(Includes Peru)
Member Report from Chile
REPORT MADE AT 2025 WAHO CONFERENCE:
Carlo Rojas, Chile: (with PowerPoint) Good morning, Mr. President, delegates and Members of the Executive Committee, Members of WAHO. My name is Carlo Rojas I am the Executive Director of SOFO, the Agricultural Development Society of Temuco, and together with Gustavo Cárcamo, we represent Chile and the Chilean Studbook Registry of Arabian horses. We are honoured to be here and deeply grateful for the generous hospitality of hosts the EAHS and our thanks to WAHO as well as for the opportunity to present what we do to such distinguished organizations from around the world.
Some history regarding the Arabian horses in Chile: the most relevant dates are 1872 when formal Arabian horse breeding begins in Chile, with horses imported from Europe and the Middle East. In 1982, the first Arabian horse was registered in Chile by Fernando Saenz of SOFO. In 1990 Chile was officially accepted as a member of WAHO. In 2007 Chile was granted WAHO permission to act as caretaker Registry for the Arabian horses in Peru. In 2010 SOFO’s Registry was recognized by the European Union.
We prioritize and promote animal welfare in breeding and adhere to the World Organization for Animal Health guidelines for all registration and identification procedures. SOFO is proud to register Arabian horses across Chile, from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia, supporting breeders nationwide. In Chile, Arabian horse breeding combines tradition with modern technologies. But natural breeding is still the most common method, especially in remote areas. However, some breeders use advanced methods such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, to improve genetics. Embryo transfer accounts for approximately 10% of the total registered foals. However, in line with animal welfare guidelines, we recommend no more than two embryo transfers per mare per year.
Since 1990 a total of 7,500 Arabian horses have been registered in Chile, in 5 stud book volumes. This year we will publish stud book volume 6. This graphic shows the number of horses registered with SOFO in recent years 2022: 215, 2023: 220, 2024: 165. We also have a small number of imports and exports.
The new software we will implement in 2025 is key to improving request management and will serve as an updated tool to strengthen our connection with breeders across Chile’s vast territory. It will also improve efficiency by reducing processing and certificate issuance time by 50%. SOFO is considering a new digital platform and mobile App.
In Chile, there are three major national competitions to promote Arabian horses. EXPO SOFO, where we present the WAHO Trophy, is one of them. Also in Chile, we have the National Competition of the Chilean Association of Arabian Horse Breeders and also other national exhibitions.
Endurance riding in Chile continues growing, with 200 federated riders and 313 registered horses competing across the country. The annual calendar includes 8 to 9 events from March to December, featuring 3 national competitions up to 80 km and 6 FEI-sanctioned events, 4 up to 120 km and 2 up to 160 km. Chile has proudly seen 11 riders represent the nation in World Championships and at other top-level international competitions.
At SOFO, our team of qualified and experienced professionals in genealogical registration is behind all the hard work and dedication for the development of the Arabian horse in Chile and Peru. Thank you for your hospitality and attention and thank you for your continued support.
2019 REPORT:
SOFO has provided the following information. In 2017, 239 foals were registered. 1 horse was exported and 16 horses were imported. There were 2 shows and 10 endurance events.
2017 REPORT
SOFO has provided the following information: In 2016, 122 foals were registered. In 2016, 4 horses were exported, 3 to the U.S.A. and 1 to the U.A.E. 26 horses were imported from Brazil, America and Argentina. In 2016 there were 3 Arabian shows and 10 endurance competitions.
REPORT MADE AT 2011 WAHO CONFERENCE:
Mr. Fernando Saenz, Chile: My name is Fernando Saenz, and together with my colleague Mr. Rodolfo Pinilla who is in charge of our Registry, we come in representation of Chile and Peru. We thank first His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and the authorities of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for having us here in their beautiful country, together with WAHO’s President Dr. Hans Nagel.
The population of Arabian horses in my country is approximately 2,800 horses. In 2010 we registered 200 foals, 10% of them from Peru, and imported 25 horses. This year we registered so far 182 foals, again with 10% from Peru, and we exported 5 horses. We hold 2 annual shows with approximately 70 to 80 horses participating at each. Endurance riding is popular, a ride is held every 2 months, this sport is growing fast with the participation of 100-150 horses. We are now preparing ourselves to come to compete in Dubai this December.
We do allow artificial insemination and embryo transfer, and all foals are parent verified by DNA. Our studbook is in printing and includes from 2007 to 2010. And last, but not least, I must do a heartily remembrance of an American Arabian horse breeder that made it possible for my country to enter to the WAHO family, way back in 1982, at the Calgary meeting. His name was Douglas Marshall of Gleannloch Farms. He will be always in my heart and mind. Thank you.
2008 REPORT:
Chile reports that in the year 2008, 209 foals were registered. There are approximately 250 active broodmares and 40 active breeding stallions. No horses were exported, and 1 was imported from Brazil. Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer and multiple foals per mare per year by ET are permitted. Passports are not yet issued. Horses are not yet microchipped. The estimated number of living Arabians in Chile at present is just over 2,000. There are 2 main shows and 10 endurance rides each year.
Chile also registers the Arabian horses for Peru, in the year 2008 11 foals were born in Peru, from the farms of 3 different breeders were registered.
In 2009, The Asociacion de Criadores de Caballos Arabes del Peru (ACCAP) became an Associate (non voting) Member of WAHO. The Arabian horses of Peru are registered in a separate section of the Arabian Stud Book of Chile.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:
From 2007, Chile has been registering the Arabian horses of Peru.
In 2007 Chile registered 218 foals and recorded 3 exports and 8 imports.
The current published Stud book is Volume IV. In 2006 Chile had 350 registered mares and 50 breeding stallions, and 288 foals were registered. All these horses are blood-typed and we are moving to DNA typing.
2 horses were exported in 2006 – one to USA and one to the UAE, and 19 were imported from Argentina. The use of Artificial Insemination and transported semen is permitted, so is embryo transfer.
The Chilean Arabian Association organises an 2 regional shows yearly. Regarding endurance races, they are very popular and 10 are held each year. Chile has taken part several times in international and world endurance competitions, at which they have always participated with Arabian Horses. Arabian horses are also used for jumping and dressage competitions. Arabian horse breeding is flourishing in Chile, since the last few years.
