Empress Arabians-Client Profiles


Austin Arabians – Ellen Tolliver and Harvey Austin Ellen Tolliver and Harvey Austin have been clients of Empress Arabians since 2007. Their most memorable moment was when Harvey overcame his fear of horses by sitting with their mare SanGita for hours. Currently they have 5 horses on the farm, PA Baskfire, SanJivani, SanGita, SanZibelle, and Noble SaVita.

Candice Brady

My parents bought me my first Arabian when I was 4 years old and he was just a yearling. We continued to own Arabian horses my whole childhood then I continued on my own when my father’s interest faded. Lucky for me they became my passion and for almost 30 years I have been able to own, love, ride and show Arabians.

I only joined the Empress family in August of 2008 when I noticed in the US Nationals Omnibus that there was going to be an AAOTR Maturity. I called up Chad Judy (who I knew from when I first bought my current horse So Crimson CCA...aka RED) in July to see if he would come and take a look at Red to see if the Maturity was a possibility since Red was only 5. Since Chad was busy due to show season it took him a little while to get back to me. When he finally did he was still going to be away but sent his assistant trainer Jonathan Ramsay over to check out Red. Jon really liked him. That was a Monday or Tuesday and by Friday Chad was calling me and wanted Red over to the farm ASAP. Red was moved on Saturday and we were both welcomed by everyone with open arms!

Since we have not been with Empress that long you wouldn’t think we would have a major memorable moment. But we had a GREAT September and October while with Empress in the fall. First we went to the OHAHA Fall Show as a warm up for Nationals and to see if we should really do Nationals (we had never been in the show ring together before). Well Red won his Hunter Pleasure class with Jon, took a third with me in our first Hunter Amateur Class, Won our the Hunter AAOTR 18-39 and went Hunter Amateur Champion. I was thrilled. How much better could that weekend have been? On to Nationals! My first Nationals EVER! I was so excited!! But Red got sick. He got pneumonia. We were afraid I might not get to show in the Maturity. But that would have been fine. My main concern was Red. But the little trooper turned around and we got the “all clear” from the vet. We had a great ride in our section and made the cut. And then went back in the semi-final/final and took Top Ten. I was ecstatic!!! And I don’t think it would have been possible without Empress. Everyone at Empress is wonderful…..Chad, Jon, Barbara (Red’s personal nurse), the grooms, Allison, the Ruscittos, the other clients, Arturo, etc. They all play a part in how the farm runs, how the shows run and making the horses happy. And as long as Red is healthy and happy then I’m happy. And he is happy at Empress!

Jennifer and Jessica Childers

We have been with Empress Arabians since 2001. There have been so many great memories with Empress Arabians it is hard to pick just one! There are so many special moments: from the first horse we raised, Allusive Moment, going US National Top 10 in both the open and amateur division in the PB Hunter classes, to our very first English horse, Casting Crowns DFA, going National Top 10 in the Arabian English Pleasure Horse Futurity. I would have to say although that the best moment was when our daughter Jessica rode Jullyna DFA, a mare we bred by Jullyen El Jamaal, in the walk-trot Hunter class at the Ohio Buckeye last year. I was so nervous watching her in the class. It is so much worse watching your own children than riding yourself! All was great though when she won her class!! Lots of butterflies but a great result! Now our daughter is hooked! Thanks Empress for making her experience and ours so memorable. We are looking forward to many more great memories! Right now we have FA Bella Rosa, a Futurity prospect, in training at Empress.

Rachel Enz and Jonny Enz

Tom and Leslie Forrest

We have had Arabian horses since 1990. Our most memorable event at Empress was when Forrest Afire went Top Ten at 2005 U.S. Nationals in English Pleasure Open. We currently own 14 purebred Arabians and 2 Half Arabians/National Show horses. The majority of our horses are bred to be in the English Pleasure Division. Forrest Afire is at Empress along with our mare Sheza Drama Queen.


Kate and Barbara Gardner

We have been with Empress Arabians since the Fall of 2003, and have had Arabian horses for over 20 years. Our most memorable moments are:

Barbara – “Canadian Nationals has always provided me with great memories. It was the show where I won my first National Championships aboard Allusive Moment and Beam Me Up Scotty EA. Along with those great memories area also the good times I have had with all of my friends, family, and trainers there.”

Kate – “One of my favorite memories of being with Empress just happened this past year at the Buckeye. Chad and Carol Ruscitto approached me about an hour before the evening session and asked if I would drive their mare EA Mybey Berry. I had a great time, as driving is my favorite class, and to drive such an exceptional mare was an honor. This also came on top of winning the Half-Arabian driving with my own horse, Lifeinthefastlane CMJ. Two great horses and two great memories.”

Currently at Empress we have Beam Me Up Scotty EA and Marc My Words in training, along with Barbara’s retired show horse, Truly Fameous, adding his talents to the lesson program.

Patty and Blaine Kriebel

My first memories of wanting a pony were around the age of two. My room was lined with model horses and when Grandma took a trip, she always returned with another model horse to join the herd. Forget baby dolls; horses were far superior – and Arabians, the best! Fast forward……I purchased my first horse – a Half-Arabian gelding – well into my adult years. During my eighth year of horse ownership, my husband Blaine, and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lou Ruscitto. Shortly afterwards, and for two years now, I have been riding at Empress Arabians.

My most vivid memories thus far include our first tour of the farm, given by Lou, my first ride on “Bud”, the photo shoot and seeing Lots O Honey (Lexi) for the first time – and then riding her. The Ruscittos, Chad, Jonathan, the entire Empress staff and their clients have welcomed Blaine and me with graciousness and positive energy. Chad and Jonathan’s expertise, patience, guidance and persistence are allowing me to move, step by step, towards my goal of showing Lexi. I hope to make many good memories with her in the show ring in 2009. The past two years have provided an education beyond compare. So, I guess little-girl dreams do come true!


The Lally’s – Dr. Frank, Kriss, Maura, Devin and Casey

The Lally Family has been with Empress since 2005. The Canadian Nationals will always be associated with memorable moments for us! In 2006, we were blessed with Moulin's National Champion and Reserve titles. Also never to be forgotten, was Desi's tenacity and spirit that overcame an agonizing illness to make top ten in 2007. These are the moments that have brought a smile to even the anti-horse show advocate, Casey! Currently we have EA Moulin Rouge (Mou) and HCA Lynard Skynard (Lenny) with Empress.

The Mele’s – Ann, Joe, Anna and Joey

We have had over 6 years with Empress in some capacity: showing, riding lessons for Anna, buying & selling, etc. One of our most memorable moments in the past years was when Ann was the 2006 Region 15 Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 18-39 with BH BeyBerry Storm (Stormy). Combining the expertise of Chad and Jon, overwhelming commitment, dedication and determination, 2006 really paid off.

Each weekend, Anna gives us numerous memories as she continues to advance in her riding skills. Her relentless enthusiasm and overwhelming love for the Arabian horse will keep us saturated for years to come. We are looking forward to Anna's first show season with Empress this year as Chad and Jon begin the magic transformation of a young rider. In 2008 we extended our family and purchased our 3nd purebred, The Grey Goose. Along with the Empress team, we are looking forward to another winning and memorable show season.

Robin Miller

I joined Empress Arabians in the spring of 2007. From the very beginning, I felt so welcomed by Chad Judy, the Ruscitto family and by the entire staff! It has been a true joy to be a part of their amateur team! It has been such a pleasurable experience!

Two of the finest memories that have been made thus far while at Empress are incredible! I will never forget the first time Chad gave me the opportunity to ride RH AK Forty Seven in the fall of 2007. It was one of the biggest thrill rides I have ever had on a horse! As I was floating on “Cloud Nine”, I heard Chad say in the distance, “That’s all the fun you get”! It was then that I knew I needed more of that fun in my life, so I made arrangements to purchase “AK” for my very own!

Our first show season together has been awesome! Another unforgettable memory occurred just a few weeks ago at the 2008 Region 14 Arabian Horse Show in Lexington, KY at the Kentucky Horse Park, AK and I were Unanimous Regional Champion in HA Country English Pleasure AATR and again Regional Champion in HA Country English Pleasure AAOTR 40 and over. Chad was Reserve Champion with AK in HA Country English Pleasure Open. We are really looking forward to much more “fun” and creating more breathtaking memories!

When I came to Empress, I also brought with me my purebred Huckleberry Bey grandson, Afire Bey V son, Vallejo USA+/. I showed him in country English and sidesaddle. Now, with the help of Chad Judy and Jonathan Ramsay, “US” is being shown in show hack, driving and sidesaddle successfully in all divisions! US has become a very happy horse and enjoys what he does!

Being with Empress Arabians has been a life changing experience for me! The entire staff at the farm is impeccable! Everyone there enjoys their job and wants to make every experience count for all the clients and they make it truly a delightful one! I feel so fortunate to have such an unbelievable opportunity to be a part of this exceptional team of people!

This quote was discovered one day while in a coffee shop as we were on our way to Empress’ farm, which is ironic because it is how I feel about Empress and the experiences I have received there…

“Life isn’t measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away”!


Judy and Joe Niedzalkoski

have had horses for 47 years and have been with Empress for 5 years. My best memory with Empress was when my horse went 2007 Unanimous US National Champion in Open Country Pleasure with Chad out of 45 horses entered in that division.

Jill Siskind
This will be my third show season with Empress Arabians and I’m looking forward to an exciting year!

It's hard to say what's the most memorable. I guess the most moving one occurred at Region 14 in 2008 in my last class (PB Hunter AAOTR 40+) when all my experiences at Empress over the past 16 months flooded into one. As Louie and I entered the ring I remembered the words of encouragement from Chad and Jon-"Enjoy your ride, have fun, work hard, and make it count!" While getting a Top 5 was wonderful, what was even better was realizing how far Louie and I had come. The support from everyone at Empress (from Chad to Jon, the Ruscittos, all of the grooms, Allison, the clients, and everyone else) has been phenomenal. They've all help me regain my confidence as a rider and they've put the fun and passion back into riding. I will never forget that moment!

In 2009, I'll be making my "debut" not just in the 55 and over Purebred Hunter Pleasure division (Thank goodness for Oil of Olay!) but with a new horse, Heir I Am. Riding a young horse is new for me, but with Chad's, Jon's and the support of everyone at Empress at Empress I know I'll have a great, fun year. I couldn't pursue this dream without any of them, including Heir!

Linda Sykora

Claudette and Danielle Turk

Lisa and Lexi Wilson

Lexi started riding horses at age 4, when we lived in Georgia. The passion followed her when we moved to Pittsburgh, and the passion grew when we found Empress in 2006. At that time, Empress did not have a lesson program, but several months later we saw the sign "Learn to Ride". Lexi has been riding with Empress for over 2 years now, and debuted at her first AHA Show in May 2008 with her horse Protocol (Toto). Later that year she showed at the Fall Show in Columbus, Ohio, September 2008. This show was her most memorable. After winning 1st in Walk/Trot Country Pleasure, she was taking her "Victory Pass" around the arena, when a group of ladies were clapping loud from the stands, it spooked Toto, and he tossed Lexi up out of her saddle, what seemed to be 6ft, but she never missed a beat, and kept a smile on her face the entire time. We are all looking forward to a great 2009 - but without as much air between Lexi and the saddle this season!