Also, the French bred GANDA Shagya-Arabers KOY, also by Shogun, has qualified with His Highness Sheik Nasser Bin Hamad Al in Endurance Khalifa and with Yousif Ali Taher Yousif. Ganda Koy has won the French Florac

By Nancy R. Skakel 100-mile ride.

The Shagya-Araber is beginning to receive long overdue recognition in endurance competition circles. The Shagya is one of the oldest recorded breeds in Europe; for over 200 years the breeding masters of have rigorously tested and selected the foundation stock specifically for the qualities needed in today's endurance sports. Hardiness, thrift, soundness, comfortable, efficient gaits, and a steady and willing mind are the hallmarks of this rare breed. Shagyas were never bred in great abundance because of their strict selection criteria. Today, there are only approximately 2,000 Shagyas around the globe, and yet look at their impact on the sport of distance riding!

On the international scene, we are all very proud of the Babolna-bred Shagya gelding HUNGARES (Siglavy Bagdady Becky Osborne on Sunami VIII x Kanya x Pamino), winner of the (Bold Bravo x Shoni x *Shandor) 2006 World Endurance Championship.

Several Shagyas have been nominated to compete at the 2008 WEG Championship Seiichi Hasumi, from Japan, will be Endurance Race in Malaysia. Among riding his American bred mare, SMR them are the classically bred mare FAYETTE DE CAMEO (*Oman x Cameo JANNIK (Jeremias x Novinna x Bartok), Corrine ox). Fayette won the Tevis in 2002 ridden by Veronika Menger from and the Haggin Cup in 2001. Mr. Hasumi Switzerland. Kamaruddin Abd Ghani is starting the first Japanese Shagya from Malaysia will be riding IMAGO DE breeding program with the importation of CROUZ, a 1996 bay by Shogun JANOS (*Salem x *Bashira) from the (Shagya XXXIX 11 x Ilona ShA). Ilona is a USA. Janos has 100% completions over daughter of Ibn Galal ox out of an O'Bajan 800 miles in the United States. In July he III daughter. Imago's dam is a Shagya won his first 50-mile ride in Japan in the mare named Almaya, a daughter of the heavy weight division. Janos promises to stallion Ibn Galal-15 (by Ibn Galal ox) and found a dynasty of international out of a mare named 575 Azanja V, bred at endurance in Japan. Karadjordjevo.

The 2006 Compiegne Champion sponsored the annual Shagya Distance was the half-Shagya KED JARI DES Cup Challenge. This was held in SERRES, and the 2005 World Champion conjunction with the Lincoln Trails Ride at was another related half-Shagya named Oakwood, Illinois. The highest placing GEORGAT (Dahoman family line). Shagya-bred , Jeremy Olson's SA BELSHAZZAR, (Bayram x Jayel Tonga

Farah ox) won the engraved vase, and had All across this country, Shagyas their names added to the perpetual trophy and their riders are competing in base. Junior rider Mikinzie Flanagan on endurance. In the Midwest, SA Ta Jet and SA IREESH TENOR (Bayram x SA Ireesh Marty Powers have completed over 2,170 Lullaby) placed as Reserve Champion in miles. They won the the Shagya Challenge, initiating our Distance Riding Association Versatility Junior Rider Awards program. ASAV Champion and AHDRA Top Ten also sponsored a buffet lunch at that ride. Endurance Part bred. Piatti and Becky Next year the Shagya Distance Challenge McCarthy have won several awards in will be held at a ride (TBA) west of the Regions 13 and 14, and Becky and Mississippi. Wineglass Dominus have been named the

National Reserve CTR Half-Arab Champions. Linda Rudolphi, of Shagyas are bred for endurance. Wineglass Farm, has had a number of her They are medium size (15 to 16 hands) Shagyas competing over the years. In the with substantial bone and powerful northwest Patty Betts, and Rebecca hindquarters. They are known for having Osborne have been competing with their excellent, hard hooves, strong backs, well Shagyas for several years, and Irmi and set necks, deep, smooth bodies, and best Denis Atam have successfully finished of all an eager, intelligent, yet steady several rides in 2008 coming in 1st and 2nd temperament. The breed was developed with *Nadjsha. Carolyn Tucker and Toni specifically to be versatile, easy to manage Jones are familiar faces at western rides. and keep, and with Arabian In the southwest Dale Scoville has done characteristics fortified and intensified by well with Samson, and Vern Wingest and highly selective breeding standards. By Brahma PFF are logging some miles. SW DNA testing the Shagya is Omega and Karen Bish completed the indistinguishable from a purebred Tevis in 2007. The young Shagya Arabian, yet they are easily distinguished Max, Sterling Silver AF, and *KS Rubin are from the Arab in conformation, structure, all beginning their endurance competition and general character. The result is an careers. Potato Richardson’s Arab-type horse with generally more Shagya/Arabian stallion, SMR Garcon, has substance in the frame, more bone, a had 6 Top Ten placings and a Best longer, more sloping croup, and a bright, Condition. Garcon won the Eastern High tractable mind. They are imminently Sierra Ride 50 minutes ahead of the suitable to the sport of endurance. They second place horse! These are just a few also perform very well in , of the many Shagyas and their owners , and combined . Whether currently competing in this country. you are a casual rider or a serious Shagyas are being found more and more competitor, the Shagya-Araber offers a often taking their places at endurance ride world of pleasure and satisfaction to camps. today's equestrian. Please take time to check out our newly updated ASAV website at This year the American Shagya- www.shagyaregistry.com. Araber Verband (ASAV) once again