ATTENTION SHAGYA OWNERS - please note
2011 registration rule in place, DNA now required for all Arabian mares bred to Shagya stallions.

Presidents Letter 

Dear ASAV Members and Shagya Enthusiasts,

I was recently elected ASAV President and would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as well as bring everyone up to date regarding ASAV business. First, I am a relative newcomer to the Shagya Arabian breed after having been involved with Arabians for over 20 years now.

I started with the purchase of a very nice Shagya mare. Lily Creek Seredy, and now I also have a very nice 2 yr. old colt. by *Dante, which I am very excited about named FWA Dominik. I am an active endurance rider here in Virginia and love being around horses and horse people. It is my hope and my goal to do everything I can to help ASAV and the Shagya Arabian breed become better known throughout the US. I pledge to work with anyoneand any group to achieve these goals. I also, invite any Shagya enthusiast to join ASAV and myself in making these goals a reality.

In 2012, the ASAV Board of Directors and (specifically members of our Breeding Committee) spent many hours preparing our studbooks and creating electronic databases for ISG review. However, ASAV was not approved as an ISG Affiliated Member during the 2012 ISG meeting, even though we had made recommended corrections to our registration certificates.

ASAV has not received any formal statement from ISG representatives regarding the approval process. To date, no information as to what ASAV needs to do differently in order to be approved, has been received. The Board Members have held several discussions about where we go from here and whether ASAV should continue to pursue the goal of membership with ISG. ASAV was Incorporated in 2003 as a 501-C5 non-profit organization. So we have survived for several years without ISG affiliation.

We have followed our mission statement of promoting the Shagya breed through inspections, shows, clinics, annual seminars, awards programs, etc. Along with these activities, we are maintaining a registry for Shagyas following ISG RZBO rules and regulations. The Board has even discussed the possibility of coming together or uniting with an affiliated registry. Obviously, there are many challenges that need to be dealt with in order for this to happen. I view each challenge as “an opportunity to be successful”. Therefore ASAV has attempted to initiate discussions with others to explore this concept. I report that no significant progress has been made to date.

The feeling of the ASAV Board is that we have done a tremendous job in getting the Shagya Arabian story out to the horse world and we will continue to do that during 2013 and beyond whether or not ASAV is rewarded with ISG affiliation. We will continue to follow ISG rules so there is no question as to the correct and proper registration of any ASAV horse.

It is also our feeling that if ASAV continues to perform its mission as stated, we will continue as a viable organization whose purpose is to promote this wonderful breed. If you are not yet a member of ASAV, I ask that you consider joining us in making our mission successful.

There is no doubt that the ASAV horses are winning and participating in international events. Many have completed 1000 endurance miles and one, even 2500 miles. Twelve are

100 mile finishers!

Our first event for this year will be our Shagya Distance Challenge to be held on Saturday, August 24th. It will be held in conjunction with the Virginia Highlands Endurance Challenge in the beautiful mountains surrounding Ivanhoe, Virginia. All Shagya Arabian or Part Shagya completing either the 30 or 55 mile rides will receive a very nice completion award. The top Shagya finisher in the 55 mile event will also have their name added to our Challenge Cup award. Information about this event will be posted on the Virginia Highlands Endurance Challenge website as well as the ASAV website. You may e-mail Carol Federighi (ASAV Board member) at federighi44@gmail.com for more information. We hope to see you and your Shagya there for this wonderful endurance event.

Kindest Regards,

Steve Boles, President

ASAV Board of Directors vaboles@centurylink.net