Preservation Framework: A Tiered System

Tier 1 — Foundation-Line Polish

Tier 1 is an absolute pedigree-based classification. A Tier 1 horse preserves uninterrupted continuity in both (1) the sire line and (2) the mare family directly to the original Polish foundation families. In addition, all other ancestors in the pedigree ultimately trace to Desert-Bred (DB) or Original Arabian (OA) horses.

Tier 1 represents full structural continuity of the historic Polish Arabian genetic architecture.

Tier 2 — Structural or Jurisdictional Identity

Tier 2 is broader than Tier 1 and may include one or more qualifying scenarios. At minimum, the horse retains foundation continuity in at least one line (either the sire line or the mare family). In addition, some horses qualify under Polish breeding jurisdiction when foaled in Poland and registered in a Polish stud book—even when the other parent’s ancestry originates from another national source.

Tier 2 recognizes structural relevance and documented Polish identity without requiring dual-line continuity.

Tier 3 — ≥50% Tier 1 + Tier 2

Tier 3 recognizes measurable Polish influence worldwide. A Tier 3 horse has at least 50% of its pedigree contribution derived from Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 horses, regardless of country of birth or registry.

Tier 3 makes room for meaningful preservation influence outside Poland while keeping Tier 1 distinct and absolute.

Clarifications & Preservation Principles

Advancement through breeding

Tier status is determined per horse. A Tier 2 horse can produce a Tier 1 foal when bred in a way that restores dual-line foundation continuity. For example, if a mare’s mare family traces to a Polish foundation mare family but the stallion line does not, that mare may be Tier 2; when bred to a Tier 1 stallion whose sire line restores the missing continuity, the resulting foal may qualify as Tier 1 if all Tier 1 requirements are met.

Polish-bred vs. Polish influence

“Polish-bred” reflects jurisdiction: the mare must be inseminated in Poland and the foal born in Poland and registered in a Polish stud book. A stallion of non-Polish national source (for example, Egyptian) can sire Polish-bred foals when used in Poland; however, that same stallion’s foals born outside Poland are not Polish-bred—even when bred to Polish mares abroad. The tier system distinguishes structural heritage and influence, which can exist worldwide.

Preserving type and attributes

Preservation is not pedigree alone. The Polish Arabian has been recognized for specific qualities of type, athletic ability, temperament, balance, and durability. Breeding decisions should keep these principles foremost so that the historic Polish Arabian remains not only documented on paper, but preserved in the horse itself.