THE ART OF HANDLING WITH TITO VICENTE VILLA

Hello,Tito. Thank you very much for accepting the invitation! To provide some background to our readers, could you tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and your education, please?

My name is Tito Vicente Villa. I was born in Madrid in 1986, so I’m turning 37 this year. My wife Alba is my partner in life and business partner as well. Together we have our little treasure, our f e years old son Martin who already loves horses and rides the little ponies we have on our farm. At the age of four, I began to ride horses, and at the age of eight, I was already competing in classical dressage and jumping. When I was thirteen, I fell in love with an Arabian horse famous in Spain. His name was “Arabian Beauty”, bred by Complutum Arabians in Spain. Thanks to that horse, I met his breeder. I started to work part-time on his farm, so I learned about the sho s. The frst time showed an Arabian horse was in a show called Arabs & Co. in 1999, and ever since then, I did not stop showing horses. I have been working with some of the best handlers around the world. I worked with Michael Byatt for a while, and thanks to Marieta Salas, who made it possible. I worked for many years with Privilege and Albaydaa Stud. I had the chance - during that time - to meet amazing people and visit stunning places. Today, I have a training centre in Madrid called the “Luxury Training Centre”. The meaning of Luxury here is not about what it could be for everyone else. Luxury, for me, is about being able to live doing what I love the most.

Have you developed a systematic program for handling Arabian horses of your own? To prepare a horse best for a show, how can you ensure that he is physically and mentally prepared? How can the horses be made to perform at their best when needed?

Horses’ happiness is the basis for how I prepare them for shows. They need to be confdent and ha y to er orm at their best. That means I combine work and free time at the paddock as much as possible. Then, I make a feed and supplement plan to develop the best conditions. Finally, the schooling for the stand-up, several days a week, and no longer than 10 minutes each session. frmly belie e the ey actor is not to orget that every action toward the horses will have an equal reaction from them. Therefore, al ays try to be confdent, res ect ul, and patient and reward positive progress. This way, I can ensure that I get back from the horses the same equal percentage I gave them. In most cases, a horse’s behaviour reveals what he was taught and how he was taught, showing us his background in a mirror.

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

The limits o e ery horse are di erent, just as every individual has their limits. To know a horse’s limits regarding movement and stand-up, we should check his physical structure frst and oremost. ome horses cannot do more than they do because it is physically impossible for them. Mentally, all horses have limits as well as not everyone can perform on a stage like a great performer. Some horses like the shows and some horses don’t. A horse that does not like the shows will never perform as we would like because it’s simply too much for him. omeho fnd the old sho s more un than now. I think they were also fairer. Maybe we should look back and check why the shows before were more enjoyable. Rescue some elements from the past to make better future shows. Probably the ey is to fnd a ay to ma e shows fairer. I know it is not easy. However, according to what we have heard lately from some renowned people in this industry, corruption is happening. I don’t know if it is true or not. But, sometimes, I got the true feeling it is true. e should fnd a ay to ma e the show a bit clearer and more transparent.

Among the international show-ring stallions, which do you reckon is the strongest at the moment? Do you have a favourite mare?

In my opinion, Rhan Al Sahania is the best stallion at the shows. He has a well-balanced body, a leggy frame, captivating eyes, beautiful movement, and an elegant silhouette. About my favourite mare, I am a bit old fashion… I have two mares that I found extraordinary. The frst is Pianissima, and the second is Loubna. It was an immense pleasure to see both of them a long ago. I will never forget it.

What, in your opinion, really defnes a good trainer/handler? What do you need to become a handler of character and a successful one?

Not every trainer can be a handler, and not every handler can be a trainer. To be a trainer, you got to have a strong feeling for the horses you work with, a knowledge that not everyone has. Some special sense to understand when it’s time to keep going and a day the horse just doesn’t feel it is a good idea what you have planned. So, tell him he is right. That day, the only thing he needs is to enjoy the paddock. Tomorrow will be another day. To be a handler, you need to be confdent. This is not easy. You need to be able to think in slow motion but act fast, keep calm, feel your horse and think about what is best for your horse at every moment. In the beginning, everything goes too fast in the ring. As a result, you will be unable to think carefully about what you need to do. Only your experience will enhance your ability to think and act at a slow pace in the future. You will then have complete control over the actions you take. For this reason, some people can do both while others just cannot.

What have been the best experiences at the shows most recently? Can you tell me about the horses you presented and which stud (s) they belonged to?

Recently, I have had very good experiences at shows in Kuwait, Spain, Egypt, Qatar… At the Bahrein Nationals showing for Manara Stud, we got Gold and Bronze Medal Stallions at the Straight Egyptian show. At the Spanish Nationals, I was showing Regio le Soleil who was Unanimous Gold Medal Champion, bred and owned by Le Soleil Stud. But also Raina Solaimon who was crowned Bronze Medal Champion. She is bred and owned by Raina Arabians. At the Egyptian Nationals in 2022, I was showing for Al Azzab Stud and we got the Gold Medal Senior Mares, Silver Medal Senior Stallions and Silver Junior Fillies Medals. I have a very exciting project ahead with a very new but promising stud, Mayrit Arabians, located in Madrid. They have all the ingredients to be a successful stud soon. I believe we will have a great success at the shows.

The heads of contemporary Arabian horses are often particularly ‘extreme’ with prominent dishes. What do you think of this phenomenon? Are these the most critical beauty standards at shows today?

More and more we see at the shows how the faces of the horses have changed when you compare them with the faces of the horses at shows ten years ago. That means the change is happening fast, that’s why we can see as well lots of horses with under bite. We as breeders, trainers, handlers, judges etc. should take care of that. It is not going in a good way for the breed, and we should not let this happen. The e treme aces are not a ectin to the respiratory system of the horse. There are many studies about that, but under bite is a conse uence o e treme aces. nd that a ects the horse’s health. So, in my opinion, the only way to change breeding is with restrictions at shows and just not letting these horses show. This way everybody will take care of it.

What do you think about the show environment? Would it be better to have less/more of something? Do you have any thoughts on this?

Tito, have you been to the World Arabian Horse Championships in Paris? (or watching them?) What do you think about the 2022 edition? How do you feel about Qatar hosting the World Championships in 2023?

The World Paris AHC has always been a pleasant experience for me as a groom and a handler. It was truly special each time. I couldn`t follow the show last year because of my work. ust chec ed the cham ionshi s fnal results. Qatar has a lot of resources to make a great edition of the World Championships. Like, they are doing with the Katara show. Probably one of the best shows lately. At some point, this should happen. It makes sense that an Arabic country holds the World Championships for Arabian horses. But at the same time, I believe this is the beginning of a new era where European shows will have a small impact. The biggest shows will not be in Europe anymore. Most probably in the future, we will have just the Nationals of every country and a few International shows with just a small number of contenders. I hope to be wrong… but this is what I think of the current situation and the future of the shows in Europe.

What are your future goals as a handler? Where do you see yourself, say, in 7 years?

My goal is to keep working hard. Keep always learning and doing my job the best I can. The future is very unpredictable and sometimes, surprises are awaiting. I only hope I can keep working with amazing people, and extraordinary horses. Enjoy my job as I`m doing now.

Do you have any other passions besides training and handling Arabian horses?

My wife and I have a Riding Centre School in Madrid. I love classical dressage but also jumping. Whenever possible, I will ride and give classical dressage lessons to the students.

Do you feel like leaving a message for the readers of Arabian Horse Magazine?

Just keep supporting and enjoying Arabian Horse Magazine because they are doing an outstanding job!!!

Written by Sonia Smaldone

With a blow-minding of 4 million prize money, the lavish 2023 Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship was held from 17 to 20 March during the well-known Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF) at DWTC Za’abeel Hall 4-6. Showcasing magnificent Arabian horses worth an estimated $1-2 million to breeders, owners and horse lovers throughout the world and demonstrating their unmistakable beauty, exceptional movement and heritage, the 2023 edition was judged by eight international experts of the breed: Mr Abbas Raouf (Egypt), Mr Constanti James (United States of America), Mr Den Hartog Robbie (The Netherlands), Mr Gozdzialski Lucas (Poland), Mr Kammer Murillo (Brazil), Mr

Moschini Christian (Italy), Mr Reisel Gideon (The Netherlands), Mr Rombauer Tamas (Hungary), Mrs Van Hee Martine (Belgium), and Mrs Weidner Michaela (Germany). The correct conduct of the show was a prerogative of DCs Dr Suryawanshi Sujeet Bhaskar (United Arab Emirates), Mr Raza Gill Umer (United Arab Emirates), Mr Valette Bertrand (France), and Mr Dubois Jean Marc (France). In the arena, in his quality of Ringmaster, Dr Kupaj Jean-Bernard (France). The show started on March 17, 2023 at 14:00 Asia/Dubai (11:00 Europe/Rome), and concluded on March 20, 2023 at 00:00 Asia/Dubai (21:00 Europe/Rome) with a new array of champion horses:

In the FILLY FOALS CHAMPIONSHIP, (CLASS 1), Gold medal winner Gamra Al Hawajer (Atticus Enb x Eks Jasminah) bred and owned by Dr Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Alhajri. Silver Medal winner Sq Danah (Sq Wasim x My Fair Rorse), bred and owned by Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner Rabab Albidayer (Raoud Albidayer x Hs Jumanah) bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qassimi.

In The YEARLING FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS YFC), Gold medal winner D

Aserah (Aj Nofan x D Shihanah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Aj Raseel (Alexxanderr x Aj Rajwa) bred and owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Bronze medal winner D Sheikhah (Aj Marzan x D Shihanah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud.

In the JUNIOR FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS JFC), Gold medal winner Aj Kayya (Aj Kafu x Aja Caprice) bred and owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Silver medal winner D

Thariah (Fa El Rasheem x D Azalea) bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Al Wajba Stud. Bronze medal winner D Raseel (D Seraj x Elle Flamenca) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud.

In the SENIOR MARES CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS SMC), Gold medal winner D Shihanah (Fa El Rasheem x D Shahla) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Basandrasettimocielo (Ajman Moniscione x Ma Scarlet) bred by Annaratone Maria Ferraroni, and owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Bronze medal winner Al

Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) bred by Al Aryam Arabians, and owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.

In the COLTS FOAL CHAMPIONSHIP, Gold medal winner Ad Yas (Raoud Albidayer x Aj Nala) bred and owned by Al Jirnas Arabians. Silver medal medal winner, Rabdan Al Hawajer (Shahwan Al Hawajer x Shahd Al Hawajer) bred and owned by Dr Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Al Hajri. Bronze medal winner Sari Al Fahaid (Aj Nabhan x Aj Amani) bred and owned by Abdulla Saeed Mohamed Alhajeri.

In the YEARLING COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS YCC), Gold medal winner Aj Sayer (Aj Yas x Sama Am) bred and owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Silver medal winner D Faher (D Shakhat x D Fannanah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner Baheer Al Shaqab (Wadee Al Shaqab x Dana Al Shaqab) bred and owned by Al Shaqab (Member of Qatar Foundation).

In the JUNIOR COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS JCC), Gold medal winner D Shahhar (Excalibur E.A. x D Shihanah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Falah Al Hawajer (Aned Al Hawajer x Marami Al Hawajer) bred and owned by Dr Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Alhajri. Bronze medal winner D Shart (Excalibur E.A. x D Shihanah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud.

In the SENIOR STALLIONS CHAMPIONSHIP (CLASS SSC), Gold medal winner D Seraj (Fa El Rasheem x Ladi Veronika) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Silver medal winner Aj Kafu (Shanghai Ea x Aj Kahayla) bred and owned by Ajman Stud

- HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Bronze medal winner E.S. Prince (E.s. Sarab x Raghad Al Nasser) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassimi.

A FEW ENDING COMMENTS…

The 2023 edition of the Dubai International

Arabian orse ham ionshi o ere the Arabian horse industry the opportunity to meet once again, showcasing some of the wor s finest horses an ro i ing a nie chance or the finest bree s to er orm on one of the most coveted international stages. It is noticeable every year how the quality level of horses presented at this gathering grows and how deep the love and passion for these equine creatures run in the co ntr An this is am re ecte in the rise of the equestrian market in the UAE. We are beyond grateful to the venerable members of the High Organizing Committee (H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,

H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai) as well as to the DIAHC Board (in particular, General Manager Mr Qusai Obaidalla and Mr Adel Saeed Al Falasi) for inviting our team also this year to be part of this show where excellence is the rule. Many thanks to all the tireless judges, the impeccable DCs, the passionate breeders and owners, and the trainers an han ers who too the e ort to present their horses to such a high level. Thank you to the many sponsors, volunteers, ring stewards and behind-the-scenes o cia s e can t wait to see what the edition of DIAHC holds!