Member Report from Bulgaria
REPORT MADE AT 2025 WAHO CONFERENCE
Ralitsa Yordanova, Bulgaria: Mr. President, members of the Executive Committee, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to be here representing the Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book Authority. My name is Ralitsa Yordanova and my co-delegate is Teodor Yordanov. We also bring you greetings from Mr. Georgi Yordanov, who was unable to attend this meeting. We would like to express our deep thanks to the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for their generosity and hospitality in hosting this Conference in their wonderful country.
Purebred Arabian horses have been bred in Bulgaria since 1983. As a unique and globally recognized breed, the purebred Arabian holds a significant place in Bulgarian horse breeding. Over the years breeding trends have remained stable. In 2024, the registered mares numbered 124, while there were 17 breeding stallions from 7 bloodlines. The number of foals registered in the last three years was as follows: 35 in 2022, 43 in 2023, and 37 in 2024. Although embryo transfer is permitted in Bulgaria, it is not currently practiced. However, insemination using frozen semen has become increasingly common on more stud farms. A centre for mare insemination and the collection of stallion genetic material has been established in Sofia. Over the past three years, 19 stallions have been processed at this centre.
The Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book Authority has published 4 approved volumes. The fifth volume has been completed, and preparations for the approval of the sixth volume are underway. The management of Arabian horse activities in Bulgaria is divided among several organizations. Arabian horse racing has gained popularity and is now well-organized. Arabians also participate in various equestrian sports through sports clubs, also are used for equestrian tourism, including riding holidays, and serve as personal leisure riding horses.
Endurance events for Arabian horses are held 10 to 15 times per year under the supervision of the Bulgarian Equestrian Federation. Additionally, the Bulgarian National Horse Racing Association organizes 5 to 6 Arabian horse races annually.
Each year, the National Horse Breeding Association in Bulgaria, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book Authority, hosts an exhibition dedicated to purebred Arabians. Known as the “Day of the Arabian Horse in Bulgaria,” this event takes place at the national stud farm Kabiuk near Shumen in north-eastern Bulgaria, it is one day before an endurance competition that covers distances ranging from 40 km to 160 km. This schedule allows participants to showcase their horses at the exhibition while also giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the event. The exhibition is filmed by a TV crew and aired on Agro TV, while most horse races are broadcast on Hobby TV.
To enhance the selection process in 2024, the Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book Authority, in cooperation with scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, conducted a genetic analysis of the population using microsatellites. The study included 537 Arabian horses from nine bloodlines. Thank you for your attention
2022 REPORT:
During the last three years we registered the following number of foals: 2020, 30 foals; 2021, 37 foals; 2022, 25 foals. It is possible during the next years that the number of foals may decrease due to economic reasons. Embryo transfer in Bulgaria is allowed but is not put into practise.
The Bulgarian Arabian Stud book Authority has 4 approved volumes, and V and VI volumes are in the process of preparation. The first 2 volumes are printed, and the others are in electronic version and will be published.
The activities for Arabian horses are divided between different organisations. Arabian racing is now a popular and well organized activity in Bulgaria. Arabians also take part in various equestrian sports based at sports clubs, they are used for equestrian tourism such as riding holidays and also for individual pleasure riding. Arabian horses are also used in hippotherapy and therapeutic riding for disabled children.
Endurance races for Arabian Horses are held 6 to 9 times annually, organized by the Bulgarian Equestrian Federation. Races for Arabians are held 5-6 times annually, organised by the Bulgarian National Horse Racing Association.
Annually the National Horse breeding Association in Bulgaria, which takes care of Arabian horses breeding, together with the Bulgarian Arabian Stud book Authority organise an exhibition of Purebred Arabian horses and Shagya Arabians, known as the Day of Arabian horse in Bulgaria. The exhibition is held in Kabiuk stud, near Shumen (North-Eastern Bulgaria), a day before the endurance race is held at the stud with distance from 40 km to 120 km. This way we give an opportunity to participants to present their horses at the exhibition, and many more people to enjoy the event. The exhibition is shot by a TV team and is broadcasted on Agro TV. Almost all horse races are broadcasted on Hobby TV.
Over 80% of the Arabian horses that take part in different activities are registered by the Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book Authority.
2019 REPORT:
The National Horse Breeding Association of Bulgaria has provided the following information. In 2017, 32 foals were registered. There were 13 horses exported and 7 horses imported. There were 2 shows, 26 races and 16 endurance competitions.
2017 REPORT:
The Bulgarian Arabian Studbook Authority has provided the following information.
43 foals were registered in 2016, and 32 foals were registered in 2017. 23 horses were imported in 2016. 7 horses were imported in 2017 and 13 horses were exported. There are 2 Arabian Shows per year, as well as 26 Arabian races and 16 endurance competitions.
These are the most popular activities for Arabian horses in Bulgaria:
Showing (halter and ridden classes): 10% of the registered Arabian horses
Racing – 40% of the registered Arabian horses
Endurance – 80% of the registered Arabian horses
Show-jumping 10% of the registered Arabian horses
The various ways to promote the Purebred Arabian in Bulgaria include the following:
Organizing seminars; Publishing a monthly magazine; The website of the Association;
TV programme (twice a month); Organizing events in racing, showing and endurance (awarding the winners with Bulgarian prizes and awards).
The current published stud book Volume III covers the period of 2006-2009. Volume IV, covering the period of 2010-2013 has been approved for publication. The next volume, covering the period of 2014-2017, will be published in 2018. So far, we have been issuing a printed edition of the stud book. Our intention is to publish the stud book on our website (currently under reconstruction). The same applies to the pedigree database.
REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:
Mr. Svetlozar Kastchiev, Registrar: Our current stud book is Volume 2, which covers the period up to the end of 2006. We have approximately 200 living Arabian horses in Bulgaria, of which 35 were breeding mares in 2008, and 6 were active breeding stallions.
In 2007 we registered 30 foals, and in 2008 we registered 28 foals. We issue passports, and all documentation complies with WAHO rules. All our foals are DNA typed and parent verified. We allow, and we do use, Artificial Insemination but as yet we have had no cases of Embryo Transfer. In 2007 we imported 6 horses and in 2008 we imported 1 horse. In those 2 years we exported 12 horses. Microchipping is not yet compulsory but in accordance with European Union laws, from June 2009 it will be mandatory.
We have 6 races annually, and 3 endurance competitions and 1 National Show. Thank you very much for your attention.
REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:
The number of Arabian horses in Bulgaria is not big, but during the last 2006 year it has considerably increased. In 2005 we registered 8 breeding stallions, 28 breeding mares and 14 foals. The total amount of living registered purebred Arabian horses was about 160. Last year we printed Volume 2 of our Bulgarian Arabian Stud Book, which includes the records up to 31 December 2005.
All our horses are DNA tested and the foals are parentage verified. The use of microchipping in Bulgaria is voluntary. During 2005, we exported 1 horse and had no imports, however we had a lot of imported horses during 2006 and the breeding has considerably increased. Formerly the majority of Bulgaria’s Arabian horses could be found at the National State Stud of Kabiuk. Now the main amount of Arabian horses is in private hands, and the owners are united in the Bulgarian Arabian Horse Association. In 2006, we had 11 breeding stallions, 46 breeding mares, and 25 foals. The use of Artificial Insemination and Embryo transfer are allowed but neither method has yet been used in Bulgaria. However this year we have started a new breeding programme, using imported frozen semen.
We had one show, one endurance competition and six flat races in 2005, managed by the Bulgarian Arabian Horse Association. However, the amount of events is increasing and this year (2007) we will have 10 races, and 2 endurance competitions. Arabians are also used for leisure riding and for work on the farms.
We are issuing passports and have a computerized database, which this year will be available on the internet.
