The incorporators put forward the following: 

The Arabian thoroughbred horse is known worldwide for its aesthetic beauty, endurance, bravery and loyalty. All other horse breeds are mixed and strengthened with Arabian thoroughbreds. 

Arabian thoroughbreds are recognised worldwide. In almost every country, there is a national organisation that takes care of the studbook of these horses. Usually under the supervision of the public authorities, in particular the Ministry of Agriculture. 

All these national organisations are members of WAHO: the World Arabian Horse Organisation. 

Within WAHO, about 10 European national organisations founded 30 years ago a separate association ECAHO : European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations. This association aims to improve the well-being of the horse, to regulate the organisation of competitions and to train officials. In the meantime, ECAHO has grown considerably and many organisations from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Australia are members. 

At ECAHO, rules have been drawn up for the trainers and handlers showing horses at the competitions. In order to be able to participate in a certain level of competition, the handlers must have an ECAHO Handlers Permit. Worldwide, over 400 handlers are in possession of such a permit. 

These handlers have united since 2011 in ITHA : European Trainers & Handlers Association. When this de facto association was established, the following ideas were expressed : 

"ITHA was founded with the idea of giving a voice to the trainers and handlers within ECAHO. 

Many years ago, when ECAHO was founded, the figure of the handler was not as clear as it is today. Many owners/breeders showed their own horses and the professional showers were few. In the course of the last two decades, things have changed enormously and now the handlers belong to the main players, the only real professionals in the world of Arabian horses. For the handlers, it is their life - their true and only profession. How is it then that they are not part of the decisions that are usually made about their professional lives and the horses they share that life with? 

Trainers and handlers attend all shows in Europe and the Middle East. They have an enormous knowledge about how to improve the running of the shows. This starts with the basics, the rules established by ECAHO. ITHA hopes to offer this knowledge to ECAHO in order to improve the success of all shows. 

By working together, we can create a fantastic opportunity for ECAHO to listen and to use the knowledge we have among us to create a level and fair playing field for all. 

We are all important to the Arabian horse industry and we all strive for the same goals. Through ITHA, we can all work together and accomplish great things together." 

Now it is time to legally organise this cooperation.