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Report about the 5th ASAV Anniversary, Membership Meeting & Clinics
Main Speaker Sponsors: KEEP - Kentucky Equine Education 
Project Sponsors: KEEP - Kentucky Equine Education Project, Plamp Keen Equine Insurance, Davenport Trucking, Pelphrey Enterprises, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Skychai Racing LLC, Metzger’s Country Store, Redwood Ranch, Washington State. Darlene Steven Stables, Shelby Co.Tourism Commission, Kentucky Farm Bureau

Shagya members and enthusiasts met recently near Shelbyville, Ky. for the fifth annual meeting of the Shagya registry, that has seen amazing growth since it's incorporation in 2002. Nearly 175 guests and members were on hand at the farm of Darlene Steven of Buck Creek farm, Finchville, Ky.

Tamas Rombauer, past director of the Hungarian Arabian State Stud located in Babolna, Hungary, was present and gave several presentations during the three days the meeting was in progress. Particular attention was given to the threatened closing of this historic stud farm, founded in 1789 and the ancestral home of the rare and endangered Shagya breed, developed from purebred Arabian bloodstock.

Mr. Rombauer is also vice president of the International Shagya Araber Gesellschaft (ISG society for purebred Shagya breeding). He is an internationally renowned speaker and recognized judge of the purebred Arabian, as well as the Shagya.

Particular importance was given to the breeding criteria, for this exceptional breed, and a detailed standard for judging was presented to members and guests. There are about 2000 breeding animals worldwide and in the U.S. only about 150.

The owner of *OMAN, a U.S, foundation Shagya stallion owned by Carolyn Tucker of California, was a special guest and speaker and told of her experience riding *Oman in the Tevis race on two occasions. She also took this, now deceased stallion, through the ISR 100 day testing where he won approval and licensing.

Carolyn was awarded the first MERITORIUS AWARD created by ASAV to recognize a Shagya for it's lifetime achievement in breeding, equestrian sports or a contribution that brings attention to the Shagya breed. *Oman was also inducted into the ASAV studbook, where he has many offspring and is considered a foundation stallion.

Guests were also treated to a breathtaking performance by Frank Bakonyi, founder and member of the Hungarian Cavalry and Hussar Guard which is headquartered in El Gatos, Ca. Frank performed a full charge on his white horse, in full Hussar uniform, saber raised! Mr. Bakonyi is also involved in the “Save Babolna” campaign.

Several clinicians were on hand to present their programs, which spanned many aspects of training and health. The main sponsor of this event was KEEP – Kentucky Equine Education Project, is a nonprofit org. that lobbies for horse related legislature.. A total of eleven sponsors funded the event.

ASAV was established as a registry for purebred Shagya Arabians, part bred Shagya Arabians and to regulate the approval of breeding stock. Most important is the promotion and coordination of Shagya breeders throughout the world and to disseminate information about the breed to the public.

Recently a registry for the Anglo Shagya was added to record this cross similar to the Anglo Arab, but with the Shagya. RAMZES, a stallion found in countless warm blood registries was an Anglo Shagya!

Information about the Shagya breed or registration and membership may be found on the web site www.shagyaregistry.com

News Editor: Donna Coss - cossdj@gmail.com