During the last weekend the attention of Polish Arabian horse breeders (and not only those associated) was focused on Janów Podlaski, which held the 12th PZHKA (Polish Association of Arabian Horse Breeders) General Conference. During the Saturday session the most emotion was stirred by the formation of two committees – the first one is to propose changes which would simplify the procedures of the Stud Book and importation of semen, as well as the registration of foals by stallions listed in stud books of other countries; the second is to work on the promotion of Arabian horse racing. The members of the first committee include Dr. Jarosław Karcz, Anna Stefaniuk, Agnieszka Mikulska, Krystyna Chmiel and Andrzej Wójtowicz (who submitted the notion of forming such committee), while the second will consist of Kishore Mirpuri, Longin Błachut and Szymon Głowacki. It was also decided to establish a third committee, which would award grade points or categories to breeding sires. The evaluation of such stallions would be non-obligatory, however a positive mark would be

prestigious. It was stressed that stallions of the state studs already undergo such an inner evaluation – a similar doing in the case of private bred horses would facilitate the decision for the owners whether to use the animals in breeding or not. The group of stallions used in breeding is larger and larger each year and all shows that this trend will not change. As a comparison: in 2004 159 stallions were registered; a year later 584 foals were born by 102 stallions – the record holders in this case turned out to be Emigrant and Piaff (43 offspring each). In 2005 162 stallions required permission to breed; and in 2006 570 foals were born by 96 sires. This time the record holder was Galba (39 foals) and Poganin (32 foals). In 2006 164 permits were given and the year 2007 brought 596 foals by 111 stallions with Al Maraam being the sire of 49 offspring. For the first time a private bred stallion placed among the top spots of the most eagerly used sires (18 foals). 2007 also proved unique in terms of the number of registered stallions: 200! These facts clearly show that a certain form of evaluation and at the same time a recommendation of stallions meant for breeding could prove very useful.

We must admit that the participants of the conference were kept extremely busy – they took in an account by Kishore Mirpuri from the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR) Conference in Paris, an account from the ECAHO meeting in Brussels, they were acquainted with the latest WAHO news presented by chairman Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka, as well as information on breeding documentation and an analysis of sires used in Poland during the last years (which resulted in a proposition of establishing the above mentioned committee that would evaluate the stallions). The tight schedule of the conference was completed by presentations from: Mateusz Jaworski on the European Arabian Horse Sport Championships in Stadl Paula, Longin Błachut on the stallions DA Adios and Sam Tiki (whose frozen semen will soon be available in the Reproduction Centre in Michałów), Prof. Krystyna Chmiel on how to breed to achieve the best results; and Maciej Kacprzyk on endurance rides. A film presentation of the 2006 WAHO Congress in Damascus topped off the session and served as an afterthought to compare those horses with the ones we know from the European arenas.

During the evening dinner gala the PZHKA statuette for Breeder of the Year in the “Shows” category was awarded to Krzysztof Goździalski (Falborek Arabians) for the achievements of the colt Altis, in the “Racing” category – to Longin Błachut for the successes of Orgia Fata, while the statuette in the “Sports” category went to Champion Equestrian Club for the endurance achievements of the stallion Cyryl.

On Sunday huge interest was induced by – as always – the stallion presentation (many warm words were said by the participants of the conference of the stallions Ganges and Poganin) and later the inspection of the broodmares. The first foal shown to the gathered public was a colt out of the dam of Pianissima, the mare Pianosa, who died soon after foaling. The foal, by

Adeed Al Shaqab (referred to by the stud staff, as director Marek Trela gave away, as “Stefan”) is raised by a surrogate mare. For some time there was an uncertainty whether he would live, however today he is clearly in good shape. The information that the colt is by Adeed Al Shaqab was a huge surprise to everyone, as last year it was announced that Pianosa was to be bred to Gazal and Janów’s breeders would not at all be disappointed by a male version of Pianissima. Next we saw a group of foals by Poganin, as well as Eol, Ganges, Aslan and Ararat. Also shown were a few foals by Enzo, a filly by the Jordanian

stallion Hlayyil Ramadan (out of Pohulanka), a filly by El Nabila B (out of Nike) and a colt by Ecaho (out of Ariadne). The presentation was closed off with a second foal by Al Adeed Al Shaqab – a filly out of Pilar. Despite foals by such a star as Enzo the most delight was stirred by the progeny of Ganges. He has a numerous group of fans, who emphasized the significance of using this stallion on Janów mares. This time Poganin turned out to be the sire of pretty foals, but highly “painted” – bearing white markings.

Director Marek Trela, who led and commented the presentation, pointed out that Janów Podlaski still awaits the birth of 25 foals.

The meeting was also an opportunity to socialize, exchange ideas and advice, as well as to discuss among smaller groups. Undoubtedly the event can be considered a successful one – the weather also attended, it was unusually warm and the entire breeding presentation took place under a clear sky. There was only no time left for a walk around the stud!

More photos (by Katarzyna Dolińska) in the „Shows” gallery.