e e A n n a P S Y
CONQUEST BR CONQUEST BR (Versace x Lee Anna Psy), 2013 bay stallion, 2018 Scottsdale Reserve Champion International Breeders Classic Senior Stallion, 2016 U.S. National Champion Junior Colt, 2014 Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup Gold Supreme Champion Yearling Colt, 2014 Scottsdale Champion Classic Junior Colt, 2014 U.S. National Champion Yearling Colt
Some of his most notable get are: GLORIANA MJMD (x RH Triana), 2018 Canadian National Champion Yearling Filly and 2018 U.S. National Reserve Champion Breeders Sweepstakes Yearling Filly ARIA MIDAS (x RH Triana), 2018 ANBF Gold Champion Weanling Colt ARIA TRESOR (x RH Triana), 2019 Scottsdale International Breeders Cup Reserve Champion Junior Filly and 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Junior Filly ARIA TRYON (x RH Triana), 2018 Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Junior Colt
S A H A R A > 12 < W O R L D
to prove themselves as sires. We’re excited about the foals we’ve seen. We are intrigued by Khidam, as a grey son of FA El Shawan. We think his blood will be great in the program. Khidam is a really pretty horse with impressive credentials in Brazil. He is a great mover with a lot of carriage — he comes into the ring and scores 20s in movement.” Clearly, the Aria Collection has been methodically assembled. It starts with Jeff’s eye and feeling about a given horse, augmented by trainers Greg Gallún and
. . . he is a great horse who can contribute the blood of the straight Eg yptian Arabian in ways that cross over into the broader breed. — J eff S loan
BAHA AA
*
*BAHA AA (Al Ayad x Baraaqa AA), 2008 grey stallion, owned by Baha Partners LLC, and standing at Sahara Scottsdale, Arizona. Among his show wins are 2019 Scottsdale Gold Champion International Straight Egyptian Senior Stallion, 2016 Scottsdale Reserve Champion International Straight Egyptian Senior Stallion, 2014 Egyptian Event Champion Senior Stallion & highest score of the show, 2013 Egyptian Event Europe Gold Champion Senior Stallion, and 2011 Israeli National Gold Champion Junior Stallion
His notable get are: BINT EUPHORIA (x Euphoria NA), 2017 Canadian National Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Filly ARIA NEFERTITI (x GH Falcon Femme), 2016 Scottsdale Reserve Champion International Breeders Classic Egyptian Heritage Junior Female LF BINT RAKIZAH (x LF Rakizah), 2018 Egyptian Event Silver Champion Straight Egyptian Junior Filly and Most Classic Head SAPPHIRE BR (x Sephora PCF), 2018 Scottsdale Champion International Breeder Classic Egyptian Heritage Junior Female QUAHNTUM SBA (x GS Ajah Martina), 2018 Egyptian Event Gold Champion Egyptian-Sired Male SIERRAH SBA (x SF Marwhambra), 2018 Scottsdale Reserve Champion International Breeder Classic Egyptian Heritage Junior Filly, 2018 Egyptian Event Silver Champion Egyptian-Sired Female S A H A R A > 13 < W O R L D
Al Ayad x Baraaqa AA
Andy Sellman and others whose opinions he trusts. That, combined with discipline, has netted some extraordinary individuals for the program. As Jeff puts it, “A collection such as this took supportive partners, the right team, the right horses, and a bold vision and dedication to make it happen.” And when asked what keeps driving them, Jeff replies, “To this day, being associated with these beautiful and captivating animals still gives me that same thrill that I felt the first time I saw an Arabian. We’re driven by the image of that pure Arabian with the spirit, beauty and romance. In our search, I look for some quality that is extreme — a great neck, throat, or shoulder. Of course we‘re all looking for a correct horse, but I prefer
*TS KHIDAM EL SHAWAN (FA El Shawan x Samantha HVP), 2013 grey stallion 2018 Region 2 Champion Stallion, 2016 Brazilian National Champion Young Stallion and highest score in 21 years of the Breeder’s Cup Show, 2014 Brazilian National Champion Colt, and 2013 Brazilian National Reserve Champion Junior Colt
“The Aria name is much like other brands that stand for premium quality. Over the years, the Aria name has won championships in every discipline at horse shows around the world. I am personally very proud of some of the Aria horses that I have been entrusted
FA EL SHAWAN x SAMANTHA HVP
*
TS KHIDAM EL SHAWAN
one that has an extreme feature — something that makes you go ‘wow.‘ “I also consider the legitimacy of my impression of the horse,” he continues. “In order for a horse to be great, it’s got to be complete and it’s got to be legitimate. You can’t cheat the pedigree. If there are undesirable traits in the horse’s pedigree that concern you, they will resurface sooner or later. “It’s really hard to separate emotion from intellect when looking at a horse to buy. I am so passionate about these horses that I get very emotionally charged when I see a great horse. You can’t capture how a horse makes you feel on a scorecard. But we should S A H A R A > 14 < W O R L D
with.”— G reG G allún
never discount that feeling, because if a horse can sell himself that way, if he has that charisma, and can create that level of excitement and electricity, chances are other people will feel it, too. It’s a paradox because you have to keep your emotions in check, but on the other hand, you want a horse to make you feel that way. I want to make sure with each horse we acquire, that underlying all the glitz and the glamour, there is real substance and legitimacy and the potential
*SULTAN
GK WW Stivallea x Al Magna
*SULTAN GK (WW Stivallea x Al Magna), 2019 Arabian Breeders World Cup Silver Supreme Champion Senior Stallion, 2019 Scottsdale Champion Senior Stallion, owned by Al Babtain Stud, Kuwait, leased by and standing at Sahara Scottsdale, Arizona.
to make a contribution to the breed. Buying a truly special horse requires real discipline.” The 2019 Scottsdale Champion Stallion *Sultan GK, who is on lease to the Aria Collection, is an example of a horse that has that great natural charisma in the ring. He certainly convinced Andy Sellman. “Every day I’m around him, I am more and more impressed,” says Andy. “He is like nothing I’ve seen before. He reminds me why I love what I do.”
At the end of the day, the many breeding, showing, and marketing successes achieved by the partnership are balanced by the richness of the quieter moments with horses. Jeff reflects on the horse with whom he feels the greatest connection — Aria Impresario. “Impresario gave me one of the biggest thrills when he went back to Scottsdale in 2012 and was Champion Stallion and Supreme Champion for the second time. That was my greatest showring moment by far. When Impresario was Supreme the first time, in 2007, he was the Junior Champion and he beat the Champion Stallion, DA Valentino, for the Supreme Championship. But beyond the showring, I have a really special relationship with that S A H A R A > 15 < W O R L D
“In the Arabian horse experience there are many different ways to enhance the quality of one’s life.” — J eff S loan
horse. I remember when he had to be shipped to Andy Sellman in Wisconsin to be prepared for Nationals that year. I traveled in the back of the trailer with him. I wanted to be with him for that journey. That’s the way I felt about him, and still do to this day. He’s a horse you can get personal with, a special horse. That was a bonding experience for us. When Impresario engages with you he is all there. He’s smart, he’s aware, he is studying his surroundings and his circumstances, you can tell. He’s not a horse that you drag out and say, ‘now we’re going to do this buddy.’ He’s fully present as a partner. And that’s priceless.” While Norm and Jamie are still relatively new to Arabians, they do enjoy a profound sense of pride for what the partnership has S A H A R A > 16 < W O R L D
achieved and how it has affected their lives. “Through Arabian horses, my wife Susie and I, and our three children, have met some wonderful people from all over the world, and we’ve traveled to a number of horse shows,” says Norm. “The Arabian horse world has been very welcoming; it should be fun for newcomers. But of course, we didn’t enter this on our own. Jeff draws on great years of experience to guide our involvement. “Looking toward the future, I like to think that we will be remembered for assembling one of the greatest collections of Arabian horses, one that enhanced the overall quality of the breed.”
Jeff Sloan, Jamie Jacob and Norm Pappas, Farm Owners Greg and Nancy GallĂşn, Managers 480.656.2552 | info@SaharaScottsdale.com Andrew Sellman, Trainer