3 minute read
The SAWHS evolves
by hqmagazine
USHERING IN A NEW ERA FOR THE
SOUTH AFRICAN WARMBLOOD
The SA Warmblood Horse Society (SAWHS) was founded in 1989 following the steady influx of European Warmbloods into South Africa that began in 1965. The imported European Warmbloods were crossed with local horses, mainly Thoroughbreds, and this crossbred population formed the base generation of the SAWHS.
This crossbreeding aimed to produce a larger, healthier, more athletically built horse, bred to successfully compete at an international standard in the three Olympic disciplines showjumping, dressage and eventing. The Society’s selection efforts were, and still are, directed at improving the South African Warmbloods’ conformational correctness (due to its direct link with soundness and longevity in sport) and sporting performance specific to each discipline.
DID YOU KNOW?
The SAWHS is the governing body for Warmblood horses in South Africa and is a full member of the World Breed Federation of Sport Horses (WBFSH).
A list of the first inspectors who travelled South Africa to evaluate the Warmbloods reads like an equestrian hall of fame: David Stubbs, Gerrie du Toit, Theo Laros, Ernie Davenport, Charmaine Watts and Ernst Holtz. These individuals invested significant time in educating breeders, ensuring good quality Thoroughbreds were used and encouraging breeding for conformational correctness.
THE IDEAL SA WARMBLOOD
The SAWHS describes the ideal SA Warmblood as “a large, rectangular framed, correct and powerful horse with refinement, quality and presence. This horse must be tough enough to withstand South African conditions. The horse should have a calm temperament and an elastic, balanced stride. Due to the majority of the South African market being amateur riders, special attention is given to rideability, temperament and soundness.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The SA Warmblood is a government-gazetted animal and is classified as a developing breed by the Registrar of Animal Improvement.
MOVING FORWARD
2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the South African Warmblood Horse Society, and as the breed evolves, so must the Society. With a younger council and new Chairman, Kostas Kontos, the Society hopes to usher in a new era of inclusivity and recognition of what South African breeding has to offer, acknowledging that the SA Warmblood has progressed to a level comparable with that of an international Warmblood. This fact is supported by nearly every trainer, judge, inspector and even course designer that the Society has spoken to over the last year.
As such, a decision was made to rebrand the Society, and HQ are delighted that we are showcasing the new logo and rebrand for the first time here.
THE REBRAND
Within the new logo, the protea has been retained as an ode to the SAWHS heritage while also being a symbol of resilience, which is what the SA Warmblood is bred for. The horse represents strength, while the shield represents the intention to protect and preserve the breed. The shield additionally serves the purpose of a ‘stamp’ that will be used for official SAWHS Breed Papers and Plaques. The new colours, gold and hunter green, speak to our South African heritage, while the burgundy represents the elegant, timeless sophistication of the SA Warmblood.
COMING SOON
Having spoken to the new council, we can report that there are exciting plans in the works for SAWHS, so stay tuned for our next edition, where we will be revealing more of the SAWHS initiatives and helping you understand more about the SAWHS and what they can do for you!
