14 April 1984 – 2 August 2010

Sired by SERINASK (by the infamous *Bask) out of LADY IMARON, "Sami" was foaled in sunny Arizona at Caliendo Arabian Farm. His sire was a multi-national champion driving horse sired by *BASK++ and out of a *SERAFIX daughter. SERINASK is the sire of National winners in Costume, English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, CEP, Endurance, CTR, and Working Hunter.

In 1991, Sami was acquired by Cal Poly and became part of their Arabian program. He started showing in Working Hunter in 1997, after competing mostly in Dressage and Hunter Pleasure. Sami was Top Ten at US Nationals in 1997 and 2000. He was also named Canadian National Champion in 2000!

After winning another Top Ten in 2001, he was purchased by the Desiderios and brought East. The very next Youth Nationals came along and young Michael Desiderio won his very first National Championship in Working Hunter on the cute black gelding. Younger brother Anthony also rode Sami to a National Championship in Hunt Seat Equitation 10 & Under.

From there, Sami continued his career as a tremendous show horse for young riders. He was Canadian National Champion in Open and JTR with Mike and US National Champion in Open Working Hunter with Stephanie.

 

I n 2003, Sami and Michael were Youth National Reserve Champion Working Hunter and Top Ten in Equitation 13 & Under. Sport Horse Nationals added two Champions in Hunter Hack ATR and Working Hunter Open plus a Reserve Champion in Top Ten Open.

Youth in 2004 resulted in an Equitation 13 & Under Reserve Champion for Michael, along with a Top Ten in Working Hunter. Canadian Nationals equaled two more National Champions in Working Hunter 17 & Under & Hunter Hack. That year, at Sport Horse Nationals, Sami won a Champion and a Reserve Champion in Hunter Hack and a Reserve Champion and Top Ten in Working Hunter.

 

At Youth in 2005, Alexandria and Sami won a Top Ten in Walk-Trot Equitation; with Arielle Cotroneo, he racked up a Champion in 13 & Under Equitation; with Anthony, a Top Ten Equitation Over Fences; a Champion in Equitation 14-17 and a Top Ten Working Hunter with Mike. He was also Canadian National Champion in Working Hunter Open and Reserve Champion in JTR. At Sport Horse Nationals. He earned another National Champion in Working Hunter ATR and Top Ten in Open; Reserve Champion with Anthony in Equitation O/F and a Top Ten in Equitation U/S; along with a Reserve Champion and Top Ten in Hunter Hack with Michael.

Sami took the year off in 2006, but came back gangbusters in 2007 with 2 Reserve Champions at Youth Nationals with Alex in Working Hunter and Hunter Hack, another Reserve Champion with Michael in Equitation 14-17, plus Top Tens in Equitation OF and Equitation 13 & Under.

Sami has been enjoying his retirement from showing, but was still doing his best work with teaching students to ride. He was known for building confidence in the most timid person, never taking advantage of their inexperience.