News: Articles: Bob Battaglia Celebrating 25 Years

Bob Battaglia Celebrating 25 Years

It was a sultry day in northern Illinois, a respite from the early '60s show season. Saddle Horse trainer Chat Nichols was home from the circuit to show horses to a prominent Kentucky trainer looking to buy. Nichols told his assistant, Ginger Tadin, to get a mare named Promises Promises ready, then checked out his staff; Promises Promises was little more than 14.2, and the guy who usually rode for him had long ago said goodbye to six feet. There was only the new kid, a slender 18-year-old named Bobby that Ginger had hired to help out while the show string was on the road.

"Can that boy ride?" Nichols asked, his heavy face grimacing as he regarded the boy skeptically. "Yeah, a little bit." "Put him on the mare." Someone pitched Bobby into the saddle, and the young showman set off at a crisp park trot, up and down the straightaway. Ears up, knees popping, Promises Promises had never looked that good in her life. Nichols threw Ginger Tadin a shrewd glance. "You never told me the kid could ride!" "You never asked."

Plenty of people who didn't know Bob Battaglia back then are well aware of him now. With more than 500 regional titles, 300 top ten awards and better than 67 U.S. and Canadian national championships or reserves, he has made his name in the Arabian horse industry. He has been honored by the Arabian Horse Trust twice as Horseman of the Year (1992 and 1995), and twice as Saddle Seat English Trainer of the Year (1993 and 1996).

Last spring, Bob Battaglia celebrated his 25th anniversary as an Arabian trainer, a significant achievement by anyone's standards, but one which pales in comparison to the story of his life. It's what he put into those 25 years, and the nearly two decades of riding which preceded them, that makes him not just one of the top trainers in the Arabian breed, but an honest-to-God horseman. A countless host of friends, clients and competitors will tell you that he is an outstanding human being as well.

In honor of his quarter of a century, his associates spoke out about Bob - who he is, how he reached the top of his profession, and what he means to the Arabian breed.

THE EARLY YEARS

Bob Battaglia grew up in the charmed Chicago equestrian scene of the 1950s and '60s. Arabians had not yet made an appreciable impact in the United States; northern Illinois was the heartbeat of the American Saddlebred industry.

A middle-class kid with no particular financial backing, Bob and hoards of other children sought the public stables of Lincoln Park, a narrow strip of real estate bordering Lake Michigan, to learn to ride. It cost them $2.50 an hour, and typically, they showed up early and went home late, grooming and cleaning tack for the privilege of being around the horses and catching an extra ride. Local shows were packed with entries; serious riders slipped from barn to barn, from Lincoln Park Riding Club and Ambassador to Parkway and Lakeside, to spy out the competition.

Bob began with riding teacher Kay Bromley at Lincoln Park Riding Club, but by the time he was 11, had qualified to train with the exacting equitation instructor Jane Benton, being the first boy allowed in her elite program. He responded by beating her girl students every chance he got. From Benton, he learned technique; at Lincoln Park, he gained experience.

"You'd sign up to ride and they'd give you a horse who might have shown up in the barn a day or two before," recalls Corrine Stith of Houston, Texas, a Lincoln Park alumna who now keeps horses with Bob. "They would go to the sales and buy half-broke horses and bad actors, and put them in the school. The instructor would say to somebody, 'Is it broke?' and the guy would answer, 'Sure it's broke, just throw a saddle on it and we'll see what happens.'" She laughs. "There were little bodies flying through the air! Bob was a horse trainer even before he thought about being a horse trainer.

"It made us all really good horsemen," Stith continues. "You learned to ride because the horses were challenging. You competed against yourself and against each other; everybody wanted to be the best. Among the regulars, there was great camaraderie."

"Even when he was a little kid, he was kind of a legend in his own time," says Dick Obenauf, World's Champion Saddle Horse trainer whose friendship with Bob dates to their teens. "He was and still is a natural. You could just plop him on a horse and he'd fit it. All the rest of us had to work at it. He has a real finesse with a horse; he always has."

So many children entered the horse shows each stable held - sometimes 20 or 30 per class - that kids often competed in pairs. The highlight of the season was the Chicago Sun-Times Show, specifically for the riders of the public barns on their school horses. Like any other important city activity, it made the front page of the newspaper.

By his middle teens, Bob had begun riding with Ginger and Sam Tadin. Dick Obenauf was there as well, and Ginger used their boyish rivalry to improve their skill. "They were advanced riders, so I'd make them ride without girths," she recalls. "Dick and Bob would be pushing each other off their horses. Or I'd make them ride in pairs, holding each other's reins, or one guy not holding on to anything at all. It was difficult, but they learned to ride."

Boys being boys, Bob's time at the stable was not all work. "We used to go out every Friday night on trail rides," Dick recalls. "If it wasn't myself, it was Battaglia who always led the charge. It was pitch black out all the time; we'd start off at 8 and wouldn't get in 'til 11. Only by the grace of God did we not get killed, riding at full gallop down these bridle paths, not knowing where the trees were.

" They also continued to compete in horse shows. "Bobby didn't come from that background where his parents could buy him real nice horses," Dick says. "He always had a clunker, or they'd lease a horse for him, but no great star. He could put over a straw hat; it was just really obvious. He was a good sort, too. He was never critical; he was more helpful than anything else.

" Riding with Ginger Tadin, Bob crowned his teenage career by winning the equitation championship at the Chicago International Horse Show, one of the most prestigious titles of the year. "That was quite a big feat," says Kenny Fezler, now a Saddle Horse owner, then a cohort at the Tadin barn. "He was an unknown, with basically an unknown teacher, and he went up against all these Kentucky and Missouri riders and he whipped 'em all."

Today, Bob Battaglia acknowledges that Sam Tadin, who put him on young horses and gave him a taste of actual training, was his first mentor. But it was Ginger who would play the more significant role in his career. When Ginger moved to Holdorf Stables in Morton Grove, Ill., Bob went with her and helped out by giving riding instruction. Then when she and Dick Obenauf signed on with Chat Nichols, he was first choice to join the barn.

BOB BATTAGLIA, THE APPRENTICE

Listening to the stories now, it is almost hard to imagine the stylish, unflappable Battaglia as a typical crazy kid - and his friends allow that perhaps because he was quiet and rather shy, he appeared very mature at a young age. But he always had a sense of humor, and when the hi-jinks were going on, Bob was front and center.

"The first three months we were there, we thought our first name was god_ _ _ _," Dick Obenauf recalls dryly. Not that they didn't deserve it. "We terrorized Chat. He'd pull up to the stall where we were supposed to be taking care of a horse, and we'd jump up on the tailboards, climb up through the hay opening, and run down to the end of the barn. He didn't know where anyone was. He was exhausted trying to keep up with us.

" Ginger especially remembers the occasions when a horse would run off with her - not an unknown occurrence, since she worked Chat's road horses. Bob or Dick, tending to some chore, would glance up unconcernedly and instead of helping her out, holler encouragingly, "Yoooo, Rinny!" as she went by. It was the battle cry from their Friday night rides, picked up from old Rin Tin Tin movies.

That was while they were working. In moments off, the group took up tractor racing. Nichols owned an old Ford tractor, and the long straightaway through the barn provided an enticing race track - although it fell off alarmingly just beyond the back door. The guys would rev up the tractor, race it down the aisle and see who could fly it the farthest off the back slope.

"At that time there still was a work ethic," Dick hastens to add. "We knew that if we didn't put in our fair share or more, we weren't going to be around. Mr. Nichols was a taskmaster, and he got out every penny he put into us, but he was a good person. I'm sure Chat is part of Bobby. He made you strong.

" One benefit of the Nichols experience was that while Chat was gone during show season, he left Ginger, Bobby, Dick and Jim Ciomber (now a Hackney Pony trainer, then part of the Nichols crew) pretty much on their own, but with instructions for each horse.

"One day we were running out of time, and Bob had this black equitation horse in his string still to work," Ginger recalls. "He brought this horse out bareback, and jumped on and went up and down and did serpentines and the whole thing. That's how he worked him for a week. Chat came back, and he'd always make us bring the horses out and show him what we'd been doing. When it was time for this black horse, Bob jumped on him bareback and did patterns and the whole thing. Chat could hardly believe it.

" From Chat Nichols, Bob moved on to Lloyd Teater, still regarded by Saddle Horse aficionados as one of the best - if not the best - all-around horseman ever in the breed. Bob recalls him as "a cranky old SOB," since Teater was getting on in years when he worked with him. But the education was, again, superb. He worked Saddlebreds, drove road horses and schooled Hackney ponies.

Finally, after 10 years as an assistant trainer, Bob Battaglia wanted his own operation. He was ready to go to the show. "At the time, it was a really closed field in Saddlebreds, unless you were born into it or had tons of money," he recalls. "I loved it, but I wasn't willing to wait any longer for my turn." He and Ginger had been working with Dick Leadley, a Saddle Horse trainer with a growing Arabian clientele, and Bob was intrigued with the fancy Arabs. "I rode a few that had big trots, even in those days, and I thought 'if there's one, there's gotta be more.'"

THE ARABIAN SCENE

Bob Battaglia and Ginger Tadin formed a partnership to open Starcraft Training Center in McHenry, Ill., in 1972. In October, they arrived at their first U.S. Nationals with three horses. Ginger's roadster, Heritage Demi-Cent, with Bob in the bike, picked up a national championship, by all accounts the first contender ever to win three straight heats (the way the class was decided at that time). Their other two entries were top ten.

They did not immediately rocket to the big time. Early client Jack Pedigrew recalls that before a show, his daughter Mary Beth appealed to her parents for a table for Bob and Ginger. "My wife, Alyce Jean, gave them our card table, and made a cover for it so they could put some cards and advertising on the top."

He chuckles when he remembers their first purchase from Tadin and Battaglia. "They had this big, long beautiful barn, and the lights were dim. Then the lights came up bright and this big grey horse trotted out, and Bob stood him up. His name was Korlep, and he was beautiful - he was awesome, you just gasped. I asked how much they wanted for him, and Bob said $1,850. I said, 'You gotta be nuts! Who would ever spend $1,850 for a horse?' Then my wife said, 'I'll go back to teaching school and we'll get the horse.'" His voice softens. "My daughter Ann rode him, and then I got him, and drove him and rode him Western. He's buried at our place now. I can look out and see his grave. He was a great horse.

" Over the decade of the 1970s, Starcraft's reputation grew. A turning point occurred when Chuck Alison brought them a yearling named Baskinetta, the first of several *Bask mares who enhanced Bob's professional standing. Among them was Featurette, 1977 U.S. National Champion in English Pleasure with Bob, then 1978 U.S. National Champion in Amateur English Pleasure with Karla Koch. In a 1987 Show Horse article, Bob recalled, "That to me is total accomplishment. To take a horse, make it a champion and then to take a rider who you've worked with and put them together and win the ultimate prize; It was sensational." As far as anyone remembers, it was also the first time that a national champion open horse had been converted to win an amateur national title.

It was a just reward. At that time in the Arabian business, most trainers worked only with open horses, while non-professionals trained their own horses at home. Ginger and Bob had been among the first to take in amateurs. "They said it couldn't be done," Ginger recalls wryly. "But we had advanced riders. We put them on high-powered horses, and taught them to ride at that level. Featurette was a hot tamale; Karla Koch was an excellent rider.

" The secret to success at Starcraft was not only horsemanship, but hard work. "Our whole life was our barn," Ginger remembers. "We did nothing else, either of us, but we loved it."

As the 1970s drew to a close, the partners elected to look for new opportunities, and Bob moved west to open at Baywood Park in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Randy Shockley handled the halter horses, while Bob accounted for the performance candidates. His first headliner came from an old Illinois connection; before going west, he'd purchased Bint Miss Fire for Shirley and Bill Koch, who when Battaglia left, turned to Bob Phillips. After winning the 1980 U.S. National Championship in Pleasure Driving with Phillips, Bint Miss Fire headed to Baywood, and in 1982 earned the title in English Pleasure with Battaglia. Two years later, Bob earned another U.S. National Championship in English Pleasure with Dan and Robin Gainey's Gai Argosy, who remains the only 3-year-old ever to win the open title.

They were halcyon years in the show ring and successful times in the auction arena, but insiders say that even so, Battaglia wasn't really satisfied. "The sales at Baywood were ahead of their time," recalls photographer Scott Trees. "I think he was like all of us - it just swept him away. But I remember him saying, 'This is not what this is all about.' As time went on, I think he felt that they were losing sight of the horse. More than anything, I think the transition from Baywood to Battaglia Farms [in the mid-1980s] enabled him to focus more on where he wanted to take things, which was geared directly to the needs of the horse.

" For most of the next decade, with the exception of a couple of years at Sandspur in Scottsdale, Ariz., Battaglia ran his own operation in California. Then in 1994, Battaglia Farms moved to a 300-acre facility owned by Christine Echout of My Time Arabians in Brenham, Texas. It is a full-service facility, offering training and instruction, conditioning and sales, standing stallions and managing broodmares. Long-time friend Russ Vento handles the breeding and office operation, while Bob concentrates on the training barn. The move has proved a success; in the past three years, Bob and his riders have accounted for more than 30 national championships.

Their client list now is a mixture of old friends and new. Corrine Stith is on the roster; old Chicago pal Sandra Ledbetter (now Mrs. Phil Witter) has horses in training; and Kenny Fezler, a Saddlebred name in his own right, keeps Arabians with Bob. Among the newer faces are Jack and Janet Roberts, and young riders Chase Harvill, Suzanne and Beth Watkins, Quincy and Kingsly DeSpain, Carrie Richardson, Skylar Vento, Sherry Ballah and Angela Stanley. Nearly all have won national championships with Bob Battaglia.

Ask them why they choose Bob and you hear several reasons, many of them repeatedly.

BOB BATTAGLIA, THE TRAINER

First in any description of Bob Battaglia is his formidable ability with a horse.

One client cites an example of the talent they all admire. "An owner brought Bob a horse who they'd been told would never get in the ring under saddle - the horse was finished," she relates. Battaglia, however, recognized a potential for national honors. He put together a 12-month plan to turn the horse around.

"Bob worked with it and took it to its first show," the observer continues. "The first way of the ring, everything went just fine, but on the reverse, when Bob asked the horse to canter, it took a flying leap into the center of the ring. Bob corrected it, got it back on the rail, and they cantered, but obviously didn't have a great class. When the show was over, he brought the horse into the ring, and there were a whole lot of people waiting to see what he was going to do with this horse. He took it to the rail, started it, stopped it, patted it ... and in about 10 minutes, the horse said 'Oh, I can do this. I know what this guy wants. Not a problem.' Bob made a lot of friends among the horsepeople with that performance, and since then, this horse has been absolutely a star for him. The bottom line is he taught the horse what to do, rather than try to muscle him.

" The horse's recovery is not an unusual event, Russ Vento comments. "I've seen Bob do that several times. He has an eye for the potential in both horses and riders. He saw the potential in that horse. He set a goal which he felt he could accomplish, and within one year, the horse had won a national championship."

"There are so many things to horse training - not just getting on the horses and riding them," Battaglia reflects. "You have to learn how to think ahead of the horses - not like them, but ahead of them. You also learn how to take care of their feet and legs," he adds significantly. "Without those, you don't have anything." Horse training, you soon learn, is very much about horse care.

Chase Harvill, who started with Bob as a youth rider and now works at the farm while he's attending college, expands on the lessons he has learned. "The health of the horse is the main key to everything. Bob does a lot of prevention to make sure that nothing goes wrong with a horse. Very rarely will you ever see him with a horse that's lame, or acting up because its mouth is sore, or anything like that. He totally relies on a horse's natural ability. He taught me that you can get the most out them if they're balanced. You don't need a lot of gimmicks; if they're balanced and they have the talent, they're going to do it."

"You treat each horse as an individual and train it as an individual," Bob says. "They don't fit into a mold; for a lot of Arab guys, the horses have to fit into a mold. As a result, they break them down, or break their spirit and their desire to be great. Chat and Lloyd and people like that taught me how to really take care of one and train one as an individual."

One technique Bob relies on is driving - for every horse - not just those in the driving division. "First of all, it's the greatest form of exercise for horses to keep them in shape without overworking them. You can jog a horse for five miles and really condition him and develop his muscle tone. After they're broke, I'm not a believer in riding them everyday because they don't need it.

I think that's a major factor in their staying so sound, and why they stay happy and like to work, because we don't ride them every day." Is he still learning? "Always," Bob replies swiftly. "I ask questions all the time, because you forget, you change styles, you try things that other people do. Sometimes they work for you and sometimes they don't. Training techniques are a constant learning process, and the horses we are breeding today are better than ever. You have to keep up with that. Arabians are more physically fit now than they've ever been."

His educational outlook is ecumenical. "I still go to Saddle Horse shows and I spend time at 3 or 4 in the morning, watching them train their horses. I also go to friends and to farms, and other trainers come here, both in Arabs and Saddle Horses. We trade off ideas. That's a very important factor; the cooperation is very important."

"I think Bob has brought things from other aspects of the horse industry more successfully than anyone else," says trainer Mary Trowbridge, who's watched Bob work for several years. "He's brought a wider variety - Saddle Horses, driving horses and so on - into his training, and that's what's given him such a different, unique look. He has a lot of interests."

"Each of Bob's horses has a program," Corrine Stith says. "It's not just random. So many trainers go into the barn and ask 'what do I feel like doing today?', not 'what does this horse need today?' From the positive perspective, he has a plan and a vision for the horses. It may take him a little longer to get one ready, but when it's done, it doesn't come untrained."

It sounds like simple common sense. "Common sense, yes," he concedes, "but it's not always logical. You have to keep in mind that there's no logic in the horse business. It's emotion and ego - the emotional effect horses have on people (they become attached, they believe their own press) and the ego factor ('I'll spend more than the next guy and win.')"

And the trainer's ego, a necessary evil if one is to have the confidence to succeed? It's fine as long as you stay real, he says. "If the trainer has more ego than he has realism with himself, and thinks that he's what makes the air go around, that's when he gets into trouble."

Not a problem for Bob Battaglia, say those who know him.

"He always calls it the way it is," Kenny Fezler says. "He's a gentleman, but he doesn't mince words with you. If a horse isn't going to make it, he just tells you; he's not a schmoozer. He's cut and dried, direct. Always has been."

A HEART FOR HORSES

The proof of Battaglia's philosophy is in his horses.

"You can walk into a barn, as I have done for a long time at Bob's barns, and you can sense the attitude of the horses, which I think is a direct correlation to the attitude of the people who handle them," says Scott Trees. "Bob's horses walk to their stall doors and prick their ears up, rather than shrink away or pin their ears back. He's a true horseman; he's very aware of their minds, as well as their physical bodies."

"He was one for whom the horses always came first," Ginger Tadin confirms. "They before you. Stay up all night if one's sick. If you worked one hard because he didn't behave, you spend hours putting him away, carefully walking him and cooling him. That's just how it was."

And is. "You have to like the horses, first of all," Bob observes. "You've got to take care of them. It takes years to learn the little things that add up to the whole, like walking into the barn, looking at the water and in their feed troughs to make sure that they've got salt. That comes naturally after a while, but how many people think about that? When you're cleaning a stall, how many people notice if there's manure, and a wet spot? Because if there isn't, something's wrong. Those are the simple things most people either learn to do automatically or they don't even realize that they should be doing it."

Does he have a favorite? He nods. Gai Argosy, whom Bob selected for performance training as a 2-year-old. The stallion has been with Battaglia for his entire show career, and nearly all his life. "He's the epitome of a buddy," Bob says. "He's right next to my office. He's 16. He was always the kind of horse that I could count on and he was there - challenging me every now and then - but you knew that when it came down to counting on him, he'd be there."

A few years ago, Robin Gainey gave Gai Argosy to his longtime trainer. "I felt very strongly that Bob should have him," she says. "They were a team. They really have a special relationship.

" Inevitably, even with long-lived Arabians, you lose the ones you love. "It's tough," Bob agrees. "You learn to deal with it. I allow myself to be attached to one horse, and the rest are strictly business. You have one horse that you keep forever, and the rest are there to serve a purpose."

No way! scoff those who know him. He gets attached to all of them, which is a telling illustration of Bob Battaglia's regard for horses. They're all special to him; given the potential for emotional havoc, he lets himself care unreservedly about only one at a time.

Not surprisingly, Bob has strong views about his responsibility to the horses when they reach the end of their show careers. "We've got one old mare out there who's 26," he says. "She'll live here forever. If they've done their jobs, done all they can do for you, they deserve to be taken care of."

It was that level of caring that convinced Jack and Janet Roberts they were in the right place when they centered their training and breeding program at Battaglia Farms. The treatment of their horses is their No. 1 priority. "Magalad fell in love with Bob. It's great to see; they kind of play off each other," Janet smiles. "We all love on our horses. I've seen Bob sneak them a carrot or two."

"I see his training methods on a daily basis," Christine Echout concurs. "I can see happy horses - horses who adore him and he adores them. Usually, the people he attracts are people who feel that way about their horses. He knows each horse as an individual (he does people the same way, but with horses it's exciting to watch)." That's how it should be, they all say. Christine adds, "Everybody should get in line to work with Bob Battaglia."

THE BATTAGLIA "FAMILY"

The world of Bob Battaglia is not populated with horses alone. Bob has two human families - the one he grew up with in Chicago (father Sam, who died nine years ago; mother Lucille; brother Jim; and sister Jeanine), and his customers (past and present) in the barn.

"I think he views customers first as friends and then as clients," comments Scott Trees. "He wants people to be involved with their horses, whereas a lot of trainers say 'give me your horse and go away and let me do it.' Bob wants his people to be hands-on, and as a result, he's had a barnful of them who've been with him for a long time and have been loyal to him, as he is to them. He's always watching out for them."

"Never is there a snarly, dissatisfied client in the barn," says Robin DeSpain, mother of young riders Quincy and Kingsly DeSpain. "That's unusual with different people and different personalities from all over the country. He goes out of his way to make every one happy."

Janet Roberts agrees. "Everybody gets along. Nobody meddles in anybody else's business. Bob is such a professional that what you do with your horses is strictly your business and you don't get into anyone else's business. When you are with him, you have his 100 percent undivided attention."

"The clients are like a big family, very supportive of each other," says Chase Harvill's mother, Debbie, who with husband Dale owns Harvill Arabians. "Bob creates that kind of atmosphere."

"He has very little patience with people who are the Me-Me-Mes," adds Corrine Stith. "It's very important for him to have people around him who are compatible and who have the same goal he does ... and that is to enjoy the activity. It's got to be fun or it's not worth doing."

For most Battaglia customers, the trainer/owner relationship has developed into friendship. Dinner with the clients is a regular affair for Bob and Russ, and they often share an evening with Christine Echout, who lives on the farm and maintains horses in training.

As with an extended family, there are other activities. Bob never misses any of Chase's competitions, even when they are in disciplines that the trainer doesn't show, such as reining or halter. When Harvill and young rider Suzanne Watkins graduated from high school, Bob and Russ were on hand. With Phil and Shirley Watkins, they rode the roller coaster at Fiesta Texas and cruised the San Antonio River. Already, two winter vacations in the tropics are on the drawing boards - Mexico with Live Oak's Phil and Sandy Witter, and "someplace warm" with the Watkins family.

An active interest in life outside the training barn goes back a long way, Kenny Fezler laughs. "My sister used to go with Bob to Chicago's discos, years ago. He's a fabulous dancer!" He sure is, Christine Echout agrees. Good cook, too.

Old friend Lois Finch compares the different aspects of Bob Battaglia. "He's both upscale and downscale," she says. "His 'upscale' is his consummate professionalism and knowledge of horses. The 'downscale' is typified by gatherings at his place or mine - the kickback nights with Bob, Russ and myself, sitting on our front porch in the middle of a pouring rainstorm and lightning show, in our shorts and bare legs, with a glass of wine at our side, getting completely drenched and loving every minute of it."

"The horse training is just one part of his personality," Robin DeSpain summarizes. "He goes so much farther than that. He would have been successful in any vocation he chose."

Given the heavy training schedule and the healthy social life, it's fair to wonder if Bob ever gets tired of his clients. And does friendship ever get in the way of business? No, he says to both questions. Characteristically, he's given it some thought. "Most of them are really wonderful people. There is always a line of respect; I understand that I am performing a service, and it's a service for them. They understand that I am doing the service and they're paying for it. At the same time we are friends, but there is a fine line that is never crossed. I think that enables you to keep each other as friends, and yet still do the job for them."

The close relationships extend to the young riders as well. "My kids would rather go to Bob Battaglia's than do anything else," Robin DeSpain notes. "They would rather drive to Brenham and ride than go to a party at school or to the lake with friends. I've heard them. They talk about it."

"It amazes me what he does, like with my daughter," says Russ Vento. "He's never been around little tiny kids in his life (she's 10 now, but she was 4 when Bob first met her). He's adaptable, and he understands. They have conversations I haven't had with her."

"It's not just with Suzanne and Beth," Shirley Watkins adds. "My daughter Leslie doesn't show, but she feels as much a part of the family as the others." She chuckles. "A trainer of his caliber ... they have such an aura, such a mystique about them. At the first lesson, the girls asked Russ what they should call Bob (your honor, sir, Mr. Battaglia?). Russ just laughed and said, 'Well, call him Bob.' Now they call him Bubba."

In four years of riding with Bob Battaglia, Suzanne Watkins achieved eight national championships in Saddle Seat Equitation and English Pleasure. When it was announced at her high school graduation that she had won more than 11 IAHA and Arabian Horse Trust scholarships, Russ Vento recalls that the look of pride on Bob's face was second only to that of her beaming parents.

In the riding program, almost everyone gives Bob Battaglia points for his communication skills.

"Suzanne says he is the smartest man she has ever met, because he just knows what to do and how to explain it," Shirley Watkins says.

Those who remember his shy, silent Chicago years are particularly impressed with how articulate he is now, both as an instructor and as a public speaker. Bob dates his metamorphosis to his days of helping Ginger instruct at Holdorf Riding Academy. "We had 600 riders a week; one of our largest concerns was Northwestern students, who came and got credit for riding," he says. "When you have to communicate with those kinds of numbers, you learn how to get your message across so that they understand it."

"He explains to them not just what to do, but why they're doing it, what effect they can expect to have and what they should be seeing," Corrine Stith amplifies. "They know he's going to put them in situations that are only good for them."

For some, the connection is beyond verbal; Sandy Witter and her daughter Sherry Ballah value parallel backgrounds and expectations. Both started in Saddlebreds (Sandy's father and uncle were trainers), and both now spend most of their time in Arabians. The shared experience has given them a close bond with Bob, and they feel it provides an unspoken understanding when working with horses.

"It's really unique," Sherry says. "There's not a lot of coaching. He doesn't yell a lot of orders at me. I watch. There is never a moment that he'll catch me talking when he works my horse. I watch intently, and I try to imitate what he does. When I'm up there, I try to feel what he feels when he's on her. It's always been that way. It's like this connection we have when we really understand each other, but through the horse more than when we're talking."

Open communication exists on all levels of the business. He's always accessible, clients say. Call the farm and usually either Bob or Russ answers; if you get the machine, they call you back right away.

"I've found Bob to be the most professional business person I have met in this industry," states Carol Ruscitto frankly. She and her husband, Lou, stand Hucklebey Berry at Battaglia Farms. "Their records are just impeccable. When you're in business, you want to know what those checks are going for; they tell us exactly what it all is. Bob calls me to ask if we need anything, or have anything on our minds. Anyone in business wants that kind of relationship, and I think owners should demand it. You can get it with Bob Battaglia.

" That practice is rooted in Bob's ethical principles. "He's so aboveboard about everything. They do everything the right way for the right reasons," Carol says.

Debbie Harvill offers an example: When they were looking for a replacement for Gai Argosy, with whom Chase had won five national championships, Bob identified a particular Half-Arabian. No, said Dale Harvill, that one won't do. Battaglia felt so strongly about the new horse that he purchased it himself and informed Dale that the horse would be available at the same price whenever the Harvills wished to buy it. It took six months, but eventually Dale agreed that Chase and the new horse were suited to each other, and the purchase was concluded. "He's not just out to sell you the horse," Debbie comments. "He wants to make the match."

She appreciates Bob's sense of responsibility. "I've seen Battaglia Farms from both angles, as the client, and now with Chase working there, from the inside. Bob has a deep integrity for the Arabian horse business, and he handles his business that way."

EXPERT TESTIMONY

Beyond friends and clients, Bob Battaglia's ability with a horse and conduct as a horseman have been recognized by fellow trainers.

"I've always thought of Bob as one of the great horsemen of our breed," says Bob Hart, Jr., a longtime friend. "When I say a great horseman, I mean not just in the show ring, but one who I would let keep one of my horses for 60 days and care for it. I want to know that the person caring for my horse is knowledgeable in all aspects of the horse, and has the ability to make the right decisions. Bob would be my first choice."

Legendary Saddle Horse trainer Donna Moore, who manages William Shatner's Belle Reve operation, recalls the young man she knew when he was just starting out, and whose career she has followed through the years. "When Tom [Moore] and I were together up in Illinois, he was a very young lad that you could tell had great talent. He showed some Saddle Horses up there, and there was nobody that could ride one better than he could. He was tremendous. It didn't surprise me a bit when he went to the top of his field in Arabs. I think he could have done the same thing in Saddlebreds had he so chosen; he was that kind of a horseman. He's just a fine, wonderful horseman."

"I've always respected him," states Gene LaCroix.

"I have admired his professionalism and horsemanship for years," says Mitch Sperte. "In fact, as I embarked on my own career, I tried to emulate his persona, especially his meticulous attention to detail and his passion in giving something back to the industry through being involved in the political circles, always trying to effect positive change."

"In the 21 years Richard and I have known Bob as a professional, he has conducted himself with both honor and integrity," Don DeLongpré says, speaking for himself and Richard Petty. "This in itself, in today's world, is no less than a miracle."

"It's interesting to think about what our future is in an athletic sport, as we mature physically, mentally and professionally," Mary Trowbridge reflects. "A lot of today's trainers say 'I'm only going to train horses for five more years, because I don't want to be outdated.' I don't think being dated is a physical thing. Obviously, we need our health and our strength, but I think more, we need to stay mentally open. Although we need to be confident and we need our ego, we also need our humility. Humility and interest and enthusiasm are what enable us to continue being competitive, and Bob excels at that. He's a survivor and a grower and an innovator. That's why he's still at the top; he's interested, humble and intrigued.

"He's the greatest inspiration," she continues. "Besides being the consummate horseman, he's a perfectionist who enjoys the art of horsemanship. That's something I've come to enjoy the first taste of over the last, say, five years. After a while all of the grind and the work and the pain and the blood pays off, and you begin to enjoy this like a great painting. The sort of maturing of your career treats you to the artistic side of it, and Bob's into the beauty and the artistry of it now."

"It's past easy for him," Dick Obenauf says. "He's rare; he was born with it. When he was a little bopper kid, he fit a horse - he was made to ride a horse. He has a good feel; he's real light with a horse, but he's really strong, too. He's intelligent. He can read their minds. He's part of an animal. As soon as he climbs up on them, it's a perfect picture."

A FRIEND AND PROFESSIONAL

Is it necessary to give back to the horse industry? Yes, says Bob Battaglia. He serves as a Large R horse show judge, participates in seminars for IAHA, and put on clinics. A founding member and director of the Arabian Professional Horsemen's Association, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Show Horse Registry, and has served on several IAHA and AHSA committees. Currently, he is on the IAHA Education and Evaluation Committee.

"He's the closest thing to the professional horseman's statesman," says Kathy Meyer, for years, president of the APHA. "He's always thoughtfully and carefully well-spoken. He's influential in a positive way. Bob definitely takes the high road. But mind you, because he is so passionate about his profession and his industry and his horses, he is capable of being a very, very good Leo. He can 'lose it,' but even when he loses it, he does it in a very stylish way. He usually is really aware of the impact he makes, be it to take the high road, or to get irritated and get in somebody's face. He takes a step back to look at what he's going to do and what impact it will have before he does it. In my mind, that's part of what puts a person in a statesman category - the person who, beyond their personal involvement in the situation, will weigh their involvement or their reaction or that moment within the scales of the entire industry. Bob's vision and his realm of involvement is larger than just his own sphere.

"Bob has great personal convictions, and he stands by them," Kathy continues, "but he chooses his issues and convictions wisely. I've gone into battle with him (we've fought some very serious, very contentious political battles in the name of the professional, the horse and the industry), and I can't think of one when Bob wasn't right at my side and there when I asked him.

" There are many who maintain that Battaglia's greatest contribution to the industry is not so much what he does as who he is and the example he sets.

"Bob was especially wonderful to me, just taking me by the hand and teaching me the ropes. We ended up being dear friends," says Kelly Charpentier of the interval she worked with Bob at Sandspur. "He is very well respected in all circles of life. We're not just talking the horse business and horse people; most people that meet Bob and get to know him consider him a true gentleman, and a nice, kind person.

" Everyone maintains that Battaglia's brand of pro-fessionalism goes beyond the dollar figures.

"We'll have people who call on the phone; they might be clients from 20 years ago," Vento relates. "'Bob, I've got this problem,' and he'll say, 'send me this, that or the other.' It could be horses, it could be business. He'll work on it and have a proposal back to them in the morning. It isn't for money. It isn't for anything. It's because someone asked him for help."

"It's not so much that he influences the industry as that he represents it in his day to day life," says Russ Vento thoughtfully. "The specifications for Level 1 judges are to be on your honor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You're an IAHA recognized judge and you are to present yourself as such. Bob does that without even thinking about it. He's just that way."

Over the years, Battaglia has honed his equestrian skills and developed the kind of self-knowledge that provides the foundation for the characteristics that his friends admire. His quiet authority has had an impact on those around him.

"It's all come together for him," reflects Sandy Witter. "He can call on all his past experiences when he's in the show ring, or when he's putting together a team of horse and rider. He's had so many experiences. He's learned from all the horses he's trained and the riders he's had," she adds. "Because of our closeness, I will always have a few horses with Bobby."

WHAT LIES AHEAD

For Bob Battaglia, 25 years marks not only a milestone in his career, but also a beginning. It's a time to find new challenges and explore new interests. Like the horsemen and women who helped him when he was starting out, he now has the opportunity to be a mentor for a young trainer with talent.

"He's passing everything he knows down to me," Chase Harvill says, clearly valuing the long hours he spends in the barn. "I know I'm lucky." Already, Harvill knows his priorities; the Battaglia standards are high ones.

"Bob's main goal is to keep all the horses sound and healthy and keep all the clients happy at the same time. It's a pretty big job." The job lately has gotten even bigger, as Bob also has indulged his long-standing interest in establishing a breeding program. So far, he's bred five national champions in both halter and performance. The first was Lucille Ball, who was sold to Corrine Stith as a yearling and went on to become 1994 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Futurity Filly.

"He's unusually qualified to understand what could be and what should be," says Russ Vento, indicating that over the years, Bob has ridden representatives of many bloodlines, and with his eye for physical ability, brings a valuable perspective to breeding.

The headlining sire at Battaglia Farms is the multi-National Champion and sire of national champions Hucklebey Berry, owned by Lou and Carol Ruscitto of Empress Arabians.

In the future, Bob also plans to stand Extreme Echo, a yearling colt he bred in partnership with Burt and Sherry Melton of Rinconada Arabians, by Echo Magnifficco, out of the *Nabiel daughter Lola Hogan. Also slated for stud duty in years to come is the Tom Chauncey-bred yearling TC Miyake, by Zodiac Matador, out of the famous park mare of the '80s, Miss Cognac.

As always, his service to the industry will continue. Old friend Robin Gainey believes that part of Bob's Arabian commitment could expand. "He would make a great member of the Arabian Horse Trust Board of Directors," she says. "Having been involved in organizations, and in training and showing, he has a unique viewpoint. The Trust is trying to expand what it does for the breed. We don't want to be just a preserver of the Arabian horse, we want to be able also to create programs which will enhance the future of the Arabian horse. I think Bob would be able to give us a lot of input on what he believes would generate excitement."

A growing career as a breeder, a new level of commitment to the Arabian industry, the continuation of his career as a top trainer and instructor - the next 25 years appear to promise as much action as the first. His associates agree that one thing won't change: by design or not, Bob Battaglia will continue to influence people as well as horses.

"He's a dear man. I can't imagine living without him nearby," Christine Echout says unabashedly.

"When you see him, you want to hug him! We all do!" laughs Sherry Ballah, a pronouncement endorsed by many other Battaglia riders. "At the same time, we all want to make him really happy. There's no fooling around when it's time to do your job." She pauses, and adds, "He's like family to me; he's like a father figure. I feel that close to him. Horses or no horses, I don't want to live my life without Bob in it; he's that important to me."

On a sunny summer morning now, young riders at Battaglia Farms line the rail of the outside arena, watching Bob work horses. It's not hard to envision other Saturday mornings, in other years ... such as the times when Sam Battaglia took his sons, Bobby and Jim, on outings to Valley View Farm in Barrington, Ill. The farm's owner, J. L. Younghusband, a friend of Sam's, knew that Sam's boys were horse-crazy and he invited them to watch his trainer, a gifted young man named Tom Moore, who was already writing history in American Saddlebreds. For young Bobby, it was an insight into his own future.

"I never knew how far I would go," he recalls, "but I knew I wanted to be a horse trainer when I was 10 years old."

So how far has he gone? Today, horsemen young and old are looking to Bob Battaglia for inspiration.

CONGRATULATORY REMARKS

Dear Bob,
It is people like you that make this breed great. You are someone that strives to be the best. As long as we have known you, you have said only positive things and never the negative. That is why you have been in the business for 25 years and we wish you the best of luck in the next 25 years.
Dick, Lollie and Lara Ames

Congratulations, Bob on your 25th anniversary and for setting the standard for show ring professionalism.
Jill Barton

It's both a privilege and an honor to add our say to The Times tribute to Bob Battaglia. We've known Bob and admired his considerable talent throughout his career with Arabians. For his first several years, we were relative neighbors, 200 miles apart, so we followed the same show circuit. Later, his talent was known across the country and beyond.
Stories about Bob and his well-known horses could fill several pages and only scratch the surface, Featurette, Gai Argosy, Phonda, probably not even Bob can remember all the national championships. Maybe even more impressive has been his ability to coach young riders and match them to suitable horses. It's fair to say that if one of his students is in a class, that's the one to beat. Very few can perform and teach at the top level.
Bob has been among our most successful Arabian breeders, one of our top judges, one of our best spokesmen, he must have a room full of awards and accolades. More importantly, he's got hundreds of friends who enjoy every chance to visit, swap stories and learn. We're glad to be among them.
Sue and Harry Cooper

Congratulations on your 25th anniversary, Bob! We have only the highest respect for you and the standard of integrity that you set for this industry.
Joel and Teresa Gangi

Dear Bob,
I wish to convey my profound appreciation to you for everything you have given to the Arabian horse community. The standards that you have set are an inspiration to everyone. I am honored to be affiliated with you both as a professional and as a friend. Thanks for all the great horses and all the great times. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary and best of luck.
Scott Brumfield

A gentle giant of the industry, is Bob Battaglia.
Mary Anne Grimmell

We've been privileged to have photographed Bob numerous times during his career. Whether he or his clients are participating in a Class A show or a national show, the same level of professionalism is always exhibited. We value his friendship both professionally and personally.
Pam and Rob Hess

Having the dedication to do one's job for 25 years is a profound accomplishment. Yet, doing that job at an elevated level of success, every year, over a quarter of a century is an achievement few will ever attain, and one that Bob has mastered. Bob has established a level of excellence for all of us to use as a measure, and he continues to conduct himself with professionalism and innovation after so many years in the mainstream of our community. We wish his next 25 years to be every bit as successful in whatever endeavor he chooses to continue or undertake anew.
Tami Hurley and Bob Sweeney

Dear Bob,
For 25 years you have been the horseman in our breed who has best represented us as Arabian trainers. Your professional manner has always made me proud to be your peer. Thank you for the advise, the laughter, and the support over the years.
Always,
Martha Murdock

Dear Bob,
Your past represents what anyone in your position as a high caliber trainer should dream of. You've been a gentleman and a friend. We wish for you continued success. We are very excited about your new colt, Extreme Echo. What a thrill for you and Russ. Our future is very bright. Congratulations.
Stan and Debbey Keeter

Dear Bob,
As a kid, my first U.S. Nationals was in 1972. Every year I watched in awe as Battaglia showed more great English Pleasure and Park horses. One horse that I'll never forget is the awesome English Pleasure mare Featurette. When she was National Champion, this mare was out of this world. She was truly gifted with presence and charisma that set a new standard in the Arabian English Pleasure division. To this day, it's very gratifying to me to know Bob personally, and to watch as he still creates great ones. In an industry often slowed by controversy, Bob's 25 years of excellence are a milestone worth significant recognition. Congratulations Bob!
Paul Kostial

Empress Arabians is proud to have Robert Battaglia as manager of Hucklebey Berry+/ a proven sire of Champions.
Lou & Carol Ruscitto

It's been said that we live in an age of diminished expectations. Congratulations on your escape.
Jack & Janet Roberts

When I think of the name, Bob Battaglia, two words come to mind: Class and Horsemanship. Without Bob's guidance for these past three years, my career in Arabian horses would not have been as successful and so promising for the future as a trainer.
Chase Harvill

Dear Bob,
Thank you for your guidance in helping us to achieve our goals. Thank you for the care you lavish upon us all, and congratulations on all of your personal achievements over the past 25 years. May there be many more for you to enjoy in the future.
Phil, Shirley, Beth, Suzanne and Leslie Watkins

How can we ever truly express our respect and admiration of one of the most talented horsemen of our industry and one of the finest people we have ever met? It is one of life's greatest pleasures to call you our friend. Congratulations and best wishes for the years to come.
Rinconada Arabians

Perfection is in the Details. In my opinion, there are many reasons why Bob is successful in the Arabian horse business. Bob is a very talented horseman who prepares his horses very well. Whether competing in a Class "A" show or the U.S. Nationals, Bob's stalls are relaxed and nonstressful for the horses and his clients, and yet Bob is very competitive and enters the ring with well-schooled horses able to win. I became a client of Bob's because of his record in the show ring; I remain a client of Bob's because of the way he treats Shadow, my family and me.
Ron Sorvino

I am honored to call Bob Battaglia my friend. I know I can always count on him. It has been a privilege to be connected with this talented man who is truly a master of his trade. He is a very special person in my life.
Carrie Richardson

What does Bob Battaglia mean to me in my life? Personally, he is a very dear friend in every sense of the word. He's family, my big brother, my confidant, my teacher, my motivator, my inspiration, my advisor. He lifts my spirits. I love him unconditionally and he gives unconditional love in return. He is a great man. All of the qualities that he brings to his friendships are also what make him a great horseman. The horses entrusted to him receive the greatest respect and care. Each is an individual and he intuitively knows what is needed to fulfill their potential. We are all greatly blessed to have Bob Battaglia in our lives. All this. and he can dance too!
Christine Eckhout

We would like to congratulate Bob Battaglia on the anniversary of his 25th year in the Arabian horse industry. We share your commitment and dedication to these fine equines. We admire the achievements earned through your talent and hard work, we cherish your friendship, and we wish you the best in the years to come.
Walter, Beth and Gina Mishek

Bob, it seems that you and I have known each other forever. Growing up in Chicago, we were competitors and friends. I watched over the years as we both became involved with Arabians, as you rose like a rocket to the top of your chosen field. Now you're celebrating your 25th anniversary. To those of us who 'knew you when,' it's not surprising that you have achieved all of the honors and accolades over the years - because the driving force behind your ability is your love of the horse. I've been so very lucky to be able to work with you over the last three years you've been in Texas. You and Russ have made my association with you so very enjoyable. And it's not just the winning moments at the horse shows that are memorable. Rather, it's walking with you through the pastures, looking at the babies and the coming 3-year-old show prospects. It's your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with all of us. And it's seeing your care and concern for all the animals you work with on a daily basis. Here's to the years to come. I look forward to our association.
Corrine Stith

We wish to congratulate Bob Battaglia on his 25th anniversary and thank him for the outstanding job he has done with our horses.
The Hicks Family

Thank you for the lessons you have taught us, the inspiration you have given us, and the dreams you have made come true.
Quincy and Kinsley Despain

Bob Battaglia is the consummate showman. He has a long history of excellence and the highest standard of professionalism. Having admired his training and judging abilities for many years, it is a pleasure to finally have the opportunity to work closely with him.
Angela D. Stanley

I wish to congratulate Bob Battaglia on his 25th anniversary in the Arabian industry and for breeding this outstanding filly. I was proud to have her represent Karija Arabians at the 1997 Egyptian Event where she was named Champion Straight Egyptian Futurity Filly of 1995 and Reserve Junior Champion Filly. In my efforts to find and collect a small group of exceptional mares, I was impressed with her quality and classic type. I look forward to having her a part of my breeding program.
Michael Resch

There are many talented trainers who we have met over the years, yet very few who have the ability to communicate exactly why and how certain techniques and equipment can help both horse and rider. This special quality, coupled with Bob's extensive knowledge, has enabled us to develop a number of products that have helped thousands of horsemen to better train, show and enjoy their horses. We congratulate Bob for his success, his longevity and for all that he has meant to the industry. We look forward to working together for many years to come. (Perhaps not as hard as the past 25 years!)
Stan Schneider

How a person measures success says the most about that person. I believe that Bob Battaglia measures his success with a healthy, happy horse, a satisfied client who becomes a close friend, a student who achieves more than they ever thought they possibly could, standing up for what you believe is right, contributing in a positive manner to your chosen profession, and earning the respect of your peers. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary and all your success.
Kim Jarvis

Bob Battaglia is an exceptional man. All that he has achieved has been through his own talent, hard work, diligence, effort and sweat. Nothing has ever been handed to him on a silver platter, he's earned it. This in itself is admirable. However, the style, ethics and generosity with which he has accomplished these efforts are what truly make him such an outstanding individual. We are honored to be associated with him.
Mike and Debbie Stanton

Congratulations Bob on your anniversary. Nowhere will I find a better educator than you. Whether it's teaching a young horse, a youth or an amateur competitor, you are patient and well spoken. The lessons you teach are as much about life and living as horsemanship. You have an ability to give like no one I've ever met.
Karlan Downing

Bob Battaglia's dedication and commitment to the Arabian horse, along with his God-given talents, make him the man that he is today, one of the most respected horseman and successful individuals in our industry. Bob has earned his position of respect through 25 years (and more) of hard work at mastering his craft, and his willingness to share his considerable knowledge. We consider ourselves lucky to call him our friend.
David and Bob Boggs And the Midwest Families

Over the past 25 years you've come to expect consistency in quality and service from Battaglia Farms and Bevan's Arabians. We are proud to be associated with Bob Battaglia and wish him continued success.
Dan and Jennifer Karin

Bob, You have given so much of yourself to all of us. Fulfilled dreams beyond compare, but most of all you have given us a friendship for a lifetime.
Russ

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