About Us
Arabs Inc. (Arabian Riders & Breeders (ACT and Southern NSW) Inc.) was formed in 1962 by Denise Harvey, George Prince, Maria Jepperson & Noel Wilkinson.
The 1st National Capital Horse Show was held at Bowral and then went toHall Showgrounds. It was the first show after Canberra Royal to be held at EPIC (then known as Canberra Showgrounds, and then NATEX and eventually EPIC). The club has grown in status over the years, and is well respected within both the Arabian world and the larger show community.
Although the club was started by arabian breeders for arabian owners it has always held all breed shows and has always had a mixture of members, it's aim has been to promote 'the horse', and to encourage like minded people to get together on occasion to learn and develop their own horse knowledge.
President
Alison Hudson, Quartz Hill Arabians
In her youth, Alison was the holder of a Tom Quilty Endurance Buckle and ACT Endurance ride Completion Buckle. She was also an A Grade Polocrosse player on my purebred Arabian gelding, Santarabia Ramah. Along with being an open competition barrel racer and flag racer on the same purebred gelding.
In more recent years she has being lucky enough to be the breeder, owner and exhibitor of:
9 Australian National Top Ten Horses
2 East Coast Reserve Champion fillies
4 East Coast Top Fives
8 East Coast finalists
1 Classic Champion
1 Classic Res. Ch amongst many others
"I have had a lifetime journey with Arabian horses. They have been my life long passion. Along the way I have met many wonderful friends and had many exciting experiences. Arabian horses have given me all the joy and all the pain anyone can experience, and made my life complete.
After I finished riding I have concentrated entirely on my purebred breeding programme. My Arabians are horsemen’s horses, with good legs and feet, soundness, height, type and lovely trainable natures. They are suitable for any purpose you care to use them.
I have never followed fad or fashion but stuck to my dream of how a purebred Arabian should be.
In the past 3 few years I have travelled to Scotttsdale, Aachen , and Las Vegas to attend Arabian Horse shows, which have helped me understand how the wider world of Arabian breeding/showing is evolving.
I feel it is time to give something back to the industry and if I can make anyone else’s life as complete as mine through ownership of these wonderful animals I am only too happy to do so. Hopefully one such way will be through the Arabian Riders and Breeders Club."
Vice President
Kevin Cantwell
Kevin grew up on a farm in Northern Victoria where his family used horses for stock work as well as recreation. His involvement with Arabian horses began in the late 1970's and he has been a member of the AHSA since 1980.
Kevin's horses have competed at shows at all levels throughout these years both at halter and under saddle. It is however trail riding with friends on our beautiful Arabians or the breeding of a foal that he most enjoys about Arabian horse ownership.
Vice President
Jane Hansen, Sahibi Arabians
Jane has ridden for most of her life and as a teenager was introduced to purebred Arabians by a prominent overseas breeder of show Arabians who passed on her firm belief that all Arabians are meant to be ridden and should perform at the highest level in equestrian sports.
This involvement continued through participation in showing, show jumping and eventing in the ACT, southern New South Wales and south east Queensland. More recently the emphasis has been on showing and dressage with both purebreds and derivatives as well as thoroughbreds, Lipizzaner-breds and Australian Stock Horses. However, one of the greatest pleasures in life is the partnership with an Arabian on long rides through mountain forests. Jane also breeds the occasional pure or derivative Arabian foal.
Secretary
Chris Millar
Christine moved to Bywong in 2001 and that year she met Ally and Ray Hudson. Ally and Ray took Chris to quite a few shows and taught her lots of fantastic things about show preparation and showing. She has made many new friends through Ally and Ray and they have had lots of fun together, as well as ups and downs with the horses.
Chris purchased her Arabian gelding, Ridgecrest Riivaldo (Rav), in March 2003. She commenced showing Rav that year and he was very successful. In his first two years of showing he was Junior Champion Gelding at the NCHS, which she has said is one of her favourite shows. He was also East Coast Junior Reserve Champion in 2004. What a great start to Rav’s show career. Last year she bred her first foal, a lovely thoroughbred filly (Shimmy), and hopefully Shimmy will commence her racing career next year. Chris is hoping to show both Rav and Shimmy at this year’s NCHS.
“To those members who I have not met, I am looking forward to meeting you at future events.”
Assistant Secretary
Nicola Roach
Treasurer
Kem Hazelton
Kem’s claim to fame is that he’s the only person on the Arabs Inc Committee who doesn’t own an Arabian horse. In fact the last time he was on a horse was when he was 13 or 14 – his aunt and uncle were both champion riders at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the 50s and thought everyone should ride – and at best describes himself as a very amateur strapper.. He is however very comfortable with his Treasurer role (mathematics is his thing); in the kitchen preparing snacks for when his partner and friends arrive home after an exhilarating ride on their beloved Arabian horses; socializing at the horse shows; and bopping on a dance floor.
Publicity Officer
Alison Smith
Alison has been involved with horses off and on for 20 years. Growing up in suburban Sydney she didn't take up horse riding until the ripe old age of 16 years old, where she fell instantly in love. Her first horse was a purebred Arabian Gelding, which she bought with money she saved for a car at the age of 17 years old. From there she hasn't looked back, owning partbred's, arabian ponies, welsh ponies and quarter horses.
Whilst there isn't much time for showing horses these days, she still enjoys going to horse shows and pottering around the paddocks at home. "I love being around my arabian bred horses, and I love being around 'horsey' people. There is something about sharing a common interest that pulls people together!"
Committee Members
Sandra Gebbie
Sandra's love of horses started at a very young age and has never died. "I got my first Arabian (Arabian Stockhorse) as a young teenager and have admired the breed ever since. I currently own the perfect Arabian for me (Fairview Abha Mishanna aka Misha - Abha Muacim x Tahlyia). Misha is one of the quietest (yet very opinionated), most clever and willing horses I have ever come across and has set the gold standard for me in terms of the type of horse I want to own... no matter how far I have searched and tried others, nothing measures up to her. Misha is going to stud this season to CraveFF..so fingers crossed that I will have a gorgeous baby next year.
I also have two purebred geldings - Agent Provocateur aka Bailey (Bailey is the result of a National Capital Show raffle!) and Chaleureuse D'Artagnan aka Spike (Spike is my work in progress) that you will see out an about this show season. I am a self-confessed ROM addict, chasing those points all over the country-side with my great friends and show buddies (we call ourselves the Supreme Show Team as a joke on me chasing points and two of my horses having reached Supreme status) fellow committee member Mandy Lewis (with her super pony Lac La Biche Playboy) as well as other Arabian enthusiasts you will see at shows - Letitia Toms (AW gelding Buckwell Park Endeavour), Bianca Chatillon (AP Aratahnes Graphic and PB Filly Sienna Makin Luv Not War). I love showing but most important to me is having a quiet and sensible horse that I can enjoy just plodding along while gass-bagging with good friends."
Linda Arnold
Lizzie Bloomfield
Su Kowalski
Membership
To become a member of Arabs Inc. you don't need to own an arabian bred horse. Membership benefits include:
Significant discounts on entry tickets at all Arabs Inc. shows
Insurance - you will be insured at all Arabs Inc shows and shows that are affiliated with the AHSA. The non-member insurance cost at these shows is now $20.00.
You will receive the club newsletter, which will be available to download from this website, and will be available quarterly and contain news, events, show reports, photos, profiles and member news and offers.
You will have exclusive opportunities to attend training days, clinics, social gatherings, trail rides and much more.
You have access to Arabs Inc's online Marketplace, where you can advertise horses, saddlery and/or horse transport for sale. This is at no cost to members, and non-members will need to pay $30 per ad.
You could even become more involved in the club, either as a committee member, event steward, sponsorship opportunities etc
Arabs Inc. will be including a High Point Score Competition for it's members this show season, click here for more information.