When JR Raina was named the Champion Junior Filly at the 2025 Scottsdale International show, it was another feather in the cap for Joanne Gunabalan’s JR’s Dream Arabians. Not only was her score of 335 the highest among the fillies, but it was also the highest score for any horse at the International, regardless of age or sex. Blessed with the extreme type and elegance of her lineage, Raina is a double granddaughter of Marwan Al Shaqab through his son Rhan Al Shahania and his daughter JR Francesca, one of two remarkable foundation mares who anchor Joanne’s boutique Michigan breeding program.
JR Francesca, out of the exquisite five-time national or reserve champion Valori TRF, is herself a four-time Canadian National Champion or Reserve. She is also a Dam of Excellence who produced three national champions by Joanne’s herd sire Kavalle MI (Gazal Al Shaqab x Karess): JR Francois, JR Jon Pierre, and JR Frangelica, and several additional regional champions.
JR Francois has already sired himself, U.S. National Top Ten champions Jean Valjean GRK and AMA Bella Fortuna.
Impressa MI is the other mare of supreme importance to the JR program. A daughter of Aria Impresario and Mulawa Alexa, Impressa had an impressive show career with two national and two reserve national titles, culminating in her 2016 Canadian National Champion Mare and U.S. National Reserve Champion Mare titles. She produced four regional champions before foaling JR Bella Sorpressa in 2021. Sold overseas after she was named Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Silver Champion Filly, Sorpressa continued her show ring success for her new owner by winning the 2024 Silver Champion Junior Filly title at the Ajman show.
JR Raina is the latest reminder that big things like Scottsdale championships can come from small beginnings, like JR’s Dream Arabians. All it takes is passion, dedication, knowledge, commitment, and, yes, a dream.