REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:
My name is Gösta Heitmann and on behalf of the Danish Arab Horse Association I would like to thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, The Royal Court Affairs, and the Organizing Committee for hosting this Conference.
Mr. President, Executive Committee members, delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to give you our report from Denmark. On 1st January this year we had 310 members in the Society. The number of living purebred Arabian horses in Denmark is about 2,000. We have approximately 250 active broodmares and around 100 producing stallions. Last year, 2008, we registered 210 foals. Since 1985, all breeding stock and foals were blood-typed, and from 1999 we have registered our breeding stock and foals by DNA using hair samples. On a voluntary basis we also offer an SCID test to our breeders. All horses born in the last 10 years have equine passports according to the European Union rules but as a supplement to the registration certificate issued by the Danish Arab Horse Society. Last year we exported 20 horses and imported 46 horses. We have issued 6 Volumes of our stud books and are now in the process of Volume 7, which will include this year’s foals and cover the years 2004 until now.
Denmark hosts 2 ECAHO-affiliated shows each year, one International A Show and one National Championships, where riding competitions, dressage and jumping are also part of the shows. In Endurance we had 18 different competitions in 2008. Thank you.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:
The Danish Arabian Horse Society reports that the living number of purebred Arabians in Denmark is estimated at around 1,500. In 2006 there were about 200 active broodmares and approximately 33 breeding stallions. In 2006, 160 foals were registered. From 1981 all breeding stock and foals were blood-typed and DNA typing has been used since 1999.
In 2006 22 horses were exported and 27 were imported. The use of Artificial Insemination and Embryo transfer are all permitted. Six volumes of the stud books have been issue, covering the period up to 2005.
Each year the DSAH organize 2 shows, also riding competitions, in jumping, dressage and Western riding. There are about 3 Arab horse race meetings and an ever-increasing popularity in endurance riding, with many competitions organised by the Danish Equestrian Federation. The Danish Endurance team has been very successful and the Danish Arabian Horse Society is very proud of their achievements with their Arabian horses in endurance competitions both at home and overseas.
In 2007, DSAH registered 169 foals and processed 15 exports and 34 imports. A stallion promotion day is planned for 2008. Please also note the new address for DSAH, from December 2008.
| AWAITING RESULT |
| AWAITING RESULT |
| MALIKAH Bay mare, 1984. [Ibn Mohafez / Sheila]. Breeder/Owner: Jean Laursen. Strain: Seglawieh Jedranieh of Ibn Soudan (Ghazieh) | |
| The recipient of the Danish WAHO trophy 2008 is Malikah (Ibn Mohafez x Sheila), and the Danish Society of the Arabian Horse has chosen to award her the trophy because they feel that it is extremely important to remember the fantastic mares that are the corner stone of all breeding of Arabian horses. Malikah has made a big mark on the breeding of Arabians in Denmark and especially her daughters have proven to be very good broodmares who, in spite of not having had a great number of foals, have done very well indeed. | |
| Malikah (which is Arabic for queen) was born in 1984 at the farm of Jean Laursen after her dam Sheila (Silver Scenario x Samirha) had paid a visit to the German Junior Stallion Champion and Elite Stallion Ibn Mohafez (Mohafez x Brawura), who was bred, owned, and shown by the Schultz family. Ibn Mohafez was a handsome, correct horse with a lovely expression and great movements with a lot of push from behind. He was shown in Denmark in 1986, where he was awarded 88 points – and at the same show Malikah won her class for 2 year old fillies and was also awarded a gold medal. Malikah’s dam Sheila was imported in utero from Horsey Island, England in 1976, together with for instance Emba and Pacific, who were both to become extremely important for the breeding of Arabians in Denmark. Sheila was a lovely, liver chestnut mare, she had a beautiful expression and much type and at the same time a very correct conformation. |  |
| Malikah is a very expressive mare who reflects the best of her pedigree – the Egyptian type from Mohafez, but also a super elastic movement and the great front inherited from her damline. Best of all, she has the most wonderful, gentle spirit and she is a joy to be around, in the stables as well as out on the pastures. Malikah has 3 daughters, full sisters by Pacific, all three of whom are still with their breeder, Jean Laursen. Due to the condition of the market, they have not been put in foal very often, and yet they have all produced progeny that have made an impression in the Danish field of Arabian horses. Gaia and Amirah have been shown and have both been awarded gold medals – Gaia was also Reserve Champion Mare. Malikah’s daughters have produced for instance Pacat (Abhat x Pacifica/Malikah), who won the endurance race Hedelandsløbet 2008, Demir (Symba x Gaia/Malikah), who has produced several successful progeny, among others TA Demirah and TA Jamal, who were Reserve Junior Mare Champion and class winner of 2 year old colts respectively at the Danish Nationals in 2004, and Gomir (Gomel x Amirah/Malikah), who is active in dressage where he competes in open LB and LA classes and is doing very well indeed. Furthermore, Malikah’s handsome son, Amlet, was used under saddle and was a much loved performance horse who unfortunately sired only two foals before his untimely death in 2003. | |
| Malikah has reached the age of 25 and she is enjoying her age with dignity with her breeder and owner Jean Laursen, surrounded by children and grandchildren. The next generation are ready to conquer the world and some are already well on their way to continue the heritage of success, that goes with this family. Aksinja, 1999 (Symba x Samitna, ex Amirah) has already been awarded a gold medal in 2005 and she is to be bred for the first time in 2009. | |
| The Danish Society of the Arabian Horse expresses their heartfelt congratulations to Malikah – and not least to Jean Laursen for having bred this amazing mare. | |
| Text by Anne Finnerup | |
| MILASTICA Chestnut Mare, 1992. [Mikado / Tadia]. Breeder: Henrik H. Knudsen. Owner: Anne Marie Rasmussen. Strain: Kehaileh Rodanieh (Rodania) | |
| The presentation of the WAHO Trophy has become a joyous recurrent event. It offers an opportunity to appreciate the versatility and great qualities of the Arabian horse. | |
| This year – 2007 – the WAHO-trophy goes to a very conspicuous and beautiful chestnut mare. Through a number of years Milastica has been an outstanding representative of the breed. With her owner and rider, Anne Marie Rasmussen, Milastica has been active in the dressage school at various events. This couple has been a loyal participant at our yearly ridden championships and is always a joy to look at! | |
| Without exception, they have been placed at every Arabian ridden show event in the country. A remarkable feat by all accounts! In 2002 Milastica was Horse of the Year in the Danish Arabian Riding Club and at the 2006 Danish Championships they won all four classes they started in, i.e. LA2, LA4, PRT and JRH. Furthermore, Milastica and Anne Marie have proved that the Arabian horse can go up against warmbloods and hold their own! The warmblood horse has been bred with the sole purpose of excelling at dressage or jumping. Consequently they have the advantage when competing in these disciplines. This fact does not, however, deter this bold and beautiful couple. In 2007, they participated at the annual animal fair in Odense, and in a class of 32, of which several were warmbloods, they placed an impressive second. This result is in a class by itself and must be termed outstanding – can anyone imagine a better ambassador for the breed? |  |
| In 2002, Milastica was shown in hand at the National Show in Kgs. Thisted. Here, she proved that she is not all about performance – she is also a beautiful horse. She was awarded a gold medal and placed 3rd in her class. | |
| For some time, Anne Marie had been looking for the horse that could meet her expectations. A beautiful chestnut with sparkle, charisma, and good performance abilities. The first time she laid eyes on Milastica she knew that this was the horse she had been looking for such a long time and bought her immediately. At that point in time, Milastica was considered a problem horse. She had had several homes and not all riding and handling had been as desired. She didn’t like farriers or strangers and preferred to move with her head up in the air. It was a lot of work, but with patience, training, and understanding, she has become the horse we know today! And Milastica is not your average horse – she has got will, spirit, and strength. She loves to work and gives everything she has to please her owner, rider, and friend. | |
| Her sire was the stallion Mikado, who was an excellent racehorse and among other titles was named Arabian Racehorse of the Year in 1992. And there is no doubt about it: Milastica is her father’s daughter. The beautiful copper-red colour, the high tail carriage, and not least the very special personality. Just like Milastica, Mikado had will, spirit, and strength and he loved to work. Milastica is out of the mare Tadia, who is by Touche. Touche was also a fantastic athlete, he jumped MA classes and passed the 30 days performance test, just as he was awarded a big gold medal at the DSAH International B Show in 1999. Milastica reflects her pedigree in the best possible manner. | |
| This amazing mare has yet to deliver a new little wonder to continue this epic. Until this happens, we will enjoy every second that we can still watch Milastica perform the difficult and wonderful art of dressage! | |
| Text by Kirsten Ibsen; Translation by Anne Finnerup | |
| WASHA. 1982. Chestnut Mare. (Shalom / Warissa). Breeder: PAJB-Arabians. Owner: Lisa Kiesbuy. Strain: Not Recorded (Family of Murana, 1808) | |
| The Danish Society of Arabian Horse Breeding (DSAH) has awarded the 2006 WAHO Trophy for Denmark to the mare WASHA. Now 23 years old, this beautiful mare from the so-called "Danish W” line founded by the well known German-bred mare Warissa, has not only achieved show ring success herself, but has also become breeder’s dream of a very special broodmare whose progeny are often even better than she is. | |
| Her dam Warissa’s influence is immortal in Danish Arab horse breeding. With an international pedigree including bloodlines from Crabbet, Egypt, Poland, Argentina and Germany, Warissa was most often bred to El Mokari (who has become a legend in Denmark) yet until now her true successor has undoubtedly been WASHA, by the Egyptian/Spanish stallion, Shalom. The Bedouin tradition of retaining the first daughter has been proved true in this case. |  |
| It is true to say that WASHA has inherited the qualities of her famous dam in all areas, a feminine beauty of harmonious balance with the classic face and characteristic big black eyes that are the very special “Warissa heritage” and which are passed on from generation to generation. WASHA was a show champion both as a filly and as a mature mare. In 1993 she had the special honour to become Senior Mare Champion, best Danish-bred Horse and Best in Show at the Danish National Championships. More importantly, as a broodmare she has consistently passed on the extraordinary beauty and charisma inherited from her dam, no matter which stallion she is bred to and no matter their bloodlines. | |
| Owned in turn over the years by her breeders PAJB-Arabians, by the Husted family and now by Lisa and Steven Kiesbue of Mekka-Arabians, WASHA is the dam, grand-dam and great-grand-dam of many consistently high quality foals. Just to mention two of her direct offspring, there is the up and coming young stallion Laheeb Ibn Washa (by FS Eternal Flame), now proving himself as a sire through his son Mahfouz (out of Mekka). WASHA’s most famous daughter is undoubtedly the beautiful chestnut Wanessa, by El Mokari. This multi-champion mare is very well known in Denmark both as a show mare and in her own right as a broodmare and in turn is the dam of the incomparable show-stopper Wanila by Ansata Nile Pasha, who herself produced the champion show horse and significant sire Wan Kahli (by FS Bengali) and also as the ultra-feminine Wadiah (by Khidar). | |
| Now living in retirement with her proud and happy owners the Kiesbue family, the grand old lady WASHA remains very beautiful despite her advancing years, still showing off her extraordinary floating movement, with her tail carried high and proud. This is truly a “once-in-a-lifetime” mare. The DSAH would like to offer the breeders and owners of this distinguished and much-loved mare their sincere congratulations on winning the well-earned 2006 WAHO Trophy for Denmark. | |
| CON-TIKKI [Condor / Lissa of Valissa]. Grey stallion, 1985. Breeder: Hans Peter Kragh. Owner: Sonja Van Willingen. Strain: Kehailan El Krush (Dafina 1926). | |
| The Dansk Selskab for Arabisk Hesteavl (DSAH) have awarded their 2005 WAHO Trophy to one of the best endurance horses in the country. Con-Tikki and his owner, Sonja Van Willingen, have taken part successfully in this tough athletic discipline not just at home, but have also flown the flag for Denmark as they competed all over the world. Con-Tikki, who is of mainly old English bloodlines with a dash of Egyptian through his dam's sire, has completed over 5,000 kilometres in 16 seasons of top level competition in endurance. His titles include four Danish National Championships from 10 efforts in this event, and he has won gold, silver and bronze medals for the Danish National team. He has been on the Danish National Team since 1993, participating in the World Championships 3 times and the European Championships twice. He is still fit and well the age of 21. |
 Con-Tikki with his owner, Sonja Van Willingen. |
