REPORT AT 2011 WAHO CONFERENCE:
I am Winand Bijnens, Registrar of the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry. We thank His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, the Organizing Committee and the President and Executive Committee of WAHO for making this Conference possible, a really unique event in the horse world. This is the report of the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry.
In 2010, the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry issued the studbook online in which all pure-bred Arabian horses registered in Belgium are entered. You can consult the studbook online through the following internet address, www.arabianhorse.be . The studbook online is updated monthly, even weekly. Of course, the latest paper volume is also available for those who wish to add the book to their collection. This volume 11 covers the period 2005-2008. The estimated number of living Arabian horses in Belgium is 6,000. Some figures in the information sheet you have need some explanation. The number of registered foals has increased from 397 in 2009 to 444 in 2010, although we should note that some of these were born in the previous year and delays in their registration were due to the mandatory rules for micro-chipping in the EU, which can lead to a slight delay in administration for all authorities involved. In fact the number of foals actually born in 2010 has decreased from 413 to 347, but is similar to 2008 when 343 were born and more than in 2007 when 311 were born. So overall our figures remain fairly steady. The number of imports and exports are more or less the same each year, with an average of 80 imports and 130 exports. The number of exports is higher than the number of imports each year. Belgium has a lot of professional training stables where Arabian horses from all over the world are prepared for both national and international shows. Also foreign breeding stallions do come into our country for a certain time, sometimes for semen collection and freezing at licensed quarantine facilities, sometimes on lease. This may explain the fairly high number of exports, as a lot of these show horses are sold on to other countries or they return to their homeland at the end of the show or breeding season.
The main organized activities for Arabians in Belgium are the usual ones of Showing, Endurance and Racing, as well as Dressage and a little bit of Western Riding which is also popular. And of course recreational riding remains the most important use of Arabian horses in Belgium. Each year, members of our Society organise about 5 shows, all recognized by ECAHO, at which halter, ridden and liberty classes are offered. Every 2 years, the European Championship for Arabian Horses takes place in Moorsele, and in addition the Egyptian Event Europe is organized annually in Belgium. The estimated number of horses taking part at the shows is 200 or just under 4% of the living Arabians in Belgium.
Endurance is probably the oldest equestrian sport popular with Arabian horse riders in Belgium, it is coordinated by 3 organisations: VLP, LRV and KBRSF. Each year 35 races are organized. Our Society actively encourages Belgian riders by organising the BAPS-Challenge, in which participating horses must be Arabian horses or Arabian-derivatives registered in Belgium, and the owners of the participating horses must be members of BAPS. The winners receive money prizes. Also, members of BAPS who own a horse that takes part in the European or World Championship in Endurance, at which events we are proud to say that our Belgian riders and teams do very well, is encouraged by BAPS through sponsoring. The estimated number of registered Arabians regularly taking part in endurance is 100, just under 2% of our Arabian horse population.
Racing has been organized in Belgium since 1989, when a small group of breeders and owners took the initiative to start racing. The Arabian Horse Racing Club of Belgium (AHRCB) was founded in 1994. Each year, about 10 races are organized at the racetracks in Belgium, last year it was a bit less due to the restoration of some racetracks. The estimated number of horses taking part in racing is approximately 20, which represents only about half of one per cent of our Arabian horse population.
In 1995, the organization "Dressuur Arabische Paarden" (DAP), specifically for Arabians competing in dressage, was founded. More and more Arabian horse enthusiasts were interested in dressage and in taking lessons, others were already familiar with dressage for years and all of them were very happy with the foundation of their own club. DAP organises about 7 competitions each year, and the best horses also take part in open competition against other breeds. The estimated number of horses taking part at dressage is approximately 75, or 0,75 % of the population. Western riding for Arabians is rather new in Belgium, and as yet there is no club for this discipline but there are a number of enthusiasts who want to start an association. In the meanwhile, the Arabians compete against other breeds and some do very well.
To promote the breed, BAPS has published a comprehensive book on the Arabian horse, with wonderful photos by the world famous photographers of the Van Lent family, each new member receives a book for free and BAPS has a stand at each show where we sell the books to the new interested visitors. BAPS has also published a promotional DVD with some very nice film footage of Arabians in Belgium, this is sold at both shows and events. It is given for free to our new members and if anyone here is interested in a copy of our book or our DVD, do let me know and I will send it to you.
Each year BAPS selects the horse that has been the most remarkable over the last year for the WAHO trophy which is officially presented at the Belgian National Championship Show. In 2010, the WAHO Trophy for Belgium was won by the stallion Orfeo, 21 years old by Pedant out of Opala, owned by Leo Liesens and bred by the Haras des Iviers. He is a remarkable endurance horse and has an outstanding international endurance record. All details about this stallion and the reasons for him being awarded our WAHO Trophy for 2010 have been published on the WAHO website.
The BAPS committee has two members who are responsible for updating the knowledge of our members. We use our website, which is www.arabianhorse.be, for a lot of this information, most of the website is available in Dutch, French and English and, within a few months, in German. Every 3 months BAPS issues a magazine named BAPS-News, which is very much appreciated by our 1000 members. Last but not least, in 2011 we organized 2 national judging courses, one in Dutch and one in French. After this course an exam is organised, the people who pass will be placed on the National list of show judges. This concludes the Belgian Report. Thank you.
STASTISTICS FOR 2011:
Foals registered: 377
Horses Exported: 137
Horses Imported: 90
REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:
I am Winand Bijnens, Secretary, and my co-delegate is Jean Dardenne, President of the Belgian Arabian Horse Society. We would like to thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, The Royal Court Affairs, and the Organizing Committee, the President and the Executive Committee of WAHO, for making this Conference possible. It is a really unique event in the horse world.
The Belgian Arabian Horse Registry's current stud-book published is Volume 10. This volume covers the period 2001 to 2004. Our next volume, number 11, is to be published in 2009. In 2008, BAPS registered 238 purebred Arabian foals. We imported 55 horses and exported 56 horses. The number of foals born has decreased a little bit and this due to the Belgian legislation that all horses should be microchipped before registration. As there is still a lot of administration to do, in all authorities involved outside BAPS, there is a slight delay. The number of imports and exports are more or less the same as in the last two years. In 2006, due to the WAHO rule that each horse should be registered in the country of birth, the number of imports increased with a total of 93 and the number of exports tripled from 52 in 2005 to 161 in 2006. In 2007, the number of imports decreased again to 68 and the number of exports to 94. The estimated number of living horses is 5,500. Since 1st July 2008 all Belgian horses have to be microchipped. The system we are using is ISO 11784. We allow Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer and we allow multiple foals per mare.
The popular activities for purebred Arabian horses in Belgium are showing, endurance, racing, dressage, and western riding. Each year we organize about 5 Shows that are recognized by ECAHO, these shows are organized by members of our Society. The horses are shown in the following ways: halter, ridden classes and liberty classes. Every two years, the European Championship for Arabian Horses takes place in Moorsele, and every year the Egyptian Event Europe takes place in Belgium. The estimated number of horses taking part at each of these shows is 250.
Endurance is probably the oldest riding discipline, and is coordinated by two organisations: VLP and KBRSF. Each year 35 endurance rides are organized in Belgium. BAPS encourages the Belgian riders by organising the ‘BAPS-Challenge’. The participating horses must be purebred Arabian horses or crosses of purebred Arabian horses, registered in Belgium, and the owners of the participating horses must be members of BAPS. The winners of the BAPS-Challenge receive monetary prizes. Members of BAPS who are the owner of a horse that takes part in the European or World Endurance Championships is encouraged by BAPS through sponsorship. The estimated number of horses taking part in endurance is about 2%.
In 1989, a small group of breeders and owners of purebred Arabian horses in Belgium took the initiative to start racing. In 1994, the Arabian Horse Racing Club of Belgium was founded. Each year, about 10 races are organized at the racetracks in Belgium, and BAPS sponsors these races. The estimated number of horses taking part is racing is 0.5%.
In 1995, the organization "Dressuur Arabische Paarden" (DAP) was founded. More and more enthusiasts of the Arabian horse were interested in dressage and in taking lessons. Others were already familiar with dressage for years and were very happy with the foundation of their own club. On a yearly basis, DAP organises about 7 competitions. The estimated number of horses taking part at dressage is 0.75%.
The discipline of Western Riding is rather new in Belgium. Unfortunately, there is no club yet for this discipline but there are a number of enthusiasts who want to start an association.
Each year in October, BAPS organises the Stallion Licensing Show. Stallions that will be 3 years old in the next breeding season may be presented for the first time. Then they have to represent at 4, 6 and 8 years old. The stallions of 8 years and older may be excused from of presentation each year. All our stallions are accepted as a breeding stallion, if they do not have hereditary defects.
To promote the purebred Arabian horse, BAPS has published a book on the Arabian horse, with nice photos by the world famous photographer, Van Lent. This book contains the origin and history of the breed, its exterior and characteristics, the families and types, the different bloodlines, the influence of the purebred Arabian horse to other breeds, information on the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry and on the different disciplines. Each new member receives a book for free and at each show, BAPS has a stand where it sells the books to the new interested visitors. BAPS is also working on a promotion DVD which will be sold at shows and events and we will present it for free to all Members of WAHO within a month.
Each year BAPS chooses the horse that has been the most remarkable over the last year, to receive the much desired WAHO Trophy which is presented at the Belgian National Championship show. In 2008, the WAHO Trophy for Belgium was won by the mare Krizia, she is 19 years old by Pedant out of Krisella, owned and bred by Haras des Iviers. She had an outstanding international endurance record herself and so also have her offspring, even to the second generation. All details about this mare and the reasons for her being awarded our WAHO Trophy for 2008 have been published on the WAHO website.
As regards education, the BAPS Committee has one member that is responsible for the information of our members. Every 2 years, BAPS organises a judging course, one in Dutch and one in French. After this course, an exam is organised and BAPS asks the members of its Annual General Meeting to nominate the candidates who passed the exam to become a Belgian judge on the National list. The national judges have to pass one more exam from ECAHO to be on the European list of judges. Thank you.
REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:
The current published stud book of Belgium is Volume 10, it covers all entries between 2001 and 2004, our next volume number 11 is due for 2010 and it will cover all entries between 2005 and 2009.
The number of purebred Arabian foals registered in 2005 was 409, in 2006 we registered 280 foals. The number represents an increase due to an increasing demand on the market and probably the issuing on an introductory book which we produced to promote our horses on a broader scale. Active breeding stallions in 2006 numbered 217, active breeding mares in 2006 number 350. We imported 91 horses in 2006, as a result of the new WAHO rule that a horse has to be registered in the country where it stays. The number of exports in 2006 was 151, this was double the number from 2005. We like to think that the quality of our horses is the reason for this success.
We do parent verification by DNA, using blood-samples. We do micro-chipping as of 1 January 2007 on all foals within 4 months after birth. All our horses will be chipped by July 2008. We use the chips of ISO standard 11784 and 11785. We allow Artificial Insemination, transported semen and Embryo transfer.
Our horses compete in such different activities as endurance, shows, dressage, western riding and flat races. There are normally around 7 shows, 12 race meetings and 92 endurance rides annually. All activities are organized by different societies with close links to our Registry and who are sponsored by BAPS. We issued an attractive introduction book about the Arabian horse in 2000 and a new edition in 2006, due to its overall success. It had a great response in the press and we have motivated a lot of new people to buy an Arabian horse, as our statistics show.
We have a form of stallion licensing activity and an education programme for new National show judges, which are both very successful.
In 2007 Belgium registered 311 foals, and processed 93 exports and 65 imports.
| AWAITING RESULT |
| DJAHMAL IBN KENDAL Grey gelding, 1996. (Ass-Kendal/N.A. Akiyda). Breeder: Henry Misson. Owner: Thierry Polet. Strain: Kehailan Moradi (Sahara, ca. 1840) |
| Dear Friends of the Arabian horse The Board of the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry (BAPS) has decided to award the "WAHO TROPHY 2012" for the most deserving purebred Arabian horse to AMIKA, the name by which the Arabian gelding DJAHMAL IBN KENDAL is better known to our country's young television viewers. He is truly an outstanding ambassador for the breed. |
| AMIKA (DJAHMAL IBN KENDAL) plays the starring role in a Flemish television series for young people carrying the same name, "AMIKA", which was produced by the well-known STUDIO 100 production company. The TV programme is aimed at children aged 8 and up. In it AMIKA features as a riding-school horse. Together with Merel, a young girl with whom the Arabian gelding has a special bond of friendship, AMIKA goes through all kinds of adventures full of suspense, humour and romance. In all, 156 episodes of the series were aired by KETNET, the Flemish television network for kids, in the years 2008 - 2011. The series was a huge success, not only in Belgium, but also in many countries abroad (in Holland, Germany, Italy, Poland, etc.). At present a repeat of the series is running in Belgium, on KETNET again. In addition to DVD and CD releases of the popular programme, all kinds of associated items such as books, games, stationery articles, etc. were marketed, all bearing the image of AMIKA, the good old Arabian horse cherished by so many children. |
| AMIKA, a.k.a. DJAHMAL IBN KENDAL, has definitely attracted viewers’ attention to the purebred Arabian horse. The TV series starring him can be seen as an exceptionally positive means of promoting our Belgian breeding of Arabian horses . Therefore, the BAPS Board has decided to award the WAHO 2012 TROPHY to DJAHMAL IBN KENDAL. |
 Photo Left to right: Amika; Kelly Polet; Thierry Polet (holding Trophy); Helen Hennekens-Van Nes; Ilse Verbruggen; Winand Bijnens. (Photo credit: Jan Kan) |
| AWAITING RESULT |
| ORFEO Bay gelding, 1989. (Pedant / Opala). Breeder: Mrs. Scohier-Geets, Fages Des Iviers. Owner: Mr. Leonard Liesens. Strain: Kehailan Moradi (Sahara, ca. 1840). |
| BAPS is pleased to announce their 2010 WAHO Trophy winner is the remarkable endurance horse, Orfeo. The story of this small bay gelding’s career starts in the spring of 1997, when top rider Pierre Arould told Leo Liesens about this good Pedant son being for sale. Despite Orfeo throwing Leo off several times, he went ahead and bought him and soon forged a successful partnership. |
| In 1998, after a successful completion of a 160km ride in Gottingen, Germany, the pair represented Belgium at the Endurance World Championships in Dubai where Orfeo asserted himself as the top Belgian horse. In 19999 Orfeo won his first international 160km ride at Ermeloo in Holland, beating one of the best French riders, Jack Begaud himself. During the same year, Orfeo clinched 7th place at the European Championships in Badajoz, Spain. In 2000, back from another successful trip to Dubai, Orfeo won the Belgian Championships on 160km. The same year, he completed in 8th place at his second Endurance World Championships after a gruelling sprint on the racetrack. But afterwards the veterinarians diagnosed a tendonitis and there was the chance Orfeo would never compete again. However, after three years of good care and a slow rehabilitation, Orfeo came back in 2003 and won a 130 km in Belgium. Then in August 2003 he won one of the most prestigious races in France, the CEI*** at Compiegne. In 2005, he returned for the fourth time to Dubai, representing Belgium for the Endurance World Championships once more, where he led the Belgian Squad to the Team Bronze Medal. He was part of the Belgian team twice more, in 2005 at the European Championships in Compiegne where they won Team Gold, and in 2006 at the World Championships in Aachen. |
| In total, Orfeo took part in 4 World Championships and 2 European Championships, which is a record. He won three CEI*** and one CEI**. He completed eight 160km races which represents a record in Belgium. He finished his career in a blaze of glory – by completing his last 120km at the age of 20 years – in 2009 by the personal inviation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Euston Park in England. And now, retired from competition, Orfeo is delighting his co-owner Maddy by bringing her every day to the “Zonienwoud/Foret de Soignes” near Brussels. |
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| Orfeo with his owner/rider, Leo Liesens |
| JK CATALYST Bay stallion, 1998. (PR Krystl Prince / Victoria II HPS) Breeder: Family Oostervink. Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Juan & Ilse Murillo-Verbruggen | |
| Belgium is very pleased to announce that their 2009 WAHO Trophy winner is the stallion, JK Catalyst. | |
| His sire, PR Krystl Prince, now in Libya since 2005, is an American-bred Padrons Psyche son with numerous titles to his name, among them Reserve Junior Champion Stallion Lier, 1997, class winner Menton 1998, Top 5 at European and World Championships 1998, Reserve Senior Stallion Balen 1999, Champion Stallion Balen 2003. His spectacular movements made him the unbeaten international Liberty Champion, with victories in Kauberplatte DE 1999, Deurne NL 1999, Borgloon BE 2001 and 2002. | |
| JK Catalyst’s Brazilian-bred dam, Victoria II HPS, (RSD Dark Victory / Hillah NA), stands for success, beauty and elegance, she is simply one of a kind and has achieved a spectacular international show record. To name some of her wins, in 1995 she became Junior Champion Filly in Lebach and Kauberplatte and that same year she was the Reserve World Champion filly in Paris. In 1996, she was the Senior Champion Mare in Aachen and 1998 brought her the title of Liberty Champion Mare in Deurne NL. One year later, 1999, she came to Paris and became World Champion Senior Mare. After all this, she went to the Middle East, where her successes continued. Last year, 2008, she was Senior Champion Mare at the Egyptian International show in El Zahraa. JK Catalyst is the only offspring of this exquisite mare in Europe. | |
| And so, having established his pedigree, we can now talk about his own successes in the show ring. Amongst the various titles JK Catalyst has won over the years are: Junior Reserve Champion Stallion, Libramont 2000; Belgian Senior National Champion, Balen 2004; Senior Champion Stallion at the Arabian Masters in Bordeaux 2005, a year that also saw him as class winner in the Orientalica Show (Germany) and as Reserve Senior Stallion in Brecht. In 2006 he became Liberty Champion at the Elran Cup in Borgloon. It goes without saying that he is a first Premium stallion in the Belgian Stallion Licensing. In 2009, shown for the first time under saddle in the riding class in Libramont, he became Reserve National Champion. Whatever the results, wherever he has been shown, JK Catalyst has always been a particular favourite with the crowds. | |
 Photo: JK Catalyst’s co-owner Mr. Juan Murillo is presented with the WAHO Trophy by Mr. Winandus Bijnens from BAPS | |
| Standing for 10 years at Murillo Training Center, JK Catalyst has produced many high quality and successful offspring, among them Catinia De Saile, MJ Catfire, Caresse, Kalinka Ghadan, AHC Eskardo, Ffayietta, Legolas, and many others. His winning offspring have not been restricted to Pure breds only - horses such as Cateras Pasha and Archangel Pasha show a fantastic show record. Both went this year to France, where they continued their success. | |
| Aside from the showring, his offspring are also enjoying success in ridden disciplines as well. In 2007 Legolas was awarded the highest scores of the day during the dressage test in Brecht and in the same year he won Bronze twice at the DAP Championships and in 2009 he was National champion in the riding class in Libramont. Ffayietta is not only a class winner in the show ring, but she has also gone on to qualify for the CEI Endurance 100 kms distance after only 1 year in training. This brings her immediately to the top of the 6 year olds in Belgium for this demanding sport. | |
| Together with his impressive and distinctive physique, JK Catalyst has a marvellous show attitude and likeable temperament, all of which is normally passed on to his foals. He is ridden at home without compromising his in-hand performances. Catalyst has a great character, he likes to play, show off and have fun, but he has a heart of gold. He loves taking little Maya Murillo on his back around the yard! | |
| With this WAHO Trophy, BAPS acknowledges JK Catalyst as a Belgian-bred stallion of the highest quality who has produced quality offspring with amazing consistency, in both purebred Arabians and part breds, and we hope to see him and his progeny many times to come in the future. In short, JK Catalyst is a fantastic stallion, and above all a fantastic friend to so many of us. | |
| KRIZIABay Mare, 1989. (Pedant / Krisella). Breeder: Eveline Scohier-Geets. Owner: Fages des Iviers – Scohier P.E. Strain: Kehaileh Moradi (Sahara, ca. 1840). | |
| Because of her great endurance history and great descendants, the Board of Directors of the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry decided to dedicate their 2008 WAHO Trophy to Krizia. | |
This bay mare, born in 1989, is bred and owned by Fages des Iviers, the Scohier Family. Starting her endurance career in 1996, she went on to become one of Belgium’s best mares in this demanding sport, with a great international record:
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| In 2001, she ended her career after the World Championship for Young riders in Spain. She completed 8 races of 160 km and she was never eliminated. | |
| Krizia then went on to become a broodmare, and is the mother of numerous stars in endurance, including the excellent mare Khiva by Waracz, born in 1993. Khiva won the bronze medal at the Belgian National Championship in 2002, over a distance of 160 km. and was twice in the Top 10 at major rides such as Moulins Engilbert, Florac – Lalbenque – Sommant. | |
After finishing her sports career, Khiva also became a broodmare and is the dam of potential future endurance horses such as:
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| NAVARRONE “P” Grey mare, 1987 [El Khadir “P” / Navarra “P”] Breeder: Mr H.D. Philips Owner: Dion Arabians, Mr. & Mrs. Despeghel-Van Hee. Strain: Not Recorded (family of Verana, 1934). | |
| Navarrone “P” is a very beautiful 20 year old broodmare of significance. Her pedigree is Golden Cross Spanish/Egyptian, her incredible appearance and her dancing movements are the combination of a noble Arabian horse and an elegant gazelle. She has descendants of up to 3 generations among which can be found many National and International Show Champions, including winners of the Nations Cup, European Championship and World Championship titles. Her descendants also include an ECAHO Champion and a Dubai Champion, a Triple Crown winner and a double World Champion. Her 2 most famous sons to date are the multi show champions, Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D and Escape Ibn Navarrone-D. | |
| Because of her great show history and great descendants, the Board of Directors of the Belgian Arabian Horse Registry decided to dedicate their 2007 WAHO Trophy to Navarrone "P". | |
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| SPIRIT MB 1992, Chestnut Stallion. (Pobeg / Daicha). Breeder: MB Arabian Horses. Owner: Claude Tomberg. Strain: Kehailan Rodan (Rodania 1869). | |
| The Belgian Arabian Horse Registry has announced that the stallion Spirit MB has been awarded their 2006 WAHO Trophy. This stallion’s pedigree combines a high percentage of Russian lines with old English and Crabbet lines. | |
| Since his early years, Spirit has competed in open dressage competitions against other breeds. He was the winner of his first open competition (E4) on the day of his fourth birthday. Thereafter, Spirit was successful at the Belgian Championships for Young Dressage Horses of 4 years. After these results, Spirit and Claude have been trained by the well known Patrick Le Rolland. They also went to Germany, the kingdom of dressage, to perfect themselves. Despite the long journey, they travelled regularly to Germany for training and competing. Now that they have reached a good standard, Spirit and Claude are going to a very high level trainer, Wolfgang Grattop, who has worked with some of the best German team horses and the Olympic champion, Salinero. |  Mr. Windandus Bijnens, BAPS Registrar, presents the 2006 WAHO Trophy for Belgium to Spirit MB and his owner, Mrs. Claude Tomberg. Photo credit: Jan Kan |
| Spirit is now competing at “S” level in the official competitions of the Belgian Federation for Equestrian Sports and he has competed up to Intermediaire I level. | |
| In ECAHO sport horse competitions, Spirit won the bronze medal at the last European Championships. He has also for several years helped Belgium to win third place at the Sports Nations Cup at Aachen. | |
| For an Arabian stallion to compete and succeed against other breeds on the highly competitive European dressage circuit is not common, and Spirit MB is therefore a real example of what can be achieved by talent and determination from both the horse and the rider. Belgium is very proud of his achievements and consider him to be an excellent ambassador for the Arabian breed. | |
| ONADO [Ass-Kendal / Alissah] Grey stallion, 1998. Breeder and Owner: Mr. Johan Verstrepen, Dijkhoeve Arabians. Strain: Seglawi Mukhalladi (Merjane 1866). | |
| The Belgian Arabian Horse Registry (BAPS) decided to select their 2005 WAHO Trophy winner from the discipline of Arabian racing. As of 2001, when he started his career on the racetrack, Onado has won 7 races from 37 runs, and a total of Euros 20,736 in prize money. He was also placed 2nd 7 times, 3rd 10 times, and 4th 3 times. This outstanding achievement led to him being awarded the titles of AHRCB Belgium Racehorse of the Year 2004 & Best Belgian-bred of the Year 2004. He is trained by his owner and breeder, Johan Verstrepen. |  Onado showing his exceptional enthusiasm for racing which helped him win Belgium's 2005 WAHO Trophy. (Photo credit: Lamia Leclerq) |
| Onado is not just a great athlete but also a true to type Arabian. Definitely the darling of the crowd, even among thoroughbred race-goers, he performed as well over short distances (winning a 1300m race at Duindigt, where he is still the record-holder for that distance, and gaining a creditable 3rd place in Newbury 2005 in a Gr. I race over 1200m), as he did in the longer races, proving his typical Arabian staying power by winning a 3000m race in Boitsfort in 2002. As a race-horse, he looks and behaves as an Arabian, his tail carried high like a banner as he always tries to take the lead from the start and shows every determination to keep that lead to the finishing post. | |
| As his breeder, Johan is very proud of Onado and also of his dam, Alissah, whose four sons all became "Horse of the Year" in the AHRCB-races. Ganesh Ibn Kendal, full brother to Onado, is now active in endurance-riding. Sadly, Alissah passed away in 2005, but hopefully her daughters Lakshmi El Kendal (full sister to Onado ) and Nowara D.A.(by Djel Bon) will duly replace their mother at Dijkhoeve Arabians for more successful racing-progeny. | |
