This month’s featured breeder article takes us to the town of Moragnano, Italy, home of Rio Arabian Horses where the farm sits on top of the Parma hills and is surrounded by beautiful views of the valley. Francesca Bellingeri, of SBSItalia, had the pleasure of interviewing the owner, Maurizio Rio, who along with his daughter Carlotta, founded the farm in 1995. Even though the farm has been established for some time now, it wasn’t until a few years ago that Mr. Rio re-evaluated his breeding program with a clear mission to produce horses with impeccable pedigrees that must be “suitable performance horses and also able to compete in halter events”. He now believes he is on the right path to achieve these goals as a breeder.
Rio Arabian Horses currently has 12 broodmares who are of good type, correct conformation and display “great charisma but with a very kind character,” explains Rio. Their pedigrees originate from Russian, Polish, as well as Egyptian lines which are not only producing quality show horses but are also excelling in endurance competitions throughout Europe. With this solid foundation of mares in place, Rio Arabians plans to present their horses at more prominent shows in the future.
Mr. Rio has been a long time client of Select Breeders and we’ve certainly enjoyed a positive relationship together. This past year SBS Italia assisted Mr. Rio with an import of frozen semen from Majik of Marwan and Rohara Aria of Spartan. Mr. Rio is the EU representative for these stallions standing at Rohara Arabians. The semen was collected and frozen by SBS affiliate lab, Peterson and Smith Equine Reproduction Center, FL. Mr. Rio explains:
“It was easy to choose SBS. I have known the facility and leadership for some time and I think I have chosen well. In this past year SBS Italia has inseminated 9 mares with the frozen semen from Majik of Marwan and Rohara Aria of Spartan and they all resulted in pregnancy. I think we have achieved an excellent outcome!”
These are certainly fantastic results and SBS continues to appreciate the opportunity to work with Rio Arabian Horses and aid in their quest to produce top Arabian horses.
The photos, courtesy of Mr. Rio, show: Szinznzi - bred to Majik of Marwan (top), Kebira - bred to Rohara Aria Spartan (middle) and Carma - bred to Rohara Aria Spartan (bottom).
Log in to join the conversation.