In crossing the finishing line of the Aachen world championship in first place with Hungares, Miguel Vila Ubach made something that had already been drawing the attention of endurance horse breeders even clearer: the aptitude of the Shagya-Arabian breed for the sport.

The breed, which originates from the Austro-Hungarian empire, was distinguished from the purebred Arabian by selecting individuals that, at adult age, measured at least 1.55m at the height of the withers with 18cms of shin, privileging size, strength and rusticity. Their results in endurance events started to appear in January 2005, when Georgat – daughter of a Shagya stallion out of an Arab cross mare – was world champion ridden by Barbara Lissarague. From then on, several important races have been won by horses of the breed or had Shagyas very highly placed, like in the European championship of 2005 (won by Georgat), Pau 2006 (Tara 3rd place), Saintes Maries de la Mer 2006 (Tara 4th place), Florac 2006 (won by Ganda Koy and 2nd place by Hera de la Crouz), World Championship of Young Horses – Compiegne 2006 (won by Kedjari dês Serres) and Champclauson 2007 (Laios de Crouz 2nd place).

Aiming to count on the best in the world’s breeding stock to produce horses capable of racing and of winning international championships, Haras Endurance imported semen of Laios de Crouz, a Shagya stallion placed among the first 3 a total of 3 times in long-distance rides in France. Barcelona Endurance – Saad ibn Syed x Hikry FA (Shokry) – was the first of the inseminated mares to foal, giving birth to Shagya I Endurance, the first Brazilian Shagya, on 1/2/2009.