IN MEMORY OF SIGI SILLER

Sigi Siller was one of the world's most influential and far-reaching breeders of Arabian horses in history. Born in the Black Forest of Germany and later moving her program to the United States, Sigi singlehandedly created a ground-breaking breeding program that would shake the world of Arabian horses through Om El Arab. She created a dynasty when she recognized the radiation that shined through a dirty, thin, hobble-scarred *Estopa. She literally created “The Golden Cross” in Arabian horse breeding. Guided by her unique eye and breeding talent, she shaped a new silhouette for the Arabian horse through El Shaklan… one that was so ahead of its time that it remains a baseline of type even today.


But these gifts were not even close to her greatest legacy. Sig embodied how to live a life well lived lived – gracefully, whole-heartedly, daringly, passionately, lovingly, courageously.

Sigi was a lover of all things good. She loved her family, her friends, her horses, her life, her joy, her tree, her home, her history. She reflected that love back out onto the people and animals around her. Often we hear stories of how impactful Sigi was on people's lives... no matter how brief their encounter was with her. "I only met Sigi once, but I felt connected to her for the rest of my life. She made me feel so special."

During her life, Sigi visited and made friends in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

One of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s greatest quotes is as follows:
"To laugh often and much...
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children...
To leave the world a better place...
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded."

Sigi’s life served (and continues to serve) as a priceless reminder of the true meaning of success, as outlined so beautifully above. Sigi gracefully and quietly checked off each box. She will be forever loved, always missed, and never forgotten.

“We have had a front row seat to witness the commitment to the breed by Om El Arab. I have been lucky to show and see some of their best for many years. There is little doubt that the Om El name stands alone in terms of worldwide renown and respect. We know the next chapters are going to be just as special.” — Greg Gallun


“The determination of fixing a type of a wonderful Arabian horse, Sigi was a master in inbreeding and line breeding, her knowledge of her horse pedigrees, made her one of the best breeders in history.” — Marieta Salas


“Someone recently asked me, ‘Who is the most loved horse yet deceased in the world?’ I said, hands down, *El Shaklan. He is the most beloved Arabian horse of all time. The reason I know that? My historical Facebook posts on *El Shaklan garner the biggest responses by far. *El Shaklan in Santa Ynez in the 80s are images that people cannot get enough of. Throughout the world, the blood of *Sanadik and *El Shaklan live on.” — Jeff Wallace


"When I began breeding Arabian horses in Brazil at my farm Haras Meia Lua, I was able to acquire the most wonderful collection of *El Shaklan daughters as a big part of my foundation. He was a magnificent beauty and his daughters were treasured broodmares here giving me stallions such as my spectacular sire Ludjin El Jamaal. I admire the breeding program of Om El Arab very much and even added an exquisite maternal granddaughter of their stallion *Sanadik El Shaklan a few years back named *Elle Dorada. When mated with the stallions from my own program she has given me a plethora of true beauties. I applaud this precious blood always". — Lenita Perroy


“Sigi’s horses are her legacy. To have built up a herd of such consistent type, beauty, genetic strength, and prepotency which, after half a century has its own distinct look and is true to the original vision is quite remarkable. The statistics speak for themselves; at the 2016 Aachen All Nations Cup in Germany, of the 18 Championship winners, 14 carried of the blood of Om El Arab in their pedigree; at the 2016 World Championships in Paris of the 18 Championship winners, 12 carried of the blood of Om El Arab in their pedigree, at the 2017 Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas, of the 18 Championship winners, 14 carried *El Shaklan alone in their pedigree! So fifty years of dedication to breeding a complete, stunningly beautiful, genetically prepotent, instantly recognizable breathtaking group of horses that are as relevant and current now as they were fifty years. I would also have to mention and single out *El Shaklan as he was Sigi’s greatest love and he changed everything within the Arabian breed. There are three breeders other than Sigi that I have always greatly admired; Lenita Perroy, Marieta Salas and Sheila Varian and they are all linked by recognizing the immense value of *El Shaklan and infusing his blood into their breeding programs. But Sigi’s most valuable gift? For me personally, I would have to say is her daughter, Janina.” — Diane Brown


“Sigi was one the world’s most significant breeders. Her goals in Arabian horse breeding were admirable – but while many people have goals, very few fulfill them as completely as she did. Her single mindedness was unwavering and she created generations of Arabian horses that were immediately recognizable, both as classic Arabian horses and as the product of her personal vision. She kept the thread and direction of her breeding program unbroken, while weaving in what she needed to keep going forwards. She had the rare fortune of having a second generation to keep her dream alive and Om El Arab International has passed into the very capable hands of her daughter Janina, supported by Bryon and Luca. Janina shares her mother’s passion and dedication and has the amazing opportunity to guide the breeding program for the next generations.” — Emma Maxwell


“Sigi was an amazing lady that had passion for Arabian horses as few others have had. She had a good life struggle, but lived life to the fullest. Her horses and children were what drove her. Her horses were her means to live. She had to make it work – and make it work well. No one in that position would have done it so well as Sigi. She studied the changes and nuances of the market, then evaluated and directed her horses in such way that she could follow the market but still with her own touch and the distinctive Om EL look. She mastered that concept. To me, Sigi’s greatest lesson is a simple set of three things: perseverance, determination, and joy of the process and the final result. I like to look at Sigi today as a person who enjoyed waking up every day; good or bad, she was ready for it. In today’s world, the Om El horses continue to have a place because Sigi believed in the future, she believed in tomorrow and she most certainly had all the life lust in the world to be a part of tomorrow. That’s the reason why and how they are as important and successful today as they were 40 years ago with the original cross of Shaker El Masri to *Estopa. But Sigi also knew and believed in passing on; therefore, she nurtured Janina to be a bright young and visionary breeder to follow her up. Sigi polished the leads and carefully placed them in the best hands possible, another reason why the Om El Legacy has just only finished Volume 1, and Volume 2 is about to be written. — Bart Van Buggenhout


“The story of success of the Arabian horse over the last half century is inextricably intertwined with that of Om El Arab and the breeding vision of Sigi Siller & Janina Merz. The Om El Arabian of today offers to breeders worldwide exactly what it has from the very beginning: an elite-quality breeding horse, show horse and equine athlete that uncompromisingly reflects the authentic desert Arabian horse of legend. Synonymous with Om El Arab are terms such as aristocratic, exotic, refinement, quality, presence, classic, size, scope, substance, inspiring, dynamic, unforgettable, influential, prepotent, consistent, unmistakable, legendary. This is what the Om El Arabian offers breeders and enthusiasts: an authentic uncompromising link to the true heritage of this noble breed, all the elements necessary for success in any equine endeavor today, and most essentially, hope for a brighter future and lasting legacy for the Arabian horse into this century and beyond.” — Scott Benjamin