VOLUME 53, NO. 2 | $22.50
Unanimous Scottsdale Champion Senior Stallion
(Ever After NA x Margarita PSY)
“Blessing”
Beloveds One Blessing
(Beloved One NA+ x Rohara MarcAlyssa)
2017 Region 12 Champion Yearling
2018 Region 12 Unanimous
Res-Champion Yearling
2018 Region 12 Unanimous
Res-Champion Spotlight Schatzberg/Osteen photo
ALL PROGENY SHOWN HAVE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS AT EVERY HORSE SHOW ATTENDED.
* Progeny not shown at U.S. Nationals.
“Angie”
Beloveds Earth Angel
(Beloved One NA+ x Magnums Angel JD+)
2017 Region 12 Unanimous Champion Yearling
2018 Region 12 Unanimous Champion 2-Year-Old 2018 Region 12 Unanimous Champion Spotlight
“Dude” Beloveds ArchAngel
(Beloved One NA+ x Magnums Angel JD+)
2018 Region 12 Reserve Champion Yearling
2019 Region 15 Unanimous Champion Jr. Stallion
“BB”
Beloveds Behold
(Beloved One NA+ x Valori TRF+)
2018 Region 15 Unanimous Champion Yearling
2018 Magnolia Spring Classic Unanimous Champion
“Mayo”
Beloveds Marc One
(Beloved One NA+ x Rohara MarcAlyssa)
2018 Region 12 Unanimous Champion Yearling
2018 Las Vegas World Cup Top 3 Yearling
2019 Region 12 Reserve Champion 2-Year-Old Colt
Proudly owned & loved by Patricia Dempsey 352.430.3456
Patricia@BelovedsFarm.com | www.BelovedsFarm.com
Arabian Horse Times | 2 | Volume 53, No. 2
10 Cover Story: Aria Rakeem … A Cornerstone In The Making by Theresa Cardamone
16 2022 AHT Readers’ Choice Awards
18 APAHA 2022 Awards
20 Boisvert Farms Captures Two Breeder Of The Year Awards by Colleen Scott
4 HALTER Aria La Croixx … A Colt Too Good To Pass Up by Theresa Cardamone
6HALTER An Interview with PCF Arabians’ Sam Peacemaker with Jeff Wallace
18HALTER Today’s Halter Horse
21HALTER Rae-Dawn Arabians … A 25-Year Reflection of Grassroots Beginnings, Turned Global Aspirations by Braden Davidson
44 HALTER Post Pandemic Progress: A Path Forward For The Global Arabian Horse Community by Scott Benjamin
46HALTER Meet The Personalities: Mike Weinstein, Part I with Jeff Wallace
58HALTER Breeding Q&A … A Conversation With Today’s Halter Leaders
102 The 68th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show … Another Memorable Year by Ally Edwards
166 2023 Scottsdale Leading Sires 170 A Judge’s Perspective … Scottsdale 4SPOTLIGHT GA Valor … A Classic Never Goes Out Of Style 13SPOTLIGHT 2023 Region 12 Spotlight Futurity Preview 206 Why The Scottsdale Show Is ‘The Greatest Horse Show on Earth!’
208 2nd Annual Ames Family Gala 214 Award-Winning Breeder Names Arabian Filly In Honor Of Patient Care Assistant
Thangaraj 216 National Arabian Horse Day … Scottsdale 2023 222 The Scottsdale Arabian Stallion Stampede 240 In Memoriam 6 Comments From The Publisher 30 Rising Star: Nestor Gonzalez 22SPOTLIGHT Faces & Places 205 Amateur Spotlight … Heather Rodgers 226 Looking Ahead 227 Faces & Places 242 Index Of Advertisers table of CONTENTS Volume 53, No. 2 Issue 2 VOLUME 53, NO. 2 | $22.50 Unanimous Scottsdale Champion Senior Stallion On The Cover: Aria Rakeem (FA El Rasheem x MD Hibat Allah), owned by Aria Rakeem Group LLC. Arabian Horse Times | 4 | Volume 53, No. 2
by Scott Benjamin
by Uma
BUILDING A BRIGHTER TOMORROW for our beloved Arabian Horse... Cindy McGown & Mark Davis Scottsdale, Mesa & Rio Verde, Arizona +1 480.361.6926 info@RoyalArabians.com www.RoyalArabians.com Arabian Horse Times | 5 | Volume 53, No. 2
Owner/Publisher
Lara Ames
Managing Editor
Charlene Deyle
Production Manager
Melissa Pasicznyk
Content Marketing & Project Manager
Erin Zetterberg Creative & Business Development
Ashley Gallún Advertising Account Executive
Lesley Blain Mazur
Contributing Editor
Mary Kirkman
Contributing Writers
Scott Benjamin
Theresa Cardamone
Ally Edwards
Colleen Scott
Jeff Wallace
Contributing Designers
Wayne Anderson
Jaime Johnson
Emily Maita
Cat McKenna
Brandy Phillips
Riyan Rivero
Ashley Toye
Jenn Trickey
Mieke Opsteyn
COMMENTS from the publisher
REFLECTIONS ON SCOTTSDALE 2023
Every year, we basically begin the new North American show season at Scottsdale, the world’s largest outdoor horse show, which annually gives us a chance to evaluate where we are as an industry and a community. Let me say—with so much gratitude—that each time I do it, I find positive things to say.
However, since I spend February running at warp speed, it is not until afterward, when I look back and reflect, that I catalog the many aspects that predict a good year to come for our breed. Here’s what stands out to me for 2023.
** Every year, the quality of the horses is amazing. Perhaps the really amazing part is that the quality seems to increase every year. With the excellence of the past, that’s truly impressive. They say that first impressions are the strongest, and Arabian horse owners seem to confirm that. When we have new stars, we debut them at Scottsdale; add in the returning champions of years past, and you have a potent mix of talent on display.
** The amateur classes were super deep in quantity and quality, and that cannot be anything but good for the breed. Much of the energy in our industry is the partnership of horse and human, and that is clearly seen in so many competitive amateurs.
** It appeared to me that this year the open classes were stronger than I have seen them in a long time. That’s not only exciting to watch, but also an indicator of success in the future, because eventually, many of those horses will be competing with amateurs. We’ll be enjoying these horses for years to come!
** Everyone I spoke to was selling horses, which builds a strong economic foundation for years to come.
dba Arabian Horse Times is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content or manipulation of images that are provided by the advertiser.
ARABIAN HORSE TIMES (ISSN 0279-8125)
Volume 52, No. 8, July 2022, is published monthly, except April, May, June, August and November, by AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times, P.O. Box 70, Jordan, Minnesota 55352.
Periodical postage paid at Jordan, Minnesota 55352 and at additional entry offices. Single copies in U.S. and Canada $22.50. Subscription in U.S. $85 per year, $145 two years, $205 three years. Canada $135 one year, $255 two years, $345 three years, U.S. funds. Foreign Subscriptions: $195 one year, $325 two years, $385 three years, payable in advance, U.S. funds. Sorry, no refunds on subscription orders. For subscription and change of address, please send old address as printed on last label. Please allow four to six weeks for your first subscription to be shipped.
Occasionally ARABIAN HORSE TIMES makes its mailing list available to other organizations. If you prefer not to receive these mailings, please write to ARABIAN HORSE TIMES, Editorial Offices, P.O. Box 70, Jordan, MN 55352. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographic materials.
Printed in U.S.A. • POSTMASTER: Please send returns and address changes to Arabian Horse Times, P.O. Box 70 Jordan, MN 55352.
For subscription information, call 952-492-3213. ArAbiAn Horse Times P.O. Box 70, Jordan, MN 55352 Fax: 952-492-3228 www.ahtimes.com
** For me, an important highlight of Scottsdale is always how we come together to demonstrate our support of a better world, not only for our friends and associates, but beyond our community as well. One of my favorite events is the Ames Family Gala, with its three goals: it fundraises in support of the Mayo Clinic’s cancer research, as well as aids families that it affects; it raises awareness of the benefits of our breed through the Arabian Horse Promotional Fund; and it serves as home to the prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards, traditionally the opener of Scottsdale Week. I can’t thank our many generous sponsors enough.
Meanwhile, the longstanding social close of Scottsdale is the Horseman’s Awards Dinner, held in support of the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund. It’s always exciting to recognize each year’s deserving awards winners, and so heartwarming to see our incredible family of Arabian horse lovers come together to help its own through life’s hard times.
Maybe that’s one thing that I love best about Scottsdale—the deep and abiding camaraderie of our community. Our love of Arabian horses brought us together, and the relationships we build with each other can last a lifetime.
Consultant
AHT Abroad Director of Creative & Operational Development
Show Operations & Digital Support Meaghan Estes Sales Coordinator & Accounts Receivable Deb Trebesch © Copyright AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Articles or opinions published by the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times are not necessarily the expressed views of the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. AHT, Inc.
Arabian Horse Times | 6 | Volume 53, No. 2
For more information visit www.AnvilArabians.com Follow at anvil_arabians
2023 Filly | Dominic M X Oula Aljassimya, by Marwan Al Shaqab
Arabian Horse Times | 7 | Volume 53, No. 2
Innovative Equine Supplements | Created By A Veterinarian www.DePaoloEquineConcepts.com
VENTURA
(Sundance Kid V x PA Vinchenza Always) 2023 Scottsdale Reserve
Western Pleasure Junior
Arabian Horse Times | 8 | Volume 53, No. 2
PA
KID
Champion
Horse with Joe Reser for Jacqui Reed
Proud Supporter
WHISKEY GIRL KM
(Khadillac PGA x PF Kool Elise)
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2023 Scottsdale Signature Champion Western Pleasure Futurity with Joe Reser for Dan & Suzanne Acevedo
CoverStoryARIA RAKEEM:
A Cornerstone in the Making
By THERESA CARDAMONE
Aria Rakeem has been turning heads ever since he was born, his sensational pedigree and captivating charisma luring five dedicated breeders to band together as coowners before his show career even got off the ground. The Aria Rakeem Group consists of John and Debra Mitchell (CME Arabian Equities), Joe and Kim Orr (Rose City Arabians), Ruel and Virginia Gober (Dreamco Arabians), Stuart and Carol Nierenberg (Silver Box Southwest), and California breeder Rick Richetta. The group is co-managed by minority interest holders Jeff Sloan and Greg Knowles, the marketing manager at Royal Arabians, where Rakeem stands at stud.
When Knowles showed Rakeem to Joe and Kim Orr as a baby, they were both smitten and became the first partners to write a check to be included in his future. “Kim and I are layering our breeding program to eventually get all Rakeem fillies,” Joe explains. “They will not be for sale; they will be our foundation broodmares.” Each of the Rakeem Group owners are dedicated to sending their finest mares to him and see his show career as a pathway to his eventual legacy as a transformative breeding horse.
The tall bay son of FA El Rasheem and the exquisite international champion MD Hibat Allah stamped his passport into the top echelon of Arabian show horses with his unanimous victory as the 2023 Scottsdale Champion Senior Stallion. Moving as if his barely contained energy would explode at any second, Rakeem won the judges over with his near-perfect conformation and undeniable presence. The win was an endorsement of his previous unanimous victory as the 2022 Arabian National Breeder Finals Senior Champion Stallion.
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Elianna Rose (x Elena Enigma SA), another rising superstar sired by Aria Rakeem.
Knowles, whose history with the Arabian horse is decades long, believes that Rakeem has the potential to make a significant contribution to the breed. “He brings things to the scenario that are missing in contemporary breeding,” states Knowles. “If he can emulate his mother and father, a pedigree that is absolute royalty, I think this horse has a shot at becoming a cornerstone breeding horse, and that’s the most exciting thing. He has long legs that are well-placed on his body, a beautiful hip, and a short, short back. He also has a great shoulder, a long and elegant high-placed neck, and big, beautiful, expressive black eyes. I don’t know of another breeding horse out there that is 15.3 with his characteristics and refinement. Both phenotypically and genotypically, he has the potential to produce a lot of horses with those highly desired qualities. It’s the look that everyone wants that isn’t available in the current market.”
Aria Rakeem will rest on his show laurels while he handles a full book of over 100 of the finest mares in the world. With breeding packages sold to South America, Europe, and the Middle East, Rakeem will spend the spring and summer serving mares in Scottsdale at Royal Arabians and the fall and winter being collected and frozen for the international market. “This horse has a great brain, is highly trainable, and is a pleasure to work with,” Knowles explains. “We want to keep it that way. He will not go back to the show ring until the U.S. Nationals in 2024. We don’t want to put him through the pressure of doing it all in one year. Winning at Scottsdale has created the energy that will bring the best mares and give him the shot that he needs to prove that he is what we believe he will be, a cornerstone of the Arabian breed.”
From top: Raya Sunshine (x Aria Raya) and Rakelle CME (x Fallan AC), a sample of Aria Rakeem’s incredible get thus far; and the partners celebrate Aria Rakeem in the winner’s circle.
UNANIMOUS Scottsdale Arabian Horse Times | 11 | Volume 53, No. 2
Senior Stallion CHAMPION
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PYRANHA ON PESTS GONE.®
WATER-BASED FORMULATION PLUS SILICONE
LASTING EFFECT WITH NO RESIDUE LEFT BEHIND
- MADE
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
IN THE USA - @PYRANHALIFE
AHT READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
TO OUR WINNERS! 2022
AHT CATEGORIES
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
JR Bella Sorpressa & Lucho Guimaraes earn Breeders
World Cup Silver Champion Yearling Filly for owner and breeder Joanne Gunabalan
TEAM SPIRIT
Stachowski Farm
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Howard Schatzberg
CARETAKER OF THE YEAR
Margaux Rodrigues – Rae-Dawn Arabians
MARKETER OF THE YEAR
Midwest Training Centre
FAVORITE AHT ADVERTISEMENT OF THE YEAR
Royal Arabians’ Living & Performing Art
Jaime Johnson
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Jaime Johnson
EVENT OF THE YEAR
Canada’s National Arabian Championship
YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Rex White
AMATEUR OF THE YEAR
Jamie Hagale
OWNER OF THE YEAR
Hagale Family Arabians LLC
BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Boisvert Farms LLC
FAVORITE AHT EDITORIAL OF THE YEAR
LaRae Fletcher Powell … A Beautiful Life – Sept. issue, by Catherine Cole Ferandelli | Designed by Ashley Toye
FAVORITE AHT COVER OF THE YEAR
September – RGT Mercury Rising & Dr. Joe Kinnarney
Jenn Trickey
FAVORITE CALENDAR MONTH OF THE YEAR
October – Amazing Horse Woman LLC
VIDEOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Michel Reboulaz
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Signature Oak Stables’ U.S. Nationals Jumbotron video, produced by Danielle Crawford
ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
Soul of Marwan AS, owned by Cindy McGown or Mark Davis & Arabian Soul Partners Ltd.
HALF-ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
Ballerina BF, owned by Laura Shaffer
SIRE OF THE YEAR
Afires Heir, owned by Dr. Joe Kinnarney
PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR
Cindy McGown
HALTER TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Sellman
PERFORMANCE TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Colby Powell
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Congratulations
Arabian Horse Times | 17 | Volume 53, No. 2 Thankyou, toour Sponsor!
ARABIAN PROFESSIONAL & AMATEUR HORSEMAN’S ASSOCIATION
In collaboration with Arabian Horse Times
2022 APAHA AWARD Winners
Arabian Horse Times | 18 | Volume 53, No. 2
a night to remember...
CONGRATULATIONS!
HORSEMAN OF THE YEAR
SKYLAR POWELL
HORSEWOMAN OF THE YEAR
LIZ BENTLEY
AMATEUR OF THE YEAR
LORI CONWAY
BREEDER OF THE YEAR
BOISVERT FARMS
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
LAURIE LONG
PROFESSIONAL HALTER
TED CARSON
PROFESSIONAL HUNTER/SHOW HACK
WENDY POTTS
PROFESSIONAL WORKING WESTERN
COLBY POWELL
PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH
JOEL GANGI
PROFESSIONAL WESTERN
COLBY POWELL
YOUTH/ADULT AMATEUR HALTER
MURRAY POPPLEWELL
YOUTH HUNTER/SHOW HACK
SOPHIE YIH
YOUTH WORKING WESTERN
ALANA BECKER
YOUTH ENGLISH
REX WHITE
YOUTH WESTERN
PAYNE HARPER
AMATEUR HUNTER/SHOW HACK
LORI FOSTER
AMATEUR WORKING WESTERN
MICHELLE PEASE-PAULSEN
AMATEUR ENGLISH
ZACHARY WHITE
AMATEUR WESTERN
KATIE RUSSELL
RISING STAR
NESTOR GONZALEZ
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
JUAN STUCKEY
Thank you,Sponsors! Arabian Horse Times | 19 | Volume 53, No. 2
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With the truly incredible list of talented nominees, I am honored to receive this APAHA award. We have the most unique and exceptional community woven together by our love for the Arabian horse, and I am so proud to be a part of it. Thank you to all who attended this year’s banquet in Scottsdale. It was so good to be back! Peter & Lori Conway 352.234.7987 | Trainer Jennifer Schmitt 319.361.5011 8894 NW Highway 320, Micanopy, Florida 32667 | www.ConwayArabians.com | Lori@conwayarabians.com Arabian Horse Times | 24 | Volume 53, No. 2
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Sincere thanks to all who voted for this years Readers’ Choice Awards. We are incredibly humbled and grateful to have been honored this year and look forward to seeing everyone in the show season ahead.
Jim, Mary Martha, Jamie, Jennifer, Chris & Jen
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RisingStar NESTOR GONZALEZ
STACHOWSKI FARMS | SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA
AGE: 35
YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 17
DISCIPLINE FOCUS: English/Hunt
PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Winning the 2022 APAHA Rising Star award is definitely one accomplishment I’m most proud of. It’s a great privilege to be honored in this way amongst my peers and friends.
5-YEAR GOAL
I plan on doing what I’m doing! I love what I do, and I hope to still be doing this in the next five years and longer.
SECRET TO SUCCESS
I would have to say the owners. The trust they give me to help make their dreams come true and to bring out the best in their horses has allowed me to accomplish what I have. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
MENTOR/BEST ADVICE
It’s hard to pull out one person; everyone I’ve worked with and interacted with in this industry has provided me with guidance in some way. One piece of advice that I’ve been told and that I still follow is to keep working hard!
HARD LESSON
Probably just not trusting myself or my own instincts.
INDUSTRY PROS & CONS
I think it’s very exciting seeing the programs growing and all of the excitement surrounding the money classes associated with them. What concerns me is many of the local “smaller” shows that we all used to love are getting too small to run.
PERSONAL MOTIVATION
My daughter Bella! I work hard for her future, and the joy that the Arabian horse brings her keeps me inspired.
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS
My whole life is dedicated to this industry because without it, I wouldn’t have what I do. There is no “outside” because this is my everything; and I think that’s what I contribute most. I do my best to keep the industry growing and to keep the owners excited to keep doing this.
BEST ADVICE TO BEGINNING, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The same advice I’ve received … keep working hard, but also listen and continue learning. You can never stop learning.
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U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION • ABWC GOLD CHAMPION • SCOTTSDALE RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION Delacroixx x La Belle Shawan HVP | Owned by Aspire Arabians, LLC
