Sired by HDF Lugano, Out of MFA Exoticaa SILVER CHAMPION JUNIOR MARE OF BRAZIL
SCOTTSDALE 4-YEAR-OLD MARES Presented by Rodolfo Guzzo Proudly owned by SILVER BOX SOUTHWEST | SILVER BOX STUDIOS Stuart Nierenberg & Carol Fensholt Nierenberg Now residing at Royal Arabians, Scottsdale, Arizona Managed by Rodolfo Guzzo and Travis Rice
Otherworldly Elegance: HDF BARCELLONA
‘We Were Searching for a Unicorn –– and We Found One!’
F
irst on judge Michael Byatt’s card, HDF Barcellona was recently named 2019
Silver Champion Junior Mare of Brazil. But her uniqueness and her class win a day earlier, seen worldwide on live feed, had already rocketed her to global awareness. On that July day in Brazil, Barcellona’s stylish elegance caught the eye of sculptor Carol Fensholt Nierenberg and her husband, Stuart Nierenberg, Silver Box Studios/Silver Box Southwest (Carefree, AZ), who were ringside, and who purchased her on the spot. She now resides at Royal Arabians (Scottsdale, AZ), and will be shown by Rodolfo Guzzo. But long before any of that, HDF Barcellona had wowed her breeders, Rodrigo da Silva Faias and Murilo Kammer; and Rodolfo Guzzo too, who bred her sire, Rodrigo’s HDF Lugano, and reveres her dam, Murilo’s MFA Exoticaa. When Barcellona was born, “We were over the moon!” says Murilo, who credits partner Rodrigo for selecting Exoticaa for his stallion. “As soon as Barcellona was on the ground, Rodrigo wrote me and said, ‘We just got something out of this world!’ I immediately went to his farm, and yes –– indeed we had!”
“HDF Barcellona is a genetic
powerhouse. Her contributions to the Arabian breed will make history.” –– Travis Rice
Today, at age four, Barcellona is “spectacular,” says Murilo, a 37-year
HDF Barcellona is a show horse, but more important, she’s a genetic
breeder not easily impressed. “Like Exoticaa, she has long legs, a
powerhouse, states Royal’s Travis Rice, respected in the Arabian
square body, structural correctness, and an amazing neck,” he says.
community as a pedigree expert: “She’s her lineage woven together
“She also has eyes, ears and tail –– to me, ‘must-have’ hallmarks of the
and come to life in one stunning package. From her sire, the great
Arabian horse. She’s the essence of femininity. A mare needs body
HDF Lugano by the immortal FA El Shawan, come her extremely
and movement, of course. But if she isn’t a girl, she doesn’t interest
large, dark eyes –– eyes you get lost in –– as well as fine tight skin,
me. Barcellona is.”
structure, and a priceless show attitude. That blood crossed on MFA Exoticaa, an exquisite Echo Magnifficoo daughter, is what gives her
Rodolfo Guzzo, too, soon realized Barcellona was exceptional. “I
a neck and shoulder both lovely and perfect. Refinement coupled
heard about her from people who saw her at one of the qualifying
with extreme type –– from huge nostrils to her long, straight tail
shows for Brazil’s Nationals,” he relates. “Everyone was talking about
bone carried like a flag –– make HDF Barcellona unique. We were
her. They said to me, ‘She’s incredible! –– her movement, her body,
searching for a unicorn –– and we found one! Her contributions to
her correctness, her neck, her eye, her tail, her style ….!’
the breed will make history.”
“So as soon as we arrived in Brazil this summer,” Guzzo adds, “I
Adds Guzzo: “She’s just so special ––– special to me, and soon she’ll
went to the showgrounds to see her. Already, everyone there was talking about her. And as soon as I put my eyes on her, I was crazy about her too. Barcellona has it all, including the same neck her mama has –– tiny throat latch, shapely, beautiful!”
be special to the whole Arabian world. Why? Because complete, overall excellence and uniqueness are the exception. Horses like her are very rare. Every time we present her at Royal Arabians, people are amazed. They go crazy –– even when she’s just standing quietly and naturally. And not just outside; every single person who walks down the barn aisle and glances into her stall does a double-take. They always stop, look and stare. “She’s sensational in the show arena. But more important, her babies are going to be off the charts!”
“A mare needs body and movement, of
course. And eyes, ears and tail –– to me,
they’re ‘must-have’ hallmarks of the Arabian horse. But if she isn’t a girl, she doesn’t
interest me. HDF Barcellona is.” –– Murilo Kammer