There have been many articles written about the great horses of the Arabian breed. Most will reflect on their stellar beauty, their athletic prowess, or their incredible genetic prepotence. All of these things have value and are certainly worthy of reiterating.

I happen to feel that I own a horse, MPA Giovanni (Gio), who is an elite member of this entourage. However, I would like to reflect on a unique quality and presence that Gio has brought to my life.

Each of us has that special peta dog, cat or horse that has perhaps caused us to become a little irrational by some peoples standards. We also develop this special relationship with our human counterparts. These relationships can affect our emotional stability. I would like to reflect upon the gift of Giovanni in my life.

Almost five years ago, I had an opportunity to acquire Gio. To me, he was the epitome of the Arabian horse. In the beginning, I felt it was I who chose Gio. I chose him for his beauty, his pedigree, and my belief that he was the horse that would elevate me to the heights I had always hoped I could achieve amongst my peers and friends. I, too, would be recognized as a leader, making an impact in this industry.

I probably should have figured out sooner that it was the other way around, particularly because of the unconventional way in which this horse came to me: a note on a piece of paper, a small photo, and a voice from within that said I needed to pursue this venture. I realize this is not rational behavior, but somehow it felt like something extremely important. That was how the journey began. With the help of Jeff and Jerry Schall, my son-in-law Mike, daughter Indira, my wife, Shelley, and special friend Hermann Blaser, we embarked on this journey.

We had the usual beginnings a few shows, a few wins, mares bred, and the arrival of the first foals. The future was bright, and we prepared for the U.S. National Futurity; we won. With the exhilaration of that win, the dream only became stronger. The next foal crop was even greater than the first.

We set sail for even higher goals, but then the ship sank. On April 3, 2008, Gio broke his leg, 10 days before the World Cup Show. My world crumbled. I felt robbed, cheated, and I found it almost impossible to function.

I received tremendous support from friends and family members. I tried to reflect on positive thoughts, but if I told you it was easy, that would be far from correct. I attended the show in Las Vegas and then flew to see Gio. It was extremely emotional and difficult to see him in this fallen state. I tried to stay focused on all the good things in my life. There was a special wedding of Mike and Indira. Their marriage was the result of the introduction of Gio. Even the wedding had its momentsthe tent blew down the day before in severe storms.

Gio continued to heal through the summer, thanks to the incredible medical care he received at Southwest Equine in Arizona. I visited him again and developed a plan that maybe he should stay in the Scottsdale area and continue his rehabilitation process. The best therapy would be swimming. We solicited a team that we felt could carry out this venture and then it fell apart. I found myself continually asking myself, Why?

I received a call from Greg Gallún inviting me to visit their farm and check out their facility and medical clinics in the area. During my visit to Santa Ynez, I stayed in a quaint old hotel and spent the evening alone. I had an uncle who once told me, From everything bad comes something good. As I lay awake all evening, preparing to meet with Greg the next morning, I spent the time reflecting on many things, still asking, Why? I reflected on my broken dreams and Gio. Then I started to think about all the good that was coming from the past four months.

When I saw Gio in Arizona (before I flew to California), I saw his beauty, but I also saw unhappiness in his eyes. It was a feeling that he gave me that asked to look within his soul. As I lay there in my room, I realized that Gio's lot in life was perhaps not to bring me fame or glory, but to show me appreciation and gratitude. After all, what is the purpose of the horse? Its first use was that of transportation. This journey I had been taking had introduced me to a whole new group of wonderful people, unselfish individuals, people whose paths I would not have crossed
had it not been for these events.

They say God works in mysterious ways. Perhaps Gio is the vessel that He used to help me realize a part of what is truly important. It's the reality check that we have much to be thankful for. In this world, as we view our own small problems, it isn't hard to find someone with problems more difficult than ours. Interestingly, as I write this, it's September 11, a day that should certainly remind us of how vulnerable we all are and how precious the gift of our life is.

To some of you, these comments may border on unbalanced thinking. However, history has shown that there is more than one horse that has led its master out of battle and many that have found their way home through the fog and life's storms, bringing their owners to safety. So, now when I look into those big, beautiful eyes, I think they look happier and brighter. Seeing that look, his purpose in life has a greater meaning for me.

Gio continues to heal, and a limp mars his beauty. But then, we all have our limps. Two of his doctors have stated that they believe he is alive today because he learned to take care of himself. I am grateful he chose me and takes care of me.

MPA GIOVANNI has proven himself both in the show ring and in the breeding barn. He is the 2005 U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt and a 2003 U.S. Top Ten Sweepstakes Colt. With only 11 get old enough to compete in 2006, he has already sired multi-junior champion filly MONA LISA J, Region 10 Champion Sweepstakes Filly and 2007 Region 12 Reserve Champion Mare (at age 2!) LH GINA LOL BRIDGETA, Region 1 Top Ten Sweepstakes Colt CJ FAMOSO, Region 6 Top Five Half-Arabian Sweepstakes Filly SWEET VIOLET J, 2007 Scottsdale Champion Stock/Hunter Half-Arab Mare BLUE MOON J and 2007 Scottsdale Top Ten Colts AOTH DON GIOVANNI J and MPA GIULANI (both recently exported to the UK) . His record as a show horse and sire is the result of his remarkable pedigree, which has 25 National winners or producers of National winners in the 30 horses in its first four generations. MPA GIOVANNI has lines to seven U.S. National Champion Stallions: *ALADDINN, *ARAMUS++, BAY ABI++, *BASK++ (three lines), RAFFON++ (two lines), FAME VF+ and *PADRON, He also has lines to U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion BEY SHAH+ and PADRONS PSYCHE (in turn the breed’s leading living halter sires in their lifetimes), and to U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion *EL SHAKLAN (an international sire of National Champions and grandsire of U.S. National Champion Stallion *FAIRVIEW KLASSIQUE).

MPA GIOVANNI has an exceptional sire line, as all the stallions in it for 6 generations are National winners in halter! His sire, U.S. Reserve National Champion Senior Stallion 2007 and U.S. Reserve National Champion Sweepstakes Colt DA VINCI FM (also a multi-regional halter champion both open and amateur) is an international sire of champions whose other National winners include U.S. Top Ten Half-Arabian Sweepstakes Colt LEONARDO FM and Emerald Cup (Belgium) Champion Filly DA VINITY FM.

DA VINCI FM is by U.S. Top Ten Futurity Colt VERSACE, who has sired 50 National winners through 2006. His National Champion get include DA VINCI FM, U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion and National winner sire ODYSSEY SC, U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt and Junior Stallion DA VALENTINO, Canadian Reserve National Champion Junior Mare and U.S. Reserve National Champion Sweepstakes Filly HB VERSARA, U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure Junior Horse VIZCAYA RA, U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly VERONICA GA, multi-National Champion Western Pleasure LUCHIAANO, U.S. National Champion Stallion AOTH BRANDON BEY JCA, and U.S. Reserve National Champion Hunt Pleasure AMURATH CZHIVAGO (also a multi-National winner in halter), VERSACE get are now dominating the performance ring as they have the halter arena. In 2006 the U.S. National Western Pleasure Futurity was won by the VERSACE son KRISTIAN DIOR with Reserve National Champion being MASSIMO PGA, also by VERSACE. The 2006 U.S. National Champion Hunt Pleasure Junior Horse is the VERSACE son JC VERITAS.

VERSACE is the top-siring son of U.S. National Champion Stallion FAME VF+. FAME VF+ has sired over 150 champions and 81 National winners through 2006, including U.S. and Canadian National Champion Futurity Mare KARALISA, U.S. Reserve National Champion Mare FAMES FAX and Brazilian Reserve National Champion Stallion FFAMESS, U.S. and Canadian National Champion Futurity Colt FAME MAKER R, U.S. National Champion Sweepstakes Colt and Futurity Colt and Reserve National Champion Stallion DESERT HEAT VF+, Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion STAROF FAME V+/, U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure winners MAGINATION V and LINK TO FAME, U.S. and Canadian Reserve National Champion Western Pleasure Junior Horse SANTA FE V+, multi-National Champion in dressage and hunt pleasure FAMES NIGHT FEVER++//, multi-National Champion in western pleasure and western sidesaddle JK FAMOUS+//, and BESTSELLER++, who has National wins in halter, hunt pleasure, show hack, english and western sidesaddle.

60 FAME VF+ get have produced National winners. 22 of them have produced National Champions, including SHOWKAYCE+, a 4 time Top Ten Stallion who has sired National Champions in halter and performance and has the highest percentage of National winners of any living stallion. FAME VF+ daughters who have produced National Champions include ROL WILDFOWER (dam of U.S. National Champion Stallion FIRST CYTE+) and LITTLE LIZA FAME (dam of twice U.S. National Champion Junior Stallion, European Junior Champion Stallion and National Champion Stallion *MARWAN AL SHAQAB).

FAME VF+ is the top-siring son of the mighty U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion BEY SHAH+, for many years the breed's leading living sire of halter champions with over 330 champions and 114 National winners through 2006 including FAME VF+ and U.S. National Champion Mares SHAHTEYNA, BEY TEYNA, and GAISHEA. 56 sons and 95 daughters of BEY SHAH+ have produced National winners through 2006.

BEY SHAH+'s sire BAY EL BEY++, has sired 96 champions and 34 National winners including Canadian Reserve National Champion Park BARBARY+++(a 3/4 brother to BEY SHAH+), U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Stallion and English Pleasure HUCKLEBERRY BEY++, and Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion MOONSTONE BEY V. BAY-EL BEY++ is by U.S. National Champion Stallion and Top Ten English and Western Pleasure BAY ABI++, sire of 65 champions, 24 National winners and 27 producers of National winners.

BEY SHAH+'s dam STAR OF OFIR has produced 3 champions and 3 producers of National winners STAR OF OFIR is by U.S. National Champion Stallion and Park *BASK++, the breed's all-time leading sire of champions and national winner producers. STAR OF OFIR is out of Canadian National Champion Mare, U.S. National Champion Futurity Mare and U.S. Top Ten English Pleasure LLANA++.

FAME VF+'s dam, RAFFOLETA-ROSE, produced 6 champions, 4 National winners and 5 National winner producers. Her other champions by BEY SHAH+ are: U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion AOTH and Western Pleasure, Australian halter champion and National Champion sire RAVE VF, Canadian Top Ten Mare FORTUNE VF, U.S. Top Ten Futurity Mare and Mare GLITTER VF, and multi-regional halter and western pleasure winner and National winner producer GOLD VF. RAFFOLETA-ROSE’s daughter BARBARY ROSE VF is the dam of U.S. National Champion Stallion and Top Ten Country Pleasure and National Champion sire MILLENNIUM LOA+. RAFFOLETA ROSE is by U.S. National Champion Stallion and English Pleasure RAFFON++, sire of 65 champions and 17 National winners. RAFFOLETA-ROSE is out of halter reserve champion LETA ROSE, a full sister to U.S. Top Ten Futurity Stallion LE GAHMAAR.

VERSACE is out of U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly and Top Ten Mare PRECIOUS AS GOLD, also dam of multi-Top Ten Gelding PRECIOUS METALS (a three quarter brother to VERSACE) and Region 12 Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Filly GIAVANNA (also a three quarter sibling to VERSACE). PRECIOUS AS GOLD is by U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion *EL SHAKLAN, an international sire of National Champions. He is the son of two National Champion producers: SHAKER EL MASRI (straight Egyptian) and *ESTOPA (Spanish). PRECIOUS AS GOLD is out of Region 10 Reserve Champion Mare AUTUMN IN GOLD, who produced 4 champions in all including Region 10 Top Five Western Pleasure Junior Horse CAST IN GOLD (a full brother to PRECIOUS AS GOLD), Region 11 Top Five Stock Horse AOTR VISION OF GOLD, and Region 10 Top Five Western Pleasure AOTR 18-39 and halter champion LR TOUCHOF GOLD. She is by U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion and National winner sire CLASSY McCOY++ out of JULIEANN, also dam of her full sister SECRET-FIRE (dam of U.S. Top Ten Mare LACEY IN SILVER).

DA VINCI FM is out of halter champion FULL MOON ASTAR, a full sister to regional halter winner TUK BY STORM. She is a daughter of Canadian Top Ten Stallion YAHYA MATUK, a sire of regional winners in halter and performance. YAHYA MATUK is by U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion HERITAGE ELEGANT, a son of halter champion and National Champion sire FADI out of DORAZA, one of the breed’s leading broodmares with 9 champion offspring. YAHYA MATUK is out of OK DABIH, dam of 3 champions from 4 foals, all of them by HERITAGE ELEGANT. OK DABIH is a daughter of six time Top Ten Stallion EL-RAFFON+++.

FULL MOON ASTAR is out of Region 13 Top Five Mare and Mare AOTH AMURATH ASTORIA, dam of Region 13 Top Ten Two Year Old Sweepstakes Gelding TUK BY STORM. She is by Canadian Top Ten Futurity Colt and regional western pleasure winner ROHARA SAMURAI++, sire of 3 National winners in halter. He in turn is by the Spanish import *GG SAMIR, sire of 24 National winners and 22 producers of National winners. His dam SNOW GODDESS produced 4 champions and 3 producers of National winners. Her daughter WN SAMIRESS, a full sister to ROHARA SAMURAI++, has produced 6 champions including U.S. Top Ten Futurity Gelding DC CIESTA. Another SNOW GODDESS daughter, WN PEKIN GODDESS, is the dam of U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure WN SAYDRA (a three quarter sister to ROHARA SAMURAI++).

AMURATH ASTORIA is out of AMURATH ASTAR, also dam of hunt pleasure reserve champion AMURATH ALANA. She is by the Egyptian import *RAMSES FAYEK, a regional halter champion and sire of 10 National winners including U.S. National Champion Stallion AMURATH BANDOLERO+. Her dam AMURATH BEWITCHED is by National winner sire AMURATH BAKONUR (a *BASK++ son) out of AMURATH BRAVA, a full sister to U.S. National Champion Stallion and National winner sire AMURATH BANDOLERO+. AMURATH BEWITCHED has two close lines to one of the breed’s all time leading broodmares, *SANACHT, who produced 12 champions.

MPA GIOVANNI is out of Region 18 Top Ten Sweepstakes Filly GLITZY, also a reserve champion western pleasure junior horse. She is a three quarter sister to U.S. National Champion Gelding JTH PSYC IT RITZ. GLITZY is by twice Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion, Canadian Reserve National Champion Futurity Colt and U.S. Top Ten Stallion FS RITZ. FS RITZ has sired 3 National winners including PSYC IT RITZ (who has 5 National titles in halter), Canadian Top Ten Hunt Pleasure Junior Horse RITZ AFFAIR and U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Futurity Colt BARRITZ SF. Three FS RITZ daughters have produced National winners: GLITZY, RITZQUE (dam of U.S. Top Ten Stallion AOTH BEY TALLON DKM) and LH DAKODA (dam of Canadian Top Ten Futurity Gelding WC ILIAD).

FS RITZ is by U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion PADRONS PSYCHE, sire of 121 National winners in halter and performance as well as 36 producers of National winners, 12 of them producers of National Champions. His son MAGNUM PSYCHE is the only horse named U.S. National Champion Stallion twice. PADRONS PSYCHE has also sired U.S. National Champion Mares JBK MYSTIC FAWN, FS MSYTIQUE LADY, NW SIENA PSYCHE and TAI EMERALD BEY. PADRONS PSYCHE is by U.S. and Canadian National Champion Stallion *PADRON, sire of 57 National winners. PADRONS PSYCHE is out of the straight Russian mare KILIKA, a paternal sister to National winners in halter, dressage, jumping and hunter and a maternal sister to 2 regional winner producers.

FS RITZ is out of halter champion WA-MISS SHASTY, dam of 5 champions and 3 National winners. She has also produced U.S. Top Ten Western Pleasure JTR 14-17 FS KING PRESLEY, Canadian Top Ten Futurity Colt CL RARE EDITION, Region 10 Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Filly FS SILHOUETTE and Region 13 Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Colt CL GRANITE. WA-MISS SHASTY is by Swedish Junior Champion Colt *CELADDINN, sire of National winners including Canadian National Champion Native Costume *LADDIN HOUR AP+/ (who has 9 National titles), U.S. Reserve National Champion Western Pleasure Junior Horse CLASSEY LADY B+. *CELADDINN get who have produced National winners include LA CIENKA (dam of twice U.S. Top Ten Mare MAGIC MOMENTT), AEGEAN (dam of U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion AOTH PREFERRED STOCK++), and *RSC CARHIF (sire of U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Junior Mare *JOYEUSE NY). *CELADDINN is by U.S. and Swedish National Champion Stallion *ALADDINN (sire of 51 National winners) out of Swedish National Champion Mare CECILIA. WA-MISS SHASTY is out of SHASTY, also dam of champion producer WA MISS FAME, whose daughter TU-FLAME has produced 7 champions including U.S. Top Ten Western Pleasure Junior Horse FIRE AN ICE. She is by Canadian Reserve National Champion Stallion and National Champion sire BASKE-TU, a *BASK++ son.

GLITZY’s dam CAMAARLET is a full sister to Canadian Top Ten Futurity Gelding TSTELLETTO, who also has two regional titles in western pleasure. She is by U.S. Top Five Futurity Colt IVANHOE TSULTAN, a sire of National Champions including U.S. National Champion Mare ROHARA TSULTRESS+ and National Champions in pleasure driving, western pleasure and dressage. IVANHOE TSULTAN get have produced such National Champions as PSYC IT RITZ, U.S. National Champion Western Sidesaddle SECOND TSULTAN+/ multi-National Champion hunt and western pleasure ROHARA MOON STORM+/, etc. IVANHOE TSULTAN is a son of park and formal driving champion IVANHOE TSATAN, a sire of National winners in halter and performance including U.S. Top Ten Pleasure Driving winners TS SNORAFF and IVANHOE TSAINT, both ¾ siblings to IVANHOE TSULTAN. IVANHOE TSULTAN is out of regional halter winner HILLCRESTS BINT IMARAFF, also dam of his full brother, U.S. Top Ten Country Pleasure Driving IVANHOE TSIRROCCO. HILLCRESTS BINT IMARAFF is a paternal sister to U.S. National Champion Mares LALLEGRA and IMARFA++.

CAMAARLET is out of CAMALETT, a full sister to GAMARIEF, dam of 4 champions including U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion and Canadian Reserve National Champion Futurity Colt ALADA BASKIN I, a sire and grandsire of National winners. CAMALETT is a 3/4 sister to HI FASHION CAMAAR (who is also by CAMIRAFF++ out of a GAMAAR daughter), dam of multi-regional Sweepstakes halter winner and hunt pleasure winner HI FYNANCE. HI-FASHION CAMAAR produced BENRAZ FANTAASY, dam of 7 champions and 5 National winners including Canadian National Champion Futurity Mare and U.S. Top Ten Futurity Mare MFA LILAC TYME and U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly MDF ULTRA VIOLET. She is also the dam of BENRAZ FANCY, dam of U.S. Reserve National Champion Trail and Top Ten Western Sidesaddle MFA MAVERICK. CAMALETT is also a paternal sister to CARROUSELS RIA, dam of 2000 U.S. Reserve National Champion Show Hack JTR 14-17 RD SUNDANCE.

CAMALETT’s sire, U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Stallion and Top Ten Stallion CAMIRAFF++, also sired 32 time National winner EL CAMMUR RAY++/, whose titles include U.S. National Champion English Sidesaddle and Canadian National Champion Native Costume. CAMIRAFF++ is also the maternal grandsire of GEERSHA RHU, dam of 12 time National winner BOUCCO BAY, whose titles include Canadian National Champion Western Pleasure AOTR and Reserve National Champion Sidesaddle. CAMIRAFF++ is a 3/4 blood brother to Canadian National Champion Stallion COMAR BAY BEAU+++. He is a son of the top-siring son of *RAFFLES, AZRAFF, who sired 23 National winners and 48 producers of National winners including U.S. National Champion Stallion GALIZON, sire of U.S. National Champion Mare JON SAN JUDIZON.

CAMALETT’s dam GA-MAARA also produced INFENITEE+/, who has a total of 14 National wins including multiple National Championships oin Native Costume and Show Hack and top ten titles in english sidesaddle. INFENITEE+// has also sired National winners in hunt and western pleasure. GA-MAARA is a paternal sister to 10 National winners and to 15 National winner producers. She is by halter champion GAMAAR, found close up in the pedigrees of many significant National winners. GAMAAR grandget have produced U.S. and Canadian National Champion Stallion ECHO MAGNIFFICOO and U.S. National Champion Stallion FAME VF+. GA MAARA is out of SUDDEN BEAUTY, a daughter of Canadian Top Ten Stallion AMBASSADOR, a 3/4 brother to U.S. Top Ten Stallion and National Champion sire TSATYR and to U.S. National Champion Formal Driving and Formal Combination and Top Ten Park IMARSALI++.