Germany

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Member Report from Germany

REPORT FROM THE 2022 CONFERENCE

Mr. President, members of the Executive Committee, delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Manfred Jedzini, I am President of the German Arab Horse Society, VZAP. In the name of the board of our organization and of all German breeders and owners I would like to express our thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome.

Our Society is not only taking care of Purebred Arabian horses, but also of those of other Arabian breeds like Anglo-Arabs, Shagya Arabs and Part bred Arabian horses. Approximately 264 Purebred Arabian stallions are used for breeding and service within our Society. The number of registered Purebred Arabian broodmares actively used in breeding is about 919. In 2021 we registered about 390 Purebred Arabian foals, including about 30 embryo transfer foals. Overall, we can see an average decrease in breeding activity of about 16% compared to the figures from 2018. This development can be seen in many breeding associations and reflects the general situation.

Our Society allows the registration of 5 Embryo Transfer foals per mare per year. There is only a small number of breeders who use ET in their breeding.

The number of Purebred Arabian horses imported from abroad has increased by approx. 26%. The number of exported horses has remained almost the same. So all in all, we do have selected breeding activity producing foals of high quality which enjoy great popularity all over the world. However, the sale of horses is difficult nowadays.

About 6 major shows and events are being organized or supported by our organization. The most famous one is the well-known All Nations Cup event taking place every year during the last complete weekend of September in Aachen in combination with ridden classes. After a break of 2 years due to corona restrictions the All Nations Cup is back this year.

Our Society is connected with a central database where several other German breeding societies are also connected, therefore we do have a large amount horse data available. Since 2016 we have had an online pedigree database available via our homepage www.vzap.org with free access for everyone interested based on a very advanced system that provides up-to-date data.

Our homepage offers the possibility to our members to promote their horses for sale as well as it is giving information on special events and on horses having achieved special successes. All important information and mandatory rules are published via this platform. Our online database of stallions licensed for breeding within our society allows careful selection of sires.

Since December 2021, we have received WAHO approval to act as the caretaker Registry for the Arabian horses in Albania. The memberships of the Albanian breeders are recorded and now the horses will be inspected on site by our Breeding Director. However, it will certainly take some time until all the necessary papers are completed so that all horses can finally be WAHO-registered.

In our daily work it is our special concern to inspire as many people as possible to spend their lives with Purebred Arabian horses and to encourage them to start up their own breeding programs.

REPORT FROM THE 2019 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Alexander Hofmann, Germany: Mr. President, Members of the Executive Committee, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.  My name is Alexander Hofmann, I am the Vice President of the German Arab Horse Society, VZAP.  In the name of the Board of our organization and of all German breeders and owners I would like to express our thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome and for this perfect organisation.

Our Society is not only taking care of Purebred Arabian horses, but also of those of other Arabian breeds like Anglo-Arabs, Shagya Arabs and Partbred Arabs.  Approximately 310 Purebred Arabian stallions are used for breeding and service within our Society.  The number of registered Purebred Arabian broodmares actively used in breeding is about 1,100 mares, which shows nearly the same figure as 2016, whereas in our foal registration the number of Purebred Arabian foals has dropped by 15% to a total number of 510 foals in 2018.

Having a look at all figures, there is a slight decrease in breeding activity, but this development is with any other breeding society as well and not particularly with us or with the Purebred Arabian breed.  The number of exported horses, 148 in 2018, has dropped by 15%, which of course reflects current developments.  Our imported horses’ registration number of 41 remains on the same level. So all in all, we do have selective breeding activity producing foals of high quality which enjoy great popularity all over the world.  However, the sale of horses is difficult nowadays.  Since 2010 all foals are microchipped.  The CA-testing is mandatory for all horses used in breeding.

With a total number of 1,550 members, the German Arab Horse Society is a very active community.  About 8 major shows and events are being organized or supported by our organization.  The most famous one is the well-known All Nations Cup event taking place every year during the last weekend of September in Aachen, in combination with the riding classes.  This show was voted by the participants in 2016 as the best show of the world.

Our Registry office is staffed with 5 employees and a Head of breeding who is taking care of breeders’ and horses’ interests.  Office staff work closely with the Executive Board, consisting of 5 dedicated members.  Our Society is connected with a central database which several other German breeding societies, not only for horses but cows and dogs as well, are also connected to, therefore we do have many horse data available.  Since 2016 we do have an online pedigree database available with free access for everyone, it is based on a very advanced system that got a lot of praise and recognition.  This database is updated daily.  Our Society’s home page offers the possibility to our members to promote their horses for sale as well as giving information on special events and on horses having achieved special successes. Our online database of stallions licensed for breeding within our Society allows careful selection of sires.

We also use an Arabian Horse Magazine to report on activities within the Society and of course on the Arabian horse in general.  We really hope that with all these efforts and with the support of members delivered by our Registry office, our Society will be able to attract more people to spend their life with Purebred Arabian Horses and to encourage them to start up their own breeding programmes.  Thank you for your attention.

REPORT AT 2017 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Alexander Hofmann, Germany: Your Royal Highness, Mr. President, members of the Executive Committee, delegates, ladies and gentlemen.  From us a hearty thanks to His Highness King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and all the local people which are involved in this wonderful Conference.  My name is Alexander Hofmann, I am Deputy Chairman of the German Arab Horse Society, VZAP. In the name of the Board of our organisation and of all German breeders and owners, I would like to express our thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome.

Our society is not only taking care of purebred Arabian horses, but also of those of other Arabian derivative breeds like Anglo-Arabs, Shagya Arabs and Part-bred Arabian horses.  Approximately 360 purebred Arabian stallions are used for breeding and service within our Society. The number of registered purebred Arabian brood mares actively used in breeding is about 1,020, which means around 4% less than in 2015.  Our foal registration number of purebred Arabian foals has also dropped by 4% to a total number of 600 foals in 2016.  The number of exported horses, 230 in 2016, remains approximately on the same level compared to 2015. Our imported horses’ registration number has increased by 44%. So all in all, we do have selected breeding activity producing foals of high quality which enjoy great popularity all over the world.  Since 2010 all foals are microchipped. The CA testing and SCID is mandatory for all horses used in breeding.

With a total number of 1,605 members, the German Arabian Horse Society is a very active community. About 7 major shows or events are being organized or supported by our organization. The most famous one is the well-known All Nations Cup event taking place every year at the end of September in the city of Aachen, in combination with ridden classes. The constitution of our organization is based on committees taking care of different matters like sports and performance, breeding, public relations and youth work. These committees are staffed professionally with very active members who are working closely together with the VZAP headquarters, in order to promote the Arabian horse and to attract as many people as possible.

Our Society is connected with a central database which several other German breeding societies are also connected to, therefore we do have available many horse data. We do have an online pedigree database available for all our members only. We would appreciate acceptance from WAHO for this to be used as online studbook volume 10 by other registries too, as this method would be the best up-to-date information service for all of you. The stud book will include 102,000 horses. Our homepage offers the possibility to our members to promote their horses for sale as well, as it is giving information on special events and on horses having achieved special successes. Our online database of stallions licensed for breeding within our society allows careful selection of sires.  We also use an Arabian Horse Magazine to report on activities within the society and on the Arabian horse in general.  We really hope that with all these efforts our Society will not only contribute to maintain the wonderful breed of Arabian horses, but even more importantly that we will attract more people to share and enjoy their lives with them.  Thank you for your attention.

REPORT AT 2014 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Dr. Michael Kersebaum, Germany: Mr. President, members of the Executive Committee, delegates, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dr. Michael Kersebaum, I have the honour to be the President of the German Arabian Horse Society, VZAP. In the name of the Board of our organization and of all German breeders, owners and friends of the Arabian horse I would like to express our cordial thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome and ongoing hospitality.

Our society is not only taking care of Purebred Arabian horses, but also of those of other derivative Arabian breeds like Anglo-Arabs, Shagya Arabs and Partbred Arabian horses. Approximately 450 Purebred Arabian stallions are used for breeding and service within our society. The number of registered Purebred Arabian broodmares actively used in breeding is about 1,120. Our foal registration number of Purebred Arabian foals has unfortunately dropped by 12% to 773 foals in 2013. Having a look at all figures, there is a slight decrease in breeding activities being also caused by a lesser number of members. The breeding activities are more selected and are producing higher quality. This higher quality may also be seen in the big number of exported horses which increases steadily. In the period from 2009 up to 2013 there is an increase of 94% in exports, whereas the number of imported horses is nearly steady. In 2014 we exported 350 horses.

Since 2010 all foals are microchipped. The CA-testing is mandatory for all horses used in breeding. With a total number of 2,140 members, the German Arab Horse Society is a very active community. About 7 major shows or events are being organized respectively supported by our organization. The most famous one is the well-known All Nations Cup event taking place every year at the last weekend of September in Aachen, in combination with ridden classes. In 2014 it was already the 32nd All Nations Cup.

The constitution of our organization has been changed in the way that the whole directorate has downsized to 8 persons, the Executive Board consists of 4 persons like before. New committees have been established taking care of different matters like sports and performance, breeding, public relations and youth work and show organization. These committees are staffed professionally with very active members who are working closely together with the VZAP headquarters in order to promote the Arabian horse and to attract as many people as possible.

The recently established racing society FUGARO (First United German Arabian Racehorse Organisation), having both German breeding societies (VZAP and ZSAA) as company members, is recognized in Germany as the solely accepted organization for races with purebred Arabian horses serving as a performance test. While the racing was nearly down to zero, FUGARO organized 8 races last year and 14 races in 2014. This goes together with an increase in the number of horses in training by nearly 150%. These events enjoyed great popularity and benefits on promoting the Arabian Horse to be used successfully in sports as well.

Our society is connected with a central database where several other German breeding societies are also connected, therefore data exchange is given within Germany. Since recently, we do have an online pedigree database for our members only. We are just about to arrange access for the WAHO office. We would appreciate acceptance from WAHO to be used as online studbook volume X by other registries too as this method would be the best up-to-date information service for all of you.

Our homepage offers the possibility to our members to promote their horses for sale as well as giving information on special events and on horses having achieved special successes. Our online database of stallions licensed for breeding within our society allows careful selection of sires. We also use an Arabian Horse Magazine to report on activities within the society and on the Arabian horse in general. We really hope that with all these efforts our society will not only contribute to maintain the wonderful breed of Arabian horses, but better to infect more people to share their lives with them. Thank you for your attention.

REPORT AT 2011 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Mrs. Bettina von Kameke, Germany: Mr. President, members of the Executive Committee, delegates, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Bettina von Kameke and along with Mr. Manfred Hain, the Chairman of the German Arab Horse Society, VZAP, I am a delegate for this Conference. In the name of all German breeders and owners I would first of all like to express our respects towards our hosts, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, as well as towards His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. We are delighted about your warm hospitality and the spectacular development of this wonderful horse country.

At the moment, we are working on our studbook volume 15, which will be available as a CD and online in the next 6 months. Most of you will be aware of the statistics published in the annual report, which is on your tables, which shows that our import and export traffic has slowed down slightly. Despite continuously registering approximately 1,000 purebred Arabian foals per year, the number of purebred mares and stallions in breeding has steadily decreased over the years, and closed with 1,304 purebred mares and 626 purebred stallions in the year 2010. The stable foal number, alongside the decreasing number of the mares, suggests more intense breeding programmes, having fewer coverings but the same number of foals is a sign for better health quality. Further statistics in the report concern the registration of new purebred broodmares, showing a solid figure of around 250 per year and the number of stallions that pass the licensing where they have to prove their qualities and characters in dressage, showjumping, race and cross-country is coming to an average of 10 stallions a year. Finally, since 2010 all horses are microchipped, and have to be CA tested.

With a total number of 1,220 breeders and almost the same number of passive members, the German Arab Horse Society is a very active community. Around 7 major shows or events are being organized or supported by the German Arab Horse Society every year, next to several sport competitions, halter shows and breeding events by regional associations for Arabian horses. The most famous show which you all know is, of course, the All Nations Cup. The German Society for Arabian Horse Racing, DRAV, organized 20 races and the German Society for Endurance Riding and Endurance Racing, VDD, organized about 220 rides. The VDD has just started to install a database for all competing horses, so in future we will be able to monitor the tremendous participation of Arabian horses in the endurance sport scene. The bronze medal for the German Endurance Team at the last World Equestrian Games in Kentucky is the best example of promotion for the increasing demand of Arabian horses. Generally, it seems to be easier to attract people for riding competitions than for shows at the moment. The number of entries for riding competition at the German National Championships in Aachen is not only growing but almost exploding, because of more and more international participants.

In order to promote the Arabian horse and to attract as many people as possible, the activities are shared between the VZAP headquarters and the regional associations. Whenever there is a horse exhibition in one of the bigger cities, such as Equitana in Essen, or HansePferd in Hamburg, the breeders and riders of that region make an appearance in the form of either a presentation or a booth, to network with other organizations. Additionally, invitations from the regional associations to leisure activities such as trail rides, breeder trips to visit other studs or presentations, are meant to create partnership with Arabian horse lovers and horses. The WAHO Trophy is also an important award for promotion and this year went to Zid Ibn El Zahim, a Western horse born in 1997. The grey stallion, winner of several championships, again and again thrilled the crowd with his spins and turns.

As much as emotions are a good marketing tool, and love is the basis for a good relationship between man and horse, knowledge and know-how are also of the most immense importance. Therefore, we offer lots of clinics in all parts of Germany for breeders and horse-lovers, concerning questions of health as well as training, showing, judging and breeding Arabian horses. On our homepage we let people know about successful horses and give them incentives to join us. In a few weeks a new Arabian horse magazine will start to inform about the activities of the Society, its horses and members, and use the opportunity to create overall enthusiasm for the Arabian horse. Thank you very much for your attention.

STATISTICS FOR 2011:

Foals registered: 871

Horses exported: 253

Horses imported: 55

REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:

My name is Sylvie Eberhardt, I am the German delegate for this Conference and I am today standing in for the Chairman of the German Arab Horse Society Mr. Wolfgang Eberhardt, and our General Secretary, Mr. Dieter Von Kleist. I also bring you greetings from all the breeders and owners in Germany.

Before I inform you about the statistics of the purebred Arabian horse breeding in Germany, first let me tell you that we have just finished our new German Arabian Stud Book for purebred Arabian horses, this Volume includes the breeding stock of the Main and State Stud farm Marbach, and the horses bred in Luxembourg. It covers the period 1999-2006, including the registered foals until 2008.

At the end of 2008 we had a total number of 2,771 Society members. We registered 1,090 purebred Arabian foals in 2008, with 1,592 breeding mares and 627 breeding stallions. As reasons for the reasons for the decrease of breeding mares and stallions over the last 3 years, we assume not only the age factor but also the market situation. On the other hand, we can take the increase of registered foals in 2008 as a positive development due to the promotion strategy of our Society. In 2008 we registered 100 imported purebred Arabian horses and exported 307. The increase of imports and decrease of exports over the last 3 years reflects healthier breeding policies.

Based on the experiences of our Sub-Commissions, which are organizing plenty of different activities around the purebred Arabian horse, we have to lift up the estimated number of living purebred Arabian horses in Germany in 2008 to about 25,000. DNA is used for parent verification. The use of microchipping is currently optional. We allow 5 foals per mare per year by Embryo Transfer. In the last weekend of September each year, the German Arab Horse Society organizes the famous All Nations Cups Show at Aachen. Since 2006, this has been held together with the German National Championships Show. The awarding of the WAHO Trophy is a very important part of the All Nations Cup. This important event weekend is followed by our Stallion Show, also held at Aachen.

The German Arab Horse Society organizes two riding competitions, one at Strohen and one at Aachen on the occasion of the All Nations Cup. These competitions offer classes for dressage and showjumping and both saw an increase in the number of riders and horses in 2008. In Strohen for example there were 87 horses, and 90 at Aachen. In 2008 we also had 6 ECAHO halter shows of different levels organized by private persons.

For racing, we have the German Society for Arabian Horse Racing, they work in cooperation with our Society but organize and run the racing independently from us. For endurance riding, there is the German Society for Endurance Riding and Racing, this Society controls the organization of endurance rides and administers all the results. There are between 120 and 150 endurance rides in Germany each year. Thanks to the fact that in every region of Germany, Sub-Commissions of our German Arab Horse Society are organizing breeders’ seminars, breeding and riding competitions, endurance riding, western riding, dressage, showjumping, and cross-country events, we have a lot of activities for purebred Arabian horses. The goal of the Board of our German Arab Horse Society is to educate our breeders, and by demonstrating the various possibilities to use the Arabian horse to open new markets for the breed in our country. The tools are the original Sub-Commissions and the activities. For more detailed information, please visit our website, www.vzap.org . This was the report of the German Arab Horse Society. Thank you so much for your attention.

REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:

In April 2007 we had a new election of our Society’s Board, now Mr. Wolfgang Eberhardt is the Chairman of the German Arab Horse Society, and Mr. Dieter Von Kleist is our General Secretary. The office of the German Arab Horse Society is still located in Hanover. Our Society registers purebred Arabian horses, Shagyas, Anglo-Arabs and Partbred Arabs. Our Society also registers the Arabian horses kept in Marbach main and State Stud Farm, and those in Luxembourg. Therefore these horses are also included in our statistics.

At the end of 2006 we had a total number of 2,983 Society members, divided into 1,559 active members and 1,424 non-active members. In 2006 we registered 1,007 purebred Arabian foals. We had 1,787 purebred mares and 769 purebred stallions were registered for breeding, of those purebred mares 1,647 were covered by purebred Arabian stallions. The main and State Stud Marbach owns 25 purebred mares and 6 purebred stallions and in the year 2006 we registered 10 foals for them. These horses are also included in the total amount as I mentioned before. The foal registrations have dropped by 48% during the past 11 years, comparing to the year 1995 when the maximum number of foals we ever registered in our Society totalled 1,959. Our mares are mostly covered by natural service, but Artificial Insemination via fresh, chilled, or frozen semen, both domestic and imported, is allowed, as well as Embryo transfer. In the year 2006 only two studs were interested in Embryo transfer but no foal was actually born or produced by Embryo transfer.

In the year 2006 we imported only 62 purebred Arabians, mostly from Italy, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. On the other hand we had the extremely high number of 476 exported horses, mainly to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Belgium. I can tell you that we have already 142 exported purebred Arabian horses for the first 3 months in 2007. At first, this seems to be good but it only reflects the difficult market situation for purebred Arabian horses and also the common financial and economic situation in Germany. The number of living purebred Arabian horses is still estimated at about 15,000. The last hard-covered printed stud book we published was volume number 6/7, which included all mares and stallions up to 1998 and their purebred Arabian foals. We do not consider to produce a printed stud book any more, but we have produced a CDRom in September 2002, which contains all purebred Arabian horses we have ever registered since our Society was founded and we plan an update soon, at the end of 2007.

We still organize our Stallion Show at Aachen each year in October, where any stallions which the owner would like to have entered for breeding are presented for identity verification, re-taking samples for DNA, SCID testing and measurements such as height, depth of birth, and cannon bone circumference. Since the year 2003 we changed the method of parent verification completely from blood-typing to DNA. Since 1998 we have issued passports for all foals and since July 2000 the EU has required us to issue passports for all horses born before 1998. We issue two documents, the passport plus the document of ownership. We also have a computerized database for registered Arabians.

Since 1999 we developed an Elite Broodmare and Stallion scheme, not only to acknowledge and honour Arabian mares and stallions of particular significance but also to provide as much information as possible for the breeders and to help them with their planning and breeding decisions. Further information as well as the Elite Mare and Stallions can be found on the homepage of our website, www.vzap.com

The principal activities for purebred Arabians in Germany are breeding, showing, endurance riding, racing, dressage, showjumping and cross-country as well as western riding and of course just pleasure riding. In the last weekend of September each year the German Arab Horse Society organizes the All Nations Cup Show at Aachen, always in co-operation with the All Nations Cup Committee.

In 2007 Germany registered 1,042 foals, and processed 306 exports and 169 imports.

Trophy Winners


AL ASHAR – 2016 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

AL ASHAR, Grey Stallion, 2005 (Ashur/Aswana)
Breeder & Owner: Mrs. Helena Hecker
Strain: Kehailan Dajani (Mlecha, ca. 1840)

AL ASHAR by ASHUR out of ASWANA bred and owned by Mrs. Helena Hecker was awarded the WAHO Trophy 2016, with the presentation made on the occasion of this year’s All Nations Cup Festival in Aachen. He has also received VZAP Elite title in 2016 for his special achievements in sports and breeding.

(from left to right): Anna Katharina Wiegner (General Manager & Head of Breeding VZAP), Helena Hecker (breeder and owner of the winning horse), Al Ashar with rider Larissa Lazarevic, Marek Trela,
Wolfgang Eberhardt (President VZAP)
Photo: Jan Kan

This grey stallion was born in 2005. He was approved in Luhmühlen in 2010 and passed the stallion performance test in field that same year.
Not only was this the beginning of a successful breeding career for AL ASHAR, it also started a sports career all of us take pride in. His quick forelegs, very good bascule as well as a lot of foresight and ability distinguish this champion show jumper of 2010. To this day AL ASHAR has been incredibly successful in a variety of sport events. This stallion has achieved numerous victories and placements in jumping up to medium class L as well as in dressage. In eventing he has placed within the novice class A. Therefore AL ASHAR easily meets the requirements of the stallion performance test for riding pony breeding.
And as if that were not enough, this athletic stallion participated in C-Show events on a national level in 2005 and 2006, where he proved that he is able to draw attention to himself and convince the judges of his high quality.
Furthermore, AL ASHAR has distinguished himself as a sire. Besides the award-winning offspring of his own breed, he has also accomplished a lot outside of his own race. With AL ASHAR, an Arabian stud stallion was once again on the Landgestüt Dillenburg this season. The experts there have chosen this purebred Arabian horse for refinement of breed.
This stallion distinguishes himself with his outstanding temperament, his willingness to perform, his honesty and heart.


ZID IBN EL ZAHIM – 2011 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

ZID IBN EL ZAHIM, Grey stallion, 1997 (El Zahim / Orena)
Breeder: Walter Luksch, Owner: Dr. Martin Pauli
Strain: Kehailan Rodan (Rodania, 1869)

The VZAP awarded their 2011 WAHO Trophy to the exceptionally talented stallion Zid Ibn El Zahim. An expert Western and Reining horse, he has been three times European Western Pleasure Champion and two times European Reining Champion, ridden by his owner Martin Pauli.

Zid Ibn El Zahim with his owner Martin Pauli

Zid Ibn El Zahim with his owner Martin Pauli in the saddle on the way to their second Gold Medal in Reining
photo: G. Waiditschka / IN THE FOCUS


SHAKAAR IBN SANADIVA – 2010 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

SHAKAAR IBN SANADIVA, Bay stallion, *2001 (Kubinec / Om El Sanadiva).
Owner/Breeder: Ralf Heckenbücker.
Strain: Seglawi Jedran of Ibn Soudan (Roga, 1882).

The German Arabian Horse Society awarded their 2010 WAHO Trophy in a well-received public ceremony during the Nations Cup Championships in Aachen. The winner is the talented bay stallion Shakaar Ibn Sanadiva. The 9 year-old, bred and owned by Ralf Heckenbücker, was not only decorated thanks to his own performance in show and sport, but also thanks to his breeding success. He is a multi show champion both in halter and under saddle, and has also competed successfully in dressage.

Among his many titles he has been Reserve German National Champion at halter and has also won 3 European Championships titles at the European Championships for Arabian Sports horses in Stadl-Paura. In 2008 he has achieved the title Classic All Around Champion and one year later he took the same title again plus one title in Classic Pleasure. He has also been Supreme Champion and Gold Medal winner at a VZAP stallion grading.

A son of the renowned Tersk-bred stallion Kubinec and the incomparable broodmare Om El Sanadiva, this full brother to Reserve World Champion and US National Champion stallion FS Bengali has already brought remarkable offspring who have already themselves been decorated as Champions, including Italian National Champion colt FS Al Shabah, and Reserve Italian National Champion colt FS Positano. Another success which must not be overlooked is his Anglo-Arabian filly that has already achieved the foal premium title.

Photo L-R:  Sigi Constanti, breeder of Om El Sanadiva; Dr. Hans-Joachim Nagel, President of WAHO; Lisa Heckenbücker; Ralf Heckenbücker, breeder, and Frank Spönle, handler.
L-R: Sigi Constanti, breeder of Om El Sanadiva; Dr. Hans-Joachim Nagel, President of WAHO; Lisa Heckenbücker; Ralf Heckenbücker, breeder, and Frank Spönle, handler.


SANTHOS – 2009 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

SANTHOS, Grey Stallion, *1981 (Pierrot/Saika).
Breeder: Mrs. Eleonora Hussmann, Römerwall Stud. Owner: Caroline Baer, Enserhof Stud.
Strain: Not Recorded (Family of Milordka, 1816).

The VZAP were very pleased to honour the 28-year old stallion Santhos with their 2009 WAHO Trophy, which was awarded to his breeder Mrs. Eleonora Hussman in a public ceremony during the All Nations Cup Show at Aachen. A successful racehorse himself, with 2 wins and 4 seconds from 6 starts, it is as the pre-eminent German sire of excellent racehorses both at home and world-wide that he has made his mark. He achieved excellent comments at the 1984 German stallion licensing, being specially praised for his conformation and movement. Having spent the majority of his breeding career at his home stud with his breeder Mrs. Hussman, at the age of 21 he moved to the Enserhof Stud in Bavaria, where he has remained ever since.

Santhos, whose pedigree is of Polish lines, is the sire of approximately 200 foals, more than 60 have raced of which 43 individuals have been victorious, including 53 wins in important Group 1 races. These impressive statistics have made Santhos one of the leading sires of racehorses in Europe. Now it is his sons and daughters who carry his flag on into the next generation.

To save the old horse the arduous journey from his home in Bavaria to Aachen, he was represented for the Trophy presentation by one of his grandsons.


Left to right: Wolfgang Eberhardt (Council Member, VZAP), Diether von Kleist (General Secretary, VZAP), Susanne Koller (Council Member, VZAP), the stallion IS ORLOW (grandson of Santhos), Dr. Nils Ismer (owner of IS Orlow), Caroline Baer (owner of Santhos), Manfred Hain (Chairman, VZAP), Eleonore & Gerhard Hussmann (breeders of Santhos).


PAMIR I – 2008 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

PAMIR I, Grey Stallion, *1990 (Penthagonn x Shams El Inaza).
Breeder: Mrs. Margherita Hospowsky, Germany. Owner: Haupt und Landgestüt Marbach, Germany.
Strain: Hadban Enzahi (Elsissa I, 1870)

The 2008 WAHO Trophy for Germany was presented to the stallion Pamir I by WAHO President Dr. Hans-J. Nagel in a well received public ceremony on the occasion of the All Nations Cup in Aachen.

On his sire’s side PAMIR I carries the blood of the elite stallions Penthagonn, Pasat and Diem and on his dam’s side he has the blood of the elite stallions Ibrahim, Mohamed and Nazir. Despite his Polish- bred sire, Pamir I is regarded as a representative of the Weil breeding line of Bairactar (OA). It is mainly owed to Pamir I that this traditional bloodline has returned to its origin in the stud farm Weil-Marbach.

Having received a top grade of 7 (licensed to cover all breeds) in 1993, on the occasion of his 100-days Performance Test Pamir I showed his ability impressively and won with 136.82 points. After that he passed into Marbach’s possession.

Not only his noble type, but also his abilities as a riding horse and the correctness of his conformation are very important features as regards his use for breeding and to date he has some 70 purebred Arabian offspring born in Germany.

So far four of his sons have passed their Performance Tests with more than 100 points, Shalimar II (out of Shidari by Madkour I) was the best with 124.93 points.

Several of his warm-blood offspring are also proving successful in sport competitions. More than 20 of his offspring have been registered as sport horses with the FN (Fédération Equestre Nationale); 9 of them achieved good results until the end of 2007.

Click to Enlarge
Left to right: Breeder Margherita Hospowsky and her husband; Marbach Stud Director Dr. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, Pamir I, and Horst Koenig who presented the stallion to the audience.
Photo copyright: Susanne Boesche.


MAHAB – 2007 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

MAHAB, Grey stallion, (Dahab / Mahmouda)
Breeder: Otto Schmidt Owner: Inge Kühne
Strain: Dahman Shahwan (El Dahma 1879).

The German Arab Horse Society (VZAP) selected the stallion Mahab as their winner of the WAHO Trophy 2007. The award was made at the 2007 All Nations Cup in Aachen, with a very nice presentation ceremony.

Mahab’s achievements include the following: Class winner and Reserve Champion, Marbach 1998. 3rd place All Nations Cup, 1998. Best in Show, Paderborn 1999. Classwinner, International Show, Kreuth 1999. Combination-Class (Riding & In-Hand) winner, Paderborn 1999. 2nd place, German National Championships, 2000.

Mahab has also proved an excellent ambassador for the Arabian breed in Germany, being several times winner and very many times places in Dressage, also in open competition against other breeds. This is a great achievement in a country where dressage is highly competitive. He is trained and ridden for dressage by Susanne and Hans-Jorg Radant.

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Susanne Radandt on Mahab and her husband Hans-Joerg with son Philipp being presented with
the WAHO Trophy by Dr. Hans-J. Nagel, WAHO President.
(Photo: Susanne Boesche)


MAYSOUN – 2006 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

MAYSOUN, Grey stallion, 1985 (Ansata Halim Shah / Maysouna)
Breeders & Owners: Karin & Gunter Maiworm, Maiworm Stud.
Strain: Seglawi Jedran of Ibn Soudan (Roga 1882).

The Verband der Zuchter und Freunde des Arabischen Pferdes awarded their WAHO Trophy for the first time in 2006. The recipient was named as the 25-year old stallion, Maysoun, a distinguished sire with offspring spread throughout Europe and also to be found in the Middle East.

The reason Maysoun was chosen for this special award is that he is the only stallion in Germany who has produced 8 sons which have all been awarded a Gold Medal at the annual German Stallion Show. Among the “great 8” are Maydan-Madheen (out of Mesoudah-M); Authentic Ibn Nawaal (out of AK Nawaal) and Orashaan (out of Orasha). These three ‘Golden’ sons were exhibited to the enthusiastic audience in a special ceremony at the 2006 Nations Cup Show in Aachen, Germany, as proof of the prepotency of Maysoun as a sire of significance. The WAHO Trophy was presented to Mrs. Karin Maiworm by Dr. Hans-J. Nagel, President of WAHO.

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Photo: by www.ErwinEscher.com(c)
L-R: ORASHAAN (son of MAYSOUN), Mr. Kai Nehring,
Mrs. Karin Maiworm (breeder and owner of MAYSOUN),
Dr. Hans-J. Nagel (WAHO President), MAYDAN-MADHEEN (son of Maysoun).


2005 WAHO Trophy Winner – Germany

The Verband der Zuchter des Arabischen Pferdes (VZAP) have not yet awarded the 2005 WAHO Trophy, but have informed us that they plan to do so in the near future.