The Broodmares of Resting S Ranch

Russ Vento Jr. and Bob Battaglia of Battaglia Farms in Scottsdale, Arizona, were in the stands when Monrovia X+// won her first championship. Vento, impressed with her carriage and quality, remembers thinking Monrovia was the most gorgeous horse he had ever seen. “I told Bob that I wanted that horse, but at the time she was out of our price range. At U.S. Nationals in 1999 when her owner, Gail Duell, asked if we wanted to buy her, we said, 'Yes,' immediately.”

Monrovia was originally purchased as a youth country English horse for Vento’s 13-year-old daughter, Skyler, who found out she had Monrovia when she opened up her registration certificate as a Christmas gift. “They had me practice riding Monrovia but told me that we couldn’t buy her. I had no idea she was mine,” recalls Skyler Vento. “She is such a beautiful horse and she is very together in the ring. I have enjoyed every ride I’ve had with her and have learned from her.”

Monrovia proved equally capable in the competitive adult amateur and open country pleasure divisions, winning 11 of her 14 championships from 2000 to 2003. Vento credits her success to her love of showing, talent and upbeat personality. “Monrovia knows she’s a queen and always gives 110 percent in everything she does. We have many wonderful memories of showing her. Monrovia is happy to do anything for you. There’s really nothing she doesn’t like, except soap suds on her in the wash rack,” laughs Vento.

Monrovia’s personality and determination were illustrated when she colicked from an impacted cecum while being hauled to Kentucky for U.S. Nationals in 2000. She underwent emergency surgery in Kentucky and in typical Monrovia fashion rallied immediately and was ready to travel by the end of the show.

Monrovia’s trainer, Bob Battaglia, lists her as one of “the greatest horses he has ever been around.” He is also quick to point out that Monrovia was bred to be a champion, referring to her sire Barbary+++’s ability to produce champion performance horses like Monrovia’s half-brother NDL Pericles+//. (Her dam is Mi Kauai, a *Bask++ granddaughter).

“Her success is due to a combination of pedigree, care she has received from the people who owned and trained her and the way she has responded individually. She has always had incredible attitude and work ethic. I’m grateful to have the pleasure of being around and training her. She’s beautiful, with great motion and attitude--everything you’d want in an Arabian horse,” says Battaglia.

This year, Monrovia is concentrating on being a mother. In addition to her first foal, sired by Magnum Psyche, she has had four embryo transfer foals by Justafire DGL, Apollopalooza and Sultans Great Day. Vento’s breeding program strives to produce foals capable of long-term performance careers like Monrovia. “We haven't had many purebred mares out there with the performance longevity to compete nationally for nearly a decade,” explains Vento. “So far, Monrovia’s foals have surpassed our expectations.”

While Monrovia takes time out from showing to be a mother, look for her to appear in the show ring again. “I don’t think we will retire her since she enjoys showing so much but she will not show in country English anymore. I think she would enjoy the challenge of show hack. Monrovia has blessed me I don’t think I’ll ever have another horse like her,” says Vento.

Karen Karvonen
Editor
ARABIAN HORSE MAGAZINE
Arabian Horse Association