News

October 2011

A letter from the Unión de Criadores de Caballos Españoles

Dear Member:

Yesterday we received an email sent by the President of ANCCE to the theoretical 149 members, whose membership is duplicated in UCCE and ANCCE, expressing concern surely provoked by the coming decision to share the management of the Stud Book, an act certain to happen in the coming months.

From the time when the new team of UCCE began to work, we have had these three maxims:

1. Work to represent the majority of the breeders, making UCCE the largest association of breeders of Spanish Horses

2. To do our utmost to help all members, doing for them what they cannot achieve by themselves, among other activities:

• Obtain the management of the Stud Book, as established by the Royal Decree 2129/2008.
• Negotiate with distinct providers to reduce the costs of purchases.
• Share information without cost to help the breeders to know all information that they desire about each P.R.E., utilizing the database tool LG-UCCE or accessing it through Gescabonline.com.
• Help improve the genetic quality of the breeding farms by negotiating cover prices of certain stallions.

3. Not to go against anyone, but to be in favor of, so that breeders may have an alternative to decide who will carry out the services of the Stud Book without feeling obligated to use only the current monopoly.

In the letter written to you, they say "we have fought for 39 years for this sector and have given unmistakable signs of our efficiency and creativity for the benefit of our breed …". If it is so, how is it possible that they only represent a small percentage of the breeders after 39 years fighting for the sector? In the last election, there were only 606 voting members, of which, approximately 560 were breeders.They say "the crisis has hit us with vehemence and now, more than ever, we need a unified sector for the defense of our interests". We ask ourselves:

1. How are we going to unite the sector in this time of crisis if they have approved at the last General Assembly that for new members, after January 1, 2012, will have to pay 2,500 Euros to join?

2. Could it be that they are concerned about the drop in the money that we all pay as breeders, whether or not we are members of ANCCE, through the expensive services of the Stud Book so, in our view, to benefit the few who control the current ANCCE monopoly?

3. In our opinion, ANCCE believes that we do not have the same rights, subordinating all breeders to their current monopoly, when they should not interfere in this matter if they have a minimum respect for the uniform application of standards. In our opinion, to not defend the equal rights for all delegitimizes ANCCE's call for a unified sector.

The comment also about their worry that "the management of a Stud Book should respond to criteria stronger than a bout of self-centeredness of a man who cannot assume that he has lost the democratic elections for president of ANCCE". In this regard, I would ask:

1. Is it not a democratic right to be able to choose where one wants to be and to be able to fight for what one believes?

2. Is it a "solid criteria" to make decisions about the future of our breed amongst a very small group of breeders without listening to what the majority thinks?

3. Is it a "solid criteria" to make continuous changes of regulations, election of judges with incompatibilities, exclusion of prestigious professional organizations such as MELPI, disqualification of judges in a discriminatory manner, or, rather, are these dictatorial behaviors?

Finally, we have drawn attention as they directed you to remember that "the statutes of ANCCE are very clear stating that mere membership in our association involves the transfer of the representation of member's horses to ANCCE" then reminding you about the UCCE decision "you make your choice freely, without any coercion, with no one thinking for you, but your decision is the product of trying to avoid constant calls or harassment in meetings or shows" and ending saying "Therefore, if in your case there is a double membership in both associations, I beg you to fill out the form below delegating the representation of your mares to ANCCE when dealing with any administration and with the Ministry MARM."

But which is it? Are we free to choose, or are we going to feel constrained by some statutes? What is this delegating the representation of our mares in a single entity? Do we continue with the monopoly?

As the majority of you now know, from UCCE we defend the liberty to associate in as many associations as you desire and, of course, the non-exclusivity of the representation of your mares. As we have defended before the Ministry and as we have communicated to all of you, we believe, we defend and support the concept that all breeders can choose between more than one association, such as occurs not only with the Fighting Bulls (which are actually studying how to unite their databases and not the management of their Stud Books, as ANCCE would have us believe in their letter), and also in the Arabian Horse, the Thoroughbred, the Charolais cattle, the German Shepherd dog, and a lot of species and breeds that do not have any problem as ANCCE would want us to see.

As you have been able to see, during the last years, in monopolistic sectors as could be that of telecommunications (Telefónica), that of the airline companies (Iberia) or that of auto manufacturing (SEAT or Ford), they have reduced prices and have had to improve their service with only a single beneficiary: their client.

It is obvious that the majority of you have not given the representation of your mares to ANCCE and your decision by the immense majority of you has induced the issuance of the letter from ANCCE. From UCCE we are fighting to be another option for the breeders and, therefore, we ask your support to end the monopoly, permitting the liberty to be able to choose whoever offers the services of the Stud Book.

Giving to ANCCE the representation of your mares is helping to perpetuate the monopoly, with the same or worse services and costs received to date. Now more than ever we should stand firm on our principles, not allowing them to intimidate us, so that we can choose in a near future who gives better services and prices in the shared management of the Stud Book.

Receive a big hug,
s/s Leopoldo Fernández Pujals
President of the Unión de Criadores de Caballos Españoles

June 2011

CHANGES IN VICTORIAN CoP FOR THE WELFARE OF HORSES RE BRANDING

The AHIC would like to bring to your attention an important issue regarding identification in the Revision of the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, which is under the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

The revision of the Code has reached its final draft and is to be presented to the Minister prior to being tabled in Parliament.

In the section on Identification (see below) horses must not be branded using corrosive chemicals or hot irons under the minimum standards to avoid cruelty to animals.

Whilst this revision of the Code is yet to be presented to Parliament it may be prudent for breed societies and organizations which currently use hot irons for identification purposes to consider an alternative method for the benefit at lest of their Victorian members.

16 IDENTIFICATION Minimum Standards

• S16.1 Horses must not be branded using corrosive chemicals or hot irons.
• S16.2 Microchips must be inserted by a registered veterinary practitioner in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Guidelines

• G16.1 Microchipping with animal owner details recorded on a Victorian Government licensed microchip registry, freeze-branding, DNA profiling and blood type profiling are acceptable methods of permanent identification.
• G16.2 Hoof fire branding is acceptable as a short-term procedure.
• G16.3 Horses should be permanently identified as early as management practices will allow, by persons experienced and proficient in performing the procedure.
• G16.4 Where horses are kept at unoccupied premises, the contact details of the person in charge of the horse should be clearly displayed.
• G16.5 Horse owners should regularly check that their contact details are correctly recorded with the licensed animal microchip identification registry. This information will be available two days after the horse has been microchipped.
• G16.6In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, microchips must be inserted into the nuchal ligament halfway along the left hand side of the horse's neck.

March 2011

P.R.E. Mundial Registry Succeeds... Fear Sets In

Apparently the USPRE organization once again tried to spread fear and confusion throughout the P.R.E. Community by rehashing a two-year-old story.

The troubled management of the Spanish Stud Book has been made even more unstable due to the economic crisis and political threats in Spain. The statement by USPRE is full of misinformation and inaccuracies. Its publication reflects a certain anxiety by the authors, consistent with organizations that use fear and intimidation rather than good work to try and succeed. The current climate of chaos and instability in Spain has made the P.R.E. Mundial the registry of choice with breeders and owners of Pure Spanish Horses. These other organizations are reduced to using alarming, inaccurate headlines and misinformation out of desperation.

Below is the correct information regarding the P.R.E. Mundial Registry:

• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is a legal registry and has every right to register P.R.E. Horses.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry's purpose is the improvement, preservation and protection of the Pure Spanish Horse and NOT an excuse to extract money from breeders.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is a non-profit subsidiary of The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse and provides registry services at no profit. The money it generates only pays for those services.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is successful. It registers horses in many countries throughout the world including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and now Spain.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry has succeeded because it is accurate, has exceptional service, procedures are fast, easy and less expensive.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry uses expert, honest, professional judges and evaluators for its revision services.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Revision process is not a rubber stamp but a selective process where the emphasis is placed on educating the breeder to produce the best possible horses.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is based on the guidelines and standards of the Cría Caballar, the original guardians of the studbook, who made the breed what it is today.
• The P.R.E. Mundial Registry brings a refreshing honesty and integrity to the market and has a permanent home at the new International Resource Center for the Pure Spanish Horse.
• Membership in The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, the parent organization of the P.R.E. Mundial Registry, has increased despite the difficult economic climate because of the accuracy, great service, low cost, and ease of processing registration papers by the P.R.E. Mundial Registry.

The information contained in the news release by the USPRE is misleading and inaccurate:

• A misconception being spread is that The Foundation is unable to issue a UELN (Universal Equine Life Number) number, which is absolutely not true. Check for yourself by referring to this website http://www.ueln.net/ueln-database/find-organization-with-ueln-code.html and put the numbers "840040" into the box or "036011" for ACPRE-Australia Inc registration. The Mundial Registry is using UELN numbers on its Carta Mundial.
• USPRE is trying to confuse the public and breeders (they could even be confused themselves) by indicating that the P.R.E. Mundial is trying to supplant the Spanish Stud Book of Origin that is owned by the Spanish Government. This is not true.
• The Spanish Studbook for P.R.E. Horses is the property of Spain and was established by the Cría Caballar and maintained for over 100 years. Many of the colonels of the Cría Caballar endorse the Mundial Registry and serve as judges. ANCCE is only a manager of the Stud Book and our loyalties are to the authors of the original Stud Book who selflessly devoted their lives to this breed.
• This recent statement is not news. The information is a rehash of a letter from 2009 solicited by ANCCE asking the Ministry of Agriculture in Spain to state/declare that they are the only entity authorized to manage the P.R.E. studbook. The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is a legal entity and is recognized by the governmental authorities under which it operates. The USPRE press release failed to include information regarding the EU Courts declaration that the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture's (now, previously MAPA) concession of the studbook administration to ANCCE was only that, and not a transfer of any Studbook of Origin. This concession is available to other breeder organizations that apply and can fulfill the legislative list of requirements.
• There are several pending lawsuits demanding that the management of the Stud Book be removed from ANCCE. The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person or entity. The primary purpose of this not-for-profit is to develop an understanding of the Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.) throughout the United States and any other country where interest in the P.R.E. has been expressed or the help of The Foundation is requested. The P.R.E. Mundial Registry is a subsidiary of The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse.

The Foundation honors the efforts of all organizations and registries when they work for the best interests of the P.R.E. Horse including the IALHA, ASOCAMAN-PRE, ACPRE-Australia and the largest breeders organization in Spain, UCCE. For further questions or for more information contact The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse by email foundationabq@qwestoffice.net

U.C.C.E. Information and Forms

U.C.C.E., the national association in Spain with the most members, is seeking members outside of Spain. They are finishing their documentation in order to present their request to the Spanish Ministry (MARM) to manage the Stud Book for our breed. It is anticipated that their request will be in the hands of the Ministress of MARM by early May of this year. The Ministry will then have six months maximum by law to respond to the petition of U.C.C.E.

The Foundation has been, for a number of years, a firm supporter of U.C.C.E. and is currently a member strongly supporting U.C.C.E.'s claim for the management of the Stud Book.

There are two levels of membership: full membership, with voting rights, and associate membership (socio simpatizante), without voting rights. The cost of full membership is 200 euros and the cost to be an associate is 100 euros. There are certain benefits to full membership which might not be applicable to those of us in the Americas (insurance, feed stuff price reductions, etc.), but because U.C.C.E. will most likely be the new manager of the Stud Book, if you are a breeder, you might want to consider full membership.

U.C.C.E. has prepared a PowerPoint presentation in both Spanish and English and they have provided us with membership forms, again in both languages. Please read through the presentation and see if membership might be of interest to you.

Powerpoint presentation download (623kb powerpoint)
Membership form download (94kb pdf)

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the International Director of U.C.C.E., Ignacio Fernández Gijón.
His contact information is:
Ignacio Fernandez Giron
International Manager
Director Internacional
UCCE
C/ Velazquez 157 1º
28002 Madrid
Spain
or email

February 2011

 

Judges Certificates for Jane Evans and Sarah Roberts arrive

The judges certifcates for Jane Evans and Sarah Roberts have arrived. These ladies travelled to Las Vegas to complete the First International Judges Seminar for PRE horses in August this year, after completing an extensive on line course. The seminar was organised by the International College of PRE Judges, in collaboration with MELPI and the wonderful Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse.

The seminar portion of the course is open to anyone wishing to gain more knowledge of the PRE, and the incredibly talented Mercedes Gonzáles Cort and extremely knowledgeable Col. Javier Velazquez Rivera do their best to ensure that no participant goes away 'empty handed'. Both judges are prepared to field any question thrown at them - questions on the historical origins of the breed to breeding for breed fidelity and performance are no problem!

Mercedes Gonzáles Cort will be in Australia in early next year, judging at the 2011 AHAA National Championships in Sydney. This will be a fantastic opportunity for Australians to learn from one of the world's most highly regarded PRE judges first hand.

 

 

 

Opening of the world's first Resource Centres for the Pure Spanish Horse - in Albuquerque, USA and Adelaide, Australia

December 1st, is opening day for the International Resource Center for the Pure Spanish Horse in Albuquerque, USA! The Resource
Center is designed specifically for YOU; people who love the P.R.E. Horse, people who want to learn more about the breed, do research, and celebrate the accomplishments of individual P.R.E. Horses and the people who shepherd them. Now you have a destination where you can come and celebrate the Pure Spanish Horse!

Here is a partial list of what the International Resource Center has to offer:

• Classroom Space
• Meeting Rooms
• Wireless Internet
• Art Gallery
• Equine Database Access
• Hall of Fame
• Multi Media Library
• Archives
• P.R.E. Gift Center
• Perpetual Trophy Display
• Walk of Remembrance (Order your bricks now! 505.294.0800)

The Foundation would like to thank D. José Andrés Santodomingo Gil for his generous donation of the lovely antique stall nameplate from the Spanish Calvary that proudly frames our International Resource Center for the Pure Spanish Horse sign.

The Resource Center is also available to members of The Foundation, by appointment, if they wish to use the facility to hold meetings, seminars,
and educational events.

The International Resource Center for the P.R.E. Horse is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and after hours by appointment. It
is located only ten minutes from the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport in the heart of the charming Huning Highland Historic District of Albuquerque and boasts easy access from Interstate 25. Many hotels and restaurants are within a short walk. If you plan on visiting the center and
would like information about accommodations please call 505.294.0800 for assistance.

 

At the same time, the first resource centre for the Pure Spanish Horse has also opened in Australia, in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. This resource centre contains:

• Books
• Magazines
• Archives
• DVDs
• Trophy displays
• PRE gifts, and
• artefacts relating to the PRE in Australia.

Contact the ACPRE Australia office to find out more about accessing these wonderful resources.

 

PRE Mundial now in Spain!

Since 2007, when the Foundation created the PRE Mundial Registry in the U.S. (The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse) the number of horses entered into the Registry has not stopped growing. A few days ago we received the news of a new addition: Australia began to register their products in the PRE Mundial. Now it's Spain’s turn.

The seriousness, transparency and good work is bearing fruit. There are already more than 1,000 horses entered in the PRE Mundial Registry, noting this new reality.

For some time breeders have been asking for PRE Mundial services in Spain, and a great effort has been made from the headquarters of the PRE Mundial in New Mexico, to bring Spanish breeders the opportunity to inscribe their horses into this new registry.

To this end, the www.premundial.com website has been activated, which will serve all those breeders who want to find a new way to register and promote their horses.

The procedure is simple: just ask your Autonomous Community to identify your horses, and when legally identified by the official veterinarian in your community, then ask the PRE Mundial to inscribe your horses in their registry.

The PRE Mundial delegate in Spain will contact you to help you arrange documentation and to obtain the passport which guarantees PRE Mundial registration.

MELPI collaborates with the Foundation in managing the PRE Mundial registry, so for any questions or concerns please consult our offices in Seville by phone at 95-4159339 or by email to oficinasevilla@premundial.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MELPI, SL: Seville, November 18, 2010

 

 

EQUIPRE 2010 highlights Australia's outstanding Pura Raza Espaňola (P.R.E.) horses, 7th - 19th November 2010

November 2010 saw the first ever Australia wide P.R.E. Assessment and Breeding Approval Tour with Spanish judge, Col. Alberto Zapatero Gaton. This is the first time since 2006 that a P.R.E. show of any kind has been held in this country, and ACPRE-Australia Inc. intends to make it an annual event.

Assessor Col. Zapatero Gaton has amassed an amazing amount of knowledge about the breed during his 35 years judging and evaluating PREs on behalf of the Spanish Military, which administered the stud book worldwide for almost a century until 2006. Now their work is continued with the world stud book, P.R.E.Mundial administered by the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, USA. www.prehorse.org

Col. Zapatero Gaton commented that “this is an international tour, where Australian P.R.E. horses are judged to the International Standards set by the Spanish College of Judges”.

P.R.E. assessments are very similar to those for other sport horse breeds, where numerical scores are given for elements of conformation (morphology), the gaits (movement) and ride ability (functionality).  In addition, P.R.E.s are also assessed on their fidelity to the legislated Spanish breed standard of 2002 defined by 10 dimorphic zoometric measurements.

A good P.R.E. must possess the usual characteristics relating to good conformation as required in a warmblood assessment. On top of this, the judge will look for 'type'. For example, triangular eyes, straight to sub-convex facial profiles and well arched necks are some of the required characteristics of the breed.

A good P.R.E. must also display the normal elements of good movement, such as correct, regular and elastic gaits, good over-track at the walk and the ability to collect and extend its gaits. However, P.R.E.s are also expected to meet the breed standard on movement, with elevation in the gaits being one of the breed's most recognizable movement characteristics.

Many of Australia's top P.R.E. studs participated in EQUIPRE 2010, with over 45 horses being inspected over two weeks. Premium status was awarded to horses scoring 70 and above and Elite was awarded to those scoring 75 and above. Of the horses assessed in Australia, 11 horses were awarded Premium status, and 6 achieved Elite status.

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Stallion): Poseido LXXII

Campeona de la Raza (Champion Mare): Mayica la Querida (76.363 pts)

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Mare):Aquila Rosalinda

 

Campeón de la Raza (Champion Gelding): Descarado LXXVII (74pts)

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Gelding): BHM Blacks in Style

Campeón de la Raza (Junior Champion Filly): Aquila Sophia & Ariadna V (equal)

Campeón de la Raza (Junior Champion Colt): Aquila Leonidas

Mejores Movimientos (Best Movement - Junior): Aquila Sophia (8.5 pts)

Mejores Movimientos (Best Movement - Senior): Gotico Park Cyanna,Mayica la Querida, Tasidor (7.667 pts each)

In addition to assessing P.R.E.s, Col. Zapatero Gaton also inspected horses for registration (inscription) and breeding approval (revision) with P.R.E. Mundial, an American based International organisation dedicated to safe guarding the heritage of the P.R.E. worldwide.  This organisation is extremely supportive of Australian owners and breeders.

The inspection also allowed for on-going training of local P.R.E. judges.  This tour, Jane Evans from South Australia accompanied Col. Zapatero Gaton throughout Australia, shadow judging at each location. 'Shadow judges' complete the same score sheets as the judge and then the results are checked against those of the qualifying judge. This process is preceded by the completion of an eight part on-line judges course and attendance at a judges seminar held during the "Celebration of the Spanish Horse" show in Las Vegas, where mandatory tutoring and assessment under two of the Spanish College of Judges is conducted. 

Breed seminars were given by Col Zapatero Gaton in WA, SA and NSW as part of this educational process.

The EQUIPRE Assessment and Breeding Approval tour has been a fantastic opportunity for breeders and owners to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of their individual horses, gauge the success of their breeding programs, and compare the quality of Australian horses to their international counterparts. We look forward to next year's tour!

 

ACPRE Australia also takes its responsibility to biosecurity very seriously. ACPRE Australia Inc was ctively involved in providing input for the newly released national publication HORSE VENUE BIOSECURITY HANDBOOK.

During the tour, great care was taken to avoid fomite transfer between locations - many of the photos taken on the tour illustrate the measures taken. The microchip scanner, HAUPT international steel measuring baston & calipers, laptops, cameras and equipment were all disinfected between venues, and disposable gloves & gowns were used during evaluations. As the Equine Influenza outbreak showed us, it is possible to transfer certain pathogens across the country on such national tours, so ACPRE Australia constantly maintains the highest standards in biosecurity to ensure that any risk is minimised.

All in all, this has been a very successful tour across this huge country and with very positive outcomes. We already have a huge amount of interest in "the next one". Thank you to all those who supported this tour, it has been a wonderful experience on which to build for 2011, when we will introduce the ridden functionality sections as well.

 

19th November 2010 - EQUIPRE 2010

EQUIPRE 2010 highlights Australia's outstanding Pura Raza Espaňola (P.R.E.) horses, 7th - 19th November 2010

November 2010 saw the first ever Australia wide P.R.E. Assessment and Breeding Approval Tour with Spanish judge, Col. Alberto Zapatero Gaton. This is the first time since 2006 that a P.R.E. show of any kind has been held in this country, and ACPRE-Australia Inc. intends to make it an annual event.

Assessor Col. Zapatero Gaton has amassed an amazing amount of knowledge about the breed during his 35 years judging and evaluating PREs on behalf of the Spanish Military, which administered the stud book worldwide for almost a century until 2006. Now their work is continued with the world stud book, P.R.E.Mundial administered by the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, USA. www.prehorse.org

Col. Zapatero Gaton commented that “this is an international tour, where Australian P.R.E. horses are judged to the International Standards set by the Spanish College of Judges”.

P.R.E. assessments are very similar to those for other sport horse breeds, where numerical scores are given for elements of conformation (morphology), the gaits (movement) and ride ability (functionality).  In addition, P.R.E.s are also assessed on their fidelity to the legislated Spanish breed standard of 2002 defined by 10 dimorphic zoometric measurements.

A good P.R.E. must possess the usual characteristics relating to good conformation as required in a warmblood assessment. On top of this, the judge will look for 'type'. For example, triangular eyes, straight to sub-convex facial profiles and well arched necks are some of the required characteristics of the breed.

A good P.R.E. must also display the normal elements of good movement, such as correct, regular and elastic gaits, good over-track at the walk and the ability to collect and extend its gaits. However, P.R.E.s are also expected to meet the breed standard on movement, with elevation in the gaits being one of the breed's most recognizable movement characteristics.

Many of Australia's top P.R.E. studs participated in EQUIPRE 2010, with over 45 horses being inspected over two weeks. Premium status was awarded to horses scoring 70 and above and Elite was awarded to those scoring 75 and above. Of the horses assessed in Australia, 11 horses were awarded Premium status, and 6 achieved Elite status.

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Stallion): Poseido LXXII

Campeona de la Raza (Champion Mare): Mayica la Querida (76.363 pts)

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Mare): Aquila Rosalinda

 

Campeón de la Raza (Champion Gelding): Descarado LXXVII (74pts)

Subcampeón de la Raza (Reserve Champion Gelding): BHM Blacks in Style

Campeón de la Raza (Junior Champion Filly): Aquila Sophia & Ariadna V (equal)

Campeón de la Raza (Junior Champion Colt): Aquila Leonidas

Mejores Movimientos (Best Movement - Junior): Aquila Sophia (8.5 pts)

Mejores Movimientos (Best Movement - Senior): Gotico Park Cyanna,Mayica la Querida, Tasidor (7.667 pts each)

In addition to assessing P.R.E.s, Col. Zapatero Gaton also inspected horses for registration (inscription) and breeding approval (revision) with P.R.E. Mundial, an American based International organisation dedicated to safe guarding the heritage of the P.R.E. worldwide.  This organisation is extremely supportive of Australian owners and breeders.

The inspection also allowed for on-going training of local P.R.E. judges.  This tour, Jane Evans from South Australia accompanied Col. Zapatero Gaton throughout Australia, shadow judging at each location. 'Shadow judges' complete the same score sheets as the judge and then the results are checked against those of the qualifying judge. This process is preceded by the completion of an eight part on-line judges course and attendance at a judges seminar held during the "Celebration of the Spanish Horse" show in Las Vegas, where mandatory tutoring and assessment under two of the Spanish College of Judges is conducted. 

Breed seminars were given by Col Zapatero Gaton in WA, SA and NSW as part of this educational process.

The EQUIPRE Assessment and Breeding Approval tour has been a fantastic opportunity for breeders and owners to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of their individual horses, gauge the success of their breeding programs, and compare the quality of Australian horses to their international counterparts. We look forward to next year's tour!

 

ACPRE Australia also takes its responsibility to biosecurity very seriously. ACPRE Australia Inc was ctively involved in providing input for the newly released national publication HORSE VENUE BIOSECURITY HANDBOOK.

During the tour, great care was taken to avoid fomite transfer between locations - many of the photos taken on the tour illustrate the measures taken. The microchip scanner, HAUPT international steel measuring baston & calipers, laptops, cameras and equipment were all disinfected between venues, and disposable gloves & gowns were used during evaluations. As the Equine Influenza outbreak showed us, it is possible to transfer certain pathogens across the country on such national tours, so ACPRE Australia constantly maintains the highest standards in biosecurity to ensure that any risk is minimised.

All in all, this has been a very successful tour across this huge country and with very positive outcomes. We already have a huge amount of interest in "the next one". Thank you to all those who supported this tour, it has been a wonderful experience on which to build for 2011, when we will introduce the ridden functionality sections as well.