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tor at the time. After a huge fight, Giovanna was supposed to fly back to Italy. So, I stopped her and said: “Listen darling, in a year and a half, I’ll marry you. I promise.”
Hello Alessio. Hello Giovanna. How are you today? How and when did you first meet exactly? We are fine, thank you. We have known each other for ages. We used to be good neighbors.
Giovanna, what was your first reaction? We hugged each other and looked into each other eyes for hours and hours… What are in your opinion the key elements for a good and long-term relationship today? Communication and dialogue, but, above all, respect for each other ideas, feelings or personal interests. Some time only for you is also good. Our characters are too different, we always argue but we keep moving forward together you see. And will never break up!
Alessio, When and how did you ask Giovanna to marry you? In August 2009, in New Ulm (Texas - USA) in the midst of an extraordinary plain near the farm of Michael Byatt. He used to be my men-
Alessio, we would like to know everything about your life and involvement with horses. What do you do exactly? What role has this passion for Arabians played in building your life? Horses are my all life and I could stop here. This
or the Middle East issue 2020, I had the chance to interview Mr. Alessio and Mrs. Giovanna Scaramella from Italy. They have known each other since they were just two kids as they lived in the same city, on the same street. A match made in Heaven. Alessio’s involvement in Arabian horses led Giovanna to move with him to Qatar. On December 10th, 2015, they were married by the Italian Ambassador in Doha. Ever since then for these two it has been like in the fairytales…
passion has been running through my veins since I was in my teen. It is about chemistry, I talk to Arabians, and I understand them from the very first glance. It is about pure feelings, something almost visceral…It is something words cannot just explain you see. I sacrificed my whole life for them and I have built my future around them. I was born and raised every day as a trainer and handler of a stable, Al Rayyan Farm. I feel at home here. Work makes man noble, horses are my absolute pride. Giovanna, to what extent has Alessio’s passion for Arabian horses influenced your life? Do you like Arabian horses yourself? Why? I love horses but what a big statement.... Say, I am learning to live by them and appreciate them. I
admit they are majestic, imperial animals. Particularly, the Arabian horse is an icon of elegance, power and absolute beauty. Alessio’s constant involvement with Arabians made me travel the world, he knows so many people. I love mixing myself with different cultures. I love tasting different food, learning new habits, values and traditions of other human races. However, first and number one, Alessio and I would like to give our children a real chance to open their mind. They are now really ‘cosmopolitan’ kind of kids. They are so cute and so peculiar. We want them stay this way forever… People, describe an average day with your Arabians. This is an easy one. No doubt, their life-style is
the one that fits us better. We work to live over here, not the other way round. In this country, the sun kisses you since the first hours of dawn, it keeps kissing you as the day unfolds and, believe me, this will put you in a very good mood for the rest of the day. We are always surrounded by respectful people. They are happy to let you in their homes and their hearts… By their local rites of hospitality, they want to teach you their culture, their traditions and their values. For example, “Have you ever tried tea with fresh ripe dates? Absolutely gorgeous! You should try one”. Alessio, do you participate in beauty competitions? Of course! Both local and international. I always feel blessed each time I am given the chance to participate in one of them. How is life in Doha? Do you have any children? How many? Will you educate them to love and respect horses? Living in Qatar is just amazing, it is a great place. We have two children, a boy whose name is Mayo. I share with him the same passion and love for horses. Then, we have Myosotis, one year younger than Mayo. Our little daughter is
getting used to horses little by little. How do you see yourselves in ten years? Ten years? Make it twenty... In old age, I see my wife and I in a nice house in front of the sea, I can fish any time of the day, and Giovanna walks barefoot on the sand. In those days, our children will probably be living elsewhere…Maybe in a wonderful place in the world. Alessio and Giovanna, will you please leave one last message for our readers? Be free. Never think you can please everyone, enjoy life more, dare more, make the most of your time and never miss a good chance. Take some risk, test yourself, it will only help you to grow. Let your children go, encourage them to leave home and discover the world. Beautiful things are often around the corner. You can get to know the world and hold tight to your roots at the same time. Thank you very much Alessio and Giovanna. Speaking to you was so inspiring. On behalf of the entire Arabian Horse Magazine Team, I wish you the very best in your future life together with your children and amazing horses!