We are family: Silver Blossom Arabians palomino stallion Nadir ibn Nafida, with girlfriend Snow and daughter Sierra. Foto: Sirid Hahn.
Breeding & Sports

Clear Vision

Silver Blossom Arabians of Cham remain unwavering in their breeding strategy. Rideable purebred and partbred Arabians with clear minds - and friends throughout Switzerland - are the result.

Little Silente knows very little about the fortunate living conditions into which he was born in early June. Somewhat shy, he stands behind his dam Snow, making it difficult to admire him: the blue eyes, the strong conformation, and his shimmering, soft cremello coat. Standing next to the mother-and-son pair is sire Nadir. One stall over: the second broodmare, Suriah, who will give birth to her filly Silver Blossom Nevada in just a few days. And next door again, her two-year-old colt. He was separated from his dam solely because of the imminent birth, at least from the withers down, since you won’t find any bars here. “Normally, these two are also together in an open box with turnout,” explains stud farm founder Pamela Cellini. Other relatives and half-siblings are enjoying the afternoon on the spacious pastures.

Little Silente with Mama Snow. His special Cremello colour he inherited from both his parents. Foto: Dalia Creative Art View.

Developing within the horses own family

Life within their own equine family is an important part of Silver Blossom Arabians' breeding philosophy. Little Silente, too, will not be weaned after eight months, as is otherwise common. “We foster the bond between our horses and thus create a harmonious herd structure where there is no jostling,” Pamela explains. For her, who has been fascinated by Arabians since childhood, studying herd behaviour is also one of her passions as a breeder. Because under these harmonious rearing conditions, the genetic advantages of the breed strive ideally.

Happy together: Silver Blossom Arabians grow up in their own equine family. Foto: Sirid Hahn.

Arabian horses from riding-horse lines

The origins of the Arabian purebred trace back to horses from the Near and Middle East, the so-called original breeding regions. The purebred Arabian, or Arabian Thoroughbred (AV), is the purest form of the Arabian horse: noble, hardy, and frugal, with a strong affinity for people, mental resilience, and a willingness to perform. Traits that Suriah Sabah possesses and passes on. The black mare descends predominantly from Egyptian lines. She is, among others, the dam of Silver Blossom Zeus, a purebred Arabian stallion currently for sale. The horses from the stud known as Arabian Partbreds or Partbred Arabians also carry a purebred Arabian percentage of over 80% and share their typical characteristics.

Purebred Arabian mare Suriah Sabah.

However, there is one noticeable difference:their unique coat colours. In fact, among Arabian purebreds (AV), only the three basic colours chestnut, bay, and black, as well as grey, are found. But when a so-called dilution or modification gene comes into play, the base colours change. For example, the cream gene turns a chestnut into a palomino or cremello. The silver gene causes silver mane and tail in black horses. To introduce these special colour genes, purebred Arabians are crossed with other breeds, without diluting type or traits.

Beautiful by design: Silver Blossom Arabians have specialized in the cultivation of the Cremello gene. Foto: Sous Photografie

Favourite and top performer Nadir ibn Nafida

Arabian Partbred Nadir, officially Nadir ibn Nafida is of 88.8% Arabian blood percentage. As the only officially active palomino Arabian breeding stallion in Switzerland, he combines a rare colour with high Arabian nobility and proven performance ability. In 2020, he won his class at the stallion performance test of the Swiss breeding association. In 2022, he was licensed as a premium stallion by the German Arabian breeding association, VZAP e.V. He also successfully completed the German stallion performance test, which includes dressage and jumping assessments as well as a guest rider test. At the international All Nations Cup Arabian tournament in Aachen, a large audience was able to witness Nadir's cool demeanor in both dressage and jumping.

Nadir together with stud farm founder and manager Pamela Cellini at the Marbach State Stud.

Thanks to this presence, the Swiss stallion, who on his dam’s side traces back to the purebred Arabian mare Murana I (b. 1808) and thus to the oldest German mare line, is now also used for breeding across Europe. In Germany, a partnership exists with the purebred Arabian stud, HA Arabians, in Sajonia-Anhalt. Nadir is available via frozen semen. At home, Nadir is also available for in-hand natural cover upon request. He is also sought after as a carrier of the cremello gene, the cultivation of which is a beautiful specialisation of the stud.

Loyal partners for leisure and sport

"Our goal is to breed correct, loyal partners for leisure and sport, raised through Natural Horsemanship, and set up for a long, healthy life,” says Pamela. These qualities can be seen in the stud’s own riding academy, which is run according to the Journey of Trust principle and appeals to both children and adults, especially those returning to riding.The approach is all about building a deep trust between human and horse, without pressure. “Some of our students are amazed that after just a few sessions in the round pen, we head out into the open countryside. That’s the best proof of how trustworthy our horses are.” Flared nostrils, wide eyes, and exaggerated movements like those still seen at some Arabian shows are not part of this breeding. “Images like that give the public a completely false impression of Arabian horses, when in fact, we have Arabians here just as they should be.”

Trusted friend: In the stud`s own riding academy Silver Blossom Arabians find new fans and sometimes even new owners.

Trust as a selling point

Silver Blossom Arabians find their friends and new owners throughout Switzerland. Usually via word of mouth or fellow breeders, but especially through the stud’s own riding academy.“The connection between rider and horse, and the future living conditions, are the most important selling criteria for me,” emphasizes Pam, “and that there’s a spark.”

That’s exactly what happened with Sarah Burch-Oostenbrug. She came to the academy as a riding student. Enthralled by the breeding and horse-friendly philosophy, she stayed on as the stud’s marketing manager. In her role, she also introduced the first online booking system for riding lessons in Switzerland. And so, a breed that has existed for thousands of years finds new friends through modern means.

Silver Blossom Arabians

Everything about the breeding program, horsesfor sale, the riding academy,and plenty of enchanting photos, are on the stud’s website.