Alpen Konig (Alpen King) is one of the founding fathers of the Haflinger horse in North America. Alpen Konig was part of a third shipment of Haflingers to Tempel Farms selected specifically by Otto Schweisgut, the “Father” of the modern Haflinger, to improve the breed in the US in early 1971.
At 56 inches Alpen was taller than the average Haflinger in the US with a more athletic build. He had the Tyrol brand (TH) on the left shoulder and the edelweiss on his left hip (see photo ad).
Alpen was known for his smarts and his gentleness, and was also slightly claustrophobic, which was often attributed to his experiences in shipping. For that reason, he usually travelled in a stock trailer. In 1998 when the Haflinger Horse Association and the Haflinger Association of America were combined into the American Haflinger Registry (AHR) Alpen Konig was given the number 52-68. This is the number following Alpen Konig’s name on all AHR pedigrees today.
In 1980 most of the Tempel Haflinger herd including Alpen were bought by the MacArthur farm and moved to Eastern New York. At the MacArthur Farm he was restarted in driving and ridden on trails. He was often driven with a mare named Silky, which speaks to his well-behaved nature. 
At the age of 17, in June 1985, Alpen was sold as part of the MacArthur herd disposal sale at auction to Tom Nero and Joe Scarletta of Avon, Ohio for a record $9000. At the auction shouts of excitement combined with calls for an open stock trailer. Alpen commanded a high stud fee of $300, that ranked him among premier Haflinger stallions.
In 1988 the Alpen Konig partnership acquired him. The partnership consisted of Aden and Betty Miller, Junior and Mae Troyer, Lori and Leroy Mast, Steven and Leroy Mast, Steven and Bena Yoder, Tom and Connie Bauer, and Ray Miller. Alpen was frequently advertised in the pages of the Haflinger Highlite magazine by the partnership making him one of the most well known Haflingers in the US. Alpen was last shown at 29 years old at the Haflinger Registry North America (HRNA) Stallion Parade in Coshocton, Ohio in 1997, where he appeared hale and hearty and much younger than his age. He died peacefully at Mini Mountain Farm owned by Ray Miller in 1999.
Alpen is an unforgettable horse who impacted the lives of many across North America and created bonds with those he came across and many new Haflinger fans.