Registrations and Studbook

Text Box: NATIONAL AMERICAN SADDLEBRED HORSE SOCIETY

· Registry Studbooks kept for pure-bred Saddlebred, part-bred Saddlebred, and National Show Horse (Saddlebred x Arabian).

· Registrations from AU$25.00.

· Low cost DNA testing services at only $45.00 per horse. All purebred horses are now required to be tested with the University of Kentucky USA which is the same laboratory used by the American Saddlebred Association of USA, making it easier for cross matching with imported horses/frozen semen.

· Prompt reliable service with minimal delays.

· Beautifully presented Frame-able registration certificate in 5 generation format.

· All NASHS registered horses’ bloodlines can be traced back to the original imported stock.

· This can be verified from studbook records and traceable pedigrees listed on the website www.allbreedpedigree.com.

· This website is also utilised by ASHA USA and traces horses back as far as the breeds original ancestry in the mid 1600’s with some very old photos.

Sample of NASHS Registration Certificate

The foundations of the breed in Australia

The original breeding records of the foundation stock were the basis of the first Stud Book produced by the American Saddlebred Association of Australia (ASHAA) which was formed in 1979 after Sutton Farm's Production Sale in 1977 as the number of horse owners and breeders began to grow.

The Besaw’s educated their children in Australia then relocated to the USA after devastating drought affected the horse industry and a shift in Grolier's business interests led to the selling off of stock at a Dispersal Sale at "Jumping Rock", Bundanoon, in 1981.The property was sold and they moved, first to Castle Hill and then back to the USA. They handed over their records and archival material to ASHAA around 1984.

Initially the purchase price and limited availability of purebred Saddlebred horses put them out of reach of most potential purchasers so Mr Besaw promoted upgrading of stock and the registration of first cross, second cross and third cross horses with the “possibility” of recognition as 'purebred' after assessment by an international 'classifier'.

At the 1981 Dispersal Sale the reduced prices of purebred stock made the costs of purebred stock equivalent to part-breds, so serious breeders were able to add numbers to their purebred foundation stock. The purebred register expanded thereafter with less emphasis on the 'breeding-up'. idea

The Secretary was responsible for maintaining records of registration (stallion service certificates, identification of foals for registration supported by photographic evidence, updating records of transfer of ownership and some branding), The registration of horses was transparent and monitored regularly by the Board of Directors

The Directors published the first Studbook (1970-1979) organized by the Besaw’s with the then secretary Diane Lloyd. It recorded the pedigrees of Purebred (A register), Cross bred (B Register) and the (C Register) Infused horses (offspring of a first cross-colt) which was initially introduced for coloured Saddlebred crossbred stallions.

This was followed by an updated Register published in 1988 with Mrs Betty Jenkins as secretary. The 1988 published register listed 160 purebred horses and a separate register of part-breds was maintained . There were other addendas published later but it is unknown as to whether these are currently available.

Blood typing and DNA

In the early 1990’s the issue of verification of parentage was being debated by directors and members of ASHAA as the technology of blood-typing developed. It was being argued that perhaps it was a little premature for Australia to rush into with less than 10 horses a year being registered at the time and even less registered breeders. By 1992 there was already discussion of DNA being phased in to replace blood testing in a few years time. The technology for DNA typing has only become commercially organized and affordable in recent years.

DNA testing does not prove that any horses is a purebred. It is merely a tool for backing up paperwork.

For an explanation of the difference between DNA “typing” and DNA “parent verification in PDF format

please click here

NASHS has, from its inception, retained the right to request DNA typing in order to verify parentage if the question of legitimacy has arisen, but no such case has yet arisen.

Registered breeding stock are now required to be DNA typed and recorded under an arrangement with the University of Kentucky, in order to facilitate double registration for imported horses already registered with ASHA USA, if desired. As of July 2008 all new purebred registrations will be required to have the parents DNA type on file before the registration can be processed.

NASHS started DNA testing as of 2006 and began with the stallions, followed by the mares the following year. It now only costs $45.00 and has a turn around of about 2-3 months. It is much more affordable now for the amateur breeder, which is the status of all Australian breeders. It only takes 3 full or half siblings to be able to determine a DNA type .

All horses in Australian history were originally registered using the same procedures for many, many years, which was lodging correct paperwork, photographic identification, and some have brandings and/or microchips. Most Saddlebred horses in Australia share the same ancestry so are linked by their pedigrees.

Note: According to the misinformation some people believe that if a horse is registered in Australia it, and its resultant progeny, is automatically eligible for registration in the studbook of USA.

The only horses that are eligible for registration with USA studbook are the progeny of horses from two fully USA imported parents or a horse that has been fully exported to USA, (more likely in the case of a good performance horse), it’s Australian registration papers are then surrendered and has to be re-registered with the American Registry.

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NEW * The first Association for Saddlebreds in Australia was established in 1977, seven years after horses had already been imported. Records that had been kept by Sutton Farm became the basis of the studbook register. Registration Certificates were organised to be printed by Ron Besaw , owner of Sutton Farm horses.

Contrary to what misinformation has been distributed for many years, the first organisation ASHAA was not legally incorporated in 1977. The Incorporations Act was not established and did not come into effect by the Department of Fair Trading until 1984. ASHAA under direction of the then Board of Directors and under the leadership of architect Gordon Jenkins and solicitor business associate Andrew Templeton did not start the process to apply for Incorporation until 1989/90. It was initially introduced to allow the board of directors access to limited liability.