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February 11-21 · West orld, Scottsdale, Arizona Story and photos by Morgan Moore
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cottsdale is the place to discover the pulse of the Arabian industry, regardless of preferred division or breeding focus. At its heart, Scottsdale is a horse show experience that extends beyond the classes offered. It’s the first public showing of last year’s foals, the destination for those horse shopping for new show partners, the first major show of the year, and the only show to offer such a variety of classes specifically for Arabian horses. Typically, Scottsdale fields hundreds of thousands of visitors wanting to catch a glimpse of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” whether they are equestrian aficionados or not. This year, with restrictions due to COVID, the show was locked down to non-competitors. However, the excitement of new beginnings A H W > 38 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
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Senior Champion Stallion SOUL OF MARWAN AS (*Marwan Al Shaqab x RD Challs Angel), shown by Rodolfo Guzzo, and owned by Arabian Soul Partners Ltd., Scottsdale, Arizona.
top left: Reserve Champion Senior Stallion RHAN AL SHAHANIA (Marwan Al Shaqab x Jwaaher Al Shahania), owned by Sheikha Yasmeen Mohamed K. H. Al Thani, Doha, Qatar.
Champion Senior Mare AJ KHARENA (*Marwan Al Shaqab x Kharrea PGA), handled by Rodolfo Guzzo, and owned by Desert Sky Arabian LLC, Scottsdale, Arizona.
was palpable. Numerous sales were completed across all divisions and hundreds of breedings were sold as attendees dreamed of their next steps in their journeys with Arabian horses. Even in the face of potentially reduced entries, the Scottsdale show introduced “Select Handler ATH” halter classes specifically aimed at handlers who had limited show experience and wanted a more laid-back first exposure to being in the ring. Class offerings around Ranch Riding were also expanded, including “Ranch Riding Rail” where working western horses had the opportunity to compete in rail classes. The purebred Championship alone boasted 17 entries, many of which were memorable horses across reining, trail, working cow, and ranch riding divisions. One example was the stallion Zee Kahili (Mexicali Mac V x Zees Kopy Kat) shown by Trevor Miller-Gerardi to a Championship in limit rider reining and by Danny Gerard-Miller to a Reserve Championship in Ranch Riding Rail. The show is rich with history offering the oldest and most prestigious titles in the Arabian horse world. A H W > 39 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
Rodolfo Guzzo dominated the Scottsdale Classic halter arena for Royal Arabians by nearly sweeping the championships on Sunday morning. Guzzo represented all three of the first-place fillies in the Junior Filly Championship which was ultimately captured by Brazilian import *Sahara Dawarah (*OFW Magic Wan x Sahara Daghirah) with the beautiful Emerlee PCF (Emerald J x Inessence PCF) being named Reserve
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Champion International Arabian Breeder Senior Stallion VIKTORIUS (Vitorio TO x Mona Lisa NA), owned by Joann Martello, Sarasota, Florida.
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Champion International Arabian Breeder Junior Filly, FELIX AJMAL MORA (RFI Farid x Janeenah), shown by Andrew Sellman, and owned by Felix Arabia, Fresno, California.
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Champion International Arabian Breeder Straight Egyptian Senior Stallion JASSUR LSA (Patriot LSA x Desha Bint Maysama), owned by Lone Star Arabians LLC, Magnolia, Texas.
bottom right: Champion International Arabian Breeder Yearling Colt ERNANDO AA (Emerald J x H Embrace H), shown by Andrew Sellman, and owned by Aspire Arabians LLC, Leawood, Kansas.
Champion. Guzzo also showed the Senior Champion Stallion with Soul of Marwan AS (*Marwan Al Shaqab x RD Challs Angel) who edged out the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion Rhan Al Shahania (*Marwan Al Shaqab x Jwaaher Al Shahania). The Brazilian import *AJ Kharena (*Marwan Al Shaqab x Kharrea PGA) was named Champion Mare with Guzzo and Royal Bravissimo (Conquest BR x Baviera HVP) won Junior Champion Gelding. Horses often reappear in the ring through their descendants. In 2010, *Pinga (Gazal Al Shaqab x Pilar) was awarded first place over the legendary HED Caramba in the six to seven-year-old mares class, only to be bested by World Champion Abha Palma (*Marwan A H W > 40 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
Champion International Straight Egyptian Junior Champion Colt JAMAL IBN KAMAL PHA (Kamal Ibn Adeed x Farah Magidaa LDA), shown by Ted Carson, bred and owned by Peaceful Haven Arabians, Bridgeville, Delaware. “This was the first time we have ever shown at the Scottsdale Horse Show,” say owners/breeders John and Mary Reed. “We were so overwhelmed with joy when Jamal won, because the judges must’ve seen what we’ve seen in him from the moment he was born. We literally thank God for blessing us with Jamal.”
Scottsdale Champion Breeders Club Yearling Filly ATH PRIYANKA WLM (Apalo x Psophia LMA), shown by Jordan Simons, and owned by Linda and William Michaels, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Multi-international Champion Stallion EKS ALIHANDRO (*Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Psylhouette) in a special presentation after the conclusion of the halter championships. He is owned by Athbah Stud and stands at Sahara Scottsdale.
Al Shaqab x Abha Ghazali). *Pinga’s presence was felt in multiple arenas across the grounds where her son, Malik El Jamaal (by Ludjin El Jamaal), captured wins, championships and reserves in both hunter type and dressage type in the Sport Horse Under Saddle and In-Hand divisions with Brooke Fuchs, Kelli Bennett, and Mike Wilson. Pinga’s National Reserve Champion maternal granddaughter Bashayer Albidayer (S.M.A.Magic One x PA Penelope out of *Pinga) also captured her first Scottsdale under saddle title in western pleasure finishing Top Ten. *Pinga made an appearance at Scottsdale 2021 as an aged mare where she placed behind the eventual Scottsdale Champion mare *AJ Kharena and RD Marceia Bey. (Sadly, *Pinga died three weeks after the show.) A H W > 41 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Two-Year-Old Filly ATH UNFORGETTABLE MA (Harjeet MA x Legacys Treasure), handled by Nate White, and owned by Mindy Peters, Los Olivos, California.
Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Yearling Colt/Gelding ATH, EVANDRO LMA (*EKS Alihandro x Melinas Dream LMA), shown by Jordan Simons, and owned by Linda Michels, Scottsdale, Arizona. left: Lois McCrea with the Rahere Bronze to be awarded to the Scottsdale Junior Champion Colt each year. It honors Lois, at the age of 100, and her 66 years of dedication to the Arabian horse.
Champion Platinum Performance $5,000 Liberty SF AFTERSHOC (SF Specs Shocwave x SF Sweet Elegance), shown by Shan Wilson, and owned by Hagale Family Arabians LLC, Nixa, Missouri. “The liberty class at Scottsdale was one of the most exciting horse show moments for the entire Hagale family,” says Jim Hagale. “Our son-in-law, who has not been involved in our family horse endeavors very long, thought it was the best class he’d ever seen. It was the perfect stage to show Aftershoc’s athleticism, personality, and charisma, especially when he trotted up to center ring, stood there, and looked right at the judges. Achieving perfect scores in both of his sections capped off the most memorable horse show for our family. Aftershoc defined himself as the prototypical Arabian stallion.”
*Abha Palma was also alive and well on the grounds via her numerous grandchildren. *Abha Palma produced the multi-National Champion Polidoro FC (by DA Valentino) during her stay in the United States and his foals have been Scottsdale favorites in the halter divisions for years. This year, he had multiple winning offspring across the open, Scottsdale Signature, and Junior to Handle divisions. One of the most popular classes with the spectators is the Scottsdale liberty class that boasts a prize pot of $5,000 to the winners. This year SF Aftershoc (SF Specs Shocwave x SF Sweet Elegance), the stallion of the Hagale family, wowed crowds with Shan Wilson presenting the stallion to a perfect “50” unanimous score. The chestnut stallion has earned his place as a legendary sire in the English and hunter divisions and his presentation was an exciting opportunity for his fans to see him enjoying a moment of breathtaking
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Champion AEPA Conway Arabians $20,000 Country English Pleasure Maturity AOTR and Champion Country English Pleasure AATR 40-59 OH DANCING ON HEIR (Afires Heir x DD My Dance), ownd and ridden by Lindsay O’Reilly French, Springfield, Missouri. “Thank you to all of the Scottsdale show team who put on an amazing show even with the Covid requirements,” says Lindsay O’Reilly French. “It was so fun to be outside, see friends, and show at the best show of the year! And special thanks to Conway Arabians for sponsoring the AEPA Jackpot class on Friday night. It’s my favorite class to show in because nothing beats the Friday night energy at Scottsdale!”
Champion Country Pleasure Driving, and Reserve Champion Country Pleasure Driving ATD KICK N ASSETS (*Pension CAHR x *Matelleste), driven by Gabe DeSoto and Sarah Gunlicks, and owned by Sarah Gunlicks, Canton, South Dakota.
bottom right: Champion English Trail ATR, Reserve Champion Trail AOTR and AATR KMA ANGELO (Los Angeles x Spanish Splendor), owned by Karma Arabians, Chilton, Texas.
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Champion Western Pleasure KHOHINOOR MW (Kharismatic PGA x Ladys Dance), ridden by Brett Becker, and owned by Marta Wasiak, Alachua, Florida.
Champion Western Pleasure AATR 40-59 ZAIRE PR (Zefyr x Clarisse PR), ridden by Karen Dearth, and owned by Gary Dearth, Corrales, New Mexico. “Scottsdale was Zaire PR’s first show in a curb bit,” says owner/breeder Gary Dearth. “From the time he was a foal, we have had high expectations for him and he is fulfilling them. Zaire represents four generations of our breeding. Karen was U.S. National Champion with both his mother Clarisse PR (SJ Mikhail x Cerisse PR) and his grandma Cerisse PR (Bey El Sin x Cerissaa).”
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Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Western Pleasure Maturity ATR THUNDERSTRUCK DA (Rodan LTD x Verily PCF), ridden by Lauren Sussman, and owned by Jacqueline Sussman, Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AATR 40-59 WC KHANSPIRACY (PA Kid Khan x I Am A Dun Diva), ridden and owned by Jennifer Hardy, Los Altos Hills, California.
bottom right: Champion HalfArabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 19-35 OUT WEST (Lucky Sol Moon x WA Spit Fire), ridden and owned by Mary Catherine Quigg, Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Champion Half-Arabian Reining ATR 45-59 SS A NOBLE STAR (Starlights Starbrite x Al Aleen), ridden and owned by Michelle Pease-Paulsen, Lake Tapps, Washington. “At this year’s Scottsdale show, I was champion in the Half-Arabian Reining ATR 45-59 with SS A Noble Star (Sansa),” says Michelle PeasePaulsen. “I absolutely love showing Sansa…she is such an honest mare and I know exactly what I’m going to get every time I enter the pen. Thankfully, there never are any surprises with her and she always gives me one hundred percent.”
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Champion Ranch Horse Riding Junior Horse ZZAIDE (TA Mozart x Eleanor Rigby), ridden by Jessica Bein, and owned by David and Jessica Bein, Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Champion Half-Arabian Reined Cow Limited ATR, Champion Half-Arabian Ranch Horse Riding, Champion Half-Arabian Ranch Horse Riding AATR 19-59, Champion HalfArabian Ranch Riding Rail AATR 5/10/66-2/15/01, Reserve Champion HalfArabian Ranch Riding Rail and Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Trail AATR DUN WALTZIN (Walla Walla Dun It x Francheskaa), ridden by Jessica Bein and Amanda Golestani, and owned by Amanda Golestani, Phoenix, Arizona.
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Champion Half-Arabian Reining Primetime AAOTR, and Champion Half-Arabian Reining AATR 60 & Over YELLOW BUG (Yellow Jersey x Czars Fire Bug), ridden and owned by Joe Betten, Grand Haven, Michigan.
bottom left: Champion Reining Seat Equitation AATR 19 & Over, Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Reining AATR 19-49, Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Reined Cow Limited ATR, Reserve Champion HalfArabian Ranch Riding AATR 19-59 WHOLE LOTA LENA KF (Mifillena x WM Ballerina), shown and owned by Cassady and Conner West, Aledo, Texas.
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Champion Half-Arabian Trail AOTR, Reserve Champion HalfArabian Trail WGA DOCS WILLOWMENA (Poco Loco Doc x Zee Kit Kat), owned by Deanna Glasl and ridden by Delaney Haight, Sedalia, Colorado.
Champion Trail Select Rider ATR, and Reserve Champion Trail WA MIDNIGHT MARQUIS (Midnight Magnum x Mi Black Duchess), owned by Thomas and Kay Wright, and ridden by Bonnie Bunker, Newcastle, Wyoming.
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Champion Half-Arabian Trail Select Rider ATR, Champion Half-Arabian Trail JTR, Reserve Champion Half-Arabian English Trail Select Rider ATR TR BUTCH CASSIDY (Sundance Kid V x Chip Dot Comm) owned by Bonnie, and ridden by Brooke Bunker, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
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Champion Half-Arabian Working Cow ATR and Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Herd Work SIN DERELLA WP (Trick R Treat x Rockys Filly), ridden by Maddi Larkin; bottom right: Champion Cutting Non-Pro and Reserve Champion Cutting VG TSATINE (Broadway Tstar x Lads Amelia), ridden by Maddi Larkin and Micah Nordwall; and bottom left: Champion Working Cow VG PYZZAZZ (Broadway Tstar x Ysabeau), ridden by Wesley Larkin, and all owned by Wesley and Maddi Larkin, Nipomo, California. “Scottsdale 2021 was a great show for us,” says Maddi Larkin. “Ella (Sin Derella) and I marked some of our best cow horse scores ever going down the fence. Her circles were fast and tight to the cow in all our classes. Sassy (VG Tsatine) always gives her all in the cutting classes, and this year she had to pack me in both the Open and the Non-Pro as my husband/trainer couldn’t get to the show in time for the cutting classes due to the terrible Texas storms. VG Pyzzazz did amazing in her first show down the fence, and she will be exciting to watch as the show year goes on.”
freedom. His presence as a sire was dominant as his offspring claimed 83 ribbons throughout the 2021 Scottsdale show in halter, country English pleasure, English pleasure, park, hunter pleasure, native costume, sidesaddle, and show hack. The other draw for exhibitors is, without a doubt, the prize money of over $2,000,000. Every division has an allocated prize pot, and it helps drive the number of entries up significantly. This year’s biggest individual prize was $22,106.18 which was paid out to the Scottsdale Signature Stallion yearling Auction filly and colt, respectively. This year’s colt champion was One and Only JCA (Illuminati JCA x Special Treat), owned and handled by Manny Lawrence of Jade Creek Arabians. The yearling filly champion was Havana M (Conquest BR x Kharisma M), owned and bred by Marino Arabians, handled by AJ Marino. The total number of class entries at this year’s Scottsdale show was 9,722. We can anticipate an exciting year of competition. Scottsdale was an enchanting preview of all of the exciting new horse, rider, and handler partnerships for 2021. A H W > 47 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
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Champion Hunter Pleasure and Champion Hunter Pleasure JOTR 14 & Under VA WINE AND ROSES (VA Chips Afire x Wisdom Sundance V), owned by Whistlejacket Trust, Fort Worth, Texas, and shown by Millison Manning and also Wendy Potts in Open.
Champion High Point Purebred Gelding WC CIAO MAGNIFFICOO (Marwan Al Magnifficoo x WC Ciao Bella), owned by Jon and Amy Saunders, Danville, California, and ridden by Kelly Saunders. “Scottsdale 2021 was another huge success for WC Ciao Magnifficoo,” says owner Amy Saunders. “He competed in both the amateur and youth divisions and was first and second in many of his cuts and Top Ten in all his finals. This year he won High Point Purebred Gelding after winning Overall Performance Purebred Arabian Horse and the Purebred Gelding two years ago. He truly is a once-in-a-lifetime horse! He has always been a barn favorite at the shows and at home with his love of people and willingness to please. We feel so blessed to own such a special horse and we couldn’t be more thankful to his breeder Holly Dillin at Western Cross for breeding such talented and loving horses. Thank you to our amazing trainers Wendy Potts and Leigha Perry for always keeping him at his best.”
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Champion Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 55 and Over LIGHTNING MCQUEEN CRS (Mariachi WA x Jasperina), ridden by Katie Russell, and owned by Katie and Joe Russell, Pasadena, California. “Being called out as Champion with Lightning McQueen CRS, who is fondly known as ‘Stickers,’ at Scottsdale this year was one of my most favorite wins ever,” says Katie Russell. “Stickers is a once-in-a-lifetime horse; he has won four national championships and has been named Half-Arabian Hunter Horse of the Year twice. Stickers has not shown since 2019, as he has been at home with us in Santa Ynez rehabbing from an injury for over a year and a half. So it was gratifying and thrilling to have him come back as a champion among such incredible competition. The hunter pleasure competition at Scottsdale this year was really deep – multiple national champions in every division with some really sparkly young ones, too. It was a great show and even better to see Stickers wearing roses again. We were thrilled.” bottom left:
Champion Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure AATR 19-39, SABOTAGE MA (Majesteit x Notoriety BMB), ridden by Ben Cahill, and Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure JOTR 14 and Under, ridden by Mary Kate Manning, and owned by Whistlejacket Trust, Fort Worth, Texas. “Both Rose and Sabotage were new acquisitions for Whistlejacket in 2020,” says owner Ralph Manning. “Rose is still a baby and made her debut last year with Wendy Potts in the Arabian Open Junior horse, winning National Champion at Mid-Summer in the second show of her career, then Reserve Champion at U.S. Nationals in her third show. In February, Rose was Champion in the open at Scottsdale and Champion in both JTR and JOTR Hunter divisions with Millison Manning. Rose is a rising star and Wendy has done a remarkable job developing her. We believe the best is yet to come!” “Sabotage MA, aka ‘Wilbur,’ is a dynamic horse going National Reserve Champion JTR Half-Arabian Hunter with Mary Kate Manning at MidSummer Nationals last July and Scottsdale Champion this year in HalfArabian Hunter ATR with Ben Cahill and Scottsdale Reserve Champion JTR Half-Arabian Hunter with Mary Kate Manning. “Wendy Potts is a master at spotting undeveloped talent in young horses and then matching the right horse with the right rider … these two horses are the latest example of her practicing her special craft!” A H W > 48 < S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
Champion Half-Arabian Park ATR CSP HOT DAM (Mamage x The Vintage Rose), ridden by Jennifer Hagale, and owned by Hagale Family Arabians LLC, Nixa, Missouri. “Hot Dam is very special to me because he’s by Mamage, whom I will always hold very dear to my heart,” says Jennifer Hagale. “This brought back memories of when I first showed Mamage at Scottsdale and won. Hot Dam and I have finally clicked the same way I did with Mamage and he is a blast to show. Hot Dam is all show horse, always ready to go, and gives his all every time.”
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Champion Half-Arabian Hunter AAOTR 19-35 SHE BE ENVIED (Enzo x She Be Noble), ridden by Ashley Lauren Toye, owned by Kimberly and Ashley Lauren Toye, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. “Envy is one of the most special horses to ever come into my life and Ashley did such a beautiful job presenting her. Any time you come out on top in such a tough division is an honor,” says trainer Todd Hickerson.
Champion Sport Horse Stallion Hunter Type, Champion Sport Horse Under Saddle Hunter Type, and Reserve Champion Sport Horse Stallion Dressage Type MALIK EL JAMAAL (*Ludjin El Jamaal x *Pinga), handled by Kelli Bennett and Mike Wilson, ridden by Brooke Fuchs, owned by Elite Equine Management at Paradise Farms, Stanford, Kentucky.
Champion Sport Horse Stallion Dressage Type SOLAUN (Solstice x Cameliera), shown by Tony Steiner and owned by Michelle Tennyson, Royal Mirage Arabian Stud, Ottumwa, Iowa.
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Champion Native Costume RRUGER (Mamage x Summer Temptation), ridden by Susan Shea, proudly owned and loved by Diane Lapham, Port Orange, Florida.
Champion Sport Horse Under Saddle Hunter Type Junior Horse SWEET KIRSTEN RS (Khash PGA x EC Sweet Dream), ridden by Sheila Nortje, and Champion Sport Horse Under Saddle Hunter Type AATR, ridden by Tiffany Selchow, and owned by Rancho Sonado, Sahuarita, Arizona. Hayes Selchow with Rancho Sonado’s winnings.