BREEDERS VILLAGE

The same horse that became the Paso Fino and the Peruvian is the basis for the creation of the Costarricense.  In Peru where the horse had to shovel sand they developed a  lateral gait to make it easier for them to move.  In Costa Rica that same horse, having to go thru the swamps and mud developed a diagonal gait that, though smooth and swift like that Peruvian also had to develop a lofty gait that resulted from pulling feet out of thick mud and a new set of muscle began.

In the 1850's the Costa Ricans introduced the Andalusian to the breed and in the cross developed a horse with a higher head and a floating gait as well.  These horses have only recently been taken from Costa Rica to the U.S. and from there have been brought to Australia.

The Costa Rican people admire the qualities of horses that are kind and so they not only look for horses that are beautiful, but also can be part of the family.  Stallions are bred to be kind enough for the wives and the children to ride and have control.

Over time this desire to have the kindness has bred out the nastiness and lack of control that some stallions of other breeds exhibit.  The intelligence of the Andalusian and the sweetness of the Costarricense provide a sensitive and well behaved mount with the joy of connecting to the rider and allowing the most unique experience of horse that follows your thought and delivers quickly. 

The crosses of these horses with other breeds, usually creates the best of the Costarricense and the best of the other breeds.  Crosses with Andalusian come closer to looking and acting like Costarricense. When crossing with quarter horses, you get a higher head carriage, a larger rump, and serious capacity for speed.

Crosses with Peruvians have resulted in larger animals with the high loft of the Costarricense and a diagonal gait. Here in Australia the Costarricense is being crossed with Stock horses and we are now waiting to see the results.

These amazing horse have to been seen to be believed, and ridden to be totally appreciated.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr_UYSCKO00

With their easy moving paces and turn of speed they are a most suitable horse for timed events and have the heart to take on the tough sport of endurance.  It is the ideal trail riding horse for the entire family too.  The horse commonly stands from 14.2hh to 16.2hh, and it combines free, effotless paces with a sensible trainable mind.  There is also a registry for ponies under 14hh. 

A keen headed horse with a good length of rein set high into prominent withers, a medium length back with a deep heart girth.  The spotted horse should have a long hip with stong quarters and well let down hocks, with short, strong cannon bones and hard open feet.  They should carry smooth long muscle to give strength and speed, not bulky or short to take away from their stamina and athletic ability.  The chief qualities of the breed apart from the lovely range of coat patterns are soundness, versatility, friendly, people oriented nature and comfortable paces for whatever sport you choose to compete in.

The Sportaloosa gets his spots from either the Appaloosa or Knapstrupper or a combination of both.  They can be outcrossed to warmblood breeds, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Stock horse or Quarter horse of suitable type and temperament.  Crosses to grey, paint, pinto, or classic roan are not eligiable. The Sportaloosa's quiet, friendly nature makes him especially suited to all the family and the weekend rider, as well as appealing to the professional rider looking for that special, unique competition mount with the 'wow' factor. 

Sportaloosa International is a web based registry, featuring two stud books and is an open registry for spotted horses of unkown parentage.  It is also a promotion for the spotted sport horse through a quarterly e-magazine, montly online competitions which are opened to the world, stallion promotions and videos, online web autions for spotted (the first one which will be run from the 1st-4th of June this year), a $1000.00 video foal futurity with free entry for Sportaloosa foals; also year end prizes for high point ridden and led horse, youth and amateur riders, plus quarterly $500.00 High Acheiver Awards in open company compeition.  Riders of spotted horses also get awarded when they log their hours in the saddle.  There are many good reasons to ride a Spotaloosa.

www.sportaloosa.com

The Haflinger was originally from the town of Hafling in the South Tyrol Mountains in Austria.  A surefooted, hardy and intelligent horse, they were used at high altitudes in the European Alps for pack and draught workin the fields and forests as well as recreational work.

Haflingers range in height from 130cm (13hh) to 150cm (15hh).  They have a strong affinity for people, and are known for their calmness and friendliness with children.

Haflingers were first imported into Australia by the Dalgety Land Company in 1974.  In July 2007, there were over 250 Haflinger horses in Australia and New Zealand, inlcuding over 100 currently registered stallions, mares and geldings. 

Haflingers are strong and athletic horses.  Around the world they compete successfully in riding, jumping, harness, endurance and vaulting events, as well as being great riding club and pony club mounts.  Above all else though, the Halflinger is fun!

www.haflinger.org.au

The Icelandic Horse usually shows 4 or 5 gaits under saddle.  Those with 5 gaits will pace as well as tölt.  "Tölt" is a natural gait to the Icelandic breed, comfortable, smooth and a joy to ride.  It is a ground-covering 4 beat running walk which can be ridden slow or fast to the speed of a canter.  At tempo it turns into a flashy animated show rack, where the rider remains almost stationary.

"Flying Pace" is the fifth gait which can be ridden up to 30 mph (48 kilometres), the horse reaching a moment of suspension when all four feet are airborne.  Pure, adreneline pumping fun to ride, as with other pacing horses, the pace at slow speeds is considered undesirable.

The Icelandic horse is never referred to as a pony although it usually stand between 12 - 14 hands high.  Strong and athletic they are capable of carrying adult riders of up to 120kg.  With its ground-covering gaits it has no problem keeping up with any longer legged friends.  The colonization of Iceland would have been virtually impossible without this hardy, surefooted animal.  In a country where the terrain is harsh and road traffic transport relatively recent, Icelandic horses took their owners where ever they needed to go - through rivers and up mountains, they delivered mail, hay and anything else that was required of them.  The size of the icelandic breed makes it easy to mount and handle instilling confidence it its riders.

Bred for it's temperament, the Icelandic horse is prized for its friendly inquisitive nature, its good sense and intelligence, peaceful presence and unflappable disposition.  Although very easy to handle they are a powerhouse of harnessed energy and enthusiasm.  A bit like riding in a sports car that you know has superb handling and a braking system that you can totally trust, should you decide to open up the throttle.

Extemely versatile, they make lovely family horses, enjoyed by those that like a horse they can get up on without a mounting block, one whos gaits are so smooth they make a day in the saddle fun, and can be used for harness, dressage, pony club and general pleasure riding.  Popular world championships are usually held in Europe to show off the stunning gaits of these sleek, muscled horses with great flowing manes and tails ridden by highly trained horsemen. 

The Icelandic horse comes in a huge variety of natural colours with over 400 colour combinations recorded.

The Icelandic breed is relatively new to Australia.  There are approximately 70 purebred Icelandic horses here and similar numbers in New Zealand. 

Hard to do justice with just words Icelandic horses' amazing nature and ridden abilities must really be experienced in the flesh to truely understand its uniqueness and appeal.  Haldane Icelandic Horses are looking forward to meeting you and introducing the Icelandic horse breed at EQUITANA Melbourne.

www.icelandichorses.com.au
www.feif.org  

                                    

The beautiful colours of these horses were not only pleasing to the eye, but also made them instantly recognisable, which helped prevent them from being stolen or swapped discretely for inferior horses.  The heavy feathers on their legs, along with the long flowing manes and tails added to the overall flash and flair long associated with the misunderstood and usually discriminated-against gypsy people.

Traditionally, the Gypsy Horse is involved in all aspects of family life, faithfully pulling the caravan wagon during the day, while still being patient enough to teach the gypsy children to ride when the day way done.  The horses are tethered at the campsite with the family caravan when they are not working.  They live and thrive in all types of weather, grazing on the grasses that happen to be growing along the side of the roads.  The heartiness and exceptional disposition of these horses are their trademark.  They are known to be one of the most docile and gentle horses in the world.

Worldwide the various types of Gypsy horse have come to be know by several different names.  Irish Tinker, Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, Romany Horse and the like, are all names used to describe they type of horse which gypsies have bred and used in the British Isles for generations.  Although many horses of similar type are bred indescriminatly in Europe, the most sought after type of gyspy horses are bred by generations of gypsy families, who have prized and guarded bloodlines that produce the highest quality  horses imaginable.

The Gypsy horse is extremely rare in Australia, numbering only around fifteen or so individuals.  Around a dozen of these make up the foundation stock of they Gypsy Horse Association of Australia. Situated in Taminick in Victoria’s North East. Gypsy Cobs Down Under is home to the largest herd of Pure Bred Gypsy Cobs in the South. Imported from the United Kingdom with bloodlines stemming back to - The Lottery Horse, Roadsweeper, The Business, Trolley Cob and Lion KingThree stallions, six broodmares and three foals !!

The families pure bred Gypsy Cob line up currently consists of just under 20 purebreds, being 11 Broodmares, 5 Stallions, 2 fillies and 2 colts with a further 9 pure bred foals due this coming season.Together, Surrey Springs and Glyndower Brea will be displaying 9 Gypsy Cobs and 1 Gypsy Sport Horse at this years Equitana on a rotational basis - it will also be the first time a part bred has been displayed at the event.

Surrey Springs Performance Horses and Gypsy Cobs was founded in 2004 with the purchase of their first Gypsy Horse, their beloved foundation mare Tia of Surrey Springs (imp UK) who went on to become Australia's first breed champion against an impressive line up at the 2008 Melbourne Royal Show.

Tia was imported from England along with one of Australia's best know Gypsy Cob stallions, the famous Tom of Brackenhhill (imp UK)  who has proven himself time and time again as an exceptional and consistent producing sire of purebred and part bred Gypsy Cobs.

In 2005 Surrey Springs purchased a further two exceptional purebred Gypsy Cob fillies bred by some of Englands finest breeders, the world renowned Domino of Brackenhill (imp UK) and the georgous Kesali of Surrey Springs (imp UK).

Surrey Springs is also home to world famous horses such as The Paladin - Pictured (known as The Gikes Stallion and Menters Tom), and The Black Teddy Mare.By 2007 Surrey Springs had imported and assisted with the selection, purchase and importation of over twenty quality Gypsy Cobs from the best known and highly respected Romany breeders the United Kingdom has to offer making Surrey Springs the biggest driving force behind the introduction and popularity of the Gypsy Cob in both Australia and New Zealand.

In 2010 Surrey Springs continues to lead the way in producing some of the finest Gypsy Cobs available, no other stud in Australia can boast a line up of such quality bloodlines including The Teddy Mare, The Horse Shoe Mare, The Lob, The Roadsweeper, Billy Boy, Eddie Alcocks Great Black Horse, The Long Maned Mare, Davey Wards Black Stallion, The Crimea Mare and Terry Woods Horse - the list goes on. 

(Pictured The Paladin (imp UK) - Champion Gypsy Cob Stallion and Tom of Brackenhill (imp UK) Champion Gypsy Cob Stallion, pictured here with the purebred colt foal Crusader by The Paladin)

www.surreysprings.com 

WATCH MOVIE OF OUR COBS 
www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/facts/gypsyhorse.htm

Home to Australia's first Silver Dapple (chocolate palomino / taffy) Gypsy Cob colt, The Chocolatier (imp). This boy is simply gorgeous and as sweet as his name implies, we just know he will make everyone melt so please come and stop in at the Breeders Village to say Hi, he's such a smooch and he LOVES affection!

This years event will also be the first public debut for the much talked about imported stallion Castellan (imp UK) and we would like to thank everyone who is making a special trip to Equitana this year just to see him. Castellan is another one who adores affection, you won't find a kinder more laid back stallion anywhere, he's such treasure.

We have been planning this outing with him for over a year now and can't wait. We will also be taking the magnificent champion ride and drive Gypsy Cob stallion, Tom of Brackenhill (imp UK) - The UK multi Supreme Champion harness mare Ivy (imp UK) and her daughter Surrey Springs Rambling Rose by Tom, who is proudly owned by Linford Park.;Representing our adorable babies will be SS Crusader who is currently available for sale(pictured above playing with Tom) by none other than The Paladin (imp UK) along with our future teeny tiny stud stallion The Pied Piper.

Tom's beautiful daughter, SS Tiani will also be coming along and many of you may remember her from last year as a wee foal along side her lovely dam, Tia (imp UK). Also along for the ride will be the rising two year old Gypsy Sport Horse filly SS Panda!
Please be sure to watch the Grand Parade at the end of each day too so you can see our gorgeous Gypsy Cobs strutting their stuff under saddle and keep an eye out for Nelly and her Gypsy colt The Cardinal of Surrey Springs as they are making a special trip from Tassie just to perform and show off their tricks.

(Pictured: The Chocolatier (imp), rising two and Surrey Springs Panda, Gypsy Sport Horse filly by The Paladin (imp UK) out of the Studbook TB mare, Diajo Sal)

www.gypsycobsaustralia.com.au

By defining the Waler horse in a Standard of Excellence, an ideal is set for breeding programs based on the old bloodlines of the Australian remount horses. A Studbook and Horse Register set up and maintained by the WHSA establishes the Australian Waler horse as a breed as distinct from a type. The WHSA aims to build awareness and provide information within the horse world and the wider public of the Waler heritage, their importance in Australian history and possibilities for their future.

The Waler is classed as a Warm-blooded breed, with the breeding based on the old bloodlines of the Australian remount horses.  Since the Society was established it has successfully researched, located and classified many Walers whilst documenting the history that led to their development as a breed today.  Walers today are categorised into one of four different types of remount horses originally sought from Australia in the early 1800s through to the mid 1900s. The Pony (Scout horse), an agile type used for relaying messages, polo and sporting; the Light (Officers horse), an athletic type with more thoroughbred influence; the Medium (Troopers horse), a stocky type, versatile, strong and fast with Thoroughbred, pony and draft influences the heavier of these sometimes used to carry supplies of ammunition; and finally the Heavy (Artillery horse), a heavier type with more draft.

The Waler is a handsome outstanding horse showing remarkable bone and robustness, the Waler has many excellent attributes.  Its jumping ability is well known and can be seen in the length of gaskin, splendid quarters and well-formed hocks.  His comfort as a riding horse shows in his long ground-covering walk coming from a good, well sloped shoulder, strong back, powerful legs, big clean joints and correctly sloped pasterns, at an angle corresponding to the shoulder.

His stamina and endurance are unsurpassed, his chest spaced for plenty of heart and lung room, his girth deep and his ribs well sprung. A strong head with an alert appearance, wide set kind eyes, well positioned onto a graceful but strong neck with a good length of rein.  As befitting a cavalry horse, some carry their heads high, to protect the rider.  His make-up originates from a diverse mix of pony, draught, coach and riding horse.  From saddle horses such as the Thoroughbred and Arab he inherited speed, grace, endurance, stamina a good shoulder, deep girth and well-formed joints.

Pony breeds, such as the Timor, Welsh and hackney ponies from which he has gained agility and hardiness, courage. Draught breeds such as the Percheron, Clydesdale and Suffolk to harness their mighty bone, strength, gentle nature, powerful hindquarter and good work ethic. Coaching breeds such as the Cleveland Bay and Norfolk Trotter for their regular gait, good wind, hard hooves style and iron legs.

Colouring is predominantly solid bay, chestnut, black, brown and grey. Some taffy colouring may be seen in the mane and tail. White leg and facial markings and some feathering are not uncommon however a darker colouring, skin pigment and hooves are preferred to ensure the horse remains sound, strong and minimally affected by harsh environmental conditions.  His feet are tough and open, with a well defined frog, not flattened underneath to avoid stone bruising or sliding in sand and mud. Perhaps heavier than is fashionable, intelligent, versatile, with an easy flowing movement, a quiet friendly temperament that takes kindly to humans, the Waler is truly a horse for all seasons.

The hardy Waler, with their versatility, intelligence, speed and stamina make them very competitive in all forms of equine sport including Endurance, Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Cutting, Roping and Pony Club.

www.walerhorse.com

Today small remnant herds of feral/semi-feral Caspians run in the remote Elburz Mountains of Northern Iran. The Caspian is known to local communities as the “Mouleki” or “Pouseki” and was never bred on purpose.

Occasionally a full sized mare would produce a miniature “throwback”, which when bred would produce offspring consistently true to size and type.In 1965 Louise Firouz, captivated by her first glimpse of a Caspian, began a search for these little horses.

Louise lived a semi nomadic lifestyle, travelling through the mountainous and coastal regions of Iran to succeed in finding a handful more. Louise was pivotal to the survival of the breed, establishing a riding school and stud in Iran which later came under the auspices of the Royal Horse Society of Iran.

The Caspian is now in Australasia, Europe, USA, Norway, Sweden and Scandinavia. Forty years on though, only 1000 live breeding animals exist outside Iran and fewer than 1900 Caspians were recorded in the studbook of the International Caspian Society by 2008The overall impression of a Caspian should be an elegant well-bred horse in miniature.

However, the Caspian exhibits some unique skeletal features:

1-The parietal bones bulge at birth (a vaulted forehead). 
2-An extra molar where the wolf teeth appears in other breeds. 
3-Shoulder blades narrow at the top and wide at the base. 
4- Longer and slimmer cannon bones. 
5-The first six vertebrae are longer, giving the appearance of high withers and a flat back. 
6-Hooves are narrow and oval in shape and quite hardy and the frog is less prominent differences found in the Caspian Haemoglobin are also very unique.

The Caspian has proven to be a gentle, intelligent, versatile and fun mount for children. This breed has a natural floating action at all gaits and is fast and agile, with spectacular jumping ability, able to jump 4 ft from a standing start.

Caspians have been competitive at jumping, flat racing, pony trots, in harness, and pony club, excelling due to their natural speed and agility.  Stallions can be handled by children, and have been ridden and raced by children, displaying the outstandingly kind and willing nature that characterises the Caspian.

http://www.caspianhorses.org/

The Highland is the heaviest of the native pony breeds of Britain Highlands have excellent temperaments and good trainability. They are sensible & docile to handle and are a willing and steady companion.

Renowned for their hardiness they will live out all year round and tolerate many adverse conditions.  They range in height from 13hh to 14.2hh. Highlands of all heights should be compact, with good fronts, shoulders, and withers and with well-developed quarters.

They should move straight and freely and show true 'pony' character. They are good rides, and make excellent 'family' ponies, many being natural jumpers. They are easily broken to harness and because of their docility, sure-footedness and native intelligence, are invaluable as pack ponies and for farm and forestry work.

Highland Ponies also make good foundation stock for the breeding of high-class hunters and event horses, the transmission to their off-spring of much of their natural sagacity being here of inestimable value.

Usual colours are yellow dun, mouse dun, cream dun & grey dun all with dorsal stripes & zebra markings. Grey is also a common colour. These colours are synonymous with their surroundings, designed to blend in with the heather & gorses of the Highland regions.

For further information on the Highland please contact the Highland Pony Society of Australia:

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: www.highlandpony.org.au
M: 340 Mont Albert Road, Garfield, Vic 3814

The Fjord horse retains the 'wild' or dun colour of the original horse as well as primitive markings including dark hair in the forelock, mane and tail, a dark stripe that runs down the neck and the entire length of the back and dark horizontal stripes on the legs.

Dark stripes over the withers may also be seen. Fjord horses are mild mannered, calm and sensible and predictable. They are friendly, strong, surefooted, courageous and thrifty. 

Fjords have graceful and balanced gaits both under saddle and in harness.  Stallions are as tractable as mares and often work or show alongside them. 

The Fjord has the intelligence and talent to perform multiple functions, making him a favourite with the whole family.

For further information on the Fjord, please contact the Fjord Promotional group of Australia:

P: +61 3 5944 3316 (Julia Grave)
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: www.fjordhorse.org.au
M: P.O. Box 5, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, 3808

The Miniature Horse Association of Australia Inc has State Branches all over Australia running the most prestigious Miniature Horse shows in Australia.

The Miniature and Small Horse is a unique breed and is not to be confused with a Miniature Pony or Shetland Pony. Upon maturity the Miniature Horse must not exceed 34 inches, 8.2 hands or 86 cm in height at the last hair of the mane. If the Miniature Horse exceeds this height it is then placed in another category which is known as Small Horse, these horses must not exceed 38 inches, 9.2 hands or 96.50 cm at the last hair of the mane, please refer to our Breed Standard for more information.

In Australia, Miniature and Small Horses is the fastest growing breed as their size, temperament and character endears them to people of all ages and from all walks of life. Children are naturally attracted to them, people with small acreage are able to support and breed them therefore creating their own miniature stud.

Former horse owners can continue their love affair with horses, feeling less challenged by the burden of caring for a larger equine.Miniature and Small Horses are shown in halter, harness classes and performance events including trail and jumping, many are simply kept as pets.

People returning home from stressful jobs find companionship and relaxation in these gentle little horses and they provide the perfect cure to loneliness.

For further information please visit www.mhaa.com.au

The Friesian gives great beauty, lovely movement, fantastic conformation, a friendly, quiet temperament and a "look at me" quality when crossed with other breeds.

What more could you want? The versatile Friesian Warmblood comes in a variety of types so there is a horse to suit everyone.They are at least 25% Friesian and any other breed, but predominantly thoroughbred.Because of the different breeding combinations their exterior appearance can vary from a finer type to a more solid type. They can vary in height.

The preferred characteristics are as follows:

• Must have an athletic and agile appearance.
• Must have correct balanced conformation.
• Body must be in proportion.
• Must be well covered.
• Must have good length of rein.
• They do not have any specific colour however tend to be predominantly black or black/brown.
• The utmost priority is temperament. They must have a kind eye and be pleasant to handle.
• They will have a naturally full flowing tail.
• Their movement is not elaborate but they must travel straight.
• It is important to note that they are very late maturing horses both physically and mentally.

A full breed description and turnout guide is available on the society’s website.

The Australian Friesian Warmblood Horse Society is a true National Society officially formed in 1995 with a committee representative in each state.

The Society actively promotes and sponsors classes nationally at shows and holds annual Hi-point awards for its members.

For more information on the AFWHS go to www.afwhs.com

The Quarter Horse began its change from sporting horse to working horse. With the movement of pioneers also went the Quarter Horse and in the 1800’s vast cattle ranches began stretching across the plains. It was there the Quarter Horse established its reputation.

The Quarter Horse proved to have cow sense and natural ability to judge the actions of cattle making the Quarter Horse the greatest at rounding up and trail driving in horse history.The first Quarter Horses were bought to Australia in 1954 and went to stud in Queensland. Shortly after in 1964, the Australian Quarter Horse Association was formed and has now become a formidable association in the horse industry.

For me it is a honour and privilege to be a member of the Australian Quarter Horse Association who are clearly seriously committed to persevering the breed through registration guidelines and record keeping. Today it is difficult to find a horse event that dose not have a Quarter Horse involved be it pure or cross breed. Their trainability personality confirmation and of coarse just plane fun to ride makes the Quarter Horse one of the most versatile all round horses there is performing at top levels in all equestrian events yet still being quiet enough for beginners or kids to ride!!!   

From owning Quarter Horses all my life I started breeding in 2007 in Gippsland, after  I proudly purchased TMD Smoke N Legend from Queensland. He has stunning conformation and is very well balanced, which added to his outstanding movement. His athleticism and versatility were also very evident in his lovely style and natural ability who’s breeding represents two influential bloodlines being ROC O’LENA and MR GUN SMOKE a pedigree packed full of winners.

BLUE ROCK QUARTER HORSES - SHOW NO LIMITS

He had a compact, muscular body and stylish way of moving, which impressed many of the pioneer farmers and settlers of his dayTales of his beauty, strength, speed, hardiness, endurance, and gentle disposition spread amidst the small New England towns and his stud services were sought throughout Connecticut and Vermont over his lifetime. His most valuable asset, however, was the ability to pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not only to his offspring but also through several generations. 

The Morgan horse is easily recognized by his proud carriage, upright graceful neck, and distinctive head with expressive eyes. Deep bodied and compact, the Morgan has strongly muscled quarters. The intelligence, willingness, zest for life, and good sense of the Morgan is blended with soundness of limb, athleticism, and stamina. In addition, Morgan thriftiness and longevity have made this breed a good bargain for more than 200 years - easy to love and affordable to own.

The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic ridden in English style. A tractable temperament allows the Morgan to excel when driving in single or multiple hitches. Companionable and comfortable on a quiet pleasure ride anywhere open skies beckon, working as a sensible partner in a long day of stock work or endurance riding, waiting alert and ready to enter a show ring, or performing in formal riding disciplines, the Morgan is a versatile horse within a versatile breed.

The Morgan horse agreeably adapts to his owner's life style. Reliable, loyal, tireless, and versatile, a Morgan becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, sharing the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.

www.morganhorse.com.au

No other society can offer so many different pony breeds under the one registration. Originally, the APSB started with the Australian Pony, the Welsh Pony and the Shetland Pony. Over the past 75 years, other breeds now included have been added to the Society, making it what it is today.

The APSB was founded in 1931 and was the first society for the registration of ponies established in Australia. APSB ponies make excellent mounts for children and adults alike. Each breed has proven itself in many fields of equine sports, from the absolute elite of the show world to the fundamental use of a pony as a reliable mount and friend for a child.

The extent of activities suitable for any of the APSB pony breeds is as endless as your imagination. 

www.apsbvic.org.au (Victorian Branch)

An extremely versatile animal with the unique combination of beauty and utility; combining strength and elegance creates a symmetrical saddle horse. He has a bright and alert outlook and great pride of bearing. He is highly intelligent, has great spirit and courage with tractability and an exceptional affinity for humans, the Arabian likes to please!

THE ARABIAN HORSE SOCIETY ORGANISES:

The Registry - Registering Arabian horses in Australia since 1960 and now including SEVEN Derivative Registries—Anglo Arabians, Partbred Arabians, Arabian Ponies, Arabian Riding Ponies, Arabian Warmbloods, Quarabs and Arabian Stockhorses.  Arabians come in many shapes and sizes, there’s an Arabian for everyone.

The Australian National Arabian Championships - A five day Celebration in March of the beauty and athleticism of the best Arabian and Arabian Derivative horses Australia has to offer.  It’s “Australia on Show” - Halter, Saddle, Dressage, Western, Youth and Amateurs and much, much more.  Rotating between the three Eastern States, the “Aussies” is celebrating it’s Pearl Anniversary of 30 Wonderful Years in 2011.

Youth and Amateurs - The Society is very happy to promote our Youth and Amateur members, we include a full program for both at the Australian National Arabian Championships.  There are youth groups in most States and all Arabian Shows also have classes for Youth and Amateurs.

Regional Clubs - The Arabian Horse Society has Affiliate Clubs in all States and many regions, all organising interesting shows, parades, social and educational opportunities.

Endurance - The Arabian Horse Society is a major sponsor of The Tom Quilty 100 Mile Ride and of the Australian Endurance Teams on the world stage.

Publications - The official breed magazine, The Australian Arabian Horse News, is a quarterly glossy colour publication full of news and views of Arabian horses in both Australia and overseas.

www.ahsa.asn.au

This could be a weight in excess of 150kg, hence required a suitably strong horse to carry the load. As the horse would carry the rider and drums through a noisy procession, a horse with a quiet disposition was essential.

Today, the Drum Horse combines the best of the Gypsy Cob, Clydesdale and Shire breeds, in any combination, such that it must be a minimum of 1/8 and no more than 7/8 Gypsy Cob. The product is a stunning large horse (over 16hh), with huge amounts of feather, heavy bone and an incredibly quiet temperament. Although the Drum Horse was traditionally piebald or skewbald in colour, it is not uncommon to see them solid in colour.

The drum horse is a medium to heavy riding horse, slightly lighter than the full blood Clydesdale or Shire and with the profuse feathering of the gypsy cob, displaying excellent movement, agility and athleticism, making it suitable for a variety of ridden and driven disciplines.

This year two of the larger breeders of drum horses in Australia will be bringing some of their yearlings to display at EQUITANA Melbourne.

FEATHERDALE GYPSY DRUMS

Featherdale Gypsy Drums is located in NSW where they are breeding stunning Drum horses. Mares and stallions are carefully selected to ensure the best quality foals that will excel in harness and under saddle. We breed true to type, with a great disposition.

www.gypsydrums.com.au

BETHESDA HORSE STUD

Bethesda Horse Stud is located in the Central Goldfields of Victoria. Our aim is to breed the best quality Drum Horses in Australia. We want to produce horses with excellent conformation and movement, and fantastic temperaments that will excel in a range of disciplines.

www.bethesdadrumhorses.com.au

In Roman culture, the strength, agility and speed, together with a remarkable aptitude for training made the Spanish horses prized indeed, in an era when a man’s life literally depended on his horse.

Later explorations of the sea-going Spaniards was to have a great influence on the distribution of the Spanish horse to all parts of the then known world. No breed has had more influence than the Spanish Andalusian on the modern horse. The Spanish mounts of the Conquistadores were the first horses to set foot on the Americas in modern times and Herman Cortes proclaimed “After God, we owe our victory to the horses”.

In 1580, horses sent from Spain to Lipizza by Archduke Charles 11 provided the foundation stock for the Imperial Stud, from which evolved the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. With over 400 years of history, including the amazing story of the rescue of the white stallions during the Second World War, the SRS of Vienna has set the standard for classical riding and equitation.

Since the introduction of the Spanish Horse to Australia by Mr. Ray Williams in 1971 we have been able to be a part of the on-going thousands of years of history of this wonderful breed. Andalusian owners are truly blessed.

Their principle service is as a riding horse with a great facility for High School performance they are also excellent harness horses and their strenuous constitution and natural ability makes them ideal for stock work. The Pure Spanish Horse is of even temper and hardy, accommodating and noble, lively yet docile and they develop an intense understanding with their rider.

Movements are agile, harmonious and rhythmic, with good elevation and extension and offer extraordinary comfort for the rider. The Pure Spanish Horse has a great gift for learning a variety of competition styles, with a special predisposition for collection and for turning on the haunches.

In spite of, or more likely because of, their thousands of years of history, the Spanish Andalusian, is very much a horse for today, what ever your discipline and interest may be.

For more information please visit www.ahaa.org.au

They worked the cereal crops of the Wimmera, the Mallee, the Riverina, the Darling Downs and similar areas all over Australia. The silky hair trailing from the body and legs (known as “feather”) that once drained away the moisture in the wet Scottish environment now drained the sweat away in our hot and humid climate. Their active and spirited gait at the walk coupled with their willingness to work made them invaluable in covering our large acreages and vast distances between towns.

Their kind temperament endeared them to those who worked with them. As a lorry horse, whether in the country or the city they had no peer. The modern Clydesdale is a tall, weighty and athletic heavy horse, displaying an alert but calm temperament. The Clydesdale head should be attractive and show intelligence.  It should be attached to a good length of rein (length of neck), with the neck set on broad sloping shoulders.

The body should show height in the whither and large depth of rib for increased heart and lung capacity. The back should be of an appropriate length to allow the hindquarters and forequarters to co-ordinate when in motion. The hindquarters and rump should be large, round and powerful.

The hind leg is one of the most important aspects in a quality Clydesdale. The cannon bones should be long and flat, with broad hocks set high directly underneath the hindquarters, thus providing support and leverage. To most efficiently generate power the Clydesdale must have a good turn in each hock.  This turn enables the hind legs to be kept under the horse when at work, maximising the power produced. To identify this attribute, the horse should show a defined “V” shape when the upper hind-legs are viewed from behind, with the widest section just below the rump, narrowing and meeting at the hock.  The forelegs, like the hind legs, should be perpendicular to the ground through the cannon bones. 

The cannons should be attached to broad flat knees and powerful forearms. Both front and hind legs should be set on angular pasterns to facilitate shock absorption, with large broad hooves to enable the horse’s weight to be spread over a large surface area. Long silky hair should always accompany quality flat bone and should be abundant at the rear of all legs (feather) with plenty of hair (or “spat") covering the entire hoof.  At the walk or the trot, in hand or in harness, the Clydesdale should display collection, bold and active knee and hock action, closeness of hock from behind, and a proud head carriage.  

Over the years Australian Clydesdale breeders have imported some of the best bloodlines available from Scotland. Because Australia was much slower to embrace the mechanical revolution which followed the two world wars, they were able to benefit from access to some of Britain’s premium stock. Even now, recently imported quality Scottish stallions are adding size and substance to our stock, enabling Australia to remain recognised as a producer of quality Clydesdales.

www.clydesdalesvic.org.au