Two year old ASH StunGun taking it all in his stride.

© Ozshots photography

The Society is excited to release news about the current growth with international Membership, Australian Stock Horse events and recent exports. This growth is due to the tremendous effort shown by its overseas Branches and Members who are involved with promoting the Australian Stock Horse breed to new audiences around the world.

The newly formed New Zealand Branch is set to hold its first event being an Information Day on 23rd June 2018. The event will encourage equine enthusiasts to learn about the breed and gain an understanding of traditional Stock Horse disciplines. The Branch is also planning to hold a Challenge event in October and are looking forward to further promoting the Branch by exhibiting at Equidays which is New Zealand’s premier equine event with over 22,000 visitors annually.

New Zealand Branch President, Paddy Cornelius, said “We are keen to grow awareness about the ASH Branch and get going with events in New Zealand. We feel the time is right, on the back of exhibiting recently at Equitana and with expat Karen Harrison joining the Committee with her experience as an ASH Judge in Australia before relocating recently.”

On the other side of the world, the USA Branch is also gaining momentum with a Canadian Show on 30th June 2018. Held at the Ranahan Polocrosse Club in Alberta. The Branch plans to offer a programme of Led, Hack and Working disciplines as an open breed event to encourage new people to get involved with ASH Showing.

“We thought this would give Members in Canada an opportunity to compete with their Australian Stock Horses following the success of last year’s National Show in Colorado where Canadian Members travelled 23 hours to attend,” said USA Branch Committee Member Mat Tate.

Speaking of travelling, the Society is pleased to hear about the safe arrival of HAYDON ORACLE - HSH into the United Kingdom. This two year old colt, bred and sold by ASH Member Peter Haydon, was purchased and exported from Australia by a partnership consisting of Jason and Penny Webb and Nadine and Keith Bristow. This colt’s dam is a full sister to Hall of Fame ASH mare, HAYDON ANGEL JEWEL and comes from a pedigree of many high- level polo horses who have played the Argentine Open.

When asked what Jason Webb’s plans were for the colt and why he selected this Australian Stock Horse colt he commented with, “We looked for a colt that was going to be easy to market to a number of different disciplines, particularly polo, which is very popular in the UK and Europe. Oracle's bloodlines, coupled with his outstanding temperament, conformation and ability, fitted the bill perfectly. We will continue with his education before promoting him as a sire".

Jason was pleased to represent the Society recently by attending The Prince of Wales’s 70th Patronage Reception at Buckingham Palace along with Chairman of the ASHS Board, Craig Young. The function coincided with The Prince of Wales’s 70th birthday and celebrated the work of His Royal Highness’s Patronages, Charities and Military affiliations and others involved in public service.

With over 200 Australian Stock Horses registered internationally, the popularity of the breed is certainly increasing. Amanda Riordan from Australian Equine Exporting Services continues her relationship with the Thailand Royal family sourcing quality Australian Stock Horses and assisting with their breeding programs. Plans are also underway for the Society to support large high profile sporting events such as the 2019 World Polocrosse Cup in Warwick, QLD in April will provide further opportunities for the Australian Stock Horse to gain further exposure as a truly versatile and elite performance horse that is renowned for its temperament, athletic ability, conformation and versatility, not only within Australia but worldwide.

For further details please contact:
ASHS Chief Executive Officer - David Gatwood, P: +61 2 6545 1122
ASHS Events Marketing  - Blair Keyte, P: +61 2 6545 1122
New Zealand Branch Publicity Officer - Karen Harrison, P: +64 0277 284 195
USA Branch President - Tim Doust, P: 0011 1 719 660 9642

Source: Australian Stock Horse Society

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