2 1 Together, We Are WA HO WORDS AND PHOTOS SHARON MEYERS The Kingdom of Bahrain, an archipelago of 33 islands, is located in the Persian Gulf just off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Arabian horse aficionados from around the world gathered at the Ritz Carlton Hotel 3 4 in the capital, Manama, to attend the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) Conference held under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during February 6-15, 2017. 1. Australian contingent. Photo Anne Brown. 3. Desert Bred horses at Fort Riffa. 2. Police Band at Fort Riffa. 4. The costumes were beautiful. he Conference was formally opened HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Patron of to see and learn more about the horses and handling or training or riding of them, or in and invigorated by new friendships and with WAHO. There are currently around 200 Arabian on February 9 by HRH Prince Salman the Conference, and HH Sheikh Isa bin Salman culture of the host country. planning your breeding programs for the a greater understanding of what WAHO is all horses in China, many of them imported from bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Al Khalifa, Host of the Conference, for so The main WAHO General Assembly years ahead. Sometimes we need to take a about.” Australia and USA. Their stated aim is to work Prince. The ceremony started with generously hosting WAHO’s 22nd General business started with Peter Pond’s opening breath, sit back and return to older values, to At every WAHO Conference, those closely with WAHO to have the first Chinese Ta fascinating film highlighting the history of Assembly. address, in which he spoke on several appreciate the importance of real face-to-face members who have passed away since the Arabian Studbook ready for acceptance at the Bahrain’s Arabian horses. Mrs. Jenny Lees gave He also thanked HRH Prince Salman bin important subjects but I thought the following communication, of taking the time to listen last meeting are remembered with a minute’s 2019 WAHO Conference in Australia. an excellent talk about the Royal Studs’ unique Hamad Al Khalifa for attending the opening held great merit and is definitely food for to each other, of allowing something to hold silence. This year the memorial section This was followed by the unanimous re- group of horses. I think we all agreed with her ceremony, as well as HH Sheikh Faisal bin thought for anyone involved with the breed. our attention for longer than it takes to read a included an emotional tribute and special film election of the WAHO Executive Committee, when she said, “Throughout the centuries the Rashid Al Khalifa and the High Committee “We live in a very fast-moving Internet age tweet or to send off a quick text. in honour of WAHO’s distinguished Executive whose detailed resumes can be read on the Arabian has been a formidable warhorse. From members at the Royal and Crown Prince Courts of social media, instant communication and “In some ways it is perhaps an anachronism Committee Member for over 30 years, Mrs. WAHO website. the number of countries represented in this for their warm welcome. sometimes unrealistic expectations of instant for us all to fly half way round the world just Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka from Poland, Further to the commitment made at the room today, it seems the Arabian horse is now He emphasised one of the main reasons answers and instant results. Most of us cannot to get together for a few days, but I hope who sadly passed away in 2015. She is clearly 2014 WAHO Conference to take a fresh look at a creator of lasting friendships and a universal we all love attending these unique events – to imagine modern life without these useful that by socialising together, meeting new greatly missed. how Consultants to the Executive Committee peacemaker.” enjoy not only the Conference days with the tools. people from every corner of the globe who Other agenda items included the are elected, the WAHO Constitution had been WAHO’s President, Peter Pond, on behalf many excellent guest speakers and diverse “But any involvement with horses requires all share one common passion – the Arabian acceptance of China, to warm applause, as an amended and updated, requiring a formal vote of all WAHO members, then formally thanked social events, but also to have the chance time and patience, whether that is in the horse – you will leave here feeling enriched Applying Registering Authority Member of to confirm its acceptance, which was unanimously 66 • April 2017 AHN AHN April 2017 • 67 passed. Peter Pond later stated, “We can now continuing their Arabian horse activities – would be to go against our core values and move forward with a stronger and better something Peter Pond had highlighted in objectives. I can now assure you the Executive Constitution and also with what we hope will be his earlier speech. “Unfortunately we live Committee will be writing a strong letter to seen as a more democratic way of finding new in an age of instability, political unrest and the FEI very soon to put pressure on them people to serve on the Executive Committee turmoil, and it is unfortunately clear that to find a solution, and quickly, to this serious in the future. We look forward to the WAHO several of our Member countries have been situation.” Conference in Australia in 2019, which will be very badly affected. This of course has not He concluded by reiterating that WAHO the first time to enact the protocol for the only caused much human suffering, but has is a totally non-political organisation, and that nomination and election of new Consultants.” also had a detrimental effect on the Arabian every registry, regardless of size, regardless Executive Committee Member Mr. horses in those countries. Yet it is very of country, is equal. “As Jay Stream often Xavier Guibert reported on the proceedings apparent to me, looking around the room, repeated – it is not the horses that bring their of the WAHO World Registrars Meeting how very highly our Delegates from some of problems to WAHO, it is the people. We have of which he is Chairman. Several issues of those affected countries value their Arabian always tried, and will always try in future, to importance to the smooth running of the horses, so much so that they have taken the resolve all these issues the best way we can as world’s Arabian studbooks had been discussed, time and trouble to be here with us today. and when they arise, in the best interests of and recommendations for updating some For that strong commitment to WAHO WAHO, of our members, and of the purebred registration rules were made, to be brought and to their horses, I both thank them and Arabian horse.” forward to the next Conference in Australia. applaud them.” As at every WAHO Conference, the In his closing address, Peter Pond made GUEST SPEAKERS delegates in turn presented their detailed a number of important points. Of particular We were treated to a wealth of Guest annual reports with information about the note, he mentioned that the issue of equine Speakers at this WAHO Conference. The first Arabian horse affairs in their country. Some welfare has become increasingly important was Dr. Ali Hassan Follad PhD, Advisor to the reported a marked increase in foal registrations, to WAHO. Referring to the recent deaths of Bahrain Tourism and Museums Authority notably Saudi Arabia and Egypt, others remained several horses competing in endurance he whose subject was “A Brief History of at about the same level, and a few had seen a said, “It is increasingly clear that our Arabian Bahrain”. His talk covered the most important drop in numbers. It was good to note newer horses are suffering and indeed dying in periods of the country’s extensive and rich WAHO Members such as Croatia and Estonia the name of sport… It is deeply shocking history. Strategically situated between two were present, along with others who have not and it simply cannot be allowed to continue continents, this maritime nation has been an attended a Conference for some years, such as without our voices being raised in defence important trading hub for over 4,000 years. Algeria and Applying Member Cuba. Sitting and of these horses, who have no voice of their Blessed with natural freshwater springs, and listening to all the delegates from all over the own and no choice but to go at the speeds formerly dependent on pearling, fishing and world, it brings home just how international and dictated by their riders. Arabian horses have agriculture, it was once known as “the mother multi-cultural the WAHO family really is. tremendous heart, tremendous courage, and of a million palm trees”. Since 1932 when oil 11 It was distressing to hear about the tremendous bravery which is why they are the was discovered, the country’s economy has countries affected by war, such as Syria and chosen breed for endurance. To stay silent evolved rapidly, and today Bahrain is also a Iraq, but encouraging to learn they are still and effectively abandon them to their fate busy financial and business centre. Prior to the Conference, many of us had Fort, an historic landmark we also enjoyed no strain is “better” than another: “They are the opportunity to visit historic sites in Bahrain exploring, together with the nearby all equally good, it is actually a matter of that brought to life the subjects Dr. Follad Military Museum with its huge, dramatic preference, of taste and of personal choice spoke about.