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HORSE REGISTRATION FORM

 SUBSCRIPTION FORM EMBLEM MEMBERSHIP OF FINANCIAL YEAR SA STUD BOOK


THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPORT HORSE FEDERATION
No 79 Swaanswyk Road
Tokai 7945
Cape Town
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel/Fax: (021) 7121931
email: sashf@telkomsa.net
 

We are excited to notify breeders that the formation of the South African Sport Horse Federation (SASHF) was approved at a meeting with Mr Keith Ramsay, of the Department of Agriculture in Pretoria on 10th May 2004. The South African Stud Book has further endorsed the formation of this organisation.

This note serves as a very brief, introductory outline to the SASHF, and an invitation to South African breeders who wish to join this organisation.

Goals and Objectives of the SASHF

i) The breeding goal of the SASHF will be the development of an athletic sport horse based on phenotype not genotype. In other words, this breed register will not be based on any particular genetic breed profile, but rather on the production of an athletic sport-horse type, the conformational requirements of which are specifically defined. This SASHF objective recognises that the equine athlete can result from successful cross-breeding of various different foundation breeds suited to this purpose. The foundation breeds which are included in this breed programme are: Category I: South African Sport Horse: Arab, Nooitgedacht, Fresian, Boerperd, Appaloosa, Highland Sporting Horse, Irish Sport Horse, Draught Breeds, Thoroughbred, Andalusian, Lusitano, Warmblood, Quarterhorse, Lippizaner Category II: South African Sport Pony: Nooitgedacht, Welsh, Arab, Quarterhorse, Thoroughbred. As stated above, support of the organisation has been overwhelming, and breeders of all of the diverse breed listed above have pledged membership to the SASHF.

ii) Supporting the formation of this organisation is the fact that over the past 7 years, numerous South African Breeders have informally experimented with cross breeding aimed at producing Sport Horses. Furthermore, some impressive progeny have resulted from these matings. The SASHF will now provide a formal registration base to document and monitor such cross-breeding programs.

iii) In the South African situation, there are various breeds and cross-bred horses who do not have a correct “registration home” within any of the existing Societies. The SASHF has been structured to provide a composite breed register which will correctly accommodate such Sport Horse breed cases. An example is the Lusitano, who until May 2004, was not recognised or registered as a breed by the South African Stud Book., despite the fact that this breed has performed well in international dressage in recent years. In this particular instance, The SA Sport Horse Federation has provided a registration home for the Lusitano – which is now a formally recognised breed in South Africa, and listed as a foundation breed in the SASHF breeding programme. Another South African example pertains to that of the Boerperd Horse: Recently certain Boerperd breeders contemplated the formation of a Part-Bred Boerperd register, the goal of which was the production of a sport-horse type through cross breeding with thoroughbred as well as other suitable breeds. Once again the SASHF provides a formal registration base for this breeding program, as it has also done for the Highlands Sporting Horse (Clydesdale / Thoroughbred cross) which has been bred by Ms Ginny Martin for the past 7 years.

Is the formation of a South African Sport Horse Federation a progressive development?

The Sport Horse classification on the base of phenotype is officially recognised and documented as a breed type in many countries around the world. The success of this breed type in international competition is exceptional, as per current world rankings in all three of the Equestrian Olympic disciplines, namely dressage, showjumping and eventing. This point is substantiated by the World Stud Book Rankings for 2003 which sees the Irish, British and New Zealand Sport Horse Stud Books in positions 1, 7 and 9 respectively for eventing. The World Stud Book rankings for showjumping in 2003 have the Irish Sport Horse listed in place no 6 for showjumping, with the Brazilian Sport Horse in position 14.

The formation of the SASHF is extremely valid and in line with world equine breeding and competition trends if we consider these international rankings and statistics.

How will the formation of the SASHF affect other breed Societies or breeder affiliations?

These will very specifically not be affected beyond any breeder’s personal choice to breed both “purebred” horses, in addition to selective sport horse cross breeding with mares and stallions most suited to this purpose. As such, this new organisation offers the exciting possibility of extending both breeding and sale programs to new competition markets.

How will the South African Sport Horse Federation process horse registrations?

It has been arranged that South African Sport Horse registrations will be processed directly through the South African Stud Book. This registration system supports the established and efficient SA Stud Book infrastructure, and in addition liberates the SASHF members from this administration - thereby allowing focus for other important programs and goals, as detailed below.

Given that the SA Sport Horse / Pony breed registers are in their developmental stages, the Dept of Agriculture and SA Stud Book have agreed to allow dual stud book registration for foundation stock. In practical terms this means, for example, that an excellent “Boerperd” may be registered with the Boerperd Society, as well as with the SASHF. Once this Boerperd has been mated and produced offspring, these progeny may then only be registered in one Stud Book, which would be that correctly suited to the progeny type and breed admixture.

Summary of the structure and function of the SASHF

Formally written into the SASHF constitution is that an Executive Steering committee will be appointed for an initial two year period - in order to consolidate the structure and development of this new Organisation. This committee has already been appointed, and is comprised of breeders representative of the foundation breeds, all of whom have been participant in the planning and development of the SASHF since its inception. The Executive Committee will be responsible for the implementation of SASHF policy at National Level. Each Executive Committee Member has been allocated a specific SASHF portfolio as detailed below.

In addition, 6-8 breeder members will be annually elected to form provincial committees in each province, and will meet a minimum of twice annually. These committees will be responsible for the direct implementation of SASHF policy in each of the provinces.

What measures will be taken to ensure excellence in breeding standards?

The SASHF naturally aims to produce Sport Horses in keeping with international standards of excellence. Accordingly, an internationally proven format for horse evaluation and inspections will be utilised, which is primarily based on the German model. In keeping with this inspection format, age-appropriate performance criteria will also be incorporated in horse evaluations.

The SASHF constitution stipulates the utilisation of international experts at horse inspections and show events. Towards this end, various highly qualified professionals from Europe and the United Kingdom have formally agreed to participate in the SASHF inspectorate. The Inspection Panel will also include Veterinary Surgeons, and one such professional will be appointed in each of the South African Provinces. The constitution details that a minimum of one, but preferably two International Inspectors will be present at SASHF inspections and more prominent Society show events. This international presence will provide good evaluation standards and quality control.

How will the SA Sport Horse Federation benefit members?

The SASHF has structured its membership base to incorporate i) breeder, as well as ii)ordinary members. All members:

will receive quarterly SASHF newsletters

benefit from reduced entry fees at SASHF shows and events

have priority on bookings and qualify for reduced lesson rates with visiting International Trainers

child and junior riders will qualify for entry to the League Program (item iii below)

will have the opportunity to benefit from SASHF co-ordinated educational seminars and lectures
have recourse to the Scientific Advisory committee for queries and information relevant to SA Sport Horse breeding and performance.
  Relevant information from this Committee will also be regularly provided to members in the form of the quarterly circular newsletter.

Good competition performance of the horse and rider is considered to be an integral aspect of successful breed development. Accordingly, SASHF has designed several Executive Committee portfolios, the aim of which will be to advance horse and rider competition performance. These portfolios include:

i) Fundraising and Public relations: The various SASHF projects outlined below naturally require considerable financial resources. Fundraising events and shows will be run regularly in each of the provinces, and funds raised will be utilised for various SASHF programs to directly benefit members such as,

ii) Horse and Rider Development which will involve the co-ordination of regular training courses by international trainers in each competition discipline. Jorge Pereira, Portuguese National Rider, Trainer and Dressage Judge gave his first South African Clinic in November 2003, the second in May /June 2004, and his third clinic is scheduled for September 2004. Tanya Larrigan (British Olympic competitor in Eventing and Dressage) is Scheduled to give Johannesburg, Cape Town and hopefully Eastern Cape clinics in August / September 2004. Ms Celia Clarke (British Showing Judge and co-author of the book “The International Warmblood Horse”, is scheduled for two showing seminars in Cape Town and Johannesburg in October and November 2004. Regarding other visiting trainers; the 6 time National Portuguese Showjumping champion is being approached for South African clinics later in the year, and we hope that William Fox Pitt (British Olympic Event rider and current Badminton Champion) will be able to accept an invitation later in 2004 for the Event Riders. Certain South African based trainers have also joined the SASHF and will be very involved in Horse and Rider training. While the three olympic competition disciplines have received concentrated tuition focus thus far, the SASHF recognises the numerous other competition forms relevant to the South African Sport Horse, including; showing, endurance, polo and polocrosse, gymkhana. The Horse and Rider Development Programme also includes a specific young rider project in the form of the Children and Junior League: This year-long competition covers all competition disciplines, in addition to a theory module. The winning Child and Junior riders will win substantial prizes in the form of tuition from international experts.

iii) Foundation Breed Committee: This committee will research and evaluate characteristic features of the various foundation breeds, with specific relevance to the SASHF breeding program and suitability for different competition disciplines,

iv) Performance Database: A rigorous statistical performance database which records information on competition breeding stock and their progeny will be established and maintained on an ongoing basis,

v) Inspections: As stated above, formal inspections inclusive of an internationally qualified inspectorate will be held on a minimal annual basis.  This inspectorate will also be responsible for the establishment and administration of an Inspector training and examination program.

vi) Education and Training Program: The SASHF will co-ordinate seminars and lectures on topics relevant to breeding and performance of the South African Sport Horse,

vii) Establishment of SASHF Website: This website will serve as an database about the Society structure, constitution and functioning, as well  asprovide relevant information about horses, breeders and performance,

viii) Scientific Advisory Portfolio: This committee will comprise National and International Veterinary and Animal Science experts, the role of whom will be advisory with regard to genetic, conformational, medical, fertility and research issues relevant to SA Sport Horse medical difficulties, breeding and performance.

In conclusion: The formation of the SA Sport Horse Federation is an exciting development. We welcome all who are interested in joining this new Organisation. For further information and membership applications contact Caron Potocnik at felix@sun.ac.za  



Regards

Caron Potocnik on behalf of the SASHF Steering Committee