The European State Studs Association (ESSA) has elected two new board members during its General Assembly at the Hungarian National Stud Bábolna.
Dr. Maximilian Dobretsberger, director of the Austrian State Stud Piber and Dr. Janez Rus of the Slovenian National Stud Lipica will lead ESSA during the next five years together with Mr. Bernard Maurel, heritage director of the French National Institute for Horse and Riding, Dr. Dominik Burger, head of the Swiss Agroscope research division based at the National Stud of Avenches, and Dr. Astrid von Velsen- Zerweck, director of Marbach State Stud in Germany, who were confirmed in their positions.
Plenty of work is waiting for them. During the last five years since its foundation, more than 30 of the most renowned horse breeding institutions have joined ESSA to campaign for the preservation of European stud culture. A joint application for the European Heritage Label and a proposal to establish a scientific committee on cultural heritage related to animals at the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) are in preparation. In July 2014 a Festival of European Stud Culture will take place at Marbach State Stud, where the ESSA partner studs present the diversity of European horse breeds and classic riding and carriage driving in a colourful show programme to honour the 500th jubilee of this Stud.
The Hungarian state studs Bábolna, Mezöhegyes and Szilvásvárad offered the European stud directors a small foretaste following their conference. Headed by the mounted trumpeters of the hosting stud Shagya-Arabians, Pure Bred Arabians, Lipizzan and Nonius horses were shown under the saddle and in front of the carriage. A festive dinner, accompanied by music and dance, completed the event. The next ESSA General Assembly will take place in connection with the Festival of European Stud Culture 2014 at Marbach State Stud.
Related Links
2011 European State Stud Conference at the "Versailles of Horses"
2010 General Assembly and Reception of European State Stud Association
The European State Studs are a First Class Cultural Heritage
Horses, a European Heritage: Reception and Exhibition at Brussels