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General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO) of ISG   (version von May 19, 2007)

 For all national ShA breeding associations affiliated with ISG. Compliance with national law has to be maintained.

 1. General Regulations:

The national association maintains a studbook for Purebred-Shagya-Araber (ShA). The national association’s General Studbook Regulations are based on the General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO), which are considered to be the minimum requirement.

All respective member associations commit to comply with this RZBO and acknowledge ISG as umbrella organization, which – for the purpose of an origin studbook regulation – define and maintain the regulations internationally for Shagya-Araber breeding together with its member associations.

The associations are maintaining a Stallion-Book I and II, as well as a Main Mare-Book, and a Mare-Book with related appendix.

Only those horses can be recorded in the studbook, where a breeding certificate exists, where both parents are registered in the studbook, and whose owner(s) is(are) member(s) of the respective association.

For stallions a Stallion-Book I and II will be maintained.

 In order to register imported horses, a certified translation of the breeding certificate (pedigree) has to be presented, which shows that the horse is registered or eligible for registration in a corresponding studbook registry in its country of origin either by the World Arabian Horse Organization WAHO in case of Purebred Arabians, or by a breeding association recognized by the International Shagya-Araber Gesellschaft ISG in case of Shagya-Araber.

 Studbook Categories:

The following table gives a simplified overview of the studbook categories. Furthermore paragraphs 2 and 3 specifically apply. 
 

 1.1 General Registration Requirements:

 Three year old and older mares will be registered in their studbook categories, in case their identity can be established unequivocally by verifying their characteristics in regards to color, markings, and unique marks (brand). Mares already registered with another breeding association can be registered for breeding. 

Three year old and older stallions will be registered in their stallion book categories, in case a breeding certificate exists and their identity can be established unequivocally by verifying their characteristics in regards to color, markings, and unique marks (brand), and/or a proof of parentage is performed for example through either blood-typing or DNA-proofing of the sire and the stallion to be registered. Through a formal request, stallions - registered already in a stallion book of an ISG recognized member association - will be acknowledged by the other associations and can be added to their respective stallion books. A prerequisite is a correct breeding certificate issued by the breeding association of origin.

 2. Description of the Breed, Breeding Goal, and Registration Requirements:

 The Shagya-Araber is the refined continuation - on an international purebred basis - of the "Araber-Rasse" (Arabian Breed) horse of the Hungarian and Austrian studs of Bábolna, Mezoehegyes and Radautz, which means that the studbooks of the national associations are closed. The breeding goal is a large framed Arabian horse, suitable for everyone – both as a noble riding or carriage horse. Through the method of purebred breeding, the breeding goal can be strived for. The inclusion of genes from to the Purebred Arabian breed is possible.

 Description of the breeding goal:

Color: grey, bay/brown, black, chestnut

Exterior and Type: The Shagya-Araber should resemble the appearance of a beautiful, elegant and harmonious riding horse, while having an unmistakable Arabian expression, characterized through a delicate and defined/dry texture and silky hair as well as corresponding details in head and body. Breeding stallions and broodmares should show obvious and distinct gender specific characteristics, while considering the delayed development of the Arabian horse.
Undesirable are breeding animals with indistinct breed or indifferent gender characteristics.

 Head: The head should be small, defined/dry and striking; the profile can be slightly concave or straight. The eyes should be big, dark and wide apart. The nostrils should be dark, big and markedly capable of being expanded. The throat latch should be wide and the teeth regular.
Undesirable are big, heavy, coarse heads; small, high-set and too lateral eyes, a narrow throat latch and all sorts of teeth anomalies.

 Neck: Desirable is a long noble riding horse neck with a fine throat, a light neck and an arched crest.
Undesirable is a neck set too high or too low, as well as a pronounced underside of the neck. Especially a short and heavy neck has to be evaluated negatively.

Shoulder/Saddle-Area: Desirable are big, sloping shoulders and a significant far into the back reaching withers.
Undesirable are small, flat and steep shoulders, too flat and short or very high and pointed withers.

 Back: Desirable is a medium long and closed coupled, harmonious, concave well muscled back that allows an elastic movement of the back.
Undesirable is a very short or very long back, a weak back with a too convex or too concave kidney/loins area.

 Croup: Desirable is an only slightly sloping, long croup.
Undesirable is a straight (horizontal), or very sloping or short croup.

 Legs: Desirable is a dry well muscled foreleg with distinct joints. The hindlegs should show a normal angle with a wide hock that is well coupled with a smooth transition into the cannon bone. The pastern should be elastic and of medium length.
Undesirable are any kind of leg conformation faults, lack of muscles, too short or too long, too steep or too weak pasterns, too steep or too sloped angled hindlegs, elbows pressed to the chest.   

Hoofs: Desirable are well shaped hooves, matching to the proportions of the horse.
Undesirable are any kind of hoof conformation faults, as well as too narrow, pointed, flat, wide hooves and a flat back of the horn walls.

 Correctness of Gaits/Movements: Desirable is a straight regular movement, noticeable from the front to the back.
Undesirable are any kind of irregularities of the movement/gaits, such as paddling or wiggling, as well as twisting joints.

 Movements:

Walk: Desirable is a rhythmical, regular four stroke sequence, active relaxed and ground covering.
Undesirable is an arrhythmic or faulty (amble), short, dragging, stiff walk.  

 Trot: Desirable is a rhythmical, regular (two stroke) trot with energetic forward motion at acceleration, plenty of impulsion with hindlegs distinctly supporting the center of gravity, good ground covering and lots of momentum and elasticity as well as a noticeable hovering phase.
Undesirable is an arrhythmic, weak, short and limited, flat without momentum or uptight trot.

 Canter: Desirable is a regular rhythmical (three stroke), diligent, powerful, magnificent, with lots of momentum, elastic uphill canter.
Undesirable is an arrhythmic, dragging, short and flat canter without movement and insufficient jumping phase with rushed repetition.

 Jumping: Desirable is a bold horse that enjoys jumping with good jumping ability, fast and well bent forelegs, while hindlegs are opening, and an elastic and well arched back (bascule) during the jump. Additionally the optimal ability to assess the distance before the jump including great skills over the jump is desired.
Undesirable is a reluctant, coward, jumping without control, hanging foreleg, high nose across the jump, retracted hindlegs, a stiff and straight back. 

Rideability: Desirable is a pleasant rhythm and seat experience, where the rider is part of the momentum due to good back activity from the beginning. An alert, sensitive, confident contact, a confident chewing mouth with salivation, a forward moving temperament, and willingness to learn.
Undesirable is a seat sensation, where the rider is not in sync with the movement, an uptight and rebellious against the hand, insensitive, clumsy mouth, which is not able to reach suppleness, or a faulty tongue, a listless or hot tempered horse uninterested to learn.

Interior: Desirable is a trusting, well natured behavior in the stable and an at all times well balanced and safe one outside the stable, with strong nerves and manageability, when unexpected stimuli occur.
Undesirable is a false and insidious behavior in the stable, spooky, over anxious while being handled, panicky and uncontrollable reactions to unexpected stimuli.

Health: Desirable is in general a robust health, longevity and fertility, stamina and frugality,  without hereditary defects, minimal prone to health related risks in regards to the joint illnesses (Podotrochlosis), OCD (Osteochondrosis Dissencans Tarsi), spavin and arthritis of the toe joints, as well as a minimal risk for respiratory diseases.

 Eligible for registration are horses that meet the requirements of the breeding program, i.e.

a) whose origin can be traced back on both the sire and the dam side to the state and private Austro-Hungarian Arabian studs and which are listed or are eligible for registration in an ISG-approved studbook.

b) whose origin fulfill the requirements above, in case the sire or dam is a purebred Arabian, which as a rule are recognized by the WAHO and fulfilling the requirements of this General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO). ISG decides on exceptions.

c) which fulfill the requirements a) and b) and basically have at least 7 Shagya-Araber ancestors out of 16 in the fourth generation. Those will be registered in the respective studbook categories, or

d) which fulfill the requirements a) and b) and have less than 7 Shagya-Araber ancestors out of 16 in the fourth generation or are purebred Arabians. Those will be registered in the respective appendixes of the studbooks.

e) For purebred Arabian mares and stallions at least the same performance requirements apply as of Shagya-Araber.

 2.1. Licensing* (Koerung) and Registration Requirements for the Stallion Book

2.1.1. Performing of Licensing (Koerung)

Stallions are eligible to be licensed starting at the age of three. In order to ensure organized licensing events, a pre-selection of stallions can be performed. A veterinarian's examination testimony has to be submitted as accompanying documents, when signing up for the licensing exam. Those should list any existing faults or insufficiencies of teeth or testicles, deficiencies, especially warranty faults, anomalies or other conditions, which could indicate genetic predisposition. The licensing takes place at a central stallion show.

 The licensing decision is as follows:

- licensed
- not licensed
- for the time being not licensed

The licensing decision "for the time being not licensed" is used, when the stallion presently does not fulfill the requirements regarding conformation or breeding qualification, however it is anticipated that these requirements might be fulfilled in future.

 The licensing decision has to be given to the stallion owner in writing. A decision of “licensed” has to be recorded on the pedigree. The licensing decision of a breeding association that has licensed a stallion based on the General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO), is recognized by other breeding associations.

In case it is planned to have a state sanctioned licensing, a relevant rule needs to be part of the breeding regulation.

 In case of not being licensed, the licensing can be repeated.

 In order to be permanently registered as part of the Stallion Book I or in the appendix of the Stallion Book I, a Stallion Performance Test must be passed successfully – depending on the type of test – within a given timeframe. Purebred Arabians are required to pass successfully a Stallion Performance Test, prior being used for breeding purposes.

 2.1.2. Withdrawal, Revocation, Objections

The relevant necessary rules of the studbook regulations of the associations should be in compliance with national law.

2.1.3. Registration in the Stallion Book I or the Appendix of the Stallion Book I

Three year old and older stallions will be registered, which parents are either registered or eligible for registration in the Stallion Book I, respectively in the main studbook of the relevant association, or in case they have been individually recognized as a Shagya-Araber by the ISG.

a) which pedigree fulfills the breeding requirements of the relevant category

b) which have been licensed and achieved a total score of at least 7, where no single score can be less than 5

c) which at the time of registration had a height at the withers of at least 154 cm*

(*There is no exact equivalent value in hands/inches for this cm value. The corresponding value in hands for 154 cm is between 15 ½ and 15.1 hands).

 2.1.4. Stallion Performance Test

For the permanent registration into the Stallion Book I / Appendix of the Stallion Book I, a fundamental requirement is to pass the Stallion Performance Test successfully, however it is to the discretion of the associations to organize those Stallion Performance Tests according to the guidelines of the national regulations. Basically performance test models are described below as follows:

-          a combined competition test according to the ISG-model containing the following components to evaluate:

o        A) Jumping aptitude

o        B) Gaits

o        C) Rideability

o        D) Performance Potential

o        E) Condition/Stamina and Constitution

o        F) Temper, Character and Willingness to Perform

with an average score of 6 or higher.

-          or receiving during a Stallion Performance Test at a station 80 points as total index or in case they receive in one of the sub-indexes rideability or jumping at least 100 points.

-          or based on the performance during a tournament of class L or higher in dressage or jumping at least being placed 5 times or at a 3 days event of class L or higher, at least 3 times placed either 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd.

-          or which can prove to have participated in at least 2 endurance rides between 60 km and 80 km (between 37 ½ miles and 50 miles) at the age of 7 and three endurance rides of 80 km (50 miles) at the age of 8 and 9.

-          For purebred Arabians a flat race test with a GAG* of at least 58 kg (lbs.127.6 lbs) can be used as prove for the Stallion Performance Test.

-          *GAG: Is the weight in kg a horse theoretically would carry in a hypothetical general handicap for all racehorses in Germany.

 ISG can allow additional Stallion Performance Tests, decided through delegates’ votes.

In case additional Performance Tests exist, those can be acknowledged, according to the regulations of the performance studbooks of the corresponding FN (German horse/rider association), and can be recorded as well as in the studbook and the pedigree.

 2.1.5. Registration into the Stallion Book II or into the Appendix of the Stallion Book II:

All stallions will be registered which fulfill the minimum requirements of the EU-guidelines (European Union) and which pedigrees fulfills the breeding program requirements, however are not eligible to be registered in the Stallion Book I.

 3. Assessment* for the Registration of Mares and Stallions:

(*Called “Inspection” in USA)

All mares and stallions to be recorded into the studbook of the respective association need to be assessed (inspected).

 3.1 Assessment for Registration of Mares

The assessment of mares for registration has to be carried out by at least two representatives, of whom at least one must be qualified for the Shagya-Araber breed. In special cases the breeding supervisor may judge alone.

Mare assessment should take place at several centrally situated locations and carried out in the year of the first covering of the mare. Reassessments are basically desired.

 3.2 Assessment for Registration of Stallions

The assessment of stallions will be carried out by members of a commission that are – based on their specialized qualifications, experts of the Arabian breed – nominated by the BOD. The commission should be constituted as follows:

- a member of the board from the Shagya-Araber breeders,

- at least one qualified neutral Shagya-Araber expert, who does not have to be a member of the association and who may be a foreigner,

- at least one experienced Shagya-Arabian breeder,

- the breeding supervisor/manager

- as well as a state approved or veterinarian as a consulting member.

 The recording of the assessment results may only take place at a central stallion show. In case the national circumstances do not allow for a central stallion show, a decentralized stallion recording may be carried out by a commission authorized by ISG, but only in case the respective association has formally requested this.

 3.3 Judging

A consistent grading scale used by the associated member organizations of ISG should help with the comparability.

 At the same time the assessment of horses should also provide breeders guidance towards the breeding goal they are aiming for. The assessment includes the following sub-criteria with the following grades.

 1. Score Grades:

10	outstanding
9	very good
8	good
7	pretty good
6	satisfactory
5	sufficient
4	insufficient
3	rather bad
2	bad
1	very bad

2. Judging should be done according to seven criteria:

a) Type = overall expression regarding race and sex, head, eye, appearance
b) Conformation = exterior, neck, shoulder top line, including withers and carrying of the tail, depth and width of girth
c) Legs = strength/circumference of bones, joints, correctness, as well leg movement
d) Walk = ground covering, 4 stroke, diligent, correctness
e) Trot = ground covering, momentum, elasticity, 2 stroke, correctness
f) Canter = ground covering, active hindlegs, 3 stroke, correctness
g) Free Jumping = jumping aptitude, ability to assess the distance correctly, jumping ability, bascule

 The total score achieved by a horse is calculated by adding up the points for each criteria and dividing the sum by 7. The commission as a whole records the assessment during the registration process into the studbook.

In special cases and by cause the assessment can be updated after one year at the earliest. For the registration into the studbook, later received information has to be reasonably considered, which give reliable information about the breeding value of a horse.

 4. Blood typing /DNA:

All stallions can only be entered in the corresponding stallion books, if a valid blood typing and/or DNA test can be presented prior their first covering. A prove of parentage needs to be performed through blood typing, in case the parents are still alive. Expenses for blood typing and prove of parentage have to be carried by the owner.

 For all foals and foreign breeding horses corresponding DNA typing and/or and a valid blood type identification and prove of parentage through blood typing, as far as they are still alive, has to be performed.

5. Organization:

The studbook shall be maintained by the responsible breeding supervisor/manager of the respective association, who may use for this purpose an office and the use of computerized data processing, while collaborating with the breeders. The breeding supervisor/manager is responsible for the correctness of the studbook registrations, for issuing of breeding certificates (pedigrees), for prove of identity (birth certificate) according to the records of the studbook, as well as for the maintenance of the central studbook.

 6. Studbook:

The studbook must contain name and number of the registered horse and must allow space for at least three generations of ancestor to be added. If known also the name and address of the breeder, parents and their identity markings, performance results as far as they are known, as well as special performance results and breeding value assessment, the date, and if known the cause of death, the cause of miscarriage, the issuing of breeding certificates and the decision about the registration.   

In a special section with the heading "Remarks", registration changes, documents, etc. should be noted.

 7. Stable diary:

Each horse owner should maintain a stable diary for his breeding stock, where all essential details pertaining to each horse, including the pedigree as well as current information should be recorded on an ongoing basis. The stable diary is considered part of the overall maintenance of the studbook and must be in sync in regards to the breeding certificate, the studbook and the foal registry. Each breeder is obliged to show the breeding supervisor/manager or his representative the stable diaries upon request for verification.

 8. Stallion-Owner Responsibilities:

Stallion owners have the duty of keeping their stallions in such a way that violations of the General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO) cannot occur. Otherwise it has to be assumed that a guarantee for flawless breeding related activities no longer exists. The breeding supervisor/manager has to inform the BOD – if necessary – immediately. This also applies, in case the stallion owner fails to inform the mare owner properly, neglects rules of hygiene or in any other way ignores principles of proper stallion keeping.

 8.1. Changes of Location and Owner:

Each change of owner or location/stable of a stallion must be reported to the respective office of the association within one month. This also applies in case of the death of a stallion or the stallion is no longer active in breeding.

 8.2. List of Coverings:

Stallion owners are responsible to record and consolidate all the coverings for each stallion in every year on one list. The list has to be sent to the breeding supervisor/manager until October 31^st of each calendar year.

8.3. Covering Form:

After covering the covering form has to be completed by the stallion owner and needs to be signed by him or by his representative. The covering form must contain at least:

- name and registration number of the broodmare
- name and registration number of the stallion
- dates of the covering (with additional space for repeat coverings)
- name and address of the broodmare owner or breeder
- space for the signature of the stallion owner.

The owner of the broodmare receives the covering form from the stallion owner and keeps it until the mare has foaled. The stallion owner can request to receive the covering form(s) with the office of the association.

9. Foal Announcement Form:

Within 28 days after the successful foaling a foal announcement form, containing the corresponding information, is to be sent to the breeding supervisor/manager. This also applies for still-born (miscarriage) foals or foals, which died shortly after birth. The foal announcement form should at least contain:

- name and registration number of sire

- names and addresses of stallion owner and broodmare owner

- date of birth of the foal and – if applicable – information of still-birth, miscarriage or postnatal death

- signature of broodmare owner.

 10. Branding of Foals (on the left thigh):

Shagya-Araber foals will be branded by the branding delegate on the left thigh skillfully active with the breed specific “Shagya-Sun” brand, where the breed abbreviation is centered inside, as well as a numbering brand.

Any exceptions have to be approved by ISG.

 Hot branding for foals belonging to the Stallion Book I and II as well as the Mare Book I and II.

10.1. Stud Brands:

Additional stud brands must be approved by ISG.

10.2. Branding Representative:

Branding may only be performed by authorized personal of the associations. Exceptions must be approved by the breeding supervisor/manager. Prior to the branding, the branding representative is responsible to determine the identity of the relevant horse by verifying the pedigree documents.

 GLOSSARY

Breeding Association:  A union of breeders according to the definition of the breeding laws for animals of the respective country

 Breeding Horse: A horse
a) whose parents and grandparents are registered or mentioned in a studbook of the same breed and which itself is either registered there, mentioned or eligible to be registered or
b) which is registered in the studbook of a recognized breeding association (registered breeding horse).

 Breeding Value: Breeding value is the genetic influence of horses in regards to performance and characteristics of the exterior appearance of their progeny. The overall value is determined starting at the age of 3.

 Performance Test: A method to determine the performance of a horse within the scope of a breeding value evaluation.

Studbook: A book/database of breeding stock maintained by a recognized breeders' association for the purpose of identification, proof of pedigree and performance records.

 Age of a Horse: For horses born in October, November, and December the 1^st of January of the following year determines the year of birth. For all other horses the 1^st of January of the birth year applies for age determination.

 Licensing (Koerung):  Licensing (Koerung) is the decision of a breeding association about the preliminary use of a stallion for breeding within the scope of the respective breeding program. The decision takes especially into account characteristics of the appearance as well as the inclination to performance as far as these are obvious based on information in hand. A successfully passed performance test is required for the final breeding approval.

Studbook Registrations: The final decision of the respective breeding association regarding the registration of a horse into the category of a studbook is made, when formally requested, according to the criteria as outlined by the breeding regulations.

 Breeding Program: The breeding program comprises all activities that help to achieve breeding progress. The breeding program must contain information about:

- breeding goal/objective

- breeding method

- performance tests

- selection criteria

- size of breeding population

- pedigree, birth certificate (breeding certificate, proof of identity).

Pedigree and birth certificate are documents issued by a recognized breeding association, which contain information about pedigree and performance of a breeding stock. They are considered breeding certificates for the purpose of the relevant national animal breeding laws.

 Breeder: The breeder of a horse is the owner of a broodmare at the time of covering.

 This General Studbook Regulation Framework (RZBO) was agreed, according to the by-laws, during the ISG delegates meeting in Kabiuk/Bulgaria on May 19^th 2007. The existing General Studbook Regulation Framework will be substituted herewith.  For the purpose of an Origin General Studbook Regulation Framework of the EU, it should serve as foundation for the studbook regulations of the associated members. For this purpose ISG, together with its member associations, regulates the breeding of the Shagya-Araber.

 ISG
 International Shagya-Araber Gesellschaft e.V.  / International Purebred Shagya-Araber Society

 D-Rotenburg, 2007                            H-Babolna, 2007                                D-Hannover, 2007

 Ahmed Al Samarraie                         Tamas Rombauer                            Diether von Kleist
Paesident/President                                                             Stellvertreter/Vice-President                                               Stellvertreter/Vice-President