40 years and counting...
ECAHO - European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations
For those involved with Arabian horse shows the
abbreviation ECAHO is ever present. But what exactly is ECAHO?
We are organization established already in 1983 as reaction on the dubious show
practices which became evident in European international shows. 10 European
breeding societies decided to set up rules to prevent “beating and cheating”.
Since the first year of its existence, ECAHO has been concentrated on three
major topics: the Rule Book (“Blue Book”), the Show pyramid and the
Disciplinary matters. The organization was registered in Switzerland as a
“Verein”. Thus, ECAHO was born. And it keeps growing!
Rules to
prevent “beating and cheating”
The most important achievement of ECAHO is certainly
the establishment of a horse show rulebook – called simply Blue Book. It
contains several chapters from which the “Rules for Conduct of Shows (RCS)” is
the most essential because it is created to prevent beating and cheating.
Nowadays, the show rules of ECAHO are accepted in almost 40 countries in
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Beating means the ill-treatment of horses in order to make them “show”. Results
can – and often are – achieved by excessive whipping, instruments such as rack,
hobbles and weights, prolonged tying up, and the misuse of drugs.
Cheating covers the conduct of judges and officials and the presentation of
horses. ECAHO forbids alteration of basic colour, hoof paints, coat dyes,
cosmetic operations, skin grafts or tail and mane hair extensions are
forbidden. ECAHO has zero tolerance for any doping offence. To make sure the
rules are kept, the Disciplinary committee members are present at each show,
keeping eye on both people and horses.
Judges and other Officials
ECAHO ensures education of its Officials on regular basis by organizing courses and workshops. Nowadays we register almost 100 Judges ,over 70 Disciplinary Committee members and 40 Ringmasters.
Sport
Next to the well-developed system of rules for halter
shows (“Blue Book”), ECAHO developed the rules for sport events – so called
Green Book. This “manual” sets the rules for affiliated sport events. ECAHO has
own rules for Pleasure classes (Classic Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Pleasure
Driving, Ladies Side Saddle, Traditional Arabian Riding, Hunter Pleasure etc.).
For FEI and western disciplines, the rules of National federations are
followed.and 12 approved Judge of Pleasure Classes (Sport). ECAHO ensures education for Pleasure and Trail Judges, now we have over 12 of them approved for ECAHO Sport events.
Main tasks
40-year history of ECAHO clearly shows that its
Members are willing to maintain the original principles – no beating, no
cheating. And such as in the past, ECAHO is still continuing with its original
goals – fair play at the shows, welfare of the horses, education to ECAHO
officials, and supporting of the Arabian horse scene.
More than 40 years together for the fair competition and humane treatment of our beloved Arabian horses...
