ASAV Newsletter August 2009

American Shagya Arabian Verband, Inc. Summer, 2009 Newsletter Lily Creek Stetson

“Endurance” Proving to be the Perfect Sport for our Shagyas

SA Te Jat

President’s Corner

Kilian Dill

2009 has been a very successful year for ASAV. Membership has expanded to numbers beyond what we had envisioned. The Jump Start Breeding program is still garnering new members all the way from the east coast (New England, Virginia, North Carolina) to the Pacific Ocean (Eureka, CA).

We have extended the deadline until July 31st and it is likely we will again extend the date of our offering.

Our National meeting, held in Bend Oregon, was a smashing success. The meeting report is in this newsletter and on our web site Maren Engelhardt presented a very enlightening and educational program as it pointed out the Shagya stallion and mare lines that have influenced the Trakehner breed. It is our hope to foster and expand collaborations with other horse organizations. In line with this effort, Karen Bish is hosting an American Warmblood Society inspection at her ranch (see announcement in this newsletter). All Shagya owners are invited for either the inspection clinic or to present their horse(s).

The ASAV Endurance Challenge cup race is set for Brothers, Oregon on September 19th. All those who wish to participate are welcome. Details are given in this newsletter. ASAV will provide a continental breakfast on the day of the awards. The Shagya winner receives an engraved cup and becomes the owner of the cup for one

year. Next year the race will be east of the Mississppi.

The 2010 ASAV National meeting will be held in Kentucky in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games. We already have Shagya dignitaries from Europe and South America, who will be attending. We endeavor to make this our most spectacular meeting to date. (Kentucky 2010 - September 25 - October 10) One other issue has come up and I have decided to address this in the President’s corner. PShR has asked ASAV to join with them in proposing a joint inspection. We have indicated to them we are not against this and would “ask our membership”. Our official line is that we do not mandate inspections for our members. Inspections are voluntary! To this end, those who do participate will get special recognition by the registrar. Those who do not participate will not be ostracized in any way.

Remember we work for you~ the members!

The Shagyas in North America do well because their members love them and are proud of them. We aim to make you our prime focus.

Thus, take part in any inspection out there. Just let us know what you did and how well you fared. If you wish to take part in a Shagya inspection (no matter which organization) feel free to do so.

In order to get a head count as to who would like to take part in a Shagya inspection, please let me know. I can report this to the heads of the other organizations.

Frank Bakonyi, of the First California Hussar Regiment, gave a talk on the history of the Hungarian Hussars at the recent ASAV annual meeting, where he was an honored guest.

Read his article in this issue

Happy birthday to my amazing partner, SA Te Jat!!!

This picture of Te was taken by photographer Genie Stewart-Spears at the Endless Valley ride.

Today ( July 22, 2009) is Te’s 11th birthday, and what a fabulous time we’ve had over the last six years! I bought Te from Daunna Sellers as a just started five year old and began competing with him in distance riding the following year. We currently have over 2,600 combined miles in competitive trail, limited distance, and endurance. This year is going very well. I’ll focus on just a few of his rides.

Over Memorial Day weekend we competed at AHDRA I, a ride practically in my backyard in northern Illinois, and rode two days of competitive trail. There were over a dozen of the top competitive horses in UMECRA (Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association) competing. Te was first lightweight and high point both days, with a higher vet score on the second day.

Two weeks later, we went to the White River Summer Ride in Michigan and did our first 50-mile ride of the season. He came in 10th out of 25 horses in very strong competition (Canada had sent several riders from their National Endurance Team).

Then over the 4th of July weekend we went to the Endless Valley Ride in Wisconsin. What a remarkable weekend we had! Te came in first place and earned Best Conditioned in the 55-mile ride on Friday and then came back on Sunday and tied for 1st lightweight in competitive trail. The vets were very impressed and said he looked better at the end of the ride on Sunday than he did at the beginning!

We had a wonderful weekend at the Wildcat ride in Wisconsin..

I rode the 50 mile ride on Friday ( July 31) with two very experienced endurance riders who have done lots of 100’s, National rides, etc. We rode together the entire ride and all three horses were doing well at the end so we decided to draw straws for our finish placing, rather than race in on a gravel road.

I drew second place (not bad since I probably would have gotten lost without them) and Te got BC!!!

Two rides in a row he’s been awarded BC. If I’m reading the BC score sheet correctly we did the ride in 5 hours and 2 minutes. This means we averaged 10 miles an hour.

Te looked fabulous at the end, but I decided not to ride on Sunday. I really want to finish the season with 3000 UMECRA miles, so I don’t want to push too hard at this point in the season and mess things up.

Marty Powers

SA Te Jat has won more awards then one may count. He was the ASAV Distance champion in 2007 and the AERC reserve champion High Point and High Milage horse.

Marty Powers, his owner, continues to rack up those miles, and awards.

Te Jat’s breeder is Daunna Sellers.

Te is by Bayram x SA Enif ox

FEET OF IRON AND A RACING HEART

By Carol Federighi Lily Creek Stetson is a 10-year-

old Shagya gelding owned by my friend, Brian Coss. In his prior life he was a breeding stallion owned by Brian’s mother, Donna Coss. After Donna decided to end his breeding career and find out what he could do as an athlete, semen was frozen, and she gave him to Brian, who works in Washington, DC and lives in Manassas, Va. Brian started with trail riding and also experimented with dressage and jumping lessons but had not found a true career for Stetson until he started hearing about endurance and some of the feats that other Shagyas (especially, Oman) have achieved in endurance.

Brian had the opportunity to discuss in depth the subject of the Shagya breed in endurance directly with Tamas Rombauer. Tamas was the breeding director of the Shagya stud at Babolna, Hungary, for several years and is well known in the European horse community.

Michelle Mattingley, another Shagya fan, (AERC winner 2001) generously instructed Brian in the complexities of competitive endurance at the Chicken Chase ride (Brian’s first endurance ride as a spectator) in Indiana in 2008 Coming home and looking in his barn, Brian then saw what seemed to him to be Carol and Stetson the perfect endurance horse.

Stetson has solid feet, correct conformation, lots of bone in his legs, a strong back, and a sensible attitude, and he moves straight without interfering. In addition, he is a gentle soul who loves being around people – for example, he is always ready for Brian to jump on him bareback with just a halter and to careen around the field.

So off Brian went to start to condition Stetson (which is when I came into the picture, as a training partner with my horse Gobi). Endurance turned out to be the perfect sport for Brian, who also likes flying, snowboarding, backpacking, and for Stetson~ once he found the joy of racing down the trail with another horse.

Being outside in nature (rain or shine) and spending lots of time with your horse, and caring obsessively about his every need and the well-being of every cell in his body, is some of what we endurance riders like about the sport.

And, to be sure, we love galloping headlong down the trail trying to catch another horse, or floating along for miles at a 10-12 mph trot.

Brian started seriously conditioning Stetson in early 2008.

Taking things slowly with regard to competition, he rode in a few “limited-distance” rides (25 miles) that year. The year ended with a first-place finish in the 25-mile Fort Valley race, with me crewing (in the pouring rain.)

2009’s goal was to move up to 50 miles in competition and to really test out what Stetson could do. Along the same lines, Brian decided over the winter to pull Stetson’s shoes and to ride and train him barefoot. Stetson’s feet were already iron-tough and going barefoot proved no problem for him, even over rocky training rides in the mountains.

After further research into foot care for endurance horses, Brian decided to try racing in the new Easyboot Glue-Ons, agreeing that extra protection was needed for actual racing, even if the horse could train barefoot. As part of his plan to “step up” in competition, Brian also sought professional guidance on conditioning and racing from Judie Ricci of Meadow Springs Endurance Training Center.

Stetson also spent two sessions at the Animal Aquatic Swim Center in Middleburg, Va. The first time to take care of adhesions left from his gelding surgery and the second time just for conditioning. He was a great subject and water as/in creeks, lakes or the Shenadoah River is no problem!

The first race of the season, the No Frills 55 miler, proved a successful outing both for Stetson and his footwear (even though he lost his rear Glue-On boots somewhere in the fetlock-deep mud in the middle of the race), and he and Brian finished just outside the top ten, in 14th place (again, with me crewing, and in the pouring rain). Brian reported, however, that Stetson was very keen during the race, although racing well within his ability; in fact, he found control over Stetson’s speed, elusive at points.

Brian was riding Stetson, as usual, in a bitless bridle, which usually is all he needs. However, once Stetson’s racing heart took over, he effortlessly ignored the bitless bridle in his desire to take the lead.

I then stepped in as a backup rider to ride Stetson in his next race. I had been training with Stetson and Brian on my horse, Gobi, who unfortunately was now injured.

Brian thought I would be a good match with Stetson and that Stetson might benefit from some of the additional experience I had. Last year, I had done a week-long clinic at the Global Endurance Training Center in Moab, Utah, with Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward, and had gone back to Utah subsequently to ride in three 50-mile races at the Paunsagaunt XP, Randy Coleman Memorial Pioneer Ride.

Feet of Iron.....pg.2 I learned a lot about pacing and race-riding from them (in addition to conditioning, feeding, shoeing, etc.).

My ride on Stetson was the Sandhills Moonlight ride.

The race started at 7 pm and we rode into the night along the wide sand roads of the Sandhills Reserve in South Carolina. We opted to try an English hackamore for control, and the Glue-Ons for just the front feet. Stetson and I started out in the first group, and did we fly! Six or seven of us cantering madly for miles in a tight group, our fit horses barely taking a breath.

But after half an hour or so of this, I got concerned about the toll this might be taking on Stetson. No, he did not act tired, but his heart rate had been at a fairly high level for a while, it was still hot out, and this was only his second fifty-mile race. Time to slow down a bit, I decided. Stetson had other ideas, and so we embarked on a many-mile-long battle.

By this time, Stetson had figured out the hackamore and how to brace against it in such a way as to avoid the leverage effect. So we cantered on – or was this a gallop? – Stetson with his head between his legs, me standing up and leaning back, hauling alternately on one rein or another to try to get some slowing down effect. Somehow, the point of this (to give Stetson a bit of a breather) got lost in this pitched battle.

On we charged, until finally another rider caught up and I was able to tuck Stetson in behind him and get him to slow down. The last few miles of this loop, we even trotted a bit.

I jogged him in to the vet check, worried that it might take him a while to pulse down or that he might have problems with eating as he had before, due to the furious pace at which we had covered that loop.

Swiftly, Brian, another friend, Jesse, and I threw water on him and scraped it off, and repeated. Yes, it did take a bit longer than usual for him to “pulse down,” but he did do so within 15 minutes and everyone else in the lead was taking about the same amount of time. So we were left wondering if Stetson would have finished that loop in equally good shape (but closer to the leaders) if I had let him roll and not engaged in the heart-pounding battle over control.

For the second loop, we were on our own, and Stetson settled down to listen to me. Darkness fell, glowsticks bloomed, and we zipped on, at a less draining but still quick pace. Pulsing down at the end of that loop was easy, and we felt Stetson was still racing well within himself.

I calculated that we were sitting in seventh or eighth place, on schedule for a hoped-for top-ten finish.

It was a good thing that Stetson had the energy reserves I thought he had, as his mettle was then tested on the next

It was a good thing that Stetson had the energy reserves I thought he had, as his mettle was then tested on the next loop. We headed out alone again, and after about four miles, I missed a turn and sped way too far down a long, dark, worryingly glowstick-free road. By the time I found my way back to the missed turn (I will skip the description of my navigational flaws), I estimated that Stetson and I had covered an extra four miles, and lost half an hour of time. A top-ten finish now seemed out of the question. We fell in with two other riders that caught up to us as we shuffled dejectedly down (finally) the right road, and spirits rose as we traded off leads with them, and they boosted us to the finish of that loop.

Finally, the last loop – off we went again, alone after the first ten minutes. All of Stetson’s parameters were good – heart rate, breathing, willingness – and we settled down to try to make up some time as finally the moon lit up the sand roads. Stetson quickly opted into an 8-mph trot, from which I periodically asked him for his faster trot, or a canter.

We never did see anyone else, either in front of or behind us, and trotted at the same steady pace across the finish line – amazingly, in tenth place (unofficial results). Stetson pulsed down immediately, as that loop had taken little of him – indeed, each loop seemed to take progressively less out of him. And because we had taken that loop at such a measured pace (no need to rush if we were not going to catch up to anyone), he was ideally positioned for the “best-conditioned” part of the competition, in which we got third (also still unofficial).

A week later, Stetson has not lost any weight from his exertions and, in fact, looks even more muscular than before. And his feet looked untouched by the sand roads of South Carolina. Stetson and his riders still have a lot to learn about race strategy and conditioning, so the long-term plan is for more, well-spaced-out fifty-mile races. Next on the agenda is the Ride Between the Rivers on August 8, where there will be rockier terrain to navigate again (but no night-time riding). Like purebred Arabs, Stetson holds his fitness well, so there is no need for much conditioning work between races – Brian plans one weekend of hard rides but otherwise will pretty much take it easy and let Stetson build up his strength.

Which is just fine with Stetson, unless he sees a pack of horses taking off without him ....

Stetson is a son of Sarvar PFF and his dam is the wonderful mare, Sonata PFF. Stetson was left an orphan at 30 days when his dam died from an improper, and catastrophic Veterarian procedure.

Sliger Mine Ranch Shagyas Perform Well in TEVIS Three of Potato Richardson’s Shagya bred horses completed the 2009 Tevis race, held August 1st in California. Fayette de Cameo, a purebred daughter of *Oman, and previous winner of the Tevis in 2002, and the Haggin Cup in 2001, placed 15th in this year’s ride. She was ridden by her owner, Seiichi Hasumi The 7/8 brother to “Cameo” SMR Zoltaan, finished and came in with a very respectable seventh place. His rider was Christopher Baker, from the U.K. Zoltaan is sired by one of the ASAV Jump Start stallions, SMR GARCON. Potato Richardson, also finished the Tevis, on his Arabian mare, SMR Filouette. He came in in 28th place. This is his 20th Tevis buckle!

Potato and Filouette Tevis 2009

A.E.R.C Standings August 1st, 2009 Bob & Julie Suhr Husband & Wife Team Award #8. Julia & Michael Elias Lily Creek Nobelest (LC Stetson X SW Naomi) Lily Creek Bataan (Bahadur x SW Selabration) Julie & Michael also ride two OX geldings

Jim Jones Stallion Awards Third Place *KS RUBIN Purebred Shagya stallion owned by Katherine Voyer 460 miles Imported by Donna Coss

*KS Rubin

Michael & Nobelest

First in Featherweight Division -- ALL Regions Belesemo Arabian Pioneer Award ~~ 1306 points # 2 War Mare Award ~~ 1111 points # 2

MJL OLIVIA Purebred Shagya mare owned by Monica Vincent of Dallas, Tx. Sired by *OMAN Dam is Ruminaja Ali/Khemosabi

Ninja PFF A Story With a Happy Ending

By Judith Moore

Ninja PFF, six year old Shagya gelding, is owned by my friend, Dale Scoville who lives with me. Dale is competing my gelding, Samson in endurance (together, they have completed over 450 miles) We haven’t decided just what direction to concentrate on for Ninja. His trainer thinks 3-day would be a good fit since he has some jumping ability. ( he jumped out of his paddock) I would like to ride him in dressage. He has done some trail riding but is still green.

SarvarPFF, his sire, really demonstrates what a wonderful cross the Shagya makes with the purebred Arabian.

The photos are from his first show ever. Ninja’s dam is Nadeja, a Bask pure Polish granddaughter.

He is now sound and was entered in the Pacific Coast Arabian Sport Horse Classic in late May. The PCASHC has offered Shagya classes for many years and it is a wonderful opportunity to highlight our Shagyas. Ninja was reserve champion in the Shagya Sport horse in hand.

Sterling Silver, a stallion owned by Shelley Housch took first place honors. Ninja won his Shagya Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle class and took third in his Half Arabian Under saddle class. Ninja was handled and ridden by our trainer, Ryan Sulonen.

Shagya Arabian Sport Horses Ninja lost about a year of training since we had to bring him back from stifle surgery. He got kicked right on the stifle and the joint was split open. He had two surgeries to flush out the joint because of infection. Then he had about six months of stall rest~veterinary hospital ~ and $10,000. later we have a super Shagya.

Judith Moore & Dale Scoville Napa, California shomanient@sbcglobal.net

AWS INSPECTION submitted by Karen Bish

New Babies 2009

As many of our ASAV members can attest to the Shagya breed blends well with many of the other breeds. The Shagya is indeed seen as the “great improver” by many. At the ASAV convention this year, Dr Maren Engelhardt gave us a wonderful overview of how influential the Shagya blood has been for years in the Trakehner breeding program. And she listed a great many of the top performance Trakehners who have benefited and excelled in their sports from the addition of Shagya blood lines.

More and more our breed is being appreciated by breeders on the warmblood side. It makes sense then that Shagya breeders partner up or support breed organizations such as the AMERICAN WARMBLOOD SOCIETY, who understand the value of high quality cross bred horses.

ASAV wants to make our members aware of an AWS warmblood inspection being held Sept. 12 at Karen Bish’s, Hawkview Ranch in Bend, Oregon.

As stated on their web site “The AWS is an international non-profit performance/Breed registry whose only goal and purpose is to represent, promote, award and aid in the development of talented sport horses of all bloodlines from the grass roots through the Olympic levels”.

Details about the inspection criteria appear on the AWS web site. The AWS focuses on an educational format at their inspections so this will also be a learning experience.

The horses are not judged to a breed specific criteria but rather to desirable conformation and desirable movement criteria. Several Shagya’s will be presented.

If you’d like more information see the AWS web site or contact Karen Bish at 541~388~1410 for details or inspection entries.

“ELLA” Ciara’s Divine Rafealla *Dante X Lily Creek Ciara

Kathy Johnson “Ella” has caused quite a sensation in her neighborhood of Wild Rose, WI. Is she the only Shagya born in Wisconsin this year?

Sun Arabs

SW Saranade SW Daniel X Lily Creek Sarendipity

This is: SA Jeeka's Jessica

For Sale Karen Bish

Bayram X Oak Island Jeeka Hawkview Ranch Bend, Oregon

Farm News Lake Chelan Shagya Arabians Cherry harvest is around the corner here at Lake Chelan Shagya Arabians and we are expecting a record crop. This year brought us several positive changes and we are looking forward with excitement to the second half. Since eight months now we are proud owners of a Shagya stud and watch with pleasure the progress he makes in dressage. after only three months of intense training Shagya US shows proper muscle development and gains more and more confidence every day. Coming well under from behind now we expect him to be ready to start showing and competing in a few months. Watch out for further news from Shagya US - we will keep you informed!

With Denis being “home” full time now we finally can concentrate on our already established vineyard and orchard and the founding of our winery: Atam’s Winery.

There are hundreds of forms to file with the county, state and federal government and so far it left us only little time for riding. However we are planning to attend a few endurance races late summer and fall, though, with *Nadjsha, our purebred Shagya Arabian mare and one of our younger Shagyas.

Have you seen that we offer *Nedda, her full sister, for a very attractive price? We consider this as a “Shagya Stimulus Package” and it provides a perfect opportunity to get you started with the Shagya Arabians.

Irmi Atam www.shagya.us

Sun Arabs

The wound care article needs an update and we are showing this photo of the leg as of July22. It has healed fairly well considering the gravity of the wound.

We made the long trip to northern Illinois and to Lily Creek Ridge, where we loaded, Lily Creek Ravven, a three year old stallion, that is a son of *KS Rubin X LC Seredy, an *Oman/ Stetson cross.

He has a lot of bone and substance and at 15.3 should Daunna Sellers add some height to our next SUNARABS@FUSE.NET foal crop.

DARLENE STEVENS AND DAUNNA SELLERS National Junior Young Riders Endurance Championship at Clark St. Forest in Henryville, IN. Darlene and I served tea and cookies to the riders and their crews in the name of ASAV. I stayed for the winners who started at 6:00 am and came in at 5:50 or there abouts.

There were 18 starters, which included two Mexican riders FROM MEXICO. Their coach was very happy to have two riders do 75 miles. She said no other Mexican rider has accomplished this and of course these are youths. These Mexican youths leased horses to ride. (I think from Jan Worthington) And two or maybe more Canadian riders.

Our Shagya rider was not able to make it.

REDWOOD RANCH We have several horses that need to sell and find new homes.

Shagya gelding , RWR HORUS, 9 yrs.. undersaddle , nice body, Bold Bravo Son .

IRHAN, Shagya mare, older, needs to have a couple more foals as rare Shagya bloodlines in the US. New homes needed ASAP. Shagya US

Kilian Dill

redwoodranch@yahoo.com

Lily Creek Ridge I am still in the process of selling my farm so it has been a very stressful summer. I will keep you posted as to what develops.

Three purebred Shagya foals were born here this spring and one Tk./ cross. All sired by *Dante. The lone filly is from Diva Dance. All will be for sale.

Sold is TANSY, a very nice four year old mare, from Tunis, Tk. x *Dante. She was purchased by Marve Castic of Wheaton, Il. They are amazed by her quiet, confident demeanor. Of course, I tell them the Shagya part is all that is needed to “re-wire” the brain. Her dam could be a fruit cake at times.

I just had an e-mail from Jana Bennett who has one of the Anglo Shagya mares, sired by LC STETSON. She is a full sister to LC SABLE, who resides in Virginia.

LILY CREEK STAR STATUS continues to impress!

“I am a adult amateur currently riding training level, schooling first level movements. I ride with an instructor on a regular basis and this summer have started showing in local schooling shows. Two weeks ago I rode with a classical dressage clinician, Dr. Thomas Ritter, and he really liked Star. The first day he called her elegant and the second he told me she has talent.

Star is always eager to learn when schooling and rarely says no, when she does I think it is out of confusion. She is very tolerant of rider mistakes and does not take things personally. She is very good in new environments, never spooky or stupid. I trail ride her around the barn and have trailered her to a local county park to ride with no problems. It is my goal this Fall to do a hunter pace (no jumping) with three of my friends who are foxhunters.

She is an easy keeper and currently does not wear shoes . . . very good feet. Star has only been marish once since I’ve owned her, it was a Spring heat. Knocking wood as I say this, she has never been lame. She has been turned out with other horses with success, but will let the other horse know if she does not like them. At my barn they prefer to turnout horses alone”.

Jana Bennett

I did not breed back any mares this year and what I have left here at the farm have wonderful Shagya bloodlines.

SW Selabration.............*Oman X Sabiyana Bay mare~ born 1995, she is approved NASS and ATA and has produced supreme offspring for me. Her 09 colt is a full brtoher to “DaVinchi”, owned by Shannon McCracken in eastern Canada. Her bay yearling filly by *KS Tribute, is Lily Creek Legacy, and NOT for sale!

Summer PFF..............Sarvar PFF X Sjonja Beautiful mare that looks exactly like her dam. May be in foal to TB stallion, Storm Cat grandson.

Lily Creek Brielle...........Bahadur X Selabration My beauty ~born 6/03, she carries very desirable imported lines. Has stunning yearling filly by KS Tribute--chestnut, flaxen mane and tail. This year is one of my very best, a colt by *Dante, Lily Creek Dance With Me Lily Creek Diva Dance....Sarvar PFF X Dynamo’s Dancer, p.b. ox. Diva is a gorgeous, tall mare, that always produces a premium foal. She does well under saddle.

Has a yearling filly by LC Bataan, and this year another filly by *Dante Lily Creek My Secret, Anglo Trakehner mare from frozen semen from Horstein stud in Germany is simply one of the most beautiful mares with big, melting eyes, big, deep body.

The best example of the Habicht line! Has a long legged bay colt by *Dante.

DAVANI Anglo Shagya four year old mare under saddle Endurance Prospect FOR SALE *Dante X LC Secret To Keep

First California Hussar Regiment

Frank Bakonyi, of the First California Hussar Regiment, gave a talk on the history of the Hungarian Hussars at the recent ASAV annual meeting, where he was an honored guest. Each piece of his authentic reproduction of an 1848 Hussar’s uniform was explained in detail.

His presentation concluded with a thrilling demonstration of the Hussar’s lightening mounted charge.

The Hussars were the light cavalry of the Hungarian nation and later the main force of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Army. While the foot soldiers, with their baggage, supplies, and camp followers, could only move ten to twelve miles a day, the light cavalry could cover 50 to 60 miles~ day after day.

The Hussar’s famous tactic was to hide in the landscape, make a lightening charge into the midst of a suprised enemy, then wheel and disappear again. This was remarkable since even into the late 17th century all charges by any other cavalry were made at walk and trot.

Their horses were very thrifty and hardy. Originally they were a mixture of Turkomen and Oriental blood. During the 17th and 18th centuries, horses were imported from the Syrian Desert to improve the quality of the cavalry mounts. This led to the foundation of the Shagya breed.

(Frank mentioned that a price of 26,000 golden ducats was paid for the founding desert-born stallion named, Shagya.) The Shagya was taller then the Oriental horses, with a deeper body, and was substantial enough to carry a man, his armor, and their rations. Shagyas became known as the “Emperor’s Horses”. It was considered

a mark of honor and prestige when a young officer was assigned a Shagya to ride.

Royal families in Europe frequently intermarried, causing many wars to be fought over inheritance rights.

A Hussar generally fought in foreign lands, so their reputation as fierce and capable fighters was renowned. The term of service was usually ten years, with a six year re-enlistment.

The Hussar’s primary weapon was the saber. This is a long, relatively heavy sword, sharp on both edges at the tip. It was intended to cause injury to the enemy, because an injured soldier required more manpower and supplies to care for than a dead enemy would. Horses were rarely purposely injured. Rather, they were captured for use by the winning side.

The Hussar’s distinctive tall hat had several uses. It could be used as a bucket to water the horse. A wire frame helped protect the head. The markings on the hat identified the rank and regiment of the wearer. It had a cord which buttoned to the jacket so it would not be lost in battle.

The entire uniform was made of wool; warm in winter and when wet, and breathable in hotter weather. The styling allowed considerable freedom of movement. On the jacket and pants were lovely swirling designs of metal entwined braid which helped to protect the Hussar from saber cuts.

Officers’ jackets had five rows of buttons; lieutenants’ jackets had three rows of buttons.

Hussars..... page two The cape was worn over the left shoulder to protect the arm which held the reins. The right arm was left free to swing the saber. An embroidered “saber -sash ” hung from the soldier’s belt carried personal belongings, and helped protect the thigh.

A colonel hired the men to form his regiment, and paid for their horses, uniforms, and armaments. Usually, the Treasury would then reimburse him for his expenses. However, he was allowed to choose his own regimental colors and the regiment was usually named after him.

The horse’s tack was also designed for battle. The horse’s gut and flank were protected from saber cuts by the deep saddle pad. The bridle had brass decorations and a piece that crossed the horse’s face to provide more protection.

The First California Hussar Regiment has a mission to provide Education, Entertainment, and Enjoyment.

They can field from 12 to 18 riders in full uniform. Their musical keurs have been performed for the Hungarian Embassy in Washington DC and gala events throughout California.

They strive to keep alive the memory of Commander Michael Kovats, the Hussar who organized the first United States Cavalry under General George Washington. During the American Revolutionary War, the Hussars often fought out numbered ten to one. Legend says that Commander Kovats died in battle in 1779 of Charleston. First they shot his horse than they shot him. Even when his horse collapsed and he was dying, he held up the American flag in his hand. Brigadier General Skully, who was the British commander, reputedly said of Kovats, “He was he best damn cavalry the Rebels ever had.” Frank Bakonyi ended his talk with these words, “Like me, Commandant Kovats was Hungarian by birth, but we are American by choice.”

We adjourned to the big outdoor arena where Bakonyi mounted his horse to give us a taste of what the Hussars’ full gallop charge was like. He rode a big bay Hungarian Felver gelding, borrowed from a boarder at the Hawkview Ranch stable. The striking dark bay and the elegantly uniformed rider made an impressive picture. Many of us had photos taken with this handsome pair.

By Nancy Skakel

*Nedda

(Lenkoran II x *N'Obaja) Purebred Shagya‐Arabian

Premium Shagya‐ Arabians imported from Germany ...

Mare imported from Germany

born 2001, grey, honest 14. 3 ½

$3,800 This is a unique opportunity to buy a purebred Shagya‐Arabian mare. Nedda is very friendly, sound, and has no vices, and had one foal so far. She is sound, was inspected/approved for purebred Shagya breeding and registered with both North American Shagya‐Arabian associations.

Visit our web‐site for details & further sale horses

Denis & I rmi A tam * Phone: 509-687-4421 * Email: atam@rmtw.com

FOR SALE -- RARE IMPORTED SHAGYA STALLION

*OLIVERO *OLIVERO is a European import, who has lovely gaits and good conformation He will be a a rare contribution to the SHAGYA gene pool here in the States.

Under saddle, very forward moving with lots of suspension, powerful hind end with good hock action.

Good barn manners and quiet temperment Will mature about 15.2

Rohan Meadows Shannon McCracken Sterling, Ontario, Canada 613-395-9054

enforcement@crowvalley.com

What Elisha and I Did all February and March In Jan of 2009, I adopted a horse from Nicole Dutzi, that was going to the killers. She is a beautiful Chestnut AngloArab mare. She settled into the routine at Sun Arabs for three weeks. I got tired of cleaning her stall. The first night I put her out overnight she met me standing in the field with a help me look on her face.

The following pictures show what my daughter, Elisha Morehead, and I had to deal with. The Vet, I called to put her down, said there could be a chance that she would heal if it was all soft tissue damage. She suggested that we give her five days, if there was no infection and fever she might make it. In five days she had a spark in her eye and had a normal temperature for the eight weeks we nursed her. She had two rounds of spectra, a sulfa based drug for infection. After that we put her on an herbal mixture called Glycomixens made in California. This is taken internally to boost stem cell production. With this treatment a salve is used to put on the wound.

Every day she was hosed for 10 minutes, the wound was washed with surgical soap, rinsed and then cleansed with Hydrogen peroxide. The wound was patted dry and the salve applied around the edges of the wound, and around the exposed bone. Furizone salve on the gauze and placed on the wound. Then standing cottons and vet wrap.

These series of pictures with dates tell the story.

We ran out of the Glycomixens and the salve. Healing is still going on, she walks sound and sometimes trots without a limp. She is interested in visiting Bayram which is why she came to the farm.

Daunna Seller and Elisha Morerhead Feb. 13

Feb. 13

March 11

SA Skat

July 1, 1996 - May 15, 2009

Skat died because of a freak accident coming into the barn. He fell on a cement ramp at the barns entrance. He struggled to get up and injured himself internally.

He won the 2006 Shatowee Run Novice CTR-his first ride and was reserve champion in the National Shagya Endurance Challange Cup 2006. For most of his working life he was leased and loved by Kathy Papp of Villa Hills, KY. The picture of Skat walk is with Kathy Papp riding.

The time has come To say goodbye To that special four-legged friend Watch as he gallops into the sky His mane and tail swish as he climbs the clouds His agile hooves skip lightly And ever so slightly, A smile flickers on his velvet lips.

As high as the flying bird He rejoins the herd And turns round to smile again.

Goodbye, Your dear, four legged friend

THE SHAGYA CONNECTION

ASAV Award Program Several have asked about the Award Program that is sponsored by ASAV. 1. DISTANCE RIDING AWARD PROGRAM Points for the new ASAV Distance Riding Award may be accumulated in endurance and/or competitive trail competition. All owners of horses must be members in good standing of ASAV and the horses must be registered with the association in order to earn points. Horses do not have to be ridden by the owner in order to earn points. Points may be earned on rides which require mandatory veterinary supervision during the entire competition. At this time, points maybe earned by riding under the sanctioning of the following organizations: American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), South Eastern Distance Riders Association (SEDRA), North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC), The Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Ride Association (UMECRA), Ohio Arabian All breed Trail Society (OAATS), Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Currently, the ASAV Distance Riding Award will be a high-point award. Separate categories for Endurance, Competitive Trail, Junior and/or weight divisions will be considered for addition by ASAV as participation increases.

Points should be reported for the weight division in which horse competed and placed. For example, if an endurance horse was 3rd overall but first Heavyweight, points would be figured for the first Heavyweight placing. All ride distances will count towards year-end awards and lifetime point totals in the Just Ride Mile Stone awards program. No body sends me any paperwork. I go on line and check for AERC miles and points.

We give the National Shagya Distance Challenge Cup to horses competing in a designated AERC ride in odd years on the west side of the Mississippi river and in even years in the east. We also award any AERC High point and or high mileage Shagya.

Does not have to be a member or registered with ASAV on a yearly basis. Usually a plaque.

2. “JUST DO IT” usually is only halter but covers any ”merry go round” classes. Sub -catagories in Dressage, Hunt (over fences), and Combined Training.

3. YOUTH, Forms may be printed from the internet website-- Horse Nomination Form or obtain from the Corporate ASAV Office.

All categories need to download nomination forms from the web site.

The complete qualifications may be found at www.shagya registry.com

American Shagya Arabian Verband, Inc.

Summer, 2009

ASAV has divided the membership into four Districts. The regional directors are also on the Board of Directors. cossdj@gmailcom

North District One: Donna Coss,

NY, NH, NJ, ME, CT, OH, PA, IN, IL, WI, MN, MI, RI, MD, DE, VT, MA, DC

South District Two: Brian Coss,

briancoss@shagyaregistry.com

VA, NC, GA, FL, AL, KY, TN, MS, WV,

Pacific District Three: Valerie Bullock

vbullockx2@gmail.com

WA, MT, WY, ND, SD, CO, LA, OR, NE, ID, CANADA

redwoodranch@yahoo.com

West District Four: Kilian Dill

CA, AZ, NV, OK, TX, NM, UT, AK, HI, KS, AR, LA, MO Officers, Board of Directors, Committee Chair President, Kilian Dill Vice President, Valerie Bullock Secretary, Elisha Morehead Treasurer, Darlene Steven,

darlenesteven@bellsouth.net

Registrar, Daunna Sellers, sunarabs@fuse.net Newsletter, Donna Coss Membership chairman, Valerie Bullock Int. relationships, Denis Atam,

denisatam@rmtw.com

Web Master, Denis Atam Youth Director, Kesleigh Lehman,

kesleigh.lehman@yahoo.com

Promotions Editor, Nancy Skakel,

nskakel@gmail.com

www.shagyaregistry.com Please be advised that you are encouraged to contact any of the ASAV Officers at any time, with matters of concern, ideas for the promotion of the Shagya Arabian breed, or questions, comments etc. The e-mail addresses are listed for your convenience.