Shagyas are known for their light, correct and ground-covering basic gaits and good jumping disposition.

Historically, the Shagya Arabian was bred in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, specifically in the main studs of Bàbolna and Radautz. Today, Shagyas are still bred in Austria and Hungary, but their successful performance and genuine friendliness have spread this breed throughout the world. After World War II, the primary German stud was known as Gestuet Ankum. Back then the breed was still known as ‘Araberrasse’ (“Arab breed”), but it was renamed to “Shagya-Araber” (“Shagya Arab”) in 1982.

Today, the head organization of all Shagya breeding is the “Internationale Shagya Gesellschaft  e.v.” , aka ISG. In 2000, the complete number of Shagyas mares was estimated at approx. 1,500 mares.

In the United States, the Shagyas faced a dramatic rescue by Montana-breeder and long-time Shagya enthusiast Adele Furby. In 1984, Ms. Furby rescued the Shagya stallion Bravo and the ISG named him the foundation stallion for the U.S. (To read more about her miraculous rescue, please see http://www.adeles-shagyas.com/Articles.html )