2018
Ar abian Horse Times | 20 | Halter • 2018
Topping the charts in 2017... (Includes U.S., Canadian and Youth National Halter Championship Champion and Reserve wins)
• Rae-Dawn named Leading Breeder & Owners of Halter Winners • Bruno Guiraldelli named Leading Halter Trainer • Bey Ambition named Leading Halter Sire (Results compiled by Arabian Horse Times)
Merriam-Webster defines lifestyle as, “the typical way of life of an individual, group or culture.” Over the last twenty-plus years, Shirley and Murray Popplewell have developed and nurtured what they like to call the “Rae-Dawn Lifestyle” at their Arabian horse breeding farms in Saskatoon, Canada and Scottsdale, Arizona. Central to the lifestyle is, of course, the Arabian horse and— as Murray is quick to point out—the people that gravitate to them. While it is true that the Arabian breed is a common denominator that draws together people from all walks of life, the addition of the Popplewell’s renowned hospitality and attention to every detail beckons many of those people into the Rae-Dawn lifestyle. “Our success centers around being ourselves,” says Murray, “We’re not trying to pretend that we are anything other than what we are. I think some people recognize that honesty and the genuine feeling we have for the horses and are attracted to us.” “We have always been under the impression that if you can be a good host and treat people with honesty and integrity, good things are reflected back on you,” he continues. “That’s the big thing. The horse industry has to be built on honesty and integrity, that’s what it’s all about. We’re just being ... continued Ar abian Horse Times | 21 | Halter • 2018
ourselves and creating a breeding program that can offer horses people want to own at a very reasonable price so that others can enjoy them the way we do.” And, enjoy their horses the Popplewells most certainly do. They are completely “hands-on” owners, meaning they have cleaned their share of stalls and still do other daily tasks in addition to being experienced amateur handlers who love to show and win with their horses. Rae-Dawn
performance horse, with a 2017 Scottsdale class win in a year culminating in a top ten at the Canadian Nationals in Open Western Pleasure competition in his first national appearance under saddle. Bey Ambition’s Murray & Shirley Popplewell and Family offspring have enjoying the 2018 Scottsdale Show. brought armfuls of ribbons and trophies to their owners all over the world and earned him the prestigious honor of being voted the APAHA Halter Sire of the Year. His homebred daughter, RD Marciea Bey, the 2016 U.S. and Canadian National Reserve Champion Futurity Filly, is from another homebred, 2010 U.S. National Champion Yearling Filly and 2012 U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly, RD Marciena (QR Marc x NW Siena Psyche).
Bey Ambition scored more 2016 United States national championships with his progeny, including his daughter, Beloved Gracious Lady, who won the U.S. National Champion Yearling Filly title before also winning her class at the 2017 World Championships in Paris—earning the only straight 20s for movement in the process to capture the Best Movement Female award. The Shirley Popplewell with Reserve Champion Mare AAOTH RD Lavinya (*Marwan Al Shaqab x RD Marciena) and Murray Popplewell with natural ability of the Bey Ambition offspring to Champion Mare AAOTH RD Magic Moments (Bey Ambition x GF move and perform under saddle was evident in the Simply Magic) at the 2018 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. Western Pleasure division, where RD Habanero, a maternal half-brother to RD Marciena, was named horses have achieved countless national and international the 2017 U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure honors, both in-hand and under saddle. Prominent among AAOTR Jackpot and, most recently, the 2018 Scottsdale them is Rae-Dawn chief stallion, Bey Ambition (Regal Champion Western Pleasure AATR 40-59 and 2018 Actor JP x Bey Shahs Lady, by Bey Shah), a multipleScottsdale Champion Western Pleasure AAOTR 55 & national champion halter horse—and now a successful Over. Ar abian Horse Times | 22 | Halter • 2018
Both Murray and Shirley had big wins in amateur halter competition at Scottsdale, with Murray Popplewell bringing home the 2018 Scottsdale Champion Mare AAOTH title with RD Magic Moments (Bey Ambition x GF Simply Magic)—the second time in a row it has been won by Bey Ambition offspring! Reserve Champion Mare in the class went to Shirley Popplewell and RD Lavinya (Marwan Al Shaqab x RD Marciena). In the previous year, the Scottsdale Champion Mare AAOTH was RD Siena Serenade (Bey Ambition x NW Siena Psyche). As current as they are amongst contemporary owner/ exhibitors, Shirley and Murray Popplewell are highly regarded breeders who celebrated their 20th year in the Arabian horse industry in 2017. They keep an image of what they see as a “complete horse” with form to function in mind, which helps them to maintain clarity in their breeding decisions, whatever the current trend or the tendency toward excess of a particular trait might be at the time.
breeding for the market—the quicker you can get them out and exposed to people, the sooner they might have the chance of selling and moving on to a new home.” Often that “new home” becomes an introduction to the Rae-Dawn lifestyle for the lucky buyer. An open, trusting atmosphere for visiting and for viewing the horses is a key piece of that lifestyle, whether at home or in the barn area at horse shows. Arabian enthusiasts are welcomed to the many open barns, presentations and barbeques that the Popplewells host. Their enthusiasm and knowledge, which they are willing to share, is appreciated by old timers and newcomers alike. The community feeling extends to the diverse staff of the farm. Manager/trainer Bruno Guiraldelli is completely committed to the Rae-Dawn horses, and his dedicated staff can always be counted upon to take care of every detail of the horses’ care.
“The hardest thing we have to do as breeders is stay true to what we feel is the ideal Arabian horse,” Murray states. “We try to breed to stallions that will offer something new to our mare and yet double up on the mare’s strong points. That’s the way we approach it.” At Rae-Dawn that sometimes means finding a daughter of a great stallion or a mare from a program which meets their standards and can contribute to the improvement of their program. One example of that foresight is the Popplewell’s recent acquisition of Madora MI (Allegiance MI x Melody MI) at the 2018 Marquise Auction in Scottsdale. From the famed Mulawa Stud in Australia, Madora MI represents many generations of thoughtful breeding by the Farrell family. The Popplewells are striving to create horses that can win in world-class breeding classes before moving on to a new facet of life under saddle. “Yes,” says Murray, “We do feel there’s got to be life after halter. Halter is one of the easiest, quickest ways to get your horse into a show ring to promote your program, and maybe in North America we push them too much. At the same time, if you are
MADORA MI
(Allegiance MI x Melody MI) purchased at the 2018 Marquise Auction.
Bruno sets the pace, managing his team and working endless hours beside them to achieve enviable results. Bruno not only manages the entire farm, he presents the Rae-Dawn show string to many of their greatest victories. Recently, Bruno posted an incredible win with one of RaeDawn’s recent acquisitions, Giana Leah PCF (Polidoro FC x Aliyah Vision PCF), a stunning product of Sam Peacemaker’s PCF Arabians. At the prestigious Scottsdale All-Arabian show—billed as the World’s Largest Arabian Horse Show with over 2,400 entries—the jubilant Rae-Dawn entourage celebrated as Giana Leah PCF was named the 2018 Scottsdale Junior Champion Filly, with Bruno on the lead. It is a cinch that Murray and Shirley Popplewell will continue to spread the joy that their passion and love for Arabian horses ignites. That passion and love will continue to stoke the flames of the future for the Popplewell family as they nurture the Rae-Dawn lifestyle for a score of years to come.
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Bruno Guiraldelli with 2018 Scottsdale Junior Champion Filly Giana Leah PCF (Polidoro FC x Aliyah Vision PCF). Bred by PCF Arabians.
SCOTTSDALE RESULTS... RD MAGIC MOMENTS (Bey Ambition x GF Forever Magic) First Place Classic 5 Years & Older Mares AAOTH with Murray Popplewell GIANA LEAH PCF (Polidoro FC x Aliyah Vision PCF) First Place Arabian Classic Yearling Fillies of January 1 – April 15 with Bruno Guiraldelli Arabian Classic Junior Filly Champion with Bruno Guiraldelli RD ASHALEENA (Marsal Al Shaqab x RD Dukessa) First Place Arabian Classic Yearling Fillies AAOTH with Murray Popplewell Reserve Champion Arabian Classic Junior Filly AAOTH with Murray Popplewell RD ENTAYVIA (Equator PASB x Mi Morena) Second Place Arabian Classic Yearling Fillies AAOTH with Shirley Popplewell RD LAVINYA (Marwan Al Shaqab x RD Marciena) First Place Arabian Classic 3 & 4yr Old Mares AAOTH with Shirley Popplewell Reserve Champion Arabian Classic Senior Mare Championship AAOTH with Shirley Popplewell RD YAZZMANI (Ever After NA x Summersmagicdream)
RD HAVANNA (Hariry Al Shaqab x RD Siena Serenade)
Top Ten Arabian Classic 2yr Old Colts of April 16 – December 31 with Bruno Guiraldelli
Second Place Arabian Classic 3 & 4yr Old Mares AAOTH with Murray Popplewell
RD MOMENTUM (Emerald J x RD Magic Moments)
Top Ten Signature Championship Classic Three Year Old Mares ATH with Murray Popplewell
Top Ten Classic Yearling Colts of April 16 – December 31 with Bruno Guiraldelli
RD LADY MAGNUM (Magnum Psyche x Bey Shahs Lady)
PCF CRYSTAL VISION (PCF Vision x MCA Afire Beylee)
Top Ten Arabian Classic 5 Years & Older Mares AAOTH with Shirley Popplewell
Top Ten Arabian Classic 8 & Older Mares with Bruno Guiraldelli
Top Ten Signature Championship Classic 4 Years & Over Mares ATH with Shirley Popplewell
Unanimous Champion Arabian Classic Senior Mare AAOTH with Murray Popplewell Top Ten Scottsdale Signature Championship Classic 4 Years & Over Mares ATH with Murray Popplewell RD MARZELLA (QR Marc x Jazella FA) Top Ten International Arabian Breeders Classic 2 Year Old Fillies with Bruno Guiraldelli SONG OF RASHEEM (FA El Rasheem x Psong of Padron) Top Ten International Arabian Breeders Classic 4 & 5 Old Mares with Bruno Guiraldelli RD LUANNA (RD Dynamo x Enchanteress) Top Ten Arabian Classic Yearling Fillies of April 16 - December 31 with Bruno Guiraldelli RD AVONNYA (Spitfyre VF x Alanna) Top Ten Arabian Classic 2yr Old Fillies of April 16 – December 31 with Bruno Guiraldelli Top Ten Signature 2yr Old Filly ATH with Shirley Popplewell RD TESORO (Ajman Moniscione x RD Marciea Bey) Top Ten Signature Auction Championship Yearling Colts/Geldings AOTH with Murray Popplewell RD KAYENTA (Stival x RD Lady Magnum) Top Ten Signature Auction Championship Yearling Fillies AOTH with Shirley Popplewell RD DARICHO (A Jericho x RD Windarra) Second Place Arabian Classic Yearling Geldings with Bruno Guiraldelli
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VOLUME 49, NO. 4AA $22.50
F E A T U R I N G
BEY AMBITION
The 2018 Canadian Nationals was a continuation of an already spectacular show season for Shirley and Murray Popplewell and their Rae-Dawn Arabians. They had great Scottsdale results in February, accumulating many honors in both the open and amateur divisions there. “It’s a team effort,” Murray is eager to state. “That’s the thing that we want to express. Our goal has been to get our trainer Bruno Guiraldelli into the National arena, because that is where you pay your dues. He and his team got the horses ready. He won the Junior Fillies in Scottsdale with Giana Leah PCF and now he’s taken three national championships and four reserves in Canada. Bruno is young, but he has already earned his place in the group of top handlers. After all, he was the Leading Halter Trainer of national champions/reserves in 2017. You could say he’s moving forward with ‘Ambition!’” Bey Ambition is the premiere stallion at Rae-Dawn, with a long record of success as a show horse and sire of world-class offspring. The son of Regal Actor JP and Bey Shahs Lady was bred by Lucy Whittier and has been with the Popplewells since they fell in love with him as a colt. He earned five national championships or reserves beginning in 2009 and has become a dominant sire over the last few years. On the 2017 list of North American National Halter Leaders, Bey Ambition was the leading sire of purebreds by both number of winners and number of wins, while Murray and Shirley were honored as Overall Leading Owner (tied) and Overall Leading Breeder of winners.
Mulawa Stud. By Allegiance MI and out of Melody MI, Madora won the title of National Champion TwoYear-Old Filly, with Bruno on the lead. The Popplewells have breeder Sam Peacemaker to thank for their 2018 Canadian National Reserve Champion Senior Mare, PCF Crystal Vision (PCF Vision x MCA Afire Beylee), who has already produced several exceptional fillies for Rae-Dawn. Also earning accolades was the electrifying homebred RD Capriotti (Shanghai EA x Mi Morena), who Bruno showed to 2018 Canadian National Reserve Champion Futurity Colt honors. “Bruno Guiradelli is succeeding with Ambition and continuing with Capriotti!” Murray quips. Next stop for Capriotti and the rest of the Rae-Dawn show string will be the U.S. Nationals. There, they will once again compete with the best of their peers, hoping to persevere with joy, teamwork and that Rae-Dawn ‘Ambition.’
“We had tremendous support from the crowd in Canada,” Murray recalls. “Shirley and I really enjoy this. We enjoy the horses, and we take them home, whether we win, lose or draw—but it’s nerve-wracking to show your sire!” The decision for Bruno to bring Bey Ambition back to the national halter arena as a 12-year-old paid off when he was named the 2018 Canadian National Champion Senior Stallion. Bey Ambition’s reputation as a great sire for Rae-Dawn was given even more luster by his victorious offspring, who joined him in the winner’s circle in Canada. Second-generation homebred RD Beyanda, out of RD Miranda, was named the unanimous Canadian National Champion Futurity Filly while the Bey Ambition son, RD Barcello was the Reserve National Champion Futurity Gelding. The contributions of Bey Ambition to the ongoing Rae-Dawn program is apparent. His daughter RD Magic Moments produced the unanimous 2018 Canadian National Reserve Champion ABS Yearling Colt, RD Momentum and his son, RD Dynamo, sired homebred RD Luanna, a Top Ten ABS Yearling Filly. “This is one farm, one breeding program,” says Murray. “We are so proud of our homebreds but appreciate that some of these horses were bought from other breeders. We recently got some horses in Brazil that I think are going to give Bruno another step forward. Between the three of us, Shirley, Bruno and I looked throughout Brazil for the right fillies and ended up with three. It was a team effort choosing which ones and we think we’ve taken it to a higher notch.” Rae-Dawn scored a third 2018 Canadian national championship with Madora MI, who was bred in Australia by the world-renowned
Murray & Shirley Popplewell and Bruno Guiraldelli with 2018 Canadian National Champion Stallion Bey Ambition.
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RAE-DAWN ARABIANS
Love of family and Arabian horses are the foundation of Murray and Shirley Popplewell’s Rae-Dawn Arabians. The farm is named after their daughters, Amanda Raylene and Juanita Dawn. According to Murray Popplewell, the love affair with Arabian horses happened quite by chance. “We purchased two horses to ride, and they both happened to be Arabians. We soon visited a neighbor’s Arabian horse farm and bought a mare in foal and the rest is history.” Shirley and Murray embrace every aspect of living the Arabian horse lifestyle. They love their horses so much, that they built the most beautiful havens in two separate countries, which enables them to breed, raise, care and train their prized Arabians in-house. The farm in Saskatoon, Canada, houses the mares and foals where they are able to enjoy lush pastures with abundant room to roam. The training and marketing facility located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and managed by resident trainer Bruno Guiraldelli, is considered by many as the jewel of the Scottsdale Arabian horse community, and the world for that matter. The Popplewells are very hands-on owners, managing all aspects of the day-to-day care of the horses. From foaling out their mares, to hauling horses back and forth across the country, to being very accomplished handlers showing and enjoying their horses in amateur halter competition, these owners do it all. Shirley and Murray knew from the very beginning they wanted to breed the highest quality horses possible; horses with classic beauty and correct conformation, traits that enabled each individual to show at the highest levels of halter competition. Those goals remain the same when making breeding decisions at Rae-Dawn Arabians today. They also take temperament and trainability into consideration - traits equally as important as natural athletic ability - for horses to excel in all performance divisions with amateur or open riders. The Popplewells follow the tried and true tradition of starting with high quality mares that have the classic
Darryl
Shirley and Murray Popplewell with GIANA LEAH PCF ((Polidoro Polidoro FC x Aliyah Vision PCF PCF), ), 2018 Scottsdale Arabian Classic Champion Yearling Filly & Junior Champion Filly presented by Bruno Guiraldelli. Ar abian Horse Times | 40 | U.S.A. Breeders
Lauren
“Shirley and I have a passion for the Arabian horse on every level; from breeding and foaling out our mares, to showing them in halter and performance. We find a lot of joy in sharing that passion. And believe me, I know, they are contagious. If you come into contact with them, YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE!� - Murray Popplewell
Kelly
Top: Shirley with a young friend at a Rae-Dawn open house party. Bottom row, left to right: RD Jaelei (Emerald J x RD Felicitation, by Bey Ambition), RD Beylinda (Bey Ambition x RD Miranda, by Pyro Thyme SA), RD Quianna (Shanghai EA x PCF Crystal Vision, by PCF Vision). Ar abian Horse Times | 41 | U.S.A. Breeders
traits they aspire to reproduce. They have acquired and bred some incredible mares, which continue to yield spectacular results year after year. When it comes to stallion selection for their mares, the Popplewells look for stallions that can strengthen a mare’s weakness and add to her strengths. RaeDawn’s senior stallion, Bey Ambition (Regal Actor JP x Bey Shahs Lady), recently named the 2018 Canadian National Champion, put the farm on the map. “Bey” has sired numerous champion sons and daughters in both halter and performance, and the many daughters retained for the Rae-Dawn breeding program are producing extremely well. As breeders, it’s important to always be thinking ahead. Shirley and Murray have mapped out the next step for their breeding program, which includes a very special upand-coming young stallion they bred, RD Capriotti (Shanghai EA x Mi Morena), the 2018 Canadian Reserve National Champion Futurity Colt with Bruno Guiraldelli. Capriotti’s first foals, out of Bey Ambition daughters, were born this year and exceeded the Popplewells’ highest expectations. In addition, the couple also look to outside stallions with proven production records for their mares in order to infuse outcross pedigrees that strengthen the Popplewells’ vision and ideals. Travel has provided the couple with incredible insights into the ever-changing topic of breeding Arabians horses, including a wonderful visit to Brazil in 2017, and most recently a trip to the 2018 debut of the China Arabian Horse Show this past August in Beijing. The Popplewells understand the responsibility of breeding world-class Arabian horses and embrace the endeavor as a privilege. Murray explains some of the challenges they face, “We breed with the idea to keep every horse. However, that is impossible. As
Top: RD CAPRIOTTI (Shanghai EA x Mi Morena). Bottom row, left to right: 2018 Canadian National Champions... National Champion Stallion BEY AMBITION (Regal Actor JP x Bey Shahs Lady), National Champion Futurity Filly RD BEYANDA (Bey Ambition x RD Miranda) & National Champion Two-Year-Old Filly MADORA MI (Allegiance MI x Melody MI). Ar abian Horse Times | 42 | U.S.A. Breeders
breeders, we must keep some good ones to advance our program, even though they are the easiest to sell. High quality is always in high demand. We have been lucky to sell our horses all aver the world and it is rewarding to see them winning at international shows for their new owners and then also becoming contributing members of global breeding programs. We want to feel like we are having a positive impact on the Arabian horse breed through our horses and the friendships we have developed through them.” The tremendous appeal of Rae-Dawn Arabians for breeders and owners in the U.S. and abroad lies in their beauty, as well as their character, which is their inherent nature – they are bred to be kind, intelligent and trainable. These traits are nurtured from birth. Murray describes their approach to training and management, “Every horse at Rae-Dawn Arabians is handled with the utmost respect. We employ our own in-house trainer, Bruno Guiraldelli. We truly appreciate him and the fact that he understands we want halter training done with respect, and with the goal of life after halter. We started out with riding horses and we love performance. We believe riding our horses creates a bond with them unlike anything else.” Murray and Shirley contribute to the Arabian horse community beyond the show ring and their breeding program. Murray is on the Board of Directors for the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance, which hosts the prestigeous Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas. The Popplewells also sponsor the ABWC Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors industry leaders. At their beautiful facilities, they host numerous open houses and activities, welcoming all lovers of the Arabian horse. Their intentions are totally pure: they hope to introduce as many people as possible to the Arabian horse and to share their love for the breed.
Kelly
Top: BEY AMBITION. Bottom row, left to right: Canadian National Reserve Champion Stallion RD CAPRIOTTI (Shanghai EA x Mi Morena), National Reserve Champion Yearling Colt RD MOMENTUM (Emerald J x RD Magic Moments) & National Reserve Champion Futurity Gelding RD BARCELLO (Bey Ambition x Enchanteress). Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | U.S.A. Breeders
PCF
2018 U.S. NATIONAL UNANIMOUS CHAMPION OPEN YEARLING FILLY PRESENTED BY BRUNO GUIRALDELLI Bred by Sam Peacemaker’s PCF Arabians Polidoro FC x Aliyah Vision PCF, by PCF Vision
Murray & Shirley Popplewell • Bruno Guiraldelli, trainer • Saskatoon, Canada • Scottsdale, Arizona
A
2018 U.S. RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION SENIOR STALLION PRESENTED BY BRUNO GUIRALDELLI Bred by Lucy Whittier Regal Actor JP x Bey Shahs Lady, by Bey Shah+
Murray & Shirley Popplewell • Bruno Guiraldelli, trainer • Saskatoon, Canada • Scottsdale, Arizona
RD
2018 U.S. RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION JUNIOR MARE PRESENTED BY BRUNO GUIRALDELLI Bey Ambition x RD Marciena, by QR Marc
Murray & Shirley Popplewell • Bruno Guiraldelli, trainer • Saskatoon, Canada • Scottsdale, Arizona
A
U.S. National Top Ten Awards...
WITH BRUNO GUIRALDELLI
PCF CRYSTAL VISION ~ SENIOR MARES PCF Vision x MCA Afire Beylee, by Afire Bey V
RD QUIANNA ~ ABS YEARLING FILLIES Shanghai EA x PCF Crystal Vision, by PCF Vision
MADORA MI ~ TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLIES Allegiance MI x Melody MI, TS Al Malik
RD MOMENTUM ~ ABS YEARLING COLTS
Emerald J x RD Magic Moments, by Bey Ambition
RD BARCELLO ~ FUTURITY GELDINGS Bey Ambition x Enchanteress, by Utrillo NY
RD CAPRIOTTI ~ FUTURITY COLTS Shanghai EA x Mi Morena, by Marwan Al Shaqab
Murray & Shirley Popplewell • Bruno Guiraldelli, trainer • Saskatoon, Canada • Scottsdale, Arizona Murray: 306.241.1199 | Shirley: 306.241.0648 | Bruno: 480.686.2922
www.RaeDawnArabians.com