AHT Paris 2022

ARIA VALIANT

YEARLING FILLY

Khaja J x Pristine J by MPA Giovanni

photos by Good Photography

AUCTION YEARLING FILLY

I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful supporting cast around me.

A special “Thank You” is in order to the following for making this event such a success.

To the entire Shada Crew for your effort in preparing my beautiful fillies.

To the two supremely talented handlers, my gifted daughter Indira and Showman Jordan.

To friends, Pam and Madison Rose, for capturing the event in real time, so I could enjoy the competition from home.

To my farm managers and vet team of Marcos and Nayara for representing Jerland farms with such class.

To MAHB President Donna Hentges, board of directors, and show manager, Greg Brown, for putting on a true Arabian breeders show.

~ Lawrence F. Jerome ~ Jerland Farms

Puccini J x Khenya PGA by Khadraj NA

Maasai PVF x Agnetha J 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY

of CONTENTS

Horse

From

Caballos de Rancho Las Potrancas by Theresa Cardamone

Cover Story: Anvil Arabians—A Family’s Passion by Theresa Cardamone

The Gaylords, All Roads Lead To The Western Show Pen by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

Amazing Journey … Dr. Nancy O’Reilly by Mary Trowbirdge

… Unparalleled and Unequaled

Looking Back … PASSION OF LIFE—Interview with David Boggs by Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka & Jeffrey Wintersteen

Brazilian Nationals

Schoukens Training Center Auction Results

National Breeder Finals & Silver Sire Futurity

Fall

Of Advertisers

Cedar Ridge Farm: History + Passion = The Next Chapter by Colleen Scott

ARIA VALIANT

The Cover: Aria Valiant

(TS Khidam El Shawan x BH Beijings Velvet),

owned

Cantu.

Owner/Publisher

Ames

Managing Editor

Deyle

Production Manager

Pasicznyk

Content Marketing & Project Manager

Zetterberg

Creative & Business Development Consultant

Gallún

Advertising Account Executive

Blain Mazur

Contributing Editor

Mary Kirkman

Contributing Writers

Theresa Cardamone

Catherine Cole-Ferandelli

Scott

Contributing Designers

Wayne Anderson Jaime Johnson Emily Maita

McKenna

Brandy Phillips

Riyan Rivero Ashley Toye

Trickey

AHT Abroad Director of Creative & Operational Development

Mieke Opsteyn Show Operations & Digital Support

Meaghan Estes

Sales Coordinator & Accounts Receivable

Deb Trebesch

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COMMENTS from the publisher

PARIS & THE WORLD ARABIAN HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP!

The way I cope with the season ending U.S. Nationals is to look forward to Paris. For more than 40 years, the World Championships—or, as longtime fans have known it, the Salon du Cheval—has been the glorious close to the show year for halter people. While the parade of American horses who used to fly to France has waned in recent years, the event itself has never lost its luster for serious breeders who want to remain abreast of global influences. So, to be off to Paris, whether we enter horses or go to study some of the best Arabians on the planet, is a real treat, made even more special when the City of Lights is all dressed up for Christmas.

This year is particularly special with the show moving to Doha, Qatar in 2023. The climate and culture of its new home will be different—it will be a new adventure—but I expect worth the challenge of a long flight for enthusiasts. And there will still be those five-star horses, many of whom will have won in Paris as well.

Obviously, time moves on and things change—even the quality of the Arabian horse, which somehow, every year, continues to improve. That’s the most important thing. Please enjoy a look at a few of our season ending shows and breeding stars.

Front Cover: Aria Valiant (TS Khidam El Shawan x BH Beijings Velvet), 2021 Unanimous U.S. National Champion 2-Year-Old Colt and 2021 Unanimous Scottsdale Junior Champion Colt. Above: One of Rancho Las Potrancas’ youngest fillies, OFW Mahogany (Dominic M x OFW Jewelee)

Los Caballos de Rancho Las Potrancas

by Theresa Cardamone

“As a young person, you don’t like it very much if you have to alternate the horses!” Felix says wryly. “I remember telling my father and mother that one day I would be one of the best breeders of horses in the world. I had a passion, I had to be always with the horses.”

When he couldn’t be with horses Felix continued to absorb all he could, subscribing to equine magazines and pestering his parents for that elusive horse of his own. While he appreciated all breeds, Felix was most enamored with two of them: the Arabian horse, especially Bask and Muscat-related, and the powerful Lusitano.

Stemming from ancient, native sources that can be traced back 780,000 years, the Lusitano breed developed through an influx of Celtic and Greek bloodlines around 800 BCE, with Arabian, desert breeding introduced during the occupation of the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors from 711 to 1492. The resulting modern-day Lusitano has the power and strength of its earliest roots, melded with the refinement, agility, and spirit of its desert-bred ancestors.

To 5-year-old Felix Cantu, it seemed like the sun would never rise. Fully dressed, the horse-crazy boy lay in his bed during his family’s annual visit to the ranch of close friends, alive with anticipation at the prospect of a morning ride. He was eager to beat his many “cousins” to the stable, knowing that there were more riders than horses. It was frustrating enough that they were forced to take turns. Felix was determined to have the first ride. If only the sun would cooperate! At that moment, Felix promised himself that he would one day have a horse of his own and become a known and respected horseman. He kept his vow with the creation and development of his Rancho Las Potrancas into a powerhouse in the equine world.

who are the finest bullfighting mounts in the world and also excel as world-level competitive dressage and carriage horses. When Felix promised his father that he would continue to keep up his studies at school, his dream finally came true; he was the proud owner of a Lusitano! Felix spent every minute that he could with the horse and began taking dressage lessons to become a highly skilled rider. These many years later, his expertise and exceptional communication skills, especially with tricky horses, is highly praised.

When Felix was about 12, his father bought the farm in Tampico on the Gulf Coast that would become Rancho Las Potrancas. Around that time, there was a big sale of Lusitano horses. Felix admired the breed that is famous for producing brave and functional horses

Now, Rancho Las Potrancas, which translates to “Ranch of the Fillies,” is world-renowned as the breeder and owner of perhaps the best collection of Lusitano horses on the planet. “We love the Arabians, and we love the Lusitanos, but we have been breeding a little bit longer the Lusitanos,” Felix explains. “All of our horses have at least four generations of bull fighting behind them. We raise the bull fighting stock too and test both the calves and the colts to see if they are suitable for breeding. When they are a year old, we let a calf and a colt loose in the bullfighting ring together. We see which horse is most aggressive to the cow and has that bullfighting attitude. Horses that don’t have it are immediately removed from the breeding program and sold for their potential in dressage or other areas.

Above: Felix rides his Lusitano stallions often, and takes pride in improving the quality of Mexican horses in general with his Lusitano bloodstock so good quality horses can be available to all.

“One of our biggest satisfactions to date is that this year, one of our homebred horses is one of the Top Three competing for the title of best bullfighting horse in all of Europe,” Felix relates. “There usually are only European horses; this is the first time there is a Mexican horse competing for Bullfighting Horse of the Year. We are really crazy about this because the winners have always been from Portugal. The season ends in September and the winner will be determined in October or November. There are three groups of people who decide who the best horse is: all the bullfighters, the breeders of the Lusitano horses, and special members of the Lusitano association can vote. We are proud to be represented.”

It is interesting to note that, to upgrade the selection of functional horses in Mexico, Felix crosses the Arabian and Lusitano bloodlines. Within that part bred program, the Arabian lines trace back to one of Felix’s favorite stallions, Muscat. “We still have Muscat daughters two generations back in our half-Lusitanos,” he relates. “We like that cross because they are very functional. We have a colt right now that is from that line. To be honest, he is one of my favorite colts, he’s just incredible. He is by Glorioso, one of our top Lusitano stallions. The colt is a year old, very nice and pretty, with a long neck and good movement. He is going to be tested soon to see how he does with cattle. His attitude towards the other colts is he wants to be the leader; he is a little aggressive. But when you get near him, he is very nice too. I think he will be a top, top horse.”

Felix Cantu is dedicated to improving the quality of Mexican horses across the board. “We’ve been significantly involved with Arabians since 1995,” he states. “But our idea is to see it not only as a business, but to have good quality horses available to all. The same with the Lusitanos. We are the largest breeding barn of stallions; we have imported some of the best stallions and bullfighting horses from Europe. We like to help Mexican breeders. If someone doesn’t have the money to give for a breeding fee, we give the breeding for free from some of our second-level stallions so we can improve the quality of horses in Mexico. That’s the idea, to make sure everyone has good horses.”

And there are none better than the Rancho Las Potrancas show string of Arabian horses. When the gate opens at the 2022 United States National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Felix Cantu will be wellrepresented with three dynamic entries attempting to add to the farm’s stockpile of trophies, garnered over the past decades. Since Mikhail One (Muscat x Satin Silver) brought home the first national title, 1995 U.S. Reserve National Champion Yearling Colt, the horses of Rancho Las Potrancas have earned dozens more top honors.

Throughout the years, Felix has been guided in the Arabian industry by the expertise and recommendations of his consultant and friend, noted horseman Johnny Downing. “I met Felix back in 1989, when I was judging a show in Guadalajara,” Johnny recalls. “We have remained good friends ever since and I am fortunate to represent Felix in all his Arabian horse interests in North America. Over the years, we’ve created an amazing track record with many national championships. For Felix, the national show ring is a big motivator. He is very involved in the breeding program but showing and competing are at the forefront of his interests. Currently, the Arabian show horses are all at Orrion Farms in Scottsdale, under the care of Andy Sellman, who will show Felix’s horses in Tulsa. In the past, we were fortunate to establish relationships with trainers and handlers who showed our horses very successfully. David Boggs, Rodolfo Guzzo, Ted Carson, and others helped to put Rancho Las Potrancas on the map of the Arabian industry.”

Some of the most prominent winners through the years include: 1996 U.S. and Canadian National Champion Mare JBK Mystic Fawn (Padrons Psyche x Tanzeers Supreme), 1996 U.S. and Canadian National

l-r: Felix Cantu, Johnny Downing, Felix’s wife, Ceci Cantu, and her twin sister, Maggie, enjoying the Arabian Breeders World Cup Show.

Champion Futurity Filly RD Shahara Bey (Bey Shah x Gigi Jubask), 1997 U.S. and Canadian National Champion Mare Europa El Jamaal (Ali Jamaal x SL White Lace), 1999 U.S. National Champion ABS Yearling Filly S Justadream (Justafire DGL x Acquaintance), 1999 U.S. National Champion Mare FS Mystique Lady (Padrons Psyche x HS Mostly, in partnership), 2004 U.S. Reserve National Champion ABS Yearling Filly RHR Ggisele (Echo Magnifficoo x LC Psychesheiress), 2011

Scottsdale Supreme Champion Senior Stallion LD Pistal (Magnum Psyche x Halana), and

Above: Felix (center) with his sons Matthias, Felix, Rodrigo and Alejandro.

Right: National Champion mares JBK Mystic Fawn, RD Shahara Bey, Europa El Jamaal and FS Mystique Lady.

Facing Page: U.S. National contender, Aria Valiant (top), and Marajja EK (bottom).

2021 U.S. National Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Aria Valiant (TS Khidam El Shawan x BH Beijings Velvet).

Sellman will be showing three strong contenders for Felix Cantu in Tulsa, including presenting Aria Valiant as he attempts to add to his 2021 success by annexing the 2022 United States National Champion Futurity Colt title. “We met Andy through Aria Valiant, and my wife and I are very happy having our horses with him at Orrion,” Felix enthuses. “He is an incredible handler and a very nice person. We have a lot of faith in Valiant and plan to breed two mares to him for next year.”

Joining Valiant in Tulsa is Tasheem PMA, the 2022 Region 2 ABS Champion Yearling Colt this summer who will vie for the ABS Yearling Colt national crown. Felix has big plans for the son of Taj Raheem and Chiara Luna. “In the long run, we think Tasheem could be our top stallion,” he predicts. “We think that Valiant and Tasheem will complement each other. We want to breed some of the mares via embryo transfers to both, and some of the mares to outside stallions to keep the lines open.”

Rounding out the trio for Rancho Las Potrancas in Tulsa will be 2021 Youth and Mid Summer Reserve National Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, Marajja EK (Marajj x Kindle VF, by TF Psymreekhe), who will compete for the 2022 U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly honors. “We have a lot of faith in Marajja,” says Felix. “We think she is a top, top mare. My wife and I went to the Scottsdale show this year, just to see what was going on. We saw her, fell in love with her, and decided to buy her right away. Now, we are starting to get embryos from her and looking forward to seeing her compete in Tulsa.”

With the anticipation of major victories this fall at the United States Arabian National Championships and with the Lusitano Bullfighting Horse of the Year voting in Europe, the scope of activity by the divisions of Rancho Las Potrancas is amplified. Felix Cantu intends to cultivate a more significant European presence for his Arabian horses as well, beginning with a visit to the World Championships in Paris in late November. It seems safe to say that it won’t be long before his horses will vie for the highest honors on the Arabian world’s biggest stage. In the meantime, there is no doubt that additional championships are on the horizon for Los Caballos de Rancho Las Potrancas. ■

By THERESA CARDAMONE

In a life-changing decision, Alejandro and Ana Vigil moved from their Mexican homeland to the United States in search of new opportunities for their family. The Vigils, along with their son Alejandro Jr. and daughter Marina, settled in San Diego, California. The family shares a passion for horses, having owned some that they could not bring with them to the U.S. Two years after their move, on a visit to Scottsdale, Arizona, the Vigils saw advertisements for the upcoming Arabian horse farm tours and decided to attend. After absorbing the beauty and spirit of Arabian horses at several facilities, they knew they were seeing horses of a higher quality than those from their past and knew they wanted to be part of it.

The Vigils made a final, late-night stop at Sahara Scottsdale, where they met and fell in love with the horse who is the catalyst for Anvil Arabians, Oula Aljassimya. According to Alejandro Vigil, the look in Oula’s eyes told him the feeling was mutual— she loved them right back. The mare was committed to the Marquise Auction weeks later, leaving the Vigils with nothing to do but nervously wait for the day of the sale to arrive. The wait was worth it. When the auctioneer’s gavel fell, Oula Aljassimya belonged to the ecstatic Vigil family. Anvil Arabians was a reality.

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION

Oula Aljassimya (Marwan Al Shaqab x El Sanadika IA, by Sanadik El Shaklan) is one of three foundation mares for the evolving Anvil Arabians breeding program. Beloved by the entire family, she formed a special connection with Alejandro Jr., who showed her to the titles of 2018 Youth National Champion Mare JTH and Youth National Reserve Champion Mare JOTH, among many other victories. Oula was also a 2019 U.S. National Top Ten Mare in open competition and has produced several outstanding foals for the Vigils, with one daughter, Kustina Anvil, by World Champion Equator, already exported to Pakistan, and others retained for the future.

Joining Oula in the elite triad of mares are the stars of Anvil’s current show string, the jet-black Najima Aria, and the ethereal Brazilian-bred Italya Meia Lua. Italya was recently crowned the 2022 Silver Supreme Champion Mare at the Arabian National

L-R: Oula Aljassimya with Alejandro Jr. and Marina Vigil, shortly after she was purchased in the Marquise Auction; Foundation mare, Italya Meia Lua, Silver Supreme Champion Mare at the 2022 Arabian National Breeder Finals Show; and Foundation Mare, Najima Aria.

Breeder Finals, shown by Andy Sellman. Najima Aria is already the 2020 Canadian National Champion Futurity Filly and 2018 U.S. National Top Ten ABS Yearling Filly. She and Andy will compete for the United States National Champion Junior Mare title this fall in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

These three mares exhibit the diversity of bloodlines that Alejandro Vigil is weaving into a magnificent tapestry at Anvil. Their pedigrees are rich in historically significant lineage that provide outcrosses to the often-repetitive bloodlines of contemporary Arabian show horses.

For example, Italya Meia Lua is by the remarkable Brazilian National Champion Stallion El Jahez WH, who boasts a relatively rare tail male line to the immortal Bask through Negatraz, Monogramm, and the Polish-bred Debowiec. El Jahez, now the head stallion at Danubius Arabians in Romania, is renowned for his near-perfect conformation and the long, elegant neck and shoulder he passed on to Italya. Najima is by the Israeli-bred Baha AA and out of the lauded U.S. National Champion Mare MD Hibat Allah, who is also the dam of several national, regional, and Scottsdale winners.

Andy Sellman appreciates his role in the Anvil Arabians story. “It’s been such a privilege to develop not just a trainer/client relationship with the Vigils over the years but to call them dear friends,” he avers. “They love their horses and the Arabian horse community, and are taking wonderful steps towards creating a boutique breeding program that will make an impact on not just the show ring but our industry as a whole. I’m grateful to represent their horses in the arena and proud to have such wonderful people supporting the breed that we all hold near and dear to our hearts.” Anvil has a few horses with other trainers, including Najima Aria’s 2021 filly by EKS Alihandro, Alya Anvil, who is in training with Ted Carson, while Philip Looyens has handled Anvil horses overseas.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

While competing and winning at the highest levels brings Alejandro and Ana Vigil great joy, they are most excited about what their breeding program produces. In 2022, they were blessed with four foals, including two incredible fillies by Sultan GK that will undoubtedly show at the national level. Sultan GK (WW Stivallea x Al Magna) is already the sire of numerous national and regional winners from his first three crops. Nicoletta Anvil is a splendid bay filly sired by Sultan and out of the black beauty Najima Aria. Oula Aljassimya’s 2022 filly, Lou Lou Anvil, is also sired by Sultan and is seen as another potential foundation filly for the future.

The Vigils can hardly wait to welcome six foals in 2023. Through the magic of embryo transfer, they anticipate two foals each from Oula Aljassimya and Najima Aria. Najima will be giving a full sibling to Nicoletta Aria by Sultan GK and one by Scottsdale Champion Stallion

L-R: Saige Sellman, Alejandro Vigil Jr, Marina Vigil, Dane Sellman, Ana Vigil, Alejandro Vigil, Blake, Andrew and Angie Sellman.

and U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt Exxalt (Excalibur EA x Vesperra). Oula is expecting one foal by the fantastic Dominic M (Da Vinci FM x Rosa la Valentina) and one by Ajman Stud’s great sire Aj Radman (Aj Mardan x Aj Rahifa), who is the 2017 European Gold Champion Yearling Colt and 2018 Austrian Silver National Champion Junior Colt. Italya Meia Lua will produce a foal by Dubai Stud-bred D Shakhat (D Khattaf x D Shireen), who is also the sire of Monna Anvil’s expected offspring. Monna is a homebred daughter of Sultan GK and out of the Fa El Rasheem mare Jiuliana BR.

EXPANDING THE VISION

From one wonderful white mare came a new lifestyle for the Vigil family. Shortly after acquiring Oula, they realized that boarding the horses in Arizona wasn’t working for them, despite the excellent care they received. The Vigils wanted to have their horses close at hand so they could get to know them better and enjoy them more. Fortune smiled when a unique equestrian facility near their San Diego home became available. The 14acre property, called Horseland, is now the home of the Anvil

Arabians breeding program. The Anvil horses share the facility with boarders representing a variety of breeds. Farm Manager Adam Rickart tends to every detail and oversees the care and conditioning of the Anvil horses who are not currently showing.

Through Horseland, Alejandro and Ana Vigil have expanded their vision for Anvil Arabians to include the larger equestrian community in the San Diego area. That vision is built on the principle of “sharing our passion for the horse and forming bonds with all of the animals, boarders, owners and visitors.” Just a 35-minute ride to the beach, with plenty of space to roam, it is the perfect place for the Vigil family to nurture their family’s passion. And it affords them the unique opportunity to introduce other equestrians to the beauty and magic of the Arabian horse.

Two of Anvil’s favorites from the 2022 foaling season: Nicoletta Anvil (left) and Lou Lou Anvil (right).

FOR THE GAYLORDS, ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE WESTERN SHOW PEN

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

Long-time Arabian horse owner Natalie Gaylord has lived stories. Confident in her ways and easy to laugh, she is delightedly immersed in the latest wave of horse fever in her life and sharing the joy with 9-year-old daughter Natalie and husband E.K (Ed).

Fresh off a stellar 2022 Scottsdale show (three championships, two of them unanimous), both “Natalies” are forging ahead in the 2022 Arabian show season, competing in pretty much all of the Western/ Working Western competitions the show pen has to offer.

For mother Natalie, a native Coloradan, horse fever began with this, “Remember those stick horses our mothers could buy at the local supermarket? Well, that’s where it started for me. I had them in red, white and black. I wore them out in a month and ultimately wore out my parents shag carpeting playing stick horse throughout the house!’ She laughs and continues, “Fortunately, my mother loved horses too, later driving me to riding lessons an hour from our house. To and from, we bonded through our shared love, deepening it, to my getting a horse of my own.”

War Owl, a Half-Arabian grey gelding bred by Frederick and Barbara Foss was Natalie’s first horse. “My parents’ rules to owning a horse were clear and non-negotiable from the beginning,” says Natalie. “I performed all the care for my horses: feeding, cleaning and stall care; and was required do it well. One horse soon morphed to anywhere between four to six. It was all a fabulous dream for a girl like me who wanted nothing more than to live, eat and breathe all things horses.”

Possessing a natural curiosity, Natalie sought to learn everything she could, frequently taking in horse seminars, including those put on by the iconic Lasma Arabians. New horse friends (fourand two-legged) motivated Natalie to try her hand in the show pen. And again, her parents set the rules. “My parents insisted I do it all,” says Natalie. “Horse care and showing was to remain 100% my efforts, from hauling my horse, caring and prepping for the classes, to cleaning up and hauling back home.” Natalie chuckles, “In those days we entered

every class, doing every discipline we could.” One horse was especially memorable. “I had started my young mare who would come up on all fours and scream like a woman. It was terrifying, but she and I won plenty of top tens! Of course, I bred her, getting a daughter with whom I competed in side saddle at U.S. Nationals, and we won!” Finishing her story with a flourish, Natalie exclaims, “Prouder than all get out, riding to get our prize, this mare kicks out like a mule, no doubt a rebel like her dam, but I couldn’t have been prouder!”

E.K.III, Nichols, E.L., Natalie, Ed, Natalie, Grant

Photo by Allison Tyler Jones Photography

After graduating high school, Natalie attended UCLA. While there, a friend who knew of her horse passion and was sure the potential suitor and Natalie would “hit it off”, told her about a guy she knew who loved horses too.

“We all know the general term of being a horse lover is about on par with loving cars,” says Natalie. “He could be an unemployed cowboy, he could be a race horse owner!” Turns out, the guy who loves horses was E.K. Gaylord II, the son and grandson of the iconic Gaylord Family of Oklahoma.

The Gaylord Family, famed for Gaylord Entertainment (Grand Ole Opry and more), has a long, treasured history with horses, “Everything from Saddlebreds to Thoroughbreds and more,” says Natalie.

Marrying in 1990, Natalie and Ed later combined their horse passion by purchasing top Arabian broodmares, focusing on the highly revered Barbary and Bask bloodlines and breeding top English, halter, hunter and reining progeny.

Several years later and the parents of four boys, Natalie and Ed took a recess from Arabian horses, scaling down but never completely out of the horse world.

Then daughter Natalie was born, who quickly exhibited the same crazy horse fever her mother and father embraced.

“Baby Natalie was surrounded by horses, horse books, memorabilia, figurines and stuffed animals from birth,” recalls Natalie. “She grew up amidst fervent horse lovers. It seemed natural that as soon as she could talk, our girl was asking for riding lessons.”

A decades long friendship with veteran riding coach Rick Nab, was the first step in getting daughter Natalie into a responsible, safe riding lesson and training program. Rick, a keen observer of the established and up-and-coming horse trainers, referred the Gaylords to Colby Powell Performance Horses.

“Rick instinctively knew the right trainer for me and our daughter,” Natalie says. “He continued to coach equitation at shows, but from the beginning, Colby quickly took the reins, locating and purchasing the best horses for us both.”

Colby, son of veteran trainer LaRae Fletcher Powell, was local to the Gaylords, his training barn located in Scottsdale. He began the search for and purchased two perfect horses for mother and daughter.

The first was Saratoga BF (Sir Fames HBV x A Current Affair), a gleaming purebred black gelding. The (then) 12-year-old “Saratoga” was already an open and amateur western pleasure success at the national level. Both Natalies built up their riding skills in 2020 and 2021, showing and earning championship ribbons at Scottsdale, Regions 2 and 7, and many nearby Class A rated shows.

Young Natalie’s first national competition was Youth Nationals 2021, where her beloved coach Rick Nab proudly announced her and Saratoga’s results in Arabian Western Pleasure Equitation Walk/Trot 10 & Under as, “First national show, first national class results in first national championship!”

The team went on to Scottsdale 2022, winning the Walk/Trot 10 & Under Western Pleasure championship.

Above: Natalie Jane & Natalie Gaylord at the 2022 Region 7 Championships. Facing page: The Cowboy Way, 2000 U.S. National Champion H/A Western 40 & Over (top), and Saratoga BF, 2021 Youth National Champion Arabian Walk/Jog 10 & Under (bottom).

Photo by Allison Tyler Jones Photography

And what is mother Natalie’s expectations of her daughter for this privilege of showing Arabian horses? “The same as I had growing up, my daughter is expected to work hard. Other than having a trainer, she is expected to clean her tack and perform all the hands-on horse care she can. Ed and I are so proud of how all our children have embraced their own higher standard of stellar achievement through hard work, and we are pleased with how much effort Natalie puts in to both improving herself every time she rides and helping around the barn. She truly loves to ride and loves her horses.”

And what is mother Natalie’s expectations of her daughter for this privilege of showing Arabian horses? “The same as I had growing up, my daughter is expected to work hard. Other than having a trainer, she is expected to clean her tack and perform all the hands-on horse care she can. Ed and I are so proud of how all our children have embraced their own higher standard of stellar achievement through hard work, and we are pleased with how much effort Natalie puts in to both improving herself every time she rides and helping around the barn. She truly loves to ride and loves her horses.”

The second perfect horse found by Colby for the Gaylords was the Western Pleasure Half-Arabian pinto gelding Fixations Khash (Fixation x Khaadi) at Youth & MidSummer Nationals in 2020. The handsome 6-year-old bay overo impressed Colby for his natural ability and seamless and successful ease of competing in the open, amateur and walk/trot divisions.

The second perfect horse found by Colby for the Gaylords was the Western Pleasure Half-Arabian pinto gelding Fixations Khash (Fixation x Khaadi) at Youth & MidSummer Nationals in 2020. The handsome 6-year-old bay overo impressed Colby for his natural ability and seamless and successful ease of competing in the open, amateur and walk/trot divisions.

“’Khash’ always brings a big smile to my face,” says Natalie. “We call him garbage disposal around the barn as he’ll eat anything. Further, he is just a real goofball.” At the same time, Natalie acknowledges his rock star ability. “This same silly horse happily allows Natalie and I to show him, framing up perfectly in all of our western pleasure classes. When it comes to competing, Khash is all business and an absolute love to show.”

“’Khash’ always brings a big smile to my face,” says Natalie. “We call him garbage disposal around the barn as he’ll eat anything. Further, he is just a real goofball.” At the same time, Natalie acknowledges his rock star ability. “This same silly horse happily allows Natalie and I to show him, framing up perfectly in all of our western pleasure classes. When it comes to competing, Khash is all business and an absolute love to show.”

At U.S. Nationals 2021, Khash outdid himself, teaming with Colby to take the top prize in the highly competitive Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open. The Gaylord family, unable to be present, watched the live feed from home, letting out whoops and hollers that “could be heard all the way to Tulsa!” Natalie delights in the memory, “Champagne bottles were immediately popped open, it was such a happy, festive event.”

At U.S. Nationals 2021, Khash outdid himself, teaming with Colby to take the top prize in the highly competitive Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open. The Gaylord family, unable to be present, watched the live feed from home, letting out whoops and hollers that “could be heard all the way to Tulsa!” Natalie delights in the memory, “Champagne bottles were immediately popped open, it was such a happy, festive event.”

This year’s show season has started off with a bang, with both Natalies earning multiple championships at Scottsdale and Region 7. Beaconing is Region 1 in the beautiful Del Mar and Youth & MidDummer Nationals in July.

This year’s show season has started off with a bang, with both Natalies earning multiple championships at Scottsdale and Region 7. Beaconing is Region 1 in the beautiful Del Mar and Youth & MidDummer Nationals in July.

Young Natalie is looking forward to the additional disciplines of short stirrup reining and showmanship, while mother Natalie is adding ranch rail to her competition schedule.

Young Natalie is looking forward to the additional disciplines of short stirrup reining and showmanship, while mother Natalie is adding ranch rail to her competition schedule.

“Our family is blessed to own, ride and show wonderful horses,” Natalie concludes, “all purchased sight unseen by our amazing trainer Colby Powell. His instinctual ability to match horse to rider is uncanny. Our latest purchase, multiple national reining horse champion Whata Doc Bar (‘Teddy’) is the perfect youth and amateur partner for both Natalie and I in working western. We are very fortunate indeed.”

“Our family is blessed to own, ride and show wonderful horses,” Natalie concludes, “all purchased sight unseen by our amazing trainer Colby Powell. His instinctual ability to match horse to rider is uncanny. Our latest purchase, multiple national reining horse champion Whata Doc Bar TR (‘Teddy’) is the perfect youth and amateur partner for both Natalie and I in working western. We are very fortunate indeed.”

Facing page: Fixations Khash with Colby Powell, 2021 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open. Above, left to right: Fixations Khash and Saratoga BF with Natalie Gaylord; Saratoga BF with Natalie Jane Gaylord.

Facing page: Fixations Khash with Colby Powell, 2021 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open. Above, left to right: Fixations Khash and Saratoga BF with Natalie Gaylord; Saratoga BF with Natalie Jane Gaylord.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding things about a life spent living with horses, from this author’s perspective at least, is watching the lives they change, regardless of when in life someone is introduced to the equine world.

Written by Mary Trowbridge

DDr. Nancy O’Reilly is one of those great examples; someone finding horses at just the right moment in the second half of life, a time of metamorphosis when that innate ability of the Arabian horse to connect with your soul happens at just the very point when you need them most.

Today’s owner of The Southern California Equestrian Center and the woman behind The Amazing Horsewoman, LLC, a well-known philanthropic arm within the Arabian horse community, is not one of those born into the community of the Arabian horse, but instead someone who discovered the Arabian breed just a few short years ago, in 2012.

Dr. Nancy, as she is known in her real-world professional life, is a licensed psychologist who has dedicated her life to Women’s Empowerment issues. Serving for many years on the government-appointed Missouri Committee of Psychologists, she also directed a large employee assistance program, and served as a Nationally Certified Crisis Team Leader in NYC after 9/11. She is a sought-after motivational speaker, author, and international philanthropist advocating for women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Nancy was a self-proclaimed tomboy growing up at a time when continuing education for women was based almost solely on “training” them in the skills necessary to procure a rich husband. This approach hardly resonated with the woman who was sought out by boys because she was the best kickball and baseball teammate and disposed of her Barbie doll by tying it to the cord of the Venetian blinds in the dining room.

After marriage and the arrival of three daughters, Nancy began to think even more about the disparity between men and women in the workplace and began crafting a path and legacy for her daughters to follow. She wrote her first book, Timeless Women—Feeling Useful at Any Age, in 2005, and gained a doctorate in her work about aging in society as she simultaneously launched her Women’s Empowerment initiatives throughout the world.

Her two latest books, In This Together: How Successful Women Support Each Other In Work and Life (Adams Media/Simon and Schuster, January 2019), and Leading Women: 20 Influential Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life (2015), both address the need for women to reach beyond cultural bias, show their talents for leadership, and support one another to become leaders in life and business. She also founded the 501c3, Women Connect4Good, Inc., that supports many national and international charities.

In 2010, with her children grown, Nancy’s marriage dissolved after nearly three decades, and she found herself looking for a way to reinvent herself in a way that would challenge her physically and mentally in a new direction. A close friend, Krystal McCullough, aware of her quest, took her one day to Chrishan Park in Springfield, MO, where Nancy was introduced to her first Arabian horse, and that horse, EF Trific Shoc, immediately claimed her for his own, as only an Arabian horse can do.

International philanthropist, author, and trailblazer for women’s empowerment, Nancy D. O’Reilly, PsyD, helps advance women as leaders and promotes gender equality.

Not being a “sidelines” type of person, Dr. Nancy began competing with Trific Shoc shortly thereafter, even though her horse experience up until that time had been confined to a very limited meet and greet with the species. Her time spent leading the way on an empowerment journey helped the psychologist in Nancy recognize the Arabian horse’s innate ability to teach communication skills beyond language, and how the confidence gained through learning to correctly interact with them spurs our progression in a journey towards a new lifestyle and way of thinking.

Dr. Nancy recognized that horses have always facilitated human beings’ travel through life and times, and that while we don’t need them for transportation in this century, they still offer many ways to move us forward in our journeys through life. Less than 10 years after her first meeting with horses, Dr. Nancy is one of the leading members within the Arabian horse community, facilitating horses to help on this journey. She is a contributor and supporter of the capital campaign for Taking The Reins, a Los Angeles based non-profit whose mission is advancing girl’s empowerment through interaction with horses. The program makes experience with horses possible for at-risk inner-city girls, providing hands-on education in riding, horsemanship, and natural science, as well as self-empowerment using primarily all Arabian horses.

Another important initiative that Dr. Nancy has formed has been with the W.K. Kellogg program at Cal-Poly University, one of the country’s best known Arabian breeding operations, as well as a noted outreach program for Arabian horses. Just before the advent of Covid, Dr. Nancy sponsored an exciting new program there entitled, Women and Horses, designed around the women’s empowerment concepts that surround her life’s works. Sidelined temporarily by Covid, the program resumed in September of 2022.

A passionate competitor, Dr. Nancy enjoys learning to ride and drive the Arabian horses that are a central part of her life. Her well known nationally-winning horses Affliction, Life Inthe Fazt Lane, CSP Hennessy, and Phi Beta Kappah, to name just a few, have taken Dr. Nancy on a new adventure learning multiple disciplines and exploring the Arabian breeding world as she transforms her facility into a destination area in the community, as well as an oasis for horse trainers to work out of.

Ultimately, Dr. Nancy has not only found a new life and community through the Arabian horse world in her few short years among them, but she has also found a way to share those gifts on a broader playing field with people beyond the horses’ current circle of admirers. There’s no doubt that her vision will be a prophetic one, one that will share the Arabian horse’s gifts far into the future beyond us all.

Southern California Equestrian Center Somis, California

OPEN TO EVERYONE, WORLDWIDE!

An Arabian Halter Horse Competition for 2-Year-Old Fillies & Colts

The most innovative and awarding futurity that brings value, enthusiasm and marketability to breeding and owning Arabian Halter Horses.

Rewarding Breeders, Owners and Amateurs

The Breeding Pays Futurity was initiated at the 2022 U.S. Nationals. Prize money of $100,000 each (evenly split between owner & breeder) was paid out in both the purebred Breeding Pays 2-Year-Old Futurity Filly class and the Breeding Pays 2-YearOld Futurity Colt/Gelding class, with an additional payout of $30,000 per final class to the three highest placings through the Amateur Initiative (also evenly split between owner & breeder).

For the initial year of 2022, all entries (sired by ANY stallion) were eligible to nominate and compete in their gender-specific class, if the completed Nomination form and payments were made.

In 2023 and beyond, nominations will only be permitted for foals sired by stallions nominated to the program.

IS THE BREEDING PAYS FUTURITY OPEN TO HORSES IN NORTH AMERICA ONLY?

The Breeding Pays Futurity is open to all horses worldwide.

HOW WAS THE 2022 U.S. NATIONALS JUDGED? The 5-Judge Scoring System (used at ABWC) was utilized in the preliminaries and the 3-Judge Comparative System (used at U.S. Nationals) will be utilized in the finals.

WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY PAYOUT (PER CLASS)?

Gold Champion, $35,000 USD | Silver Champion, $20,000 USD

Bronze Champion, $10,000 USD | Remaining Top Ten (4th-10th), $5,000 USD.

Prize money split evenly between owner and breeder of horse.

CAN AMATEURS COMPETE IN THE CLASS? The Breeding Pays Futurity is open to everyone. The following Amateur (ATH) Incentive prize money will be split evenly between the owner and breeder of each horse, in addition to the prize money awarded in each of the classes:

• Highest Placing Amateur: $15,000 USD | Second Highest Placing Amateur: $10,000 USD

• Third Highest Placing Amateur: $5,000 USD

*Only entries that advance to the Finals are eligible for the Amateur Incentive.

HOW DO I BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THIS PROGRAM? Breeding Pays Futurity

Founding Members pay a tax-deductible donation of $40,000 for a two or three-year membership (or $20,000/$13.333.33 per year)

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE TO BECOMING A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THIS PROGRAM?

In addition to the tax deductible donation, founding members receive two individual stallion nomination rights at a discounted nomination fee, as well as discounted renewal fees for stallion nominations that will be required for program participation in 2023 and beyond.

WHEN IS THE STALLION NOMINATION DEADLINE?

Stallion Nomination forms are due February 1, 2023. You can download nomination forms at www.ArabianHalterFuturity.com

For more information and forms visit www.ArabianHalterFuturity.com

AHT has you covered!

YOUR EQUINE MARKETING SOURCE FOR

years

PASSION OF LIFE—Interview with David Boggs

by Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka & Jeffrey Wintersteen Originally published in Araby Magazine Nr.2/2013 (6)

Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka: In which point of your life are you at present? Do you feel that you are fulfilled, happy and your dreams came true?

David Boggs: What a thoughtful way to begin this interview. Thank you, Izabella, for speaking to my heart first. This IS where it all begins for those of us who love the horses, isn’t it––and the reason that it all goes on. So, in answer I will tell you in all honesty that this moment in time is the very best in my life. I am fulfilled. I am happy. The dreams of my youth––along with heart-held hopes that developed along the way––have all come to fruition and gone well beyond. God has given me so many remarkable blessings. I have a strong and loving family, with three daughters and a son who give me immeasurable joy. And one of the best blessings is that Courtney and Lyndsey, Emma and Jake are all––just like their parents––in love with Arabian horses. We have a great time trail riding as a family. We share the joys and the sorrows of horse breeding. And together we manage a very large business known as Midwest.

IZ: Did you think at the beginning that you would continue your father’s passion and concentrate on the breeding Arabian horses only?

DB: Nothing else, no other career, no other love affair, ever really occurred to me. I was born to live my life with horses. My father started with the Arabian horse in 1950, many years before I was born, and I grew up knowing and loving this breed above all others. I have a high regard and great respect for all breeds. But the Arabian is the heart of my heart. I am one of 8 children in the Boggs family. All of my siblings have an affinity for the horses. Behind the scenes, my sister, Judy, does an amazing job as our breeding manager at Midwest. In the forefront or our horse life, my younger brother, Bob, and I carry on the passion and the dream of our father. We are the fourth generation in a family of horsemen. Our grandfather was a veterinarian, and his father was a broker of many breeds of horses. Thanks be to God, our children carry on as the fifth generation in this legacy.

IZ: When did you decide to go into ‘show business’ and develop and perfect your talents as a trainer and handler?

DB: Since I was a young boy, the horses have been the center of my life. There was never a time when I considered the horses to be work. For me, this horseman’s life has always been a labor of love. I studied hard in school, but only so that I could finish quickly and get back to the horses. I graduated from high school in 1975 and immediately opened the doors of the stable that would grow to become Midwest. So, in answer to your question of “when”, I would have to say, always. Dad was a showman and he taught us to follow in his footsteps. We learned early on that a beautiful horse could be even more elegant and lovely when presented to exhibit-well its best qualities. Our father had a great sense of how to move with and around a horse, we watched and learned and pushed the envelope to develop our own styles. We always wanted to do our best and make him proud. He loved the horses and all of us to the very end and, I’m sure, beyond.

IZ: You became one of the big stars of U.S. and world show ring;, could you tell us how many times horses you have trained and handled won the title of U.S. National Champion and which titles you value the most?

DB: You are so very kind, but it is not we humans but the horses that are the stars. I have had the great honor to be the caretaker and handler of some of the finest Arabian horses in the world and their success has been my success! My national show career all began with the Polish-related stallion, Kaborr, entrusted to me by my dear friend, Mr. Tom Chauncey. I had the honor of presenting this son of the great Polish sire, *Nabor, to the Canadian National Stallion Championship and to the United States Reserve National Stallion Championship, where he stood second to the pure Polish giant, *Aladdinn. In 1979, four years after I graduated from high school, I had the joy of running beside Kaborr when he was named World Champion Stallion at the Salon du Cheval in Paris. This was a thrill of a lifetime! It was my first journey out of the United States. And it was there that I met a beautiful lady, a lady who was destined to be a tremendously influential person in the world of the Arabian horse––and in my life. Her name? Izabella Zawadzka. I will be forever grateful for your kindness to me. And I will treasure, always, the wonderful memories of my time in the stables in Paris with the fine Polish horsemen.

David and Padron (NL) 1977 (Patron (RU) - Odessa (NL)/Bright Wings (GB))

IZ: I will never forget your spectacular entrance at the Paris World Championships a long time ago (end of seventies or beginning of eighties?) with the mare Penalba. You looked like a sunny boy, somebody from a different planet, wearing a black tuxedo, white lacelike jabot, the gloves, light lacquer shoes and leading the snow-white mare, silver shining, all made up, with big eyes, open, large nostrils, with ornamental diamond like halter, prancing and dancing. Your appearance was something so unusual for Europe in those days when the horses were presented in traditional breeding like way with no makeup and show training. Of course, Penalba got the World Champion Mare title! Do you remember that event, what was your impression?

DB: Oh yes! Penalba stood tall and elegant, then and always. With her huge dark eyes and her exquisite face, she was as beautiful as she was correct. She was an angel among us, and I’ll never forget her. Penalba’s sire, Kilimanjaro was one of those majestic kings to me. And her mother, the exotic *Pionga remains, even today, one of the most beautiful mares I have ever known. Mother and daughter were owned by Bob Stratmore of Make Believe Farms in California. Bob also owned the horse that would become my equine soul mate, my very best friend, and the stallion that changed the face of the Arabian breed in America. His name was *Padron.

The good Lord brought us together when *Padron was only 2 years old. From that day until his passing at the age of 30, the magnificent and charismatic *Padron was the dearest of all living horses to me. Years later, the big red beauty still holds a part of my heart, a part that will always belong to him alone. As fate would have it, *Padron left to the world a dynasty that became the very core of our Midwest breeding program––and of many others as well. You see my beautiful friend gave us a son that became the international legend known as Padrons Psyche. Psyche in turn gave us the king maker himself, Magnum Psyche ––perhaps the most perfect horse I have ever been blessed to know. The undeniable greatness and potency––that began with my beloved *Padron––was proliferated through his sons and grandsons, and is present, today, in the bloodlines of most American and European Arabians that grace the best breeding programs the world over.

IZ: What do you think about a show scene nowadays, what has changed, which are the positives or negatives of these changes?

DB: I have no negatives, only positives to say. We travel together on this road of life, all of us, and we have learned many things and have made many changes, for the better I believe. As an extended family of Arabian horse lovers, we all cherish this extraordinary breed. And I believe that to us all, the wellbeing of the horse and the breed is paramount. From where I stand, the style of presentation today is absolutely wonderful and very kind.

IZ: Do you think it is good to introduce the European - ECAHO judging system and so called ‘International’ category shows to the American show program?

DB: This would be your great gift to all American breeders and enthusiasts. You have many great horseman and horsewomen that could extend the possibilities and knowledge and share new and different ideas of judging and breeding. If the future of the Arabian horse is to survive––and thrive, it must be with all of us together. I have very fond memories of many conversations with great breeders and judges from the European nations. I remember my first visit to Poland with Mr. Wayne Anderson to see the stallion Pepton. I was amazed at how beautiful and ethereal the horses were. I remember traveling to Russia to Tersk Stud and touching the face of Aswan, the grandsire of my *Padron. I remember my visit to the stables of Professor Fritz Koenig in Germany, where I met the white stallion,

Nuri Schalan; and on to the stables of Silvia Garde-Ehlert and meeting Kilimanjaro and Neshe. The great and gorgeous animals I saw on that trip were the ultimate examples of the Arabian horses of my dreams. The kindest person I with whom I became acquainted in Europe was the elderly lady, Mrs. Blaauwhof, the breeder of *Padron, who took me to the very spot in her humble stables where the exquisite red colt, my *Padron, was born in the year, 1977.

IZ: You have created the most powerful and successful Arabian horse show and marketing empire in the world, how long did it take you, and which strategy and tools have you used to acquire this level?

DB: I followed the advice of my father and the other great men in my life. As a young man, I had the great pleasure of being close to a number of mentors––great men the like of Mr. Tom Chauncey, Mr. Gene LaCriox Jr, Mr. Robert Stratmore, Mr. Dan Gainey, Mr. Dick Ames, Mr. Walter Mishek and Mr. Jay Stream. All leaders and men of great vision, they taught me to never give up my dreams, to prepare my heart for highs and lows, but to never, ever quit. I enjoy immensely the pleasure of showing and handling the Arabian horse, but my truest passion, the place where my unbridled enthusiasm truly lies, is in the business of Arabian horses, the creation of a strong market, the bringing together of new friends, the bringing along of new enthusiasts, people destined to fall in love with the horse as I did when I was a small child. The business known as Midwest has been my life’s work and its development will continue, always. The strategies I use are those shared with me by the good men I mentioned here, along with tools and methods I’ve learned through experience along the way.

Magnum Psyche (US) 1995 (Padrons Psyche (US) - A Fancy Miracle (US)/Sasaki (NL))

IZ: I understand that you are a very busy man but how much of your time do you spend with horses, in a stable, I mean having kind of a personal contact with horses?

DB: My day begins and ends with a walk through the Midwest Stables where I stop at several stalls to say good morning and good evening to the special animals I am blessed to be the caretaker of. Other than this, I enjoy evaluating the horses for breeding and marketing, and I have hands on communication during the presentations at Midwest. The balance of my day is spent in the administration of Midwest and the creation of new avenues of commerce.

IZ: Everyone gives a very special affection to some horse or horses who are crossing one’s paths. Which were in the past, or are at present, “the horses of your life?”

DB: Oh my, this list could go on and on. Let me say first that I am eternally grateful to have known and loved and handled many, many giants of our breed that have given me a rich and memorable history of once-in-a-lifetime moments. With this said, I’ll make an honest effort to answer your question by sharing the names of a few of those special, unforgettable stallions. I must begin with the first National Champion I had the honor to lead, the *Nabor son, *Kaborr. Then, of course, there was my dearly loved *Padron. And the list goes on in chronological order through the years with: *Salon, *Muscat, Bey Shah, Fame VF, *El Shaklan, Dark Victory, Padrons Psyche, Magnum Psyche, *Magnum Chall, DA Valentino, Vitorio TO, LD Pistal, Aria Impresario and now, the majestic, bright new star from Poland, *Pogrom.

IZ: You said that, “. . . the business of the Arabian horses in the future will be intimately connected with advanced technology and marketing techniques. . .” What do you mean by that?

DB: One word, Internet. This fast moving vehicle has allowed us to reach out and connect with each other at a moment’s notice. Which of us in years past could have imagined being in one country and turning on our computers to watch an Arabian event on the other side of the world in real time, viewing events via live feed, sharing videos, health exams, even digital radiographs at a snap of an email? This ever-improving modern technology allows us to know who is looking for what style or bloodline of Arabian horse and enables us to deliver information to the potential buyer immediately about a horse that fits their criteria.

IZ: Do you see a danger in excessive use of new biotechnological methods in Arabian horse reproduction? And what influence do you think it can have on the future of the Arabian horse breed?

DB: Like every coin, this one has two sides. I believe that God has given man the opportunity to use technology. But I’m equally certain that the Creator of the Universe wants us to use that technology within the guidelines and parameters of morality and good conscience. I understand, from a business standpoint, the possible advantages of harvesting multiple embryos, etc. At the same time I whole-heartedly respect the steadfast position (for example) of the Thoroughbred Horse Breeding Associations wherein not even artificial insemination is permitted. There are definitely pros and cons on both sides. But there is no question that the health of the horses and the moral requirements of good stewardship on the part of their caretakers must have first precedence.

IZ: You say that you and your family loves animals big and small. There are beautiful birds at your farm, what else, besides horses and dogs are there?

DB: We also breed, or have bred, miniature horses, miniature Sicilian donkeys, miniature Zebu cattle. Our newest equine addition is the Gypsy Vanner Horse, a creature of exceptional loving kindness.

IZ: Do you remember that years ago you gave me, as a gift, the halter you had been using for quite a long time. It was a very special gift for me as I realised which famous horses had worn it. At present the halter belongs to Janów Podlaski Stud museum collection.

DB: I am so happy to know you still have this, Izabella. I am deeply grateful that we met long ago. It is a great treasure of my heart to have felt the strong emotional love and admiration that you exude for the Arabian horse. Because of you, the Arabian horse is better today. The loyalty of your Polish people to these horses is both phenomenal and without equal.

THANK YOU!

IZ: I have found on the website of Midwest some “useful” advice in “The 12 most important things you need to know when you own a horse…” I love especially two of them: (1) To make sure that a mare has that beautiful, perfectly marked foal you always wanted, sell her before she foals; and (2) To make a small fortune in horse business, start with a large one.” But I think that the last one does not fit you….

DB: Yes, I laugh when I read this too. But I believe the deeper message is that we should only enter the world of Arabian horses because we feel something special in our hearts that draws us closer to these beautiful animals and creates in us the desire to learn and grow with the horses. We must never see them as mere commodities or investments. The horses are among the great gifts for which we must be thankful to a loving and generous God.

IZ: Taking this opportunity, please accept once again my sincere and best congratulations for Pogrom winning the Stallion Supreme Champion

titles in Scottsdale and Las Vegas. I am too much emotionally involved, so let’s leave the second part of the interview, on Pogrom, to J.W. Wintersteen.

DB: There are no words to express my gratitude, Izabella, for the opportunity given to me by Dr. Trela to care for and guide the American career of your amazing young son of Poland, Pogrom. It is an unparalleled honor to be trusted by the Polish Arabian horse breeders, for whom I have the most profound respect and admiration. I look forward with great hope and enthusiasm to knowing, loving and caring for generations of Pogrom’s family here at Midwest. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless us all as we journey on together.

IZ: Thank you, David. ***

J.W. Wintersteen: Please explain your thoughts on first seeing Pogrom and how did the lease of Pogrom come about?

DB: I was attending Salon du Cheval in Paris, and while watching the yearling colts and in camePogrom. I was totally blown away. I didn’t know who he was or who bred him, but he was just brilliant in presence, motion and quality. I followed him back to the stalls and there he was with the Poles. I got a chance to see him up close and just really liked him. I enquired about purchasing him and was quickly told that the colt was not available. I didn’t know what to do next, then asked about a lease. He was still young and they wanted to show him, but I was told that he might be available after Polish Nationals in August. After Nationals I talked to Marek Trela. The director of Janów Podlaski State Stud and he asked if I still wanted the colt, I said absolutely. We put together a lease for a two-year arrangement and the rest is history.

J.W.: What is it about Pogrom that you are attracted to? What makes him special?

DB: It was Pogrom himself that I was first attracted to, regardless of the pedigree. Sure, the pedigree is important, but you need something very special to be able to compete in the show ring today. Pogrom has that look that we have been waiting for. Having said that I am learning to understand his pedigree, I was fortunate to have known some of these Russian horses in his pedigree like Naftalin, Topol, and Nabeg. These were big, athletic, strong horses. Then you have some of the Polish sires

like Pepton and Bandos with those long, elegant necks, and Probat with his wonderful shoulder. There was a wonderful workload of functional horses in his pedigree, which is what I believe people love about Pogrom. Certainly, you want a beautiful face, which Pogrom has, but people have started going overboard with that. The horses are really not functional and would be hard pressed to have a job in life. The pendulum is starting to swing the other way, horses that are athletes. Pętla’s pedigree is loaded with these functional athletes. Having seen a short video of her from Marek, understanding his intention of this breeding, you can see that Pogrom fulfills this. You can put a face on in one generation; at least that is my belief. But it takes a lifetime to breed a shoulder, a neck and the structure that Pętla brought to this pairing. We haven’t had a horse like this in the US for a long, long time and so desperately needed in breeding with the outcross his dam brings.

J.W.: How has been the initial reaction to Pogrom in the U.S.? Was he well received?

DB: We unveiled him at the Scottsdale Farm tours and he was a sensation, and explosion. He just took the town by storm. We had hoped to sell a few breedings, 40 were the goal for the entire year and we sold over 40 in the first two days! Semen has been excellent and 90 foals are due to him this year. We have had phone calls from one end of the globe to the other wanted to breed to this horse.

J.W.: There are a few foals on the ground as of early spring? What is the initial reaction?

DB: Pogrom has been very prepotent in the foals that we have seen of the dozen or so foals on the ground. There has been consistently amazing type. And people are amazed at these big strong babies that bounce around with tail over their backs, with such long strides. I hear time and time again they haven’t seen foals move like this before. “Yes, David, they are pretty, but my word we haven’t had foals that can move like this!”

That is what Pogrom will give back to the breed, that athleticism.

J.W.: You tried to purchase for a client recently Pogrom, can you speak to this at all?

DB: You know it is funny, all of my lifetime in marketing Arabian horses you don’t ever hear that the horse isn’t for sale. Sure, you hear “my horse isn’t for sale,” but that usually means they want a little bit more and you need to try harder. But never simply that the horse can’t be bought. tried, as I mentioned, at the beginning that I tried to buy the horse. So about half way through the lease I approached Trela with a very handsome offer. When Marek turned me down and I was kind confused. But Marek explained to me that they really need this horse, that it is more than dollars. The Polish breeding program needs Pogrom there, they have waited a lifetime for this horse and he is part of their future.

J.W.: Thank you very much, David. n

Pogrom and David

41ST Annual Brazilian Nationals

July 6-9, 2022 Indaiatuba, Brazil

Judges: Brian Ferguson | Claudia Darius | Graham Smith

Marek Trela | Paul Kostial | Reinaldo Da Rocha Leão

RESULTS

1 - MOST CLASSIC HEAD FEMALE

HANNA 7F (HDF Lugano x Venza El Madan)

Breeder: Leandro Roberto Dos Santos

Owner: João Carlos Inserra Millan | El Sevillano Stud

2 - MOST CLASSIC HEAD MALE

RAGNARY GV (Ragnar Rach x AF Hanolina)

Breeder: Raphael Cavalheiro Casquel

Owner: Vinicius Rosa Viana | Viana Arabian Horse Stud

3 - LIBERTY

RAGNAR RACH (Vulcano HVP x Rapunzel Rach)

Breeder/Owner: Rach Stud Agropecuaria Ltda. | Ilha Da Chapada Stud

Board of Directors

Officials

Amorosino Family - Awarded Best Breeder

41st Annual Brazilian Nationals RESULTS continued

4 - GOLD CHAMPION JR JR FILLY

KHALEESI EL LAMI RB (*Dominic M x Lami El Sabah RB)

Breeder: Adriana Espindola B De Moura

Owner: Luciano Cury - Fazenda E Haras Boa Vista

5 - GOLD CHAMPION JR JR COLT

KEANU LA (*EKS Farouk x Brasilia LA)

Breeder/Owner: Leandro De Aguiar | Cruzeiro Stud

6 - GOLD CHAMPION JR FILLY

MY BEST SURPRISE FWM (*Bandit SRA x Nahla El Madan)

Breeder/Owner: Casa Branca Agro-Pastoril Ltda. | Lone Star Stud

7 - GOLD CHAMPION JR COLT

RHAKEEM SERONDELLA K (Talaal Serondella x Rowena K)

Breeder/Owner: Murilo Bueno Kammer | Aratinga Stud

8 - GOLD CHAMPION YOUNG FILLY

MELODY BY VIVALDI (Vivaldi Al Shawan x HAH Sweet Ventura)

Breeder/Owner: Humberto Florezi Filho | De Al Hoscan Stud

9 - GOLD CHAMPION YOUNG COLT

POLARHIS HVP (Polidoro FC x *Charis RBV)

Breeder/Owner: Agropecuaria Vila Dos Pinheiros Ltda. Vila Dos Pinheiros Stud

10 - GOLD CHAMPION FILLY

LONCO DALILAH (*Dominic M x Stig Zaphyra)

Breeder/Owner: Ricardo Jose Duch Marquez | Lonco Stud

11 - GOLD CHAMPION COLT

RHYAN EL KABURR JQ (Kaburr El Karim JQ x Ryhana El Shawan JQ)

Breeder/Owner: Jairo Queiroz Jorge | Dos Faveiros Stud

12 - GOLD CHAMPION YOUNG MARE

SIMONETA LF (*AAS-Elishahh x Jelabie Serondella)

Breeder: Luciana De Andrade Fasano

Owner: Fabio Alberto Amorosino | Serondella Stud

13 - GOLD CHAMPION MARE

RHAVINA SERONDELLA (Gazal Al Shaqab x *RP Joharra)

Breeder/Owner: Fabio Alberto Amorosino | Serondella Stud

14 - GOLD CHAMPION YOUNG STALLION

TM ITAIPU (*El Tino x Faizah Carol)

Breeder/Owner: Jose Orlando A Teixeira Junior Trindade De Minas Stud

15 - GOLD CHAMPION STALLION

HARJEET MA (Hariry Al Shaqab x Alia Psyche IA)

Breeder: Steve & Darla Miles

Owner: Jose Alves Filho | Haras JM Stud

GOLD CHAMPION GELDING not pictured

YNIGMA DI PERI JM (*Perignon x Savanna Van Ryad)

Breeder/Owner: Jose Alves Filho | Haras JM Stud

Photos by Andre Shiwa

STC Auction Results

September 26, 2022

A&J ATINA

miniature horse – Sold to Akmal Stud, KSA AAHIRA

(Baahir El Marwan x Al Justyra) – Sold to Akmal Stud, KSA

ASHADIYA

(Ammar El Mabrouka x Mahriah) – Sold to Al Nasser Stud, Qatar

AZIZA AARMAANI

(LF Armaan Vittorio x Monira Bint Amir) – Sold to Al Nasser Stud, Qatar

BIDZINA K.A.

(QR Marc x Bid Persia) – Sold to Tahir Hanbuzi, Israel

BREEDING TO BAZ ALJASSIMYA

(Exxalt x MD Mirka) – Sold to Ajmal Stud, KSA

EL EXTRA K.A.

(WH Justice x El Extasa K.A.) – Sold to Tahir Hanbuzi, Israel

EL LA LINDA STC

(EKS Farajj x Ella Rae) – Sold to Al Khashab Stud, Kuwait

EMBRYO RIGHT ESPERANZZA AL VENTUR

(FA El Shawan x Honey’s Delight RB) – Sold to Al Shaqab, Qatar

EMBRYO RIGHT SAFIYA K.A.

(QR Marc x FT Shaella) – Sold to Arabian Soul Partners, Mexico

EQUIBORN K.A.

(QR Marc x Espadrilla) – Sold to Budhen’s Stud, Belgium

FARAJJ’S GRACE SH

(EKS Farajj x Jolfa De Nautiac) – Sold to Abed Aslia & Mohamed Shrein, Israel

FLAXMAN’S VIVIEN

(Woj x Elegancia D’Elzenwalle) – Sold to Budhen’s Stud, Belgium

LIZARA K.A.

(Mikado K.A. x QR Lizette) – Sold to Danubius Arabians, Romania

MAGENTA K.A.

(QR Marc x Migracja) – Sold to Sea-Horse, Belgium

MARWA AL SHAMS

(EKS Farajj x Marjaana Al Shams) – Sold to Ashraf Rabi, Palestine

MIRAGE K.A.

(QR Marc x Magnums Rose) – Sold to Budhen’s Stud, Belgium

SHASTA AS

(Midas AS x Serena AS) – Sold to Flaxman Arabians, Belgium

SIDARTA AS

(ES Sarab x MB Vivyanna) - Sold to Budhen’s Stud, Belgium

SWETE MARC K.A.

(QR Marc x L Serenella) – Sold to Isam Abu Abid, Isreal

WALINA K.A

(Equiborn K.A. x Wayadera) – Sold to Rob Heymans, The Netherlands

ZAFIRA AS

(Abha Qatar x Valentino’s Angel MI) – Sold to Flaxman Arabians, Belgium

ZUMA AS

(Trussardi x Chantilly Ice AAM) – Sold to Sea-Horse, Belgium

It was another exciting week of celebration and history made as passionate breeders, owners and enthusiasts once again arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona in mid-September for the Arabian National Breeder Finals horse show and Silver Sire Futurity to compete for over $197,000 in prize money. Hundreds of majestic Arabians from the around the world and thousands more of their passionate supporters gathered to partake in that which makes them happy: familiar friends, exquisite beauty, and a great horse show with some of the best in the industry.

As always, this well-received and highly attended show ran efficiently and smoothly with the energy exhibited at an all-time high. The quality of the horses was note-worthy and witnessing them perform on “stage” was electric. The camaraderie and encouragement exhibited to each other never ceases to amaze, and a sense of pride is felt when new and familiar names are called to the winners circle.

Competition in the yearling championship and junior

and senior championships on Saturday evening was fierce, and breeding decisions for future winners to some of this year’s winner’s sires were surely made. This year’s Rae-Dawn Arabians 2022 Arabian National Breeder Finals High Point Breeder Award went to Gary Kehl’s GRK Farms.

The performance classes returned with an equally enthusiastic number of participants again this year, with the best of the best present as they prepare for U.S. Nationals in just a few weeks, showcasing the Arabian’s versatility in beautiful form. With 42 class options in the country, western and hunter pleasure, the ANBF continually strives to enhance their schedule for the coming year.

The Arabian National Breeder Finals and Silver Sire Futurity continues to be a must-attend event. With a ton of media coverage, free admission, and an admiring public, it ignites new passions within many for the Arabian horse and all its glory entails.

JUDGES

STEVE DADY | HELEN HENNEKENS | IRAN JORGE | RAYMOND MAZZEI | BRUCE MCCREA PERFORMANCE: JANICE MCCREA WIGHT | CATHY VECSEY

Photo Sponsor: Royal Arabians | Photos by Nate White & Lysa Roman

Minnesota Breeders 2022 Fall Festival show is a wrap!

We enjoyed three days of competition, camaraderie and fun. This year we saw some great examples of good sportsmanship and willingness to help out others. We celebrated the show and celebrated each other with a chili feed and a wild rice soup lunch. The Eleanor Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award went to our own Greg Brown who has served this club in various capacities for over 18 years. In a difficult environment for all shows we held our own and capped off a successful show with another successful auction. Mark your calendars for Fall Fest 2023, September 29 - October 1, 2023.

Photos courtesy of the MAHB

A DAY DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE ARABIAN HORSE BREED.

Mark Your Calendars!

EXPERIENCE... THE BEAUTY, THE HISTORY & THE COMPANIONSHIP.

EVENTS AT THE SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW & NATIONWIDE.

Scan to view last year’s celebration!

INDEX of Advertisers

AHA Of Arizona 5, 7-8

Anvil Arabians 18

B

Breeding Pays Futurity 34,35

C

Cedar Ridge Arabians 146-152, IBC Colby Powell Performance Horses 28,29

G

Gaylord Family, The. 28,29 GRK Farms. BC, 2, 3

J Jerland Farms IFC, 1

M

Midwest Training Centre.................................. 37, 22-80 Midwest (60-118), 119, 120

N

National Arabian Horse Day. 144 R

Rancho Las Potrancas FC, 16

by COLLEEN SCOTT

Say Cedar Ridge Farm, Jordan, Minnesota, to any Arabian enthusiast and it can mean a variety of things. With more than 50 years of history, for some it means a long string of successful English division horses ridden by various trainers and Lara Ames, and for others, the memory of Dick Ames competing in driving. For many youth riders, Cedar Ridge Farm is synonymous with Lollie Ames, an integral part of the founding of Youth Nationals.

No matter what the name Cedar Ridge Farm means to people, it’s always been synonymous with a passion for the Arabian horse. Whether that be breeding, showing or contributing to the Arabian industry as a whole, Cedar Ridge Farm, both its people and its horses, is more than pastures and horses and barns. Arguably, the farm, and the people who have been at the helm, are icons.

THE NEXT CHAPTER: FARM

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Lollie and Lara Ames have some new visions for the farm. While they will continue showing and breeding, they are transitioning the farm to more of a boutique farm, focusing on very specific initiatives.

First, the farm will now be accepting outside mares for embryo transfer management, breeding work and/ or foaling. Show conditioning for the 2023 season will also be available.

David Botha, farm manager since March, says he was drawn to become a part of the CRF family because of the farm’s rich history and the passion Lara and Lollie have for the breed, something he sees every day around the farm. “I’ve always admired their horses over the years and the dedication both Lollie and Lara have, and what they do on a daily basis.

Photo by Meaghan Estes

Farm Manager, David Botha

THE NEXT CHAPTER: BREEDING

The CRF breeding program has produced hundreds of amazing horses, to date, most notably in the English and reining divisions. Their list of outstanding breeding mares is long, with such notable names as Ames Mirage, Toi Jabaska and Perfinka. The team is really excited about the Perfinka daughter Padrona Ames (by *Padron) and Divinely Mine CRF (SF Aftershoc x Ames Divine).

Lara and Lollie welcomed 13 foals this year, pairing their outstanding foundation mares including Julietta Ames, Ames Divine and Ames Patina with outside stallions such as SF

Aftershoc, Inception, Afires Heir, ROL Divine Style and Baske Afire. They are also expecting 13 foals in 2023.

While they will continue breeding for successful horses to compete in the English division, Lara and Lollie have set their sights on ramping up their breeding for horses specifically suited for the halter arena.

Top to bottom: Highly decorated foundation mare Toi Jabaska, and foundation mare Ames Mirage.

Third generation horse trainer and breeder Kenny McDonald joined the CRF team in April 2021 and together with Lara and Lollie, helped establish a plan to move the halter breeding program to the next level. For the 2023 foal crop, the focus was on adding some highly sought-after Brazilian and European bloodlines.

“We are really excited about the embryo transfers we did this year that are going to result in some amazing foals next year,” says McDonald. One they are really looking forward to is the result of *RFI Sophie Al Maktub (RFI Maktub x RFI Sophia Al Neschi) and *Sharif Al Zobair (FA El Rasheem x Risalah Al Zobair). Another embryo paired with that stunning stallion is that of SQ Jizetta (Sultan Al Zobara x Luxemere Jizette), a Cedar Ridgeowned mare. Another infusion of Brazilian bloodlines will be with the embryo from HDF Barcellona (HDF

Padrona Ames with Kenny McDonald, and her dam, the beloved *Perfinka.

A perfect example of Cedar Ridge’s generations of breeding excellence, Ames Divine.

Right: “Wiggles”, the most recent addition to the Ames family.

Lugano x MFA Exoticaa). The final purchased embryo is that of the Trussardi daughter Elena Enigma SA. That embryo is paired with Dominic M.

Cedar Ridge Farm-bred horses have always been a commanding presence on the English stage; with the attention and investment now being devoted to the breeding program for the halter arena, their position in that division will be elevated as well.

The halter training barn in Scottsdale is at capacity with a combination of client and CRF horses. McDonald predicts a successful show in February with a string of strong contenders representing both. “We’re looking forward not just to the Scottsdale show in 2023, but also beyond as the 2022 foal crop hits the ring and the 2023 foals start to make their appearances.”

THE FINAL CHAPTER: HADLEY

If there’s something else Cedar Ridge Farm is known for, it’s family and tradition. The Ames family has always led by example, putting family first and demonstrating through their actions its importance.

Dick’s great-granddaughter, Hadley Ames, is approaching her last year as a youth rider. Highly successful since she started showing as a walk/trot rider, she has most recently focused her efforts on the equitation and English divisions.

Above, l-r: Ames Divine, Lara and Lollie Ames, Hadley Ames and Divinely Mine CRF.

“I have been so honored and lucky to have all of the opportunities Lollie and Lara have given me,” she says. “I’m so thankful.”

Hadley has ridden a number of Cedar Ridge Farm owned horses through the years and during her final year, she will campaign Alexander Dumor and His Ownman CRF, owned by Tara Ames, another extended family member.

“I’m focused on trying to be as competitive as I can, and on continuing to make memories that will last a lifetime,” she says. “It has all gone by so fast, I still remember showing as a walk/trot rider at my first Scottsdale show!”

THE ONGOING CHAPTER: LEGACY FARM

No matter which direction the Cedar Ridge Farm breeding, training or farm services are headed, there has always been and always will be one constant – The Ames family. And not just immediate family or their ongoing contributions to the Arabian breed.

David Boggs, longtime family friend and partner in some Ames breedings, remembers decades of beneficiaries from the Ames family.

“Dick loved to help young people, not just riders, but also up-and-coming trainers. There are many trainers who grew their skills at the farm at one time. Dick was very supportive of everyone, myself included,” he says.

“And Dick wasn’t afraid of hard work. He was always the first one there in the morning and he’d work right beside everyone. Dick never asked anyone to do anything he hadn’t done himself,” David says.

Lollie was not only instrumental in the founding of Youth Nationals, but as David recalls, she was important as a volunteer during the show. “She was there day in and day out, working the gate, helping in the office, doing all of the things that needed to be done to make that show run,” he says.

According to David, the hard work and dedication has continued with Lara. “She is very much her father’s daughter,” he says. “The legacy of the Ames family and their involvement with the Arabian horse industry is benefiting from her presence.”

As Lara says, “We are thrilled to continue our lifelong involvement with the Arabian horse through carefully selected breeding opportunities, providing care and housing for breeding mares and supporting the industry in as many ways as we can.”

Dick, Lollie and Lara Ames have had a long professional relationship and friendship with David Boggs.