The Arabian Horse Society
of South Africa History
The Arab Horse Society of South Africa was founded on 22 October 1960, sparked by the passion of Mrs. Charmaine Grobbelaar, its first president. Her first encounter with an Arabian horse was unforgettable, and it inspired her to establish the Society, which has played a vital role in promoting and preserving the Arabian horse breed in South Africa.
South Africa has an interesting history with regards to the Arabian Horse. As shortly after Jan Van Riebeek colonised the Cape in 1652 a shipment of “Arab -type” ponies arrived from Java, their ancestors had been taken to the East Indies by Arab traders centuries earlier. Java itself like South Africa having no indigenous stock, and a country held at various periods in history by Arabian Princes.
The Arab Horse Society of South Africa affiliated with the South African StudBook Association in 1961. Prior to this, Arab breeders made direct stud book entries. It is an unfortunate fact that of all the horses imported prior to 1940, not one left registered progeny. This is a great loss, as some famous horses were imported from Great Britain, the desert, Egypt and even from Argentina.
The first Purebred Registered Arabian, a grey stallion named AZREK, was imported by Cecil John Rhodes in 1891 from Wilfred and Lady Anne Blunt’s Crabbet Stud in England, marking the beginning of the breed’s formal introduction. The intention of this purchase was to improve the quality of horse found in the Cape at the time. Sadly while early imports like Azrek left no recorded descendants after he was imported, their legacy continues through today’s horses.
AZREK imported by Cecil John Rhodes
from the Crabbet Stud in England in 1891.
This marked the beginning of the breed’s journey in the country. Over time, more Arabian horses were imported, including notable efforts by Captain Gorner Williams, Sir De Villiers Graaff, and Mr. W. Lovemore. They contributed to the breed’s development by bringing in Arabians from Argentina and the famous Crabbet Stud in England. However, some early Arabian lines were lost as they intermingled with other breeds including the Basutho ponies, they unwittingly carry the blood of these early Arab imports.
In 1948, Betty Arnold established the Olford Arabian Stud, the oldest existing Arabian stud in South Africa, importing three mares from Crabbet Stud. The same year saw the first South African National Arabian Horse Show in Graaff-Reinet, followed by the second in Middelburg in 1953. By 1959, the National Show had 114 entries, showcasing the growing popularity of Arabian horses.
This Pure Crabbet mare; Olford Silver Trinket was bred & owned by Betty Arnold, the founder of Olford Arabian Stud in South Africa.
Credit: Facebook group Olford Arabians, breeding 100% Crabbet Arabians since 1948.
Since 1960, many stud farms have emerged across South Africa, importing Arabians from England, Europe, and the United States.
The Society was officially founded during a meeting on the farm Allenvale in Balfour, with 14 members present. The first Council was formed, with Mrs. Grobbelaar as president and a strong team dedicated to advancing the breed.
These first Council members were:
President: Mrs. CC Grobbelaar
Vice President: FCC Weilbach
Ivor Wells
Dr. R. Joyce
E.P. Engelbrecht
Mrs A. Engelbrecht
J.B. Grobbelaar.
These first Council members remained in office until after the 1963 annual general election.
The Society’s Constitution was drafted soon after, by committee member Ivor Wells, an Attorney from Pretoria by setting the foundation for the registration of Purebred Arabians, Anglo Arabians, and Part-Bred Arabians.
The founding members of the Arab Horse Society who enrolled for the first AGM on the 25th November 1961 were as follows:
E.B. Arnold (aka Betty Arnold) C.K. de Bruin
E.P. Engelbrecht J.B. Grobbelaar
W.M. Leonard PJ van der Merwe
GJ Rosowsky VV Voorendyk
IH Wells FCC Weilbach
J.J. Botha GAR North
Dr. R Joyce A.J. Botha
E.H. Medlin Ak de Bruin
A. Engelbrecht CC Grobbelaar
A. Hersov ME Kettlewell
HL du Plessis JM Stewart
J. Scarr
Just eight years after its recognition, in 1969, the concept of a World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) was discussed internationally, with South Africa actively involved. WAHO was formally registered in 1972 as a charitable organization dedicated to preserving the purity of the Arabian breed. South Africa became one of the seven founding nations, joining the ranks of the USA, UK, Poland, The Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand. This international recognition of South Africa’s Stud Book reflects the global respect for South African Arabian horses.
Since its humble beginnings, the Arab Horse Society of South Africa has grown into the largest breed society affiliated with the South African Stud Book. Today, the Society remains committed to representing its members across the country, ensuring equal representation through elected provincial council members.
Thanks to the vision of Mrs. Grobbelaar and the founding members, the Society continues to celebrate and promote the Arabian horse, ensuring its legacy endures in South Africa.
