World Arabian Horse Organization - WWW.WAHO.ORG

MEMBER REPORT FROM SYRIA

REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:

I am Mohammed Al Wadi, Director of the Arabian Horse Office at the Ministry of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform. In the name of the Syrian Arabian Horse Association and its members who are participating in this Conference, I would like to say that this is a good and precious occasion for us to meet the WAHO members here in this beautiful country of Oman, the country that loves purebred Arabian horses and that is preserving the heritage of purebred Arabians. The Arabian Horse Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with the Syrian Arabian Horse Society, works on the development of this heritage by preserving at the same time the tradition of purebred Arabian horses in Syria.

The success of the WAHO Conference held in Syria in 2007 has given us the confidence and the trust to increase our efforts to promote more interest in this very important work, that we are very proud of. The Syrian WAHO Conference was a success because of the efforts of the President, the Secretariat, the WAHO members and all the participants. All our contacts with you and all your speeches and participation to the Conference had an important impact on us in the Arabian Horse Office. We would also to thank all those from the media and magazines who contributed to introducing the Syrian Arabian horse to a wider audience, by publishing lots of articles both in magazines and on websites throughout the world.

As for our report we would like to say that we have issued the Volume 8 of our stud book, the 9th and 10th volumes are under print. The number of registered foals are increasing yearly, in 2006 there were 335, in 2007 that rose to 522 and in 2008 the number was 600. We also conduct parent verification by DNA testing to confirm the pedigrees. The number of broodmares for 2008 was 700, the number of breeding stallions was 110.

Natural cover is the most common form of breeding used in Syria, however Artificial Insemination has recently been allowed by new rules and regulations, we also have rules to allow the use of Embryo Transfer. The Arabian Horse Office, in cooperation with the Arab Centre for Studies, has been equipping a new laboratory for such endeavours. The number of purebred Arabians exported from Syria is also constantly increasing, in 2006 the number was 42, in 2007 this rose to 60 and in 2008 reached 94. As for imports, the number was 15 in 2008.

The WAHO Trophy for 2008 was awarded to the 10-year old mare named Wud on the occasion of the Fourth National Syrian Arab Horse Show, at which she was Senior Mare Champion, she is one of very few mares left in Syria of the rare and important Kehaileh Khalawieh strain, which goes back many centuries.

As for the activities arranged for Arabian horses, all are organized by the Syrian Arabian Horse Association with the cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture. My colleague Mr. Amir Mardini, is going to talk about the different activities that are undertaken in my country. Thank you very much.

Mr. Amir Mardini: Thank you. My name is Amir Mardini, I am the General Secretary of the Syrian Arabian Horse Society. Concerning the activities in my country for purebred Arabian horses, we have specific races just for Arabians. We have two main racetracks and also a number of country racetracks in the various regions. Since 2008 we have been a member of IFAHR. We had 14 race meetings, and I was very enthusiastic when I saw the desert bred Syrian Arabians were competitive with the other horses coming from the west. I would like to say that the Syrian Arabians managed to take high places in these races, thanks be to God.

As for the Arabian horse shows, we have 2 Championship shows each year, a regional one in May and a National one in October. We do hope that one day Syria might host an International Championships Show. I am also pleased to say that the Syrian Arabian horses are ranking high in many endurance races in the world. We have a programme of endurance rides within Syria and are collaborating with the Sports Union and the Horsemanship Union which specializes in endurance competitions. I would like to add to what my colleague Mr. Mohammed Al Wadi said, that we are working hard in the Syrian Arabian Horse Society under our Chairman Mr. Basil Jadaan, who is also a member of the WAHO Executive Committee, to promote activities for Arabians in my country. Thank you.

REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:

There has been a strong increased interest in Arabian horses in Syria since its affiliation with WAHO. Up to now we have published 7 volumes of our stud books, we recently issued and distributed Volume 7 and now we are working on volumes 8 and 9 to cover up until 2004.

The number of foals registered in 2005 was 350. In 2006 we registered 335 foals, there were 600 broodmares and 109 stallions used for breeding. We use DNA testing for all horses to be registered. We do not use microchips but we use WAHO registration procedures. In 2006 we recorded 35 exports and 16 imports.

Artificial Insemination is now allowed, however it has not been used to date in Syria, but very soon it will be used. The Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Syria manages the Basil Al Assad Centre for Arabian Horse Breeding, this Centre is protecting and preserving the Syrian Arabian horse and we extend our services to the breeders in Syria. We use and offer stallions of high quality in order to help the breeders.

As for the activities for Arabian horses, the Ministry of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform in co-operation with the Syrian Arab Horse Association organize a number of activities, including racing, riding competitions, endurance competitions, and 2 halter shows.

In 2007 Syria registered 522 foals, and recorded 51 exports and 39 imports.

2010 TROPHY REPORT

AWAITING RESULT

2009 TROPHY REPORT

AWAITING RESULT

2008 TROPHY REPORT

WUD 1997, Grey Mare. (Hassan/Shahba Al Thanieh). Bred by Mr. Abd. Al.M. Noua’ami, Homs. Owner: Al Khair Stables. Strain: Kehaileh Khalawieh.
The Syrian Arabian Horse Association is proud to announce that they awarded their 2008 WAHO Trophy to the exceptional 11-year old mare, Wud, on the occasion of the Fourth National Syrian Arab Horse Show. Wud was named Senior Mare Champion at this prestigious Show. She is one of very few mares left in Syria of the rare and important Kehaileh Khalawieh strain, which goes back many centuries and originally belonged to the Mawali tribe, who were a very important tribe in the region.
Photo Description: (From right to left) Mr. Wisam Al-Wadi- SAHA office Mr. Amir Mardini- SAHA's General Secretary Mr. Mahmoud Anzarouti- Member of SAHA's Board of Directors Dr. Yasser al-Hindi- Veterinarian at Al-Khair Studs Mr. Basil Jadaan- President of SAHA Mr. Mohammed Al-Wadi- Director of Arabian Horse Bureau Dr. Tarek Abdul Raheem- Manager of Al-Khair Stud Mr. Tarek al-Najjar

2007 TROPHY REPORT

AWAITING RESULT

2006 TROPHY REPORT

KHOOSHMAN Black stallion. 2001. (Sahab / Al Sahra). Breeder & owner: Nizar J. As’ad, Al Jameel Stud. Strain: Kehailan Armoush.
The Syrian Arabian Horse Associated has awarded their 2006 WAHO Trophy to the black stallion, Khooshman, winner of the Syrian National Stallion Champion title in 2006. He traces on his dam’s side entirely to Original Arabians from the Tai tribe, her ancestors are from a number of strains including Kehailet Krush Al Baida, Hamdanieh Semrieh, Saglawieh Marzakanieh, Saglawieh Jedranieh and Kehailet Armousheh. From his sire’s side, he traces to horses bred by the Shammar tribe, including the strains Seglawieh jedraniey Ibn Zobeini, Kehailan Khidli and Keheileh Nawakieh.
PHOTO, L-R: Zeyad Najjar, Handler; Mohammed Al Wadi, Director of Arabian Stud Book Office at the Ministry of Agriculture; Khoshman Mohammed, Manager of Al Jameel Stud; Basil Jadaan, President, Syrian Arabian Horse Association.

2005 TROPHY REPORT

ANGHAM AL BADER [Hassan / Somah]. Grey mare, 2001. Breeder and Owner: Mr. Saleh Khaddam Srouji. Strain: Shweimet Sabbah.
The Syrian Arab Horse Breeders Society has informed WAHO that they have awarded their WAHO Trophy for 2005. They decided in advance to award it to the best horse at their 2005 Syrian National Championships Show. The Trophy was presented at the Show in a special award ceremony.
The lovely youg mare Angham Al Bader is the result of several generations of breeding by Mr. Srouji at his stud farm in Damascus, she traces exclusively to Syrian Bedouin-bred horses from all the well known strains. Her antecedents were bred by the Anezeh, Iqaidat, Shammar, Jboor, Ruala, Weld Ali and Tai tribes. Her sire, Hassan, also bred by Mr. Srouji, is a well known stallion in Syria, he is of the Hamdani Ibn Ghorab strain renowned for passing on his exceptional movement and tail carriage. Interestingly, he is also the sire of Angham Al Bader’s dam, Somah.
L-R: Mr. Mohammad Ghayath Shama; Mr. Hisham Ghoraib; Mr. Basil Jadaan, President of the Syrian Arab Horse Association; David Angold, WAHO Treasurer; Mr. Zakwan Khadam Srouji and Mr. Sohail Zbebi representing the owner and breeder; Mr. Amir Mardini, Syrian Arab Horse Association; Mr. Mohammad Al Wadi, Director, Arabian Horse Office at the Ministry of Agriculture.

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