NEWS

Biosecurity Queensland is quarantining a property on the Southern Downs after a horse tested positive to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).

Chief Biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said the horse was euthanased on 11 May after falling ill.

“It tested negative for Hendra virus infection but further testing returned a positive result for ABLV,” he said. “Another horse showing similar symptoms was euthanased at the same property five days earlier.

“There are 20 other horses on the property. The vet involved in both cases used PPE and took appropriate precautions.
 “The site will remain under quarantine while further testing is conducted on the remaining horses.

“ABLV is carried by bats and flying foxes.”

Staff from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit will visit this property to assess the situation and identify any human potentially exposed to this horse.

The public health staff will interview all people identified as having been in contact with the horse to determine whether any post-exposure treatment is required.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it is important to remember that human cases of Lyssavirus are incredibly rare.
“There have only been three recorded cases in Australia, all in Queensland, and sadly, all three people passed away,” Dr Young said.

“All three cases were the result of direct exposure to bats with Lyssavirus. This is the first case where Australian Bat lyssavirus has been identified in a horse, although we know from overseas that horses can be infected with rabies. There is a theoretical possibility that transmission to humans could occur.

“We do however have a preventative treatment that is effective in any person not displaying symptoms of the virus.

“Warwick and Toowoomba Hospitals will provide a free course of this preventative treatment to anyone who public health staff determine was in close contact with this dead horse resulting in a risk of exposure to the virus. Simply patting a horse would not constitute exposure.”

People who have had a potential exposure to ABLV require an injection of rabies immunoglobulin and a series of four rabies vaccine injections.

Anyone with a weakened immune system will require a further (fifth) dose of vaccine and follow up blood tests to confirm their immunity.

This course of treatment is also known as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Any Darling Downs local who believes they have been in direct contact with, or in close proximity to this horse, can also contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.

Staff at 13 HEALTH will help determine whether any further action, including testing or treatment, is required.

The Board of The Australian Stock Horse Society (ASHS) is pleased to announce its partnership with the largest equine veterinary practice in Australia, Scone Equine Hospital (SEH).

SEH will provide ASHS with educational and question & answer articles for Society’s magazine, development and delivery of the veterinary component of the Society’s judging clinics, attendance at the Society’s annual National Show, and discounted rates for ASHS members attending SEH’s Pleasure and Performance Seminars.

Ms Maree Sankey General Manager of the ASHS said this is an exciting opportunity for the Society to have Scone Equine Hospital as its education partner.

To download the Official Media Release please click here.

The Government has released the final Strategic Regional Land Use Plan for the Upper Hunter (Plan) in September 2012. Action 3.4 of the Plan is to “Undertake a regional-scale review and verification of the equine and viticulture critical industry cluster maps to produce revised, ground-truthed maps which reflect the location of the critical industry clusters”. This task has been allocated to NSW Trade and Investment (which includes the Department of Primary Industries).

A consultant has been appointed to provide advice to Government in order to fulfil this task. The project objectives are to:
· Establish a list of all enterprises that match the CIC criteria for the equine and viticulture within the mapped CIC area in the Plan area; and
· Identify the location and extent of these enterprises on a cadastral map within a geographical spatial system (GIS).

There are five local government involved; Muswellbrook; Upper Hunter; Singleton; Cessnock; and Mid Western.

The Equine CIC Criteria is as follows:

Horse Breeding
The property:
· Is currently used as a horse breeding facility with horses registered in the relevant breed society register and are required to a submit a Livestock Health and Pest Authority annual return indicating horses; or
· Has a current development consent for horse breeding facilities; or
· Is subject to an undetermined development application for horse breeding facilities.

Horse Husbandry
The property:
· Is currently used as a horse husbandry facility; or
· Has a current development consent for horse husbandry facilities; or
· Is subject to an undetermined development application for horse husbandry facilities.

Horse Sales
The property:
· The used as a horse sales facility; or
· Has a listing with the Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia Limited; or
· Has a current development consent for horse sales facilities; or
· Is subject to an undetermined development application for horse sales facilities.

Forage production for Sale Directly to Registered Horse Breeders
The property:
· Currently produces forage for sale directly to registered horse breeders; or
· Has resulted in sales or commercial agreements with a registered horse breeder in the past 12 months.

The Australian Stock Horse Society has now been included in discussions regarding this project and has been requested to provided details of equine enterprises that meet the Equine CIC Criteria within the five local government areas. The Society is able to provide details of breeders within the five local government areas but is unable to provide the other criterion (Horse Husbandry, Sales or Forage).

Members are requested to assist the Society by providing details (name and address) of existing horse husbandry, sales facilities; or forage producers with whom they deal directly. This information will assist in ensuring we are able to identify eligible enterprises pertaining to our equine industry to government.

Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Extractive Industries and Petroleum Production) 2007 (SEPP), State significant development applications for mining and petroleum (including coal seam gas) activities located wholly or partially within an area mapped as CIC are subject to a gateway process. The gateway process is an upfront, rigorous and independent assessment of the potential impacts of a project on agricultural land and water resources (including CICs) before a development application can be lodged.

The Society would encourage members located within the five local government areas, as a matter of urgency, to advise us of all equine enterprises meeting the Equine CIC Criteria to ensure all Australian Stock Horse related industry is identified on the CIC maps.

Please forward all relevant information by Friday, 22nd February 2013 to General Manager, Maree Sankey.
Email: manager@ashs.com.au

Kerrie and Peter Allan have donated the gelding STOCKHAVEN BUSHFIRE for auction at the 2013 Landmark Toowoomba Yearling and Broodmare Sale, being held 26th-27th April. Proceeds will be distributed to Tasmanian Members affected by the recent bushfires.

‘This gelding is well bred and should have a very promising future as a performance horse, and would be an ideal prospect for the 2014 Landmark Toowoomba Challenge. His sire is ROSCOMMON ANZAC - HSH, a Novice campdraft winner and a grandson of WARRENBRI ROMEO – IS HSH,’ Peter said.

‘His dam is HAMILTON PARK SPRINKLE, one of our senior broodmares. She is by KYABRA CATTLE BARON - HSH and out of an ABBEY – FS HSH mare. This is quality Australian Stock Horse breeding. This mare has progeny in four states of Australia.’

‘We previously donated the gelding STOCKHAVEN LUCKY STAR (maternal half brother to STOCKHAVEN BUSHFIRE) to raise funds after the 2009 Black Saturday fires. STOCKHAVEN LUCKY STAR has gone on to win extensively in Victoria. His maternal half sister STOCKHAVEN ANNIVERSARY is currently in our show team.'

‘We have the gelding in feed now and his education has commenced. To date he is responding nicely and fitting into the stable routine. By sale time he will be in show condition with all basic groundwork complete.'

Nominations are invited for the Australian Stock Horse Society's annual Horse, Member and Branch awards, to be presented at the 2013 Annual General Meeting.

Nominations for Westpac Bank Star of the Year and the Prince of Wales Trophy must be received in Head Office by Friday 26th April, 2013. Nominations for the Member and Branch Awards must be received in Head Office by 30th June 2013.

Nominations are invited in the following categories:

Westpac Bank Star of the Year Trophy
The Westpac Bank Star of the Year Trophy is an annual award, recognising an Australian Stock Horse that is an ambassador for the Australian Stock Horse Society outside the showring and in the public eye. A Member may nominate a horse owned by themselves or a horse belonging to another Member. Directors may also nominate a horse for consideration.

Click here to download the nomination form for the Westpac Bank Star of the Year Trophy

Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy
The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy is an annual award, recognising an Australian Stock Horse that has achieved a number of prestigious performance awards and the best performed in three event categories in a calendar year. A Member may nominate a horse owned by themselves or a horse belonging to another Member.

Click here to download the nomination form for the Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy

Volunteer of the Year
Nominees must be volunteers who have given their services to the running of Australian Stock Horse Society events and have received no renumeration for their services (except reimbursement for expenses incurred). Their dedication and achievements as volunteers must be outstanding. The winner will receive a certificate and special pin, one year's free Membership, and $500 for their nominated Branch.

Click here to download the nomination form for Volunteer of the Year

Branch of the Year
Nominated Branches are considered on their high standard of performance in Member development and event management. The winning Branch will receive a certificate and $1,000.

Click here to download the nomination form for Branch of the Year

Special Services Awards
The Special Services Awards are to recognise individuals that have contributed to their Branch, the Australian Stock Horse breed and/or the Society over a number of years. Winners will receive a certificate with a special pin.

Click here to download the nomination form for a Special Services Award.

Equitana Melbourne 2012 was a great promotion for the Australian Stock Horse. Over four days from 15th to 18th November, Australian Stock Horses were represented in the Breeders Village, educational and training displays, horseball and trick riding competitions, and in the Sunday Night Showcase.

Equitana 2012 was also host to an exciting new event, the Australian Stock Horse State of Origin Time Trial Challenge. The Challenge was held on Sunday afternoon in front of a packed crowd on TuffRock Arena. Over two rounds, top riders from five states battled it out to complete the bush-style obstacle course in the fastest time without penalties.

After round one, the New South Wales team of Bill Peadon and Fiona Beer seemed to be the ones to beat, with both riders completing the course without any time penalties.

The pressure was on in the second round, and every team made some sort of error resulting in time penalties. After two rounds, only 0.893 of a second separated first and second place, with Mat Holz and Aaron Todd of Western Australia claiming victory. Well done!

Bill Peadon completed the course in the fastest time of 56.348 on his mare BIBBENLUKE SELENA. Thank you to everybody who travelled from interstate to participate in this event.

Time trials are a high action competition with a strong component of crowd interaction and excitement. It is a race against the clock that appeals to all ages because of the fast paced, precision riding involved. Time Trials were introduced into Australian Stock Horse competition to add more spectator and rider action into Futurity (3 year old horses), Maturity (4 year old horses) and Open Challenge competitions.

Time Trials have grown to be one of the most exciting and popular elements of Australian Stock Horse events, and results from the Time Trial are the deciding factor in some competitions.

The Equitana team is already working on some amazing events for Sydney 2013 (7th-10th November).
Visit www.equitana.com.au for the latest details.

Pictured: Winners of the 2012 Equitana Australian Stock Horse State of Origin Time Trial Challenge were Western Australians, Mat Holz (left) on STRUAN PARKS JUST LOOKING - HSH and Aaron Todd (right) on TODDS BILLIE.
Photo: James Vereker

The International Performance Award is for an Australian Stock Horse (residing in Australia or overseas) that has gained outstanding international recognition. This award is given at the discretion of the Board, and may not be presented annually.

Click here to visit the Awards page.

26th-27th April 2013 - Landmark Toowoomba Sale and Challenges
Incorporating Toowoomba & District ASH Branch Yearling & Broodmare Sale
Open to registered Australian Stock Horses
Toowoomba Showgrounds, Toowoomba QLD
Enquiries: Landmark Toowoomba (07) 4637 3000

On 10th November at the famed Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, Banjo the Australian Stock Horse was celebrated for his achievements as an ambassador for the breed.

Chairman, Joy Poole OAM, General Manager, Maree Sankey, and Victorian Directors, Gordon Nash and Peter Jelliff were on hand to present the 2011 Westpac Star of the Year Trophy to Banjo's owner, John Patterson and rider, John Letts.

Click here to view the story of Banjo. Footage courtesy of Channel 7.

Canadian equine publications such as The Rider and Avalon are spreading the news that the province of Ontario, Canada is celebrating their new horse breed... the Australian Stock Horse!

You can read the article published in The Rider magazine below, or click here to view the scanned article.

‘The Breed For Every Need’ is the Australian Stock Horse Society’s motto for this very new breed to North America.  These horses have been selectively bred for generations in Australia, but with the Society just celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2011, this is one of the youngest associations out there today for horses. These are very athletic, versatile horses; adapting to just about any climate or situation. They are known for their good looks, overall balance, cow sense, brains and athleticism. They are able to be calm and quiet enough for a young child to ride, and then are able to step it up for an adult to win a competition on. 

BRUMBYSRUN COOL AVALON (USA) is Ontario’s first registered Australian Stock Horse (ASH). She came to Double T Performance Horses as a yearling in October 2011, from imported stock in California. When I finally met my first Australian Stock Horse in person, who just happened to be the filly I had bought sight unseen, not only did she have the personality that Australian Stock Horses are known for, but we were extremely surprised at her overall balance and good looks for a yearling. She wasn’t the usual gangly and awkward juvenile like most yearlings we were used to seeing. Instead, she was a mature looking horse in a shorter package.

As we got to know her over the winter, we saw the brave, curious nature of these horses come out in her. She was also very laid back, extremely trainable, friendly (to both humans and other horses) and athletic. Being involved with cutting horses for many years, I was curious to see how she would compare to my yearling cutting bred filly she was pastured with. She definitely did not disappoint! She turned out to be just as athletic as a top bred cutting prospect. 

With there only being a handful of breeders of these horses in North America, this is a very new breed over here. They are being used from everything from polo to endurance riding, halter to in-hand trail, working cow horse to reining. These horses are truly the “Breed For Every Need”.

Avalon is a great ambassador of the breed and here at Double T Performance Horses, we couldn’t be happier with her. It’s been a long journey, but we are finally going to see all our hard work come to life with Ontario’s first bred and born Australian Stock Horse cross arriving in 2013. 

You can see more about Avalon and ASH’s at www.doubletph.com or on our facebook page under Double T Performance Horses.

Pictured: BRUMBYSRUN COOL AVALON (USA). Photo: Linda McCormick

From 1 September 2012, all properties in NSW with one or more resident horses must have a Property Identification Code (PIC).

Following the equine influenza (EI) outbreak in 2007, a task-force representing all major NSW horse industry groups (including racing, eventing, breed and show societies) recommended to Governments that PICs for horse properties be introduced. This decision was based on the recognition that it is essential in an emergency involving horses to know where horses are located.

The initial response to EI was hampered by not knowing the location of horses, especially where there were high concentrations of horses. It is likely that the disease would have been controlled more rapidly if we had been able to target areas with the highest density of horses for surveillance and vaccination.

As a result of this industry consensus, the Chief Veterinary Officers from all jurisdictions agreed in 2008 that PICs should be mandatory for properties with one or more horses.

In 2009, the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) strongly expressed its support for the introduction of PICs for properties where horses are kept to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

PICs are a well-established national system of property registration used by all States and Territories for other livestock. Many horse properties would already have a PIC as they run other livestock or pay rates to Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPAs). Extending PICs to all horse properties makes low-cost use of existing administrative systems and databases.

The introduction of a PIC system for horse properties brings NSW into line with Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory which already have this requirement.

Please note that the introduction of PICs for horse properties DOES NOT mean that horses will be subject to any requirements of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS). It is not mandatory to supply a PIC before a horse can be bought, sold or moved, nor record the horse’s movement on the NLIS database. However, it would be good practice for horse owners to keep a diary or other record of where their horse has been, which ideally would include the PIC of the property or event ground.

In time, sections of the horse industry, as part of a biosecurity risk mitigation strategy, may require entrants to provide the PIC of the property the horse normally resides on when attending an event. This has already been introduced in Queensland and for some events in Victoria. It is this industry requirement that is expected to encourage the uptake of PICs for horse properties in NSW. It is not the intention of NSW DPI or LHPAs to enforce compliance from September 1 and we expect that industry will encourage compliance over time as best practice.

The requirement for PICs for horse properties has been introduced primarily for the benefit and protection of the horse industry. The NSW Minister for Primary Industries has recently written to the AHIC thanking them for their strong support for the introduction of PICs for horse properties and requested that their support for PICs be conveyed to NSW AHIC members. NSW is the state with the largest horse population and possibly the largest economic impact if another disease outbreak occurred, so biosecurity measures such as PICs increases the knowledge and contact with the horse industry, which is a positive step.

Property and horse owners can apply for a PIC by contacting their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority, or applying on line. More information is also available in the Frequently Asked Questions for horse owners on the LHPA website.

To download the official flyer please click here.

A Members Forum was held during the 2012 Annual General Meeting in Melbourne, Victoria. Members were invited to send in Questions on Notice, for response by the Board of Directors. Responses to the Questions on Notice are now available to download.

Click here to download the Responses to Questions on Notice.

Social networking sites such as Facebook have become an increasingly popular means of communication in recent times and have facilitated widespread communication between people without the geographical barriers that have previously existed to such communications.

Of course, there are problems inherent in the use of technology in this way and I wish to alert Members to a serious problem that the Society has recently encountered, and the policy that has now been adopted by the Society to prevent similar situations arising in the future.

A recent event conducted by the Society was the subject of a widespread and heated exchange of communications on Facebook during which, unfortunately, a number of derogatory, scurrilous and in some cases defamatory comments were made about certain circumstances and certain individuals.

The Society will not tolerate the use of social networking sites to facilitate or broadcast denigration of the Society or individuals within it, whether they be Directors or Members. The Society's Articles, Rules and Events Handbook contain long-standing provisions which provide a formal avenue for the making of complaints and for the hearing of them. These cover the conduct of individuals, both Members or Directors, and the conduct of Judges, breeders and competitors.

These provisions have been established to provide a fair and just means for Members to complain about matters of concern to them, and a framework for the complaints to be properly and constructively dealt with and for disciplinary action, if warranted, to be taken. The provisions are necessary to maintain the integrity the Society as a strong, cohesive and reputable organisation. That is to the benefit of all of us.

The Board has now adopted a policy to the effect that the making of derogatory, derisive, inflammatory and defamatory comments relating to the Society or any of its events, Members or Directors may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee as conduct that is unbecoming of a Member and/or prejudicial to the interests of the Society. The Disciplinary Committee constituted under Article 25 of the Society's constitution has the power to exercise disciplinary powers in appropriate cases, including the impositions of fines, suspension of membership and even expulsion.

I would ask all Members to support the Society in achieving its aims and objectives in this regard.

The Chairman,
The Australian Stock Horse Society Limited.

The Board of The Australian Stock Horse Society Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Maree Sankey as its new General Manager.

Ms Sankey, who joined the Society as Office Manager in 2007, takes on the General Manager position in a permanent capacity after acting in the role for the past six months.

Click here to download the full Media Release

The Australian Stock Horse Society has adopted the Australian Horse Industry Council's Australian Horse Welfare Protocol. The Australian Horse Welfare Protocol was developed by representatives from national horse organisations and state horse councils. The protocol sets out how Australian horse organisations, collectively and individually, will voluntarily act to promote horse welfare and wellbeing.

Click here to download the Australian Horse Welfare Protocol
Member comments are welcome: pa@ashs.com.au

The Australian Stock Horse Society, in partnership with Barastoc, held a raffle at the 2012 Polocrosse Nationals in Warwick. The prize was 5 bags of Workhorse, 1 bag of Equijewel, and a sports bag, polo shirt and torch from the ASHS.

The winner was Annette Barnett from Singleton, NSW. Annette's son Josh played No.1 in the winning NSW Junior Mixed team, and his horse BARNLODGE DIDGET was awarded Champion Horse in that division. Over $150 was raised for Warwick RDA, and Barastoc donated 10 bags of feed to them as well.

Pictured from left to right: Acting General Manager of the Australian Stock Horse Society, Maree Sankey, raffle winner, Annette Barnett, Account Manager of Ridley Agriproducts (Barastoc), Craig Neale.

Congratulations Philip Main and MAINS LOCHLAN, winners of the R.M.Williams Trophy Bridle for the Most Versatile Australian Stock Horse Exhibit ridden by a youth under 18yrs, at the 2012 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Congratulations Teena Bridge and CEE DEE BRACELETTE, winners of the R.M.Williams Trophy Saddle and Breast Plate for the Most Versatile Australian Stock Horse Exhibit at the 2012 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Congratulations to our State and National Youth Judges at the 2012 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
NSW State Youth Judging winner: Brittany Hetherington, Gloucester NSW
National Youth Judging winner: Sarah Small, Loganholme QLD

Another Australian Stock Horse clean sweep of the campdrafts at the 2012 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
World Championship Campdraft: Mark Palmer on PALMERS COOL SPECIAL
Highest WCC Cut Out: Nigel Kable on CHEVIN IVORY
Highest Score in any WCC Round: Warwick Lawrence on CEDAR DOWNS MINIMAX
Small Arena Campdraft for Open Riders: Ken MacCallum on BROWN VICTORY - HSH
Small Arena Campdraft for Lady Riders: Fiona Jamieson on BINNIA IMPRESSIVE DESTINY
Small Arena Campdraft for Youth Riders: Philip Main on MAINS RICHOCHET

Thank you to all our renewing Members in the past 12 months, who have raised a total of $3,415 in Equine Donations for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). An update on the equine research funded by Member donations will be published in an upcoming issue of the Australian Stock Horse Journal.

Visit the RIRDC website for more details on current equine research projects.

Above left: The McGrath family of (from left) Keely, Jordan, Sally and Paul, are gearing up for all the action of the 2012 Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals, being held in Warwick from April 23 to 29.
Above right: Sally and Paul McGrath, of Greenmount, will again don their maroon uniforms to play for Queensland.

Polocrosse is very much a family affair where Paul and Sally McGrath are concerned. The two experienced players will don their maroon uniforms once again for Queensland at the 2012 Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals, being held in Warwick next month from April 23-29.

Paul and Sally are both members of the Warwick Polocrosse Club, and have notched up 20 Polocrosse Nationals between them. With their two daughters, Keely and Jordan, who both compete as juniors for the Warwick Club, the family will be spending plenty of time concentrating on polocrosse over the next six weeks.

The couple live and work on the 210 hectare Darlington Stud, at Greenmount on the Darling Downs, and are both seasoned campaigners when it comes to the physical horse sport. Both have represented Australia in polocrosse, with Paul playing in 1994 in a Men's test series, and Sally touring New Zealand in 2002 with the Australian Women’s side, as well as playing at the World Cup in 2003.

Paul will be competing this year on eight year old mare KILDARE BELLE, owned by Charlie Brook, and is raring to go as captain of the Queensland Open Men's side.

'This is the best chance [of winning] we’ve had in a while. I’m really looking forward to playing. It will be a great Nationals,' Paul said. 'I have some fantastic memories from my years in polocrosse. The highlight has been the people we’ve met and it has taken us all around Australia.'

Sally agrees wholeheartedly, and also believes her Open Mixed team are “a good chance” to take out this year’s title.
'I’m really happy to have been selected on my six year old gelding HAYDON APOLLO, who only had his first season of polocrosse last year,' she said.

For more information on the 2012 Barastoc Nationals visit www.warwickpolox.com.au.

Congratulations to Mr Ian Rush of Aroona Station, Katherine NT, who has won the 2012 Smiff Industries Float Raffle. The raffle raised over $18,000 for the Australian Stock Horse Society Youth Programme, which funds training clinics, camps and awards for Youth Members. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets in the raffle, and thank you to Smiff Industries for their generous support of the Australian Stock Horse Society.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER for all Australian Stock Horse Society Members
Receive $500 off the total price of your purchase of your NEW horse float or gooseneck. Conditions apply. Proof of current membership of the Australian Stock Horse Society must be provided at the time of purchase.

Click here to visit the Smiff Industries website.

Thank you to everyone who bought show programmes and Fountain of Youth sale catalogues at the 2012 National Championship Show. $367 was raised for the David Rixon Memorial Fund. Senior Constable David Rixon of the Tamworth Highway Patrol was fatally shot on Friday 2nd March 2012, while undertaking his duties.

Click here for more details on the David Rixon Memorial Fund.