Board Members of the American Shagya Arabian Verband, Inc. (ASAV), have a new and truly innovative program that will give mare owners the chance to breed their mares for a stud fee of only $200. This promotion will bring attention to this amazing breed and assist those with limited budgets a chance to compete in today's market.

Details can be found at www.shagyaregistry.com.

The Shagya is very rare with only about 150 in the U.S. and about 1,500 in the world. It is an Arabian-based breed since 1789. For more then 200 years a certain type has been selected and ruthless culling has set these traits. You will observe temperament and a Shagya mind that is a horseman’s dream.

The modified Baroque conformation crosses well with all breeds and improves hip and shouder angles, legs and feet and a soft back that is easy to sit. Typically one can expect taller foals with more bone and substance.

The goal of an ideal cavalry horse was the orginal purpose for the breed’s existence. This has been accomplished and resulted in a potent and desirable animal. The breed has been discovered by the endurance people and many purebreds and cross-breds are competing at the FEI level and have won international races.

One cross that is producing division winners in the hunter ring is the Shagya stallion crossed with Thoroughbred mares. The foals are tall, with improved conformation, better feet and legs, and all of the flight reaction of the Throughbred is replaced with a lovely prospect, perfect for jumping, combined training and many other disciplines.

The famous "stallion of the century", Ramzes, was the result of a Thoroughbred sire and Shagya dam. He began the "R" line prominent in dressage and grand prix jumping family lines. ASAV has a registry book that records the Anglo-Shagya cross.

The breed, in order to thrive in the U.S, needs more numbers as those who have contact with the Shagya will all confirm that "Yes, this breed is really different!" and is very much worthy of surviving and being recognized for what it can contribute to the horse world.

The Shagya blood is welcomed in all of the warmblood registries, and in Europe it is highly prized. Many Shagya stallions can be found in the warmblood studbooks and is one of the recognized breeds used in Trakehner breeding. They can add refinement without loss of bone and substance and superior horses in the first generation. They are not supposed to resemble purebred Arabians, although nothing, but Arabian, is allowed in the studbook. Instead the old horse masters selected for superior riding qualities and temperament.

This is a rare breed that has earned it’s recognition, and new breeders will find a desirable foal in the first generation and the beginning of an endeavor that will capture their imagination.

The ASAV 2009 annual meeting is scheduled for May 1-3 in Bend, OR. The emphasis will be on endurance.