PHILOSOPHY

Bob Battaglia has maintained a position as one of the most respected horsemen in the Arabian horse community for 40 years. Bob’s talents as an individual horseman have trasnslated into the large-scale success of Battaglia farms, and his undying devotion to the to betterment of Arabian and Half-Arabian horses has earned him the respect of his peers and status as a top breeder.

Battaglia Farms has amassed an unparalleled 450 National Champions and Reserves at the U.S., Canadian and Youth National Championships. The farm has become synonymous not just with big wins, but with the best-trained horses and the best-educated riders in the show ring. Such a reputation is no accident; it comes from years of meticulous work and careful planning, an understanding of how to work harmoniously with horses and riders, and unflinching, painstaking attention to all details.

Bob Battaglia and Russ Vento together have bred a great number of National Champion horses, many of which, like National Champion Futurity Colt Extreme Echo, have gone on to be respected breeding horses. In a single year, nine of 11 horses bred by Battaglia and Vento, which were shown in National competition were National Champions. Such success is not often heard of, but it represents well the Battaglia Farms philosophy. That philosophy is that no aspect of breeding, training, showing and acting in the best interest of the breed, is left unattended. Everyone at Battaglia Farms upholds these values, which have made Battaglia Farms the one of the top training facilities in the United States.

For 40 years, Bob Battaglia has set the high watermark for training Arabians and coaching amateurs. His attention to detail, patience and work ethic make him a leader in creating healthy, happy, able horses and riders, as well as in the number of championship amassed under his direction. Battaglia Farms has an astounding 418 National Champions and National Reserve Championships at the U.S., Canadian, and Youth Nationals to its credit.

Bob began riding American Saddlebreds as a youth in Chicago. His talent and dedication helped him to rocket the top of the ranks, and he decided during that time that his life’s passion would also be his career. After apprenticeships with Saddlebred trainers, Bob became fascinated by the Arabian horse, and made them the focus of his training. Since then, the name Battaglia has become synonymous with National champions and the best-trained horses in the show ring.

Bob has been recognized with eight Arabian Professional and Amateur Horsemen’s Association (APAHA) awards, bestowed by his peers; four times as the Horseman of the Year, three times as the Saddle Seat Trainer of the Year and once as the English Trainer of the Year. Bob is also a respected Large R judge, has been a teacher at AHA Judges’ Seminars, and was one of five people who wrote the rules for the Country English Pleasure division. He is a tireless advocate for the breed, and is a founding member and past President of APAHA, a member and Chairman of the AHA Professional Horseman’s Committee, a member of the AHA Judges’ Steering (??? May need to explain this) Committee, and the Vice Chairman of the National and Regional Classes Committee. He has also been a member of the IAHA Yearling Heritage Committee, the Whip Study Committee and the IAHA and APAHA Hoof Study Committee, and has served as the Chairman of the American Horse Shows Association’s Show Standards Committee.

Bob’s involvement in so many aspects of the breed further illustrates the reasons for his unrivaled success. His desire to understand, to take action and to carefully consider all tasks laid before him have translated into decades of championships and satisfied clients.

[ Bob Battaglia Photo Gallery ]

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Bob Battaglia
Russell Vento, Jr.
Chase Harvill