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This topic is of interest to me, as I am a breeder of the Shagya 
Arabian--a 216 year old breed that was developed from a "blueprint" the 
Austro Hungarian monarchy gave to their Studmasters.  They were to 
develop a breed that would produce stallions that would upgrade native 
horses and create superior horses for the cavalry.  This new War horse 
was created by crossing quality mares with imported, desert  purebred 
Arabian stallions.

 The commanders of the State Stud farms were able to select breeding 
stock from stallions that sired 90 foals or more, before even being 
considered chief stallions!  If they did not like the offspring they 
were "sent to the cavalry"!  They didn't need to watch dollars and how 
much it cost to do this, as the Monarchy had unlimited funds and two 
countries in which to grow breeding stock!  Never in the history of the 
horse has this ever been done to this extent.

The stallions and many of the mares had to pass 480 mile rides done in 
ten days!   The Shagya that was was chosen had increased bone, a longer 
more sloping pelvis, prominent whithers, improved coupling and a better 
topline.  Legs and feet were prime importance, as was temperament!  They 
were also taller with 15.2 to 16.1 considered ideal size.

Eventually stud farms such as the Babolna State Stud defined the Shagya 
sporthorse qualities and genetic strength through effective testing.  
During the 1930's the Hungarians bred as many as 3000 Shagyas a year.  
Judicious linebreeding and outcrossing to purebred Arabians once every 
four generations or so assured genetic predictability.  The purebred 
Arabian is the only outcross breed allowed and is limited to no more 
then nine in the fourth generation.

The breed was severely depleted during WWII and is only now beginning a 
comeback.  In Europe, the Shagya is shown at all of the Arabian shows 
with classes for  purebred Arabians,  Shagya Arabians and Anglo 
Arabians.  The Anglo Arabian can use the Shagya in any percentage, I 
believe up to 25%.  Not the half TB/ half OX  that is required in the 
U.S.    

The French endurance team is using the Shagya breeding in many of their 
horses.  The sire of the recent CUP winnner, GEORGOT is  OUTLAW PERSIK, 
listed as a Shagya.  He is only about 1/4 Shagya, but listed as a 
Shagya.  This is complicated because to the Europeans, the Shagya ois 
considered an Arabian!  

In one sense it is and on the other hand, they are their own breed, 
adding Arabian attributes while maintaining their own unique qualities.

Fayette deCameo is sired by *OMAN, an imported Shagya stallion.  His 
family line has created Olympic jumpers, eventers and dressage horses.  
The warmblood breeds used Shagya stallions in the 70's and 80's and bred 
families that are still sought today.  RAMZES. a TB/Shagya cross and 
founder of the "R" line is still influential.  The list is too long to 
list here! 

The endurance breeders of today need to recognize that the Shagya breed 
has already been bred for longivity and also for all of the qualities 
desired in the distance horse of today.  Study some of the European 
horses and understand how they have used this breed to an advantage and 
then consider how it might help the U.S. breeder.


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