GIUSEPPE BARAGIANI

1. Hello Giuseppe. Thank you very much for accepting the invitation! To provide some background to our readers, could you tell us a bit about yourself, your family and your education? 1. Thank you for inviting me to this interview! I am a humble young man, always ready to help others, I am very fond of family, friends and my roots in my beloved village "Palomonte" where I live with my family. I have a strong bond with each of its members. Since I always strive to achieve excellent results, doing my best, I have to admit that I don't really have a nice character. 2. When have you first met an Arabian horse? Who was it? 2. My passion for these amazing creatures begins at a young age when for the first time I saw an Arabian horse named Sciugar in front of my house. His movements were extremely elegant and captivating. I was bewitched by him. From there, I began to torment my father for the purchase of an Arabian specimen! At the age of 14, he bought my first Arabian. It was a mare named Rossella. My father's intent was to buy it for me to make me understand the sacrifice and commitment that go into managing a horse. But this, instead of making me want to go away, had the opposite effect. It only ignited this passion more in me. From that moment on, I had a whole series of adventures that led me to meet my brother 'Gianluca' from which I purchased the first Arabian horse by myself. This is how I started my journey trying to always work alongside people with sound principles and a desire to do. One of these people is Geremia who supports me at 360 ° in this demanding and compelling professional path. 3. Tell us about your early stages in the show industry as a handler. How did it all start? 3. My first experience as a handler was at the Montefalco show. Then, I participated in Cattolica National Show. I must admit that the emotion, the fear of making a mistake, the agitation, and the adrenaline were at their peak. I believe that all of us who do this job live to experience these wonderful emotions. 4. Have you developed a systematic program for handling Arabian horses of your own? In order to prepare a horse best for a show, how can you make sure that he is physically and mentally prepared? How can the horses be made to perform at their best when needed? 4. I started working at Sacconi Arabian almost for fun, however, from then on, I started a serious and constant professional training program. Many sacrifices obviously took me to get to where I am now... Let's say that every trainer/handler has his own way of preparing horses, obviously all in relation to the horse in front of him. I'll explain. Not all horses have the same musculature, neither the same mind nor the same personality. Therefore, very scrupulous work must be done, ad hoc for each individual subject. I strongly believe that when a horse is mentally healthy and the trainer gives him a way to trust him, the results will come and it will be our horse friend to make us understand when this happens. A handler who wants to show his horse at shows at the best conditions must do everything to give his horse as much tranquillity and freedom as possible so that the horse can express itself at its best. 5. Is there a limit to what an Arabian horse can be taught through handling? 5. In my opinion, there is no limit to what we can teach a horse, but here there is a continuous learning process. Obviously, with the right times and techniques. 6. Who was the most challenging horse to train? (If any) 6. The most difficult horse for me to train was Saabrizz Ppj, but I must admit that at the same time he gave me great satisfaction. Last year, he won the silver medal at the Straight Egyptians World Championship and also achieved numerous medals in other shows. After having made me pass cooked and raw, I must admit that now Saabrizz Ppj is one of my favourite horses with a truly exceptional disposition and heart! 7. What are your favourite bloodlines? And your favourite stallion/mare? Why? 7. I really like the Egyptian bloodlines because I believe that they are more representative of the primordial characteristics of the breed, but also of the functionality of the authentic Arabian horse. However, I have to admit that the selection has gone a long way over the years in both Straight Egyptian horses and horses with mixed bloodlines. My favourite horses are Unica Ppj, (a 4-year-old Egyptian mare, and Preisen Ppj who gave me a lot of satisfaction in three years, including his first debut as a Futurity in Verona, which ended with an overwhelming victory in the midst of many horses of his age. 8. What, in your opinion, really defines a good Trainer/Handler? What do you need to become a successful one? 8. A good trainer or handler can be recognized by the way he relates to the horse, and by how much perseverance and commitment he puts into it. In my opinion, to become a good handler one must necessarily possess some crucial qualities and skills: first, a strong passion for these splendid creatures; second, constancy, third a lot of patience, fourth, a spirit of sacrifice (which often leads us to distance ourselves from our families and loved ones). Fifth, spirit of initiative; sixth, a lot of humility; seventh, perseverance; eighth, never get upset or think you've achieved success. Always give and do your best to achieve excellent results. Tenth, never say there is something I can't do or I am postponing to tomorrow what needs to be done today. 9. Do you have any shows that will always be etched in your mind as a handler? In which country have you experienced a better quality of the organization of the shows? We'd like to hear about it... 9. The show that struck me the most was the one in Qatar, the Katara show. It was, one of the most spectacular shows in which I participated as a handler, with attention to the smallest details, from the horse boxes to the most trivial things, all in a framework that takes your breath away ... as magical as it is. The show of my heart, instead, is VesuvioTrophy which takes place in Ottaviano, in southern Italy, on the slopes of the majestic volcano Vesuvius. This show started a few years ago but aims to become one of the most important shows in Italy. It puts our beloved Arabian horses and their owners at the centre of attention, welcoming them into a healthy environment that feels like home, and offering the utmost hospitality. 10. What do you think about the show environment today, Giuseppe? In your opinion, do the most deserving horses at the shows win based on today's breed standards? 10. For us, who are true lovers of the Arabian horse, the shows are very important because they allow us to proceed in the selection process. As well as giving us the chance to confront ourselves, which is even more important. I firmly believe that it is important to encourage and help small breeders because management costs are increasing significantly. Lately, many people have moved away from the industry because they feel there is a lot of favouritism and they don't look at the horse itself. It is all about the handler presenting it. However, it's not always the case, because breed standards have grown so much that keeping up with large farms is very tough! 11. What are your current commitments? 11. My current job is at Prisco Arabians. I feel at home here, I found a second family, and I started a long-term project with Donato, the farm's owner. Passion, ideas, and a willingness to work are in abundance here. 12. Giuseppe, would you mind leaving a final message or thanking anyone in particular? 12. I thank my mom, my father, my sister and my brother who have always been supportive of my life choices. I am very grateful to my grandparents and uncles who taught me to love nature and animals. A special thanks go to my wife for her patience, and for always being of help and comfort in moments of distance. Thank you Arabian Horse Magazine for this great opportunity!