Breed Registries | History & Origin | Breeding | Uses | Conformation | Champions

French Anglo-Arab Breed Registries

• National Anglo-Arab Association, France

French Anglo-Arab History & Origin

The French Anglo-Arabian has traced back to two stallions: Massoud (an Arabian), and Aslam (a Turkish horse). Imported from Syria, they were crossed with three imported English Thoroughbreds: Comus Mare, Daer, and Selim Mare. Their three daughters, Clovis, Danae, and Delphine became the foundation stock of France's breeding program.

These have been the principal factor in horse-breeding since they were first created in the 17th century by Louis XIV's minister, Colbert. Initially they supplied the royal stables, but with the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte at the end of the 18th century their functions began to include providing cavalry remounts for his campaigns.

The Pompadour National Anglo Arab Stud, part of the French National Stud, is at Château de Pompadour in Arnac-Pompadour, Corrèze. It also has influenced France's main sport horse breed: the Selle Francais.

French Anglo-Arab Breeding

The breeding program for Anglo Arabs had a deliberate purpose from the start: to produce high-level European sport horses. The original Anglo Arabs have been largely incorporated into the Selle Francais breed, but there remains a strong tradition of pure Anglo Arab breeding.

The French tradition is to breed Anglo Arab to Anglo Arab, rather than Arab to Thoroughbred. This produces horses of varying levels of Thoroughbred and Arab blood, usually expressed as a percentage of Arab blood. For example, a French Anglo Arab would be registered as "41%", meaning that his lineage made him 41% Arab blood, 59% Thoroughbred. Anglo Arabs can be registered as long as they have a minimum of 25% Arab blood.

There have been times when the stud book was opened to Anglo Arabs with less than this, as a way of bringing more Thoroughbred blood into the breed: but such animals were not allowed to compete as Anglo Arabs.

French Anglo-Arab Uses

The French Anglo-Arab has been used by the military, as well as a general riding and sport horse. The breed is also excellent at eventing, with the stamina, jumping ability, and speed.

French Anglo-Arab Conformation

Conformation varies, but the preferred conformation is most similar to the thoroughbred.

Head:  Intelligent with a straight profile, expressive eyes and alert ears
Neck: Long with more predominate wither than the Arab and a sloping shoulder
Body:  Strong, sturdy and shorter that the Thoroughbred with a deep chest
Hindquarters: Slightly long
Limbs: Strong and sound
Feet:   Well formed

French Anglo-Arab Champions

The French Anglo athletic physique and particular temperament is appealing to top level riders and amateurs worldwide.

• Crocus Jacob *ENE HN (Emir de la Fot) ridden by Jean-Luc Force (France) were Eventing Team Silver Medal at Jerez WEG 2002.
• Are also worth mentioning the two famous Jumpers Alco (Nanval) and Paprika della Loggia (Fougueux AA) respectively competing in Belgium and Italy and Urus d'Olympe (Saint Erwan AA) ridden in Dressage under the Brazilian colors.
• Zeus ex Gordios ex Nurzeus (Arlequin AA) , born in 1972, is among the best French Anglo sires who influenced foreign Studbooks such as the KWPN studbook, the Oldenburg studbook, the Hanoverian studbook and the Westfalian studbook. He has been a true foundation sire in several European studbooks.
• Inschallah ex Josselin (Israel AA), born in 1968, has been a leading sire in the breeding of German Dressage horses.
• It is also quite common to find French Anglo blood in the pedigrees of top Jumpers such as Olisco and Jus de Pomme (Atlanta Olympic Winner).

*Information courtesy of  UNIC Chevaux De Sport