REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:
My name is Mike Bredenkamp, I am representing the Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia.
Our current published stud book covers from January 2001 to December 2004, the next edition is due in March this year. The number of purebred Arabian foals registered during 2008 was 159, our number of imports was 42 and number of exports was 5. The estimated number of living Arabians in Namibia in 2008 was 974, which is an increase of 20% over the last 3 years. This increase can be mainly attributed to the increase in the popularity of endurance riding in Namibia, South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Only horses being exported are microchipped, and those are regulated and controlled by the State Veterinarians. DNA and parent verification is compulsory on all horses. We are in a transitional period to allow multiple foals per mare per year by Embryo Transfer.
Showing is our second biggest activity for Arabian horses in Namibia, our Society organizes various halter and ridden classes during our annual National Championships. The biggest activity for Arabian horses in Namibia is endurance riding. Namibia has entered the international arena and has competed at four World Championships during the last 4 years. On a regional basis, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are competing annually and Namibia has been victorious in the region in these tri-nation competitions. The most prestigious endurance event in Namibia is the Africa Championships hosted in Walvisbay, this event has gained a new international interest due to the unique venue. This ride is partly in the Namib desert, crossing one of the highest dunes in the world, as well as the scenic part of the ride along the Atlantic Ocean. Other activities include tent-pegging. About 20% of the Arabians in Namibia are involved in all the above mentioned activities.
We award the WAHO Trophy annually, at the introduction of this award the interest was not that big due to lack of awareness and knowledge. However, interest in the award has grown during the last few years and breeders are now very conscious of this award. Nominations for the Trophy increase annually and breeders are now viewing this as a very prestigious award. Namibia would like to thank WAHO for the introduction of the WAHO Trophy and the opportunities it has created to indirectly improve breeding standards in the country. Further to the WAHO Trophy, we have also introduced trophies in endurance riding at the flagship event in Walvisbay. There is an award in each category for the first purebred registered Arabian, the motivation for this award is to raise the awareness of the exceptional ability and performance of the Arabian horse in this specific discipline. It is worth mentioning that at the 2008 event, all four category winners were registered purebred Arabians.
Awareness of the general public regarding knowledge and uses of the purebred Arabian is achieved by regular articles in newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, and by television coverage of events, we also have an active website with useful information for members and the general public. During Arabian related events, there is a perception that the general public is more knowledgeable and informed.
The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia would like to thank WAHO for their dedication and the vital role they are playing in ensuring the growth and improvement of the Arabian horse industry.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:
The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia was accepted as a full Registering Authority Member of WAHO at the 2002 Conference and their first and second stud books have been printed. Their horses were formerly registered for them by South Africa.
There has been a very good increase in the number of Arabian horses registered in Namibia. For example, in 2001 they reported 89 registered foals. In 2006, this has risen to 150 foals, with approximately 180 broodmares and 51 breeding stallions. All horses are DNA typed and all foals are parent verified by DNA prior to registration. 2 horses were exported to South Africa in 2006, and 10 were imported, 8 from South Africa and 2 from Zimbabwe. The use of Artificial Insemination, transported semen and embryo transfer are permitted.
Riding and especially endurance are popular activities for Arabian horses in Namibia. There are now 2 annual shows, and there are approximately 25 endurance rides. At present there is no racing. Another popular and unusual activity for Arabians is tent-pegging.
In 2007, Namibia registered 111 foals. Four horses were exported to South Africa, and 14 were imported from South Africa plus 10 from Germany.
| AWAITING RESULT |
| KALHARABI NADIR Grey Gelding, 2001. (Benhan Stings Image / Danon Naadiya). Breeder and Owner: Mr. George Wessels, Kalharabi Arabian Stud. Strain: Kehailan Rodan (Rodania, 1869). | |
| The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is pleased to announce their 2009 WAHO Trophy winner. | |
| Kalharabi Nadir is an exceptional gelding and has proven his worth at endurance rides in his home country Namibia and in South Africa. His potential as an endurance horse of exceptional quality was evident at a young age. At the age of seven years he won the Child Class Africa Championship in Walvis Bay, Namibia, in 2008 and was the fastest horse in the 120 km division of this difficult desert ride. In May of 2009 Kalahari Nadir represented the Namibian Senior Team at the Tri-nations FEI Endurance Ride in Beaufort West in South Africa and achieved a 4th placing. At the Walvis Bay Africa Championship of 2009 in Namibia, he proved his worth. Carrying a rider of 85 kg, he was crowned the new Senior Africa Champion. Up to the end of every gruelling endurance ride, Kalharabi Nadir has emanated the proud stance of a pure Arabian horse, tail flagging, ears pricked and striding comfortably, always prepared to add another kilometer or two. | |
 Photo L-R: The Vice President of the Arab Horse Breeders Society, Willem Paul Michau presents the WAHO trophy to the owner of Kalharabi Nadir, George Wessels. |
 Photo: Kalharabi Nadir and rider Bredell Wessels during the Africa Champion Ride in the Namib Desert. |
| Kalharabi Nadir is an exceptional gelding and has proven his worth at endurance rides in his home country Namibia and in South Africa. His potential as an endurance horse of exceptional quality was evident at a young age. At the age of seven years he won the Child Class Africa Championship in Walvis Bay, Namibia, in 2008 and was the fastest horse in the 120 km division of this difficult desert ride. In May of 2009 Kalahari Nadir represented the Namibian Senior Team at the Tri-nations FEI Endurance Ride in Beaufort West in South Africa and achieved a 4th placing. At the Walvis Bay Africa Championship of 2009 in Namibia, he proved his worth. Carrying a rider of 85 kg, he was crowned the new Senior Africa Champion. Up to the end of every gruelling endurance ride, Kalharabi Nadir has emanated the proud stance of a pure Arabian horse, tail flagging, ears pricked and striding comfortably, always prepared to add another kilometer or two. | |
| KALHARABI RAJA Grey Mare, 2001. (Simmenau Gharun / Danon Rasheeda). Owners and breeders: George & Belinda Wessels, Farm Valerie. Strain: Kehaileh Rodanieh (Rodania, 1869). | |
| The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is pleased to announce their 2008 WAHO Trophy winner. | |
| Kalharabi Raja was born on the farm Valerie in Namibia on 25/11/2001. The Kalharabi Stud belongs to George and Belinda Wessels. | |
| Raja grew up in open unspoilt Kalahari savanna-fields with camel thorn trees in this far-east part of Namibia. She had three foals which all had excellent individual achievements. One of them, Kalharabi Jadri, was the Namibian National filly champion in 2006. | |
| As a six year old, Raja started her endurance career. She made rapid progress and her natural talent was soon recognized. |  Photo: Kalharabi Raja with George Wessels |
| She was chosen for the Namibian Heavy Weight team for the African Championships in Walvis Bay in 2008. Ridden by the 100kg George Wessels himself, she excelled herself in this ride with only 320 recorded kilometers on her log book. After finishing second she also won the best conditioned award (also known as fittest horse award). This surely was a remarkable achievement! | |
| The Heavy Weight team of Namibia also won the HW-division in the Tri-Nation competition among the three countries, South-Africa, Botswana and Namibia. | |
| She has all the wonderful characteristics of a good endurance horse that make her one of the best. In physical appearance and spirit, Raja has combined all the virtues of the Arabian breed. Raja has proved herself on all the different levels: as a mother, as a breeding mare and as an excellent sport achiever. She really makes us proud! | |
| KANAB TSAAR 1998, grey gelding. (SAF Firstaar / Zayan Dhanii). Bred and owned by Piet van Rooyen, Kanab Arabian Stud. Strain: Not Recorded (family of Nightingale). | |
| The Namibian Arab Horse Breeders Society is pleased to announce they have awarded their 2007 WAHO Trophy to the great endurance gelding, Kanab Staar. Although still quite young for this demanding sport, at 9 years of age he has already completed a total of 1,870 competitive kilometres. At the top level he has successfully completed two 160km rides, 1 at 130 kms and 1 at 120 kms. In 2007 his major wins include the heavyweight rider divisions of the 160 kms Independence Ride and the 130 kms Walvis Bay African Endurance Championships. | |
| Tracing to the important foundation mare Nightingale, who came from India to Great Britain in the early 1930s and went on to South Africa in 1937, Kanab Tsaar is a superb example of the attractive, athletic, hardy and sound Arabians bred in Namibia, and is an excellent ambassador for the breed. | |
 Photo: Piet van Rooyen with Kanab Tsaar. |
 Photo: Kanab Tsaar at a competitive ride. |
| LE-WARDI DANESKA Grey Mare. 1999. (Elsabad Habdan / Le-Wardi Tamara). Breeder: Mrs. Lihane M. Esterhuizen. Owner: Mr. Louis De Kock. Strain: Seglawieh Al Abd (Wadduda 1899). |
| The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is proud to announce that the 2006 WAHO Trophy for Namibia has been awarded to the mare Le-Wardi Daneska. This mare is one of the most highly regarded endurance horses in Namibia, at only 7 years of age she has already successfully completed 1,280 competitive kilometres in this tough sport. She is currently rated 27th on the FEI World ranking list, and 8th in Namibia. |
| Together with her owner, Louis de Kock, Le-Wardi Daneska has represented Namibia on their Junior Team at two International Endurance rides (against South Africa and Botswana) in 2006. Louis is also one of the Junior riders chosen for the Namibian Team to participate in the World Endurance Championships in 2007 in Argentina. |
| Le-Wardi Daneska’s successes since late 2005 include four wins and four high placings from eight rides, two of those competitions were 80 km events and the rest were over distances ranging from 100km to 127 km. Most importantly, she also achieved the Best Conditioned Horse Award at seven of those eight events. |
| The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia considers that Le-Wardi Daneska is a remarkable Arabian and an excellent ambassador for the breed, As she is still young the Namibian Endurance Team hope that she will continue to represent her country for many years to come. |
 |
| GÜLILAH GÜLEH-GÜLEH. [Ashari / Gülilah Gülmek]. Bay mare, 1984. Breeder: Mrs. H. Aschenborn and Children. Owner: Mrs. H. Aschenborn and F. & G. Uijs. Strain: Seglawieh Al Abd (Wadduda 1899). | |
| The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is proud to announce the winner of their WAHO Trophy for 2005. | |
| The Gülilah Stud was founded by Mrs. Aschenborn and her daughter, Mrs. Uijs, in 1968 in Pretoria, South Africa, and moved to Orumbo North in Namibia in 1980. Vlinkfontein Galli Girl was the foundation mare of the stud, and is the grand-dam of Gülilah Güleh Güleh. Her dam, Gülilah Gülmek, died only recently at the ripe age of 31, having given the farm 16 foals. | |
| The aim of the breeding programme was to produce beautiful Arabians which were both beloved family members and versatile all rounders. Gülilah Güleh Güleh, representing the third breeding generation of the stud, and still in the ownership of her breeders, is exactly that. A sweet-natured friend to the family’s children who played with her, rode her and showed her, she could switch on all the characteristics of a fiery drinker of the wind in the showring. As a broodmare she shows all the desirable qualities of a good mother. This charming mare had an excellent show career with innumerable show wins and championships. She is the dam of 12 foals of outstanding quality, some of which are successful endurance horses, others have been show winners, and many have entered the breeding programmes at several stud farms in Namibia. Gülilah Güleh Güleh has certainly done more than her fair share to contribute to the improvement of the Arabian horses of Namibia. | |
 L-R: Owner Mr. Mokveld with WAHO Trophy; Amal; Trainer Mr. Chris van Schalkwijk & Mrs. Hannie Wehkamp, President of the AVS. (Photo copyright Jan Kan). |
|
