FOAL BIRTHS for 2011

It would appear that here in the UK there still continues to be a gross misconception and confusion about Stud Book inscription and PIO status. The two are not tied together; defra established certain PIO's in order to deal with meeting EU legislation to identify and passport horses here in the UK.

Those PIO's may have nothing to do with stud books, but simply provide an identification service. Likewise horse breeds not of British origination did not require defra PIO provision for their horses as identification and the issue of passport was already incorporated into the inscription process by the Stud Book authority.

The Studbook for the Hispano-Árabe is maintained by UEGHá http://www.caballohispanoarabe.com/ based in Spain and as such in no way under the jurisdiction of defra. Passports fully completed, with section II carrying the breed identification of 'Hispano-Árabe' can under EU law only be issued by the UEGHá..

Owners are free to choose how and where they register horses, whether it is as a Purebred with the appropriate Stud Book (which for the Hispano-Árabe is held by UEGHá in Spain under the authority of MAPA, The Spanish Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs who at International level have established the Hispano-Árabe as in need of special protection; hence the concern that this breed is properly managed and Stud Book registered) or you may list your horse as a partbred in any society registry that accepts non pedigreed horses.

Unfortunately, here in the UK and in most countries the initial breeding of this breed of horse is based upon first generation PRE x Arabian horses; which means covering certificates are issued by one or other of those two breed organisations: BAPSH as agent for ANCCE or the AHS. These certificates do not at present carry any information advising uninformed owners of resultant foals, that they have the right to inscribe that foal into ‘the appropriate Pure Bred Stud Book’ rather than inscribe then as partbreds to either of the parent breed organisations.

Defra’s own guidelines ‘The rules of the society of the origin of the breed are paramount for that particular breed and is therefore essential for everyone to know which association or organisation maintains the Studbook of the Breed’. I therefore for the benefit of the AHS and BAPSH politely point out that at present both Anja Maria Manthey in Germany and myself here in the UK are the current acting agents working with UEGHá to inscribe Hispano-Árabe born outside of Spain into the official Stud Book for this breed. The inscription of these horses into this Stud Book does not require nor has anything to do with PIO status granted by defra!

So far these two breed organisations have refused to co-operate in providing returns for Spain (UEGHá ), as requested earlier this year; about expected 2011 foals resulting from coverings by either of these two breeds. The UK would appear to have no foals of this breed born for 2011 (bar two of Hispano-Árabe parentage). Statistically this is not natural and implies that these two organisations may have elected to disregard international polite protocol and without advising owners of the existence of an appropriate Stud Book inscribed ‘pure bred’ horses as partbreds.

For any owners of PRE x Arabian foals born this year 2011, please be advised you may send your covering certificate to this company regardless of which organisation (BAPSH/ANCCE or AHS) issued that covering certificate. Your foal can then be inscribed into the Stud Book appropriate for its breed. According to the Commission Regulation 504/2008, equidae born in the Community shall be identified in accordance with this Regulation before 31 December of the year of birth of the equine animal or within six months following the date of birth, whatever date occurs later. Once the foal has been inscribed in the Stud Book for the Hispano-Árabe breed and you have your international passport you may if you wish dual register your horse with whatever other breed organisation you wish. But at least it will be recognised and accepted world wide as a pure bred Hispano-Árabe.

Nb. To Hispano-Árabe owners/breeders in Europe:
For any owners of foals born outside of Spain and entitled to be inscribed in the Hispano-Árabe Stud Book but experiencing difficulties in their own country due to lack of breed representation I will be more than happy to assist as agent to facilitate correct inscription and documentation of your horses. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further help and advice.