By Denis Atam: the South American Shagya-Arabian In- Spection Tour

By Denis Atam: Fedak’s “Rancho Alegre” a most [email protected] beautiful place about 3 hours west of The South American Caracas. Shagya-Arabian In- The von Fedak’s started to build an spection tour was part exotic flower garden with over 2,500 of a very well organized 2 week different varieties, which today is con- roundtrip starting in Caracas, Vene- sidered the largest exotic flower plant zuela – visiting several places of enthusiasts they founded the all over Latin America. interest, then crossing the border to ASOARABE, the registry, which Bogota, Columbia and coming back has over 70 Shagyas registered today (ASOARABE is a member of While doing some improvements on were we started. Over the last years the ISG). One example for the suc- their land they discovered the ruins of several – horses previously standing cessful breeding work by Gertrud is an ancient capuchin mission “Senora in North America – were imported the outstanding stallion Galan (Sire: del Carmen” from the 18th century, to South America such as the im- Bravado Dam: Galaya). The von which they decided to rebuild authen- Fedak’s have over 50 horses at their pressive stallion KS Tradition tically. (Sire: Tatjanus, Dam: Obeida I) first hacienda and they use their Shagyas in almost all disciplines (trail, en- imported from Germany by Donna durance, jumping, carriage, and Coss and then sold to Columbia, or even for tourists tours). Despite all the mare Stefvani bred by Valerie the political circumstances, difficul- Bullock and also the stallion Bra- ties & challenges the von Fedak’s vado, both sold to Venezuela. continued with their efforts and can be considered as the founders of the Shagya-Arabians in South America.

On Saturday, January 26th, 2008 Dr. Walter Huber, his daughter Dorle Huber and Dr. Elmar Mauch flew in from Germany, Denis & Irmi Atam, who came from Seattle all meet at the villa of the von Fedak’s in Caracas. The next day we had a Gertrud von Fedak met her hus- sightseeing tour through Caracas, band Stefan von Fedak, a Hungarian the capitol city of Venezuela. business man during a trip in South America. They got married 49 years Over the last ago and raised together 5 children. decades they Gertrud felt in love with the Shag- yas when she bought the mare created a Galaya and imported her to Vene- “Garden of zuela. Over the next couple of years Eden”, which she imported several other Shagyas became famous and founded the Shagya-Arabian place and is a breed in South America. Together Our journey continued the following tourist attraction with several other Shagya day and brought us to the von today.

but of course there is serious riding in between. The field has to cross several waters/rivers and it is always interesting & fun to see which line each rider takes – some got more wet & muddy than they expected.

During the next couple of days we explored those exotic flowers on horseback – always finding new and for us unfamiliar flowers. To quote Dr. Walter Huber “it’s a paradise on earth and I wish I could spend the rest of my life there”. There was a big celebration in the evening. The Cabalgata was com- bined with the Carnival ceremony they had that weekend. Everything Zahir a 2 ½ year old stallion (no final was organized perfectly. There was score given, because of lameness), more life music and even a special cannon bone 18 cm, height 146 cm. show at midnight from a group of Sire: Genuino Dam: O’Pastora. drummers. Long framed young stallion, still in development lacking stallion expres- During those days the preparations sion. Nice head. Long neck. Top neck for the “Cabalgata 2008” were in line low set into the whither. Distinct full motion. It is an annual event whither. Good back and loin, muscles which started 16 years ago initiated not developed yet. Front legs are a & organized by Gertrud von Fedak little bit behind the knees. Pasterns and a very strong & committed and hooves are not straight. Hindlegs correct. Walk, trot and canter could team (Malu, Elizabeth ,Otta- not be assessed, because of lameness. Emme). Riders from all over Vene- The following day, together with He is promising to become an elegant zuela and recently even from Dr. Jose Luis Canelon Perez, we riding horse. Should be presented abroad are joining this great event. continued our journey to Bogota, again. It is a 20 to 25 mile ride with lots Colombia. Our first inspection site of fun during the day and espe- was hosted by Rodrigo Acosta. The We also saw a very nice filly out of cially during the evening. There is farm is located at an elevation of KS Tradition & a Thoroughbred mare authentic life music during the 9000ft. with a beautiful view/ at the farm. lunch break and there are several scenery over the valley. other stops where people socialize,

The next stop was the place of Ger- Wiry young stallion, still develop- Typical Ghazzir daughter. Long neck. tud von Fedak’s daughter Franziska ing. Head will become expressive. Good long whither. Currently the called “El Vergel”, which means Neck good. Body correct, but unhar- croup is higher than the whither. Slop- “The Garden”, where we inspected monious. Weak fundament and not ing shoulder. Correct fundament with the following horses: straight enough. Walk not ground good muscle definition. Distinct joints. covering (nervous). Nice trot and Pretty good walk and trot. Currently Scores are given for: Type, Head, Neck, canter, but could be more relaxed. canter short and flat. Body, Legs, Walk, Trot, Canter He has a good potential for future development. For the time being not approved, because he didn’t fulfill the height requirements yet and therefore should be presented again.

Fabian Score: 7.88 (8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8, 8) cannon bone 21 cm, height: Osiris Score: 7.63 (8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 7, 9, 154 ½ cm – approved. 8) cannon bone 19 cm, height 150 cm – approved Sire: Galan Dam: Omara. Sire: Bravado Mare: Farah Diva. Mature impressive stallion with Pretty head. Long neck. Well defined attractive gold bay color. Harmoni- The inspection team Dr. Jose Louis whither. Sloping shoulder. Good back ous frame. Good top line. Strong Canelon Perez ,Venezuela, Dr. Wal- activity. Sloping croup. Distinct and bones with distinct and dry joints. ter Huber, Germany and Denis correct fundament. Walk pretty good. Legs could be more correct. Left Atam, USA worked very well to- Expressive trot with very good rhythm. front leg toes out. Right hind leg gether to assess the horses according Ground covering canter. toes inward. Hindlegs are correct. to international ISG breeding rules Then we moved to the next site which Well defined hocks. Good ground & regulations. was the beautiful place of Diana Ga- covering walk. Elastic trot with viria & Eduardo Uribe. rhythm. Balanced canter. Apaparis: 18 month old filly Sire: KS Tradition Dam: Lily Creek Stefvani

Then the mares were inspected. Giogia Score: 7.00 (7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 7, Shaman Score: 7.13 (7, 7, 7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 6) cannon bone 20 cm, height 150 8, 8) cannon bone 19 cm, height 151 cm – approved. Sire: Ghazzir Dam: cm. Sire: Nisos Dam: Shaje. Gallarda.

Copyright © Denis Atam - All Rights Reserved - Publication or duplication of parts of the whole article only with the written consent of the author! Page 3/4 We also saw a beautiful & promis- The last day before we all headed ing 3 months old colt. Sire: KS Tra- home we spent a day on the beach at dition Dam: Lily Creek Stefvani the Caribbean Sea.

Stallion: Genuino Score: 7.38 (8, 8, 8, 6, 7, 7, 8, 7) cannon bone 21 cm, height 155 cm – approved.

Sire: Nisos Dam: Gazali. The next Shagya we inspected was A big thank you to the von Fedak fam- one of the highlights of this inspec- Big framed masculine stallion with ily, their friends and all the people that tion tour: KS Tradition. nice head and long neck. A little bit helped to make this great tour to an too deep in his back. His hindquar- unforgettable event for everyone. ters could be more muscled. Strong fundament. Cannon bones slightly offset. Walk could be more ground During the 2 weeks in South America covering. Good trot with action. we also had the opportunity to fly to Active canter, but lacking propul- Barcelona (Venezuela) and received a sion. Typical Shagya stallion. warm welcome from Jorge Anez Da- gar. They showed us their impressive Shagya-Arabians and the work they do

Stallion: KS Tradition Score: 8.38 at their farm. (9, 9, 9, 9, 7, 7, 8, 9) cannon bone 20 cm, height 154 ½ cm – approved

Sire: Tatjanus Dam: Obeida I.

Wonderful dark brown stallion of real Shagya type with masculine head. Long and good set riding horse neck. Very nice and balanced back. Very good and impressive top line. Tail carried nice and relaxed. Well muscled hind legs. Strong and well defined fundament. Walk a bit short. Trot with rhythm and cadence like a real athletic sport horse. Up- hill canter. Ground covering.

In Europe he would be considered at a National Stud as a Primary Stallion. He is a win for this breed.