MINUTES

Present: Prof.Dr.Johann Soelkner – President, Mr Atjan Hop – secretary,
Dr. Thomas Druml (A), Ing. Pavo Sabolski (Djakovo), Mr Christian Manz (ass.Djakovo), Mr Zoltan Egri (H),
Mr.Matjaz Pust (Lipica), Dr. Marko Marc (Lipica), Dr. Ivan Urbas (Lipica),
Ing. Nidal Korabi (Lipik/HR), Ing. Domagoj Tadić (Lipik/HR), Dr. Max Dobretsberger (Piber), Mag.Dusan Kramberger(Slov.Gov.), Dr. Janez Rus (SLO) Mr Alex Gollar (Szilvasvarad), Ing.Michal Horný (Topolcianky)
Excused: Dr. Gheorghe Mohanu (RO), Dr.Karl-Heinz Kirsch (D), Ing.Mato Cacic (HR), Dr. Henk Merkens (NL)
#1 Opening by Prof.Dr. Johann Soelkner. He welcomes everybody and asks for agreement about the agenda of
this meeting.#2 Structure of the federation – Principal of Purebredness
Prof. Soelkner explains that the principal of purebredness, as described in the statutes sometimes brings unpractical effects, f.e. loosing valuable breedingstock, when the originating studbook can not be recognized by LIF. This item was already discussed in the preceded meeting in Szilvasvárád.
Mr. Hop explains in detail. According to the English version of the statutes Appendix II.1 Purebred Criteria the Definition states: “Horses of the pure Lipizzaner breed shall mean those horses registered in a national Lipizzaner stud-book recognized by the LIF, or which are generated by two registered parents.” (Followed by the conditions of genealogy). The German text of this Appendix II.1 however shows a slightly different phrase in the second part: “…, oder deren Vorfahren eingetragen sind.” (transl.: “…or whose ancestors are registered”)
This basic principal was copied from WAHO as a way to force all nations to join LIF in order to be able to call their horses Lipizzaner horses. If one reads only the first sentence of the definition, the position is clear. However the second sentence is not. The sentence does not read exactly the same in German and English. If one goes by German definition, there are a lot of more horses which could be used within the LIF population.
The question is now: how should horses be accepted by LIF from non-LIF recognized stud books, in order loose as less as possible breeding stock, but not undermining the basic principal of existence of the LIF.
Horses registered by France, imported by LIF-members elsewhere, and horses registered by the Bavarian studbook in Germany are two different examples out of the daily practice to discern.
Mr. Rus remarks that this matter shows two levels: 1) an ideological level and 2) a practical situation. He confirms that the ideological principal should maintain, as it the backbone of the structure of the federation. However on practical level one could find reasons to define a refinement, finding specific reasons for exceptions, formulating a special protocol.
Mr. Hop warns that every individual decision in favour of a specific horse may create a precedent for other situations, resulting in structural problems within f.e. Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom, undermining the position on national level of LIF-members.
Mr. Pust remarks that is correct to discuss this item first in the Breeding Committee, from a practical perspective. He states that the recognition of horses is primary a responsibility on national level. The LIF has no legal powers to act against offenders of this basic rule. Therefore every member organization could decide for themselves to register certain horses, wherever the are originating from.
Mr. Horný remarks that the LIF should be for all Lipizzaners, and the LIF should be for all members. This is a
discrepancy. The basic rule of purebredness seems to be against the first idea: being there for all Lipizzaners. He proposes to find a solution in the middle of this, and states that the WAHO is also not so strict anymore as it used to be in the beginning.
Prof.Soelkner is of opinion that LIF should provide a possibility that all members could register all valuable horses, without sanctions. Mr Rus emphasizes, that one should stick to the rules. Without this basic principal, the LIF would be a powerless noncommittal organization. There even would not be a reason to join LIF. The French did not care to join, they put themselves deliberately in this situation. The Australian are LIF-member, and should have been aware of disregarding the rules. Both are responsible for their own decisions.
Mr. Druml states that the present developments in the horse world are more liberal, regarding this kind of regulations. Mr. Korabi emphasizes that without strict rules there would be no LIF. LIF should be the legal authority with a certain strength. A horse is only an Arab, when it is WAHO- accepted, this principal did its work in daily practice
Mr. Pust remarks that if the LIF is not more open, it will fail in practice. Due to the regulation there are more than 600 Lipizzaner horses in France are excluded now.
Mr. Rus confirms that the principal is not only a matter with the Lipizzaner or Arab. Also warmblood studbooks like Holstein only accepts horses as Holsteiner, when they are primary registered in Holstein, and nowhere else. Without the common agreement of the principal, the breed will be lost. We are primary talking about people who do not want to cooperate with or within LIF. If you open the fences, everybody will go out, in stead of come in.
Mr. Pust expresses, that LIF has already a tool to make organizations join: the International Lipizzaner Register.
Mr. Rus suggests in order to find a practical solution without altering the basic principal of LIF, to add specific conditions to the Internal Rules of Procedure for accepting horses outside the reach of LIF.
Lipizzan International Federation
“Individual horses, registered by a non-LIF recognized studbook organization, could be accepted as Lipizzaner
horse according to LIF rules if:
1) this horse is originating from a state without a LIF-member, and
2) the registration is correctly done by a but by a studbook organization, which is officially recognized by the
related national horse breeding authorities , and
3) the LIF Breeding Committee has approved the correctness of registration and genealogy, and has
inspected the individual horse on its breed characteristics, on request by the involved LIF-member.
Cost of this inspection by the Breeding Committee will be beard by the requesting LIF-member and/or the
owner of the horse. In special cases, the LIF can be asked for a partial contribution in these costs.
All present members could agree with this proposal. The Breeding Committee will advise the LIF Board and the
General Assembly to take over this proposal, to add this rule to the Internal Rules of Procedure with the next
coming opportunity.
Mr. Kramberger (Slov.Ministry) remarks that the principal question in this matter is: what is the role and function of the
LIF. Is the LIF a server or a ruler? When the LIF functions as a supra-national organization, then the statement can be
made that the LIF should stick to their principal regulations.
#3 International Lipizzaner Register (ILR)
In regard to the International Lipizzaner Register (IRL), there is a register although there are still some issues to resolve,
among the legal status in regards to LIF.
Dr.Marc states that the register was officially handed over to LIF in 2007. A task is waiting: the LIF-member
organizations should start to insert their yearly foals. He proposes to organize a seminar for studbook registrars,
scheduled 13-15 March 2009 in Lipica. Passwords for this special entry will be distributed then.
Mr.Pust expresses, that the register should be handed over to the LIF in practice by signing contracts. Lipica will take
care over the general code of the data base (intellectual property and assurance of maintaining the system). The LIF
Breeding Committee should take over control of the system. He asks to indicate a coordinating person and proposes
Mr. Atjan Hop. All data should be checked and controlled.
Mr.Hop replies, that he accept this proposal, but only if his duties as Secretary General are forwarded, and the new
structure proposal of the LIF will have been realized. Otherwise this obligation is too much.
Mr.Manz remarks that he looked into the data of the ILR, and noticed that almost every breeding organization is using a different way of composing a UELN (life number). He proposes to advise standardization. Hereto he distributes a proposal, indicating after the first 6 national digits special attributions for the Lipizzaner horse, like stallion dynasty. Mr. Hop thanks Mr. Manz for his initiative, but remarks that such a proposal was already distributed by the LIF Breeding Committee several years ago. In daily practice however, a standard seemed not to function, due to two reasons: the standardization demands of national horse breeding authorities, and the already existing systems of composing a UELN before the LIF-proposal.
Mr. Rus remarkes that a proposal like Mr. Manz’ would be very practical and ideal, but confirms that it will not work in practice, due to those reasons which mr Hop indicated.
#4 Education of Judges and Registrars
Mr. Hop expresses that he was very pleased with the developments of the three judging seminars in Bad
Tatzmannsdorf, Piber and Szilvásvárad, (2007-2008) which were of a high professional level. The first, initiated by Mr.Schröder, was only meant for aspirant judges, but the following seminars were also opened for experienced judges,
in order to improve the exchange of knowledge. Certificates of Attendance will be distributed to the competitors.
He expresses that, due to his experience, there is also a lack of knowledge among the national studbook registrars, and suggests to involve dedicated education for this group as well.
Dr. Marc remarks, that this could be started during the scheduled meeting for the ILR in March 2009.
Mr. Hop continues that during the latest meeting in Szilvásvárad (October 2008), Mr Rus was asked to function as coordinator for future seminars, and Mr Hop is very pleased to hand this duty over to him.
Mr.Rus indicates that he wants to organize more practice related seminars. A combination with the General Assembly – f.e. a separate day before or after- would be very convenient. The LIF should learn about the high technical level of the
achievements of the Copernicus-Project, related to the practice. Further on locomotive problems and diseases
occurring in the breed should be indicated. Also the pathology can be elaborated more. He askes the Breeding
Committee for further input of proposals for the next meeting.
#5 INCO-COPERNICUS
The final publication of the Inco-Copernicus Project is still expected.
Dr. Druml reports that it will be a corpulent book of 450 pages. The concept is handed over to the publisher. He expects the final publishing in the middle of 2009. He indicates, that earlier requests to add the photo series of all tested horses of Prof. Habe may not be effected, due to budget and negotiations.
Mr. Hop reminds that there is still budget in the LIF Balance for the final publication.
#6 Closing
Prof. Soelkner closes the meeting, and thanks all for their contribution.