Gioia Tauro is an Italian port on the Calabrian coast near the southwest tip of the Italian Peninsula. The site is historically significant, being located at a pinch point on one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world which connects the Suez to Gibraltar. In horse world, Gioia Tauro is also known as the home of Tripodi Arabians, which was founded by Francesco Tripodi in 2003. He considers the operation to be a family affair; it's a passion he shares with his son, Fabiano. Francesco has always loved all types of horses, but he has never owned a breed other than the Arabian.

"We fell in love with Arabians at first sight," Francesco volunteers. He prefers to breed for the international halter market, which has proven to be a very sound decision for the farm. Breeding is done using both natural service and artificial insemination. They also breed via embryo transfer—especially with the older mares—if they want to produce an embryo to sell. "From the very start, our philosophy has been to breed beautiful horses that are able to compete and win not only in Italy, but at an international level as well," he continues. In fact, the Tripodi horses have competed so well, some of them have become hot commodities on the world market. "Sometimes, the offers are so high that we cannot afford to refuse," explains Tripodi with a shrug. "We are happy to have sold horses worldwide and I hope it will continue like this."

Francesco credits the 2006 World Champion Junior Colt title won by their straight Egyptian phenomenon Royal Colours as the biggest achievement for Tripodi Arabians. Francesco recalls the excitement of the time. "The young colt was imported from America in partnership with Giampaolo Gubbiotti and Paolo Capecci. Shortly after he arrived, he became a world sensation, capturing hearts all over Europe," he remembers. "Royal Colours won the Egyptian Event Europe in his first appearance on European soil, and went on to gather countless victories. Later, he was named the Best Arabian Horse Stud, where he sired some incredible foals. He went back to Paris to conquer the title of World Champion again in 2009 as a senior stallion. Then in 2016, Royal Colors returned to Paris once more to claim the Platinum Champion Stallion award at the breed's highest honor."

Such outstanding success keeps breeders optimistic about making it happen again, and eager to create a legacy with their homebreds. Tripodi Arabians has around 60 horses on the farm, most of them being broodmares or youngsters growing up. Although he owns three stallions, they are a minimum number of outside stallions for their breeding program. "We send a couple of our horses to hand breed better ones for the halter arena each year," states Francesco. "At the same time, he is always on the lookout for a special horse that would fill a need in the herd."

“First, I need to like the horse; it needs to represent what I love in the Arabian," he says. "Then, I look at the bloodlines. The pedigrees of most of our horses have a concentration of El Shaklan and Ali Jamaal bloodlines. We look all over the world for good horses to eventually add to our breeding program." It is a formula that works for Francesco Tripodi.

So, when in Italy, take the time to wend your way down the Amalfi Coast to the south. Take a side trip to Gioia Tauro, and arrange for a visit to Tripodi Arabians. Perhaps it is there that you will meet the special horse with whom you will fall in love.