Marla Ruscitto passed away on May 12, 2013. She will always be remembered for her shining smile, her poise and her charming personality. Marla was a one-of-a-kind individual and her incredible presence shall remain with all who met her. Loved not only by her parents, siblings and daughter, she was also like a sister and daughter to so many people, in and out of the Arabian Horse industry.

Marla graduated Suma Cum Laude from Duquesne University in Marketing and Business Administration. She was the youngest of Lou and Carol’s children, and was not only a learned horsewoman, but an integral part of the Empress breeding program and an accomplished equestrian. In addition to winning the Arabian Professional & Amateur Horseman’s Association Amateur Performance Horsewoman of the Year title in 2001, Marla’s accomplishments included numerous U.S. and Canadian National Championships as well as Scottsdale, Buckeye and Regional Championships during her Youth and Amateur careers.

Marla’s most rewarding accomplishment in the show ring, was her National Championship in Arabian English Pleasure AAOTR on the great Hucklebey Berry+/. Of that ride, Marla has said, “I could not ask for a more exciting experience; winning was an added bonus."

Along with Marla’s incredible rides on HBB+/, she can also list National titles in multiple disciplines with great horses such as Dutch Dolley+/, The Big OH+/, VF Society Miss++++, Jazzberry Bey, Lightnin Strikes, EA Mybey Berry, Lady Chatterly, EA Words of Wisdom+//, Mister Matrix+//, and EA Apollomalu.

Loved by many and respected by all, Marla was taken from this beautiful world far too early. We can only hope that she is watching over all of us and that every time we trot through the in-gate she’ll be along for the ride!