Words and photography by Glenys Lilley
What a great show!
The purebred classes started off with one of the stars of the show, the lovely chestnut A Vision MI (Allegiance MI x Always Valentine MI) for Greg, Julie and Jane Farrell, winning the yearling purebred filly class. The judge, Richard Petty from the United States, said she was one of his favourite horses from the East Coast Championships. Reserve Yearling Purebred Filly was the very pretty bay Estaa SW (Sir Charmed x Estellaa) owned by M Prentice.
East Cast Champion Yearling Purebred Gelding was Herald MI (Allegiance MI x MI Harmony) owned by Katie Smith, with Chrome Al Sahrae (Spades LRA (exp CN) x Victoria Moon MH (US)) owned by Nikki Shegog in reserve.
East Coast Champion Yearling Purebred Colt was Bacchante Versailles (Saudi El Perseus(Br) x Burren-Dah Audrey Fox), with Jewels of Gold KA (Chelleason Crown Jewel x Shannonbrook Sheena Gold) Reserve. He is owned by Cate Cunningham.
The Arabian filly two-year old winner was Klassical Fame MI (Klass x Forever Fame) Mulawa Arabians. Jalilah FF (Crave FF x Mystica Jamarlee), owned by Future Farms, was reserve.
Arabian filly three-year old was won by a very excited Nicole Henricus of Damar Arabians with Kaptivate MI (Kavalle MI x Audacia). The Farrells took reserve with Venecia MI (Allegiance MI x Valentine MI).
The Arabian gelding two-year old winner was Kasper MI (Klass x Chance to Dance), also owned by Damar Arabians, with Perseus el Saudi HRA (Saudi El Perseus x Sagalia HRA) reserve for Belinda Robertson.
Parlance MI (Klass x Parada) kept up his winning streak for Brittany Jessup to take the Champion Arabian Gelding Three-year Old, with Vantage MI (Allegiance MI x Always Valentine MI) in Reserve.
The handsome black colt Quartz Hill Farm Dark by Design (Crave FF x Quartz Hill Farm Georgia Peach) won the two-year old Arabian colt section for Ally Hudson. Nevertire Viceroy (Fire Alert x Nevertire Lyonesse), owned by Anthony Warren, was named Reserve Champion.
Echos of Tomorrow (Echos Of Marwan x FalzonTomorrows Dream), owned by Robyn Rogers, was East Coast Champion Arabian Colt Three-year Old with Echos of Jezzire (Echos of Marwan x Jezzire) for J and T Lord taking the Reserve Championship.
The ethereal mare Satin Doll GA (JJ Bellagio x Goddess of Da Vinci) and Brittany Hardwick took the Arabian mare four-to-six year old section with Lovetta MI (Konfidence MI x Love Potion M), for Greg Liddle and Michael Marapodi, reserve.
The Farrells Romance MI (Magnum Forty Four x Rimaraa) was East Coast Champion Mare seven years and over, with Alessia (Azteq LBA x Aviva) Reserve Champion for Forestdale Arabians.
The Arabian broodmare section was won by Chance to Dance (Magnum Forty Four x Mulawa Chance), who also won the Queen of Sheba Award and the Triple Crown Award for being Champion at the three major New South Wales AHA shows – quite a feat.
The Arabian gelding four-to-six-year old was won by Georgio KA (Crave FF X Bint Georgie Girl) for Krishlah Arabians. Behind him was Metaxa W (Avondale Cruise x Ajmala Mulahn) for Sue Savage.
Arabian gelding seven years and over was won by Prince Charming FF (BrumarBas Future (US) x Bremervale Charmed) for Future Farms, with Riddick (Armageddon x Shaylen Park Mia Amore) for Cheryl Edwards taking the Reserve Championship.
The very handsome bay Renaissance (Chelleason Crown Jewel x Bacchante Evangeline) for Bacchante Arabians was East Coast Champion Arabian Stallion Four-to-six-year Old.
The stallions aged seven years and over class was won by two very impressive and big-moving chestnuts – Konquest MI (Gulliano x Mulawa Karismaa) for Mulawa Arabians, who has just come back from two years competing under saddle, and Elganan El Adien (Poganin x Elganda) for Forestdale Arabians, who is about to commence a saddle career. Richard Petty was very impressed that we ride our halter champions in Australia.
The hotly-contested Grand Champion Led Derivative of the Show went to Roseglen Crown Royale (Chelleason Crown Jewel x Roseglen Shaakira) for Cate Cunningham from a line-up of top quality horses.
The Triple Crowns for winning championships at all three NSW AHA Shows were awarded to Chance to Dance (Magnum Forty Four x Mulawa Chance), Purebred Mare for Mulawa Arabians; Kinful Simply Delightful (Ray of Light x Kinful Aqua), Led Part-bred Mare for Kinful Stud; Langtree Opium (Langtree Valentine x Langtree Opera Song), Derivative Elementary Dressage owned by Jane Ramsey and ridden by Justin Worthy; Arfaja Alexi (Arfaja Robard x Arfaja Alicia) and Emma Broome, Purebred Novice Dressage; and Riddick (Armageddon x Shaylen Park Mia Amore) and Cheryl Edwards, Purebred Preliminary Dressage.
The saddle classes were expertly adjudicated by Nell Marshman, Sheree Taylor and Cathy Padgen with some very well-performed horses battling it out for East Coast Championships. The Grand Champion Saddle Horse of the Show was won by Gleniph Tiramisu (Crave FF x Gleniphe Bombe Alaska), owned by Gleniph Arabians, who also took the Supreme Ridden Part-bred, Supreme Derivative Bridlepath Hack and Show Hunter; what an amazing show she had!
It was great to see seven purebred stallions entered under saddle, including some past Australian Halter Champions, all behaving well, highlighting the Arabians’ versatility and that that Australians ride their halter horses.
International judge Richard Petty, from the USA, had this to say about the show: “As one of the judges invited to officiate at the 2018 East Coast Arabian National Championship Show in Sydney, I have to say that it was perhaps one of the best managed shows I have had the pleasure of being a part of. Due to refurbishing the indoor arena footing was planned, management was forced to move the show to the two outdoor arenas. Because of this, they were not sure how exhibitions would respond. As I found out, January weather in Sydney is far different from that of Oregon, USA. Temperatures can easily soar into the high 30s and low 40s, but although there were a few warm days, horses, riders, officials and exhibitors fared relatively well. Apparently, this was the first year in recent memory that it had not rained during the show.
“As the halter judge, I was able to experience classes of horses we don’t exhibit in the states such as the derivatives. Classes offered were for Arabian pony, Arabian riding pony, Anglo, Quarab, Arabian stockhorse, Warmblood, half-Arabian derivatives as well as part-Arabian classes, culminating with the purebred Arabian classes on the final day. Although none of the classes were large in numbers, the quality of horses was exceptional, no matter what the age or division. In my opinion, several of those pinned Champion could compete successfully anywhere in the world. This speaks very highly of the dedicated Australian breeders and owners, large or small. Congratulations to all of you on your efforts and the continued development of your breeding programmes from generation to generation to benefit the Arabian horse.
“There were many staff and volunteers who kept the show running smoothly, managed expertly by Show Manager Greg Liddle. First of all, I want to thank all-around assistant, tour guide and friend, Glenys Lilley. She let me experience the amazing country of Australia from the mountains to the sea shore. Glenys’s dedication to the New South Wales Arabian Horse Association and to the Arabian breed is unwavering. Thanks to Regina Borg who planned my trip, Show Secretary Melinda Johns and the other ladies in the show office. And there was the lady, whose name I’ve forgotten, who supplied centre ring with water, water, water and fruit and snacks throughout the day. And there were the two ribbon girls, Holly and Haley, who helped me tremendously on the final day. And of course, there was Brian my expert ring steward companion… Organised, cheerful and a very avid fan of Arabian horses. And lastly, there were the trainers and handlers who presented the horses with dignity and respect. Thanks to you, ladies and gentlemen, for that.
“I can’t even begin to tell you all how much I appreciated the hospitality you showed me this past week. This was an event I won’t soon forget. My thanks go to each and every one.”
Cathy Padgen wrote: “Although the weather was very hot, the change of venue seemed to work for all. The quality of horses, riders, handlers seems to improve each year, as do the efforts of our hard-working committee, to bring us a better show despite whatever difficulties arise. To our tireless stewards and pencillers a special thank you, for without you, the show cannot be run. You spur the judges along when we get tired, you keep us on time, our ring in order and under control and the ribbons are always at the ready.
“I seldom get to judge any led classes of substance, so it was a great opportunity to judge some led classes at East Coast and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of classes. What was really pleasing in the saddle section was seeing so many wonderful young derivative horses coming through the ranks, in dressage and hacking, along with our older more experienced horses. This made for some great judging but also some hard decisions between the placings, which in some cases, came down to personal preference. Once again thank you to the NSW AHSA Committee and our stewards/pencillers and Competitors for putting on a great show.”
Nell Marshman said: “A big thank you to the committee of the NSW Arabian Horse Society for putting on such a well-run show. The whole experience for me was pleasurable.
“The weather was a bit warm, but we were well catered for with cold drinks on hand.
“It was great to see so many lovely Arabian and Arabian derivative horses both in hand and ridden. The numbers in some of the classes were a bit down but the quality was always top class.
“The competitors were friendly and polite, and it was good to see the sportsmanship they showed to each other.
“The most memorable class for me was the freestyle. The talented purebred ridden by the cheeky young man as an Aussie stock horse was a standout and, I will never look at Barbie and Ken in the same way after the derivative performance! This class was a real crowd pleaser and showed the versatility of the breed.
“Finally, I would like to thank my stewards they were helpful, polite, and friendly and kept everything running on time. Congratulations on a super show.”
