REPORT AT 2011 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Mr. Robert Luchez, France: (The report was read out in conjunction with the visual Power Point presentation with the same text, illustrated as relevant). Mr. President, distinguished members of the Committees, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Robert Luchez, I am the representing here the French Arabian Horse Breeders Association, called ACA. Best greetings for the WAHO Conference organized in Qatar in such a splendid manner.

As my English is rather schoolish, you may follow on the screen. So, who are we and how do we work? The numbers of foals born each year is roughly speaking 1,500 and it is still increasing. The breeding programmes have got a special fund of about 120,000 euros dedicated to support the breeders who contract to valorize, or give more commercial value to, their horses in endurance, sport or show. For the Endurance Breeding Programme, the fund is 90,000 euros, for the Arabian Horse Breeding Programme, it is 30,000 euros. In these two programmes, for instance in the Endurance Breeding Programme which started in 2005, there are today 2,728 registered horses. In the newer Arabian Horse Breeding programme, which started in May 2010, so far there are 200 registered horses. The measures of the Endurance Breeding Programme are first, for selection. This has performance indices dating back to 2003, with 6,674 horses registered; also a special incentive for the best mares when they leave racing to return to breeding, with a fund of 30,000 euros yearly; and breeding shows at which 2 and 3 year old horses and mares with foals are seen by a group of judges to give advice and financial support to the breeders. Second, for enhancing value, a large amount is provided to help breeders to participate at the endurance breeding shows and the special endurance races for young horses; and there is a financial reward for the best French horses during the World Young Horse Endurance Championships for 7 year olds and 8 year olds.

The success of the French endurance horses include 6 French horses in the top ten at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington in 2010; 7 French horses in the top ten at the European Open Championship in Kreuth in 2010, and the Gold Medal for the French team at the European Open Championship in Florac in 2011. The success of the French endurance horses can be attributed first of all to our unique "Young Horse circuit", which is designed to prepare the future champions from the age of 4, 5 and 6 years old, taking time and dedication, they are built up until they reach maturity for the international level. It takes a long time to become an athlete. The season culminates with the French Horse Society National Final in Uzès at which only the 5 and 6 year olds take part. In 2011, this year, there were 247 five-year olds and 254 six-year olds competing at this event. Secondly, our very high level of competition: one out of every ten FEI races in the world is organized in France, so in France, a horse never wins by coincidence. Also, we have a tradition of 200 years of breeding sport horses, enhanced by unique modern selection tools. No other nation ever bred so many champions at the FEI level.

Now, about the measures of the Purebred Arabian Horse Breeding Programme. For shows, an amount of 15,000 euros is allocated annually to help the organizers of local shows. Prize money is given to the breeders of the best mare and best foal during the National Championships, amounting to a total of 3,500 euros. For sport, an amount of 20,000 euros is allocated annually to help the organizers of local, regional and national events. In August 2011 we saw the establishment of the first Sport Championship for Arabian horses, in which 60 horses took part.

How many shows under ECAHO rules with how many horses? Last year in 2010, there were 17 shows: 9 local shows, 2 National C shows, 1 International B Show, 1 National Championship Show and 1 International A show at Menton. It was the same in 2011 except for the cancellation of one National C Show. The number of entries at the local shows averages between 160 and 220, since 2010 it increased in 2011 at the International C Shows from 91 to 131, at the International B shows from 70 to 91, at the National Championship from 99 to 102, and there was a slight drop at Menton from 115 to 109. I do not forget the World Championships in Paris in December.

At our Sport Events, the disciplines offered are ridden classes, showjumping, dressage and western riding. The first French Championship was held at Vichy this year. At the Endurance breeding shows, these shows are open to the 2 and 3 year old horses and to mares. In 2010 there were 26 shows with 482 entries, in 2011 there were 22 shows with 429 entries. The National Endurance Breeding Event in 2011 took place in Florac, with horses coming from every region in France.

Racing is of course also organized in France, by a specific organization. Many races are organized and the French bred horses are well-known and famous in many countries, maybe in all the world. All races are organized with the rules and under the umbrella of the French Racing Authority, France Galop. The main event takes place in October called the Qatar Arc De Triomphe. France is a member of IFAHR.

And the last photo, maybe you can recognize some people, is of the French-bred mare Orette de Tanues, champion of the 7-year olds at the World Young Horse Endurance Championships in 2009 in Compiègne, her owner Al Shaqab Stud and her rider Faleh Nasser Saleh Abugnaim are of course from Qatar. She was also awarded the WAHO Trophy that year. Thank you very much.

STATISTICS FOR 2011:

Foals registered: 1,724

Horses exported: 294

Horses imported: 213

Number of Arabian shows or classes: 415

Number of races: 129

Number of endurance events: 2,278

REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:

I am Caroline Teyssier, the Registrar from France, I work for the national Government organization, Les Haras Nationaux, and I am in charge of the registration department for Arabians and for all other breeds. I will now give you the main figures for the Arabian horses in France.

Our current published stud book is Volume 13, covering 2006 and 2007. In 2007 we registered 1,217 purebred Arabian foals, the figure for 2008 is not definitive yet but should be a little higher as we have had an increase of 8% in the number of birth declarations for Arabian foals which would make approximately 1,300 registered foals in 2008. This is closer to the figure we had in 2005, whereas we had a slight decrease between 2005 and 2007. As for the number of broodmares used in 2007 was 2,309 and the number of breeding stallions was 771. The number of imported horses was 79 in 2008, this was an increase of 14% compared to 2007. The number of exported horses, this was 280 in 2007 and I don’t yet have the definitive figure for 2008. Concerning parent verification, this is mandatory at first registration using DNA typing. Microchipping for every horse is mandatory in France, whether born in France or imported if not already microchipped. Foals are microchipped by trained veterinarians or civil servants from the Haras Nationaux, on the left-hand side of the neck, this is done at the same time as the markings description is done and the DNA sample is taken. Our microchips follow the ISO standard and we have several suppliers, the logistic of the microchip is on the database which is managed by the registering department of SIRE and the microchip number is printed on the passport and on every document concerning the foals or the horses. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer are allowed and multiple foals per mare per year by Embryo Transfer is authorized.

As for the activities for purebred Arabian horses in France, the most popular activity is endurance, which is run by the French Equestrian Federation. In 2008 there were 374 endurance events, with 1,682 competitive rides, which makes the number of horses starting in these rides come to a total of 19,000. France also organizes the annual World Championships for Young Horses. The other most popular activity for Arabians is racing, which is run by France Galop, who also run the thoroughbred racing. In 2008 we had 54 races. Concerning shows, this is not such a popular activity. Thank you for your attention.

REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE: The French Arab Stud Book was founded in 1833. The current situation is as follows.

Our current stud book was published in September 2006, it covers the period of 2004 to 2005 and the next one should be published in September 2008.

In 2005 we had 1,335 purebred foals registered, and we should have approximately the same figure in 2006. Those figures are quite constant since the year 2000. We have 542 stallions and 2,131 broodmares used for breeding. We estimate the number of living registered Arabians to be around 30,000. In 2006 we had 206 imports and 254 exports of Arabian horses, and those figures are also quite constant over the past few years. As for identification, we use DNA typing, all breeding horses are DNA typed and all foals are parent verified with DNA at first registration. Microchipping is mandatory for all foals and all horses at first registration in France. We do allow the use of Artificial Insemination and Transported Semen both imported and exported. We also allow the use of embryo transfer.

The most popular activities for purebred Arabians in France are racing, endurance and also some shows. There are almost 60 Arabian races per year, and in endurance there are almost 300 events with 1,600 endurance rides a year in France. Endurance is very strong in France, the French team were World Endurance Champions in 2006. We also host the World Young Horse Endurance Championships each year at Compiègne in September, under WAHO’s patronage. We are very proud to organize this event in a discipline where the purebred Arabian horse is usually the best amongst other breeds. We are also very proud of the success of our Arabian horses in endurance and in racing.