NEWS ARCHIVE

The NSW Department of Primary Industries are implementing compliance audits throughout New South Wales to ensure all Queensland stock owners have carried out the correct requirements for entry to New South Wales.

Click here to view the Department’s guidelines on ‘The do's and don'ts of moving horses from QLD and NSW’

Click here to download an information brochure on ‘The do's and don'ts of moving horses from QLD and NSW’

First Australia, now the world – that’s the future for the Australian Stock Horse, with today’s historic first meeting of the USA Branch of the Australian Stock Horse Society. A five-member executive has been elected to spearhead the Australian Stock Horse Society’s international push, with all members passionate about promoting the breed in the United States.

Australian Stock Horse Society Limited Board Chairman, Ms Joy Poole OAM, said it was an important step in highlighting the strengths of the Australian Stock Horse, which is renowned for its versatility and superior performance amongst work and leisure breeds.

‘Instead of tapping into a population of 23 million, our push into the USA now means we are tapping into a population of 350 million, which augurs well for the future of the Australian Stock Horse Society,’ Ms Poole said.

‘Most of the people on the Australian Stock Horse Society’s first executive in the USA first came into contact with the breed while playing polocrosse in Australia. They recognise the breed’s incredible versatility.’

The first USA Branch Executive for the Australian Stock Horse Society comprises:

Kellee Campbell - A veterinarian, Kellee has been breeding horses for the past 20 years and stands an Australian Stock Horse stallion at her property in central Texas. Kellee has made several trips to Australia, including a week-long study of the Australian Stock Horse breed at the Australian Stock Horse Society World Championships in Tamworth in May this year.

Susan Johnson - Of the 11 horses on Susan’s 20-acre ranch in McDade, Texas, five are Australian Stock Horse crosses (four First Crosses and one Second Cross). A 44-year-old small animal veterinarian, she and her husband Paul have played polocrosse for more than 20 years.

Marilyn Murphy - A breeder of Australian Stock Horses since 2002, Marilyn had the first registered Australian Stock Horse born in the USA and the first one bred and born in the country. Marilyn has made two trips to Australia – one of which included a visit to the Australian Stock Horse Society’s Head Office in Scone – and her son and daughter have both represented the USA in Polocrosse World Cups.

John Thomson - An expat-Australian, John is one of the trailblazers for the Australian Stock Horse in the USA. He has four imported and 13 Stud Book Australian Stock Horses in his herd, and produces up to five Stud Book Australian Stock Horses each year – all of which he breaks-in and trains. A teacher by day, Aussie John is a proud advocate for the breed in the USA.

John Gleeson - Another ex-pat Aussie, John now calls Texas home and has lived in the USA for several years. John imported an Australian Stock Horse stallion, WALDRONS STARMAN, to the USA and along with his entire family is heavily involved with polocrosse in the USA.

Media Contact
Joy Poole OAM - Board Chairman, Australian Stock Horse Society Limited
Phone (02) 6577 5518 Email: info@ashs.com.au

To download the full media release please click here.

Following the recent resignation of Catherine Smith, Maree Sankey has been appointed as Acting General Manager of the Society. Maree has worked as Office Manager at Head Office since 2007, and looks forward to continuing to develop membership and business initiatives in her new role.

The Society congratulates Catherine on her achievements as General Manager, and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

Over the past six months the Board of Directors of the Australian Stock Horse Society has been investigating an opportunity to relocate the Head Office to the newly developed equine precinct in Tamworth.

After thorough investigation and review of the comprehensive feasibility report, the Board of Directors resolved to retain the Head Office operation in Scone.

The Board were conscious of the long term financial commitment required to facilitate the relocation. Given the current economic climate and several other factors, including covenants on the proposed block of land, the Board have agreed it was in the best interests of the members to remain in Scone.

The Australian Stock Horse Society wants the Australian Stock Horse to have the highest profile of any breed of horse in Australia with worldwide recognition. The Society aims to preserve the heritage and identity of the Australian Stock Horse and to promote the development and popularity of Australian Stock Horses throughout Australia and the world whilst maintaining the heritage and to promote the bloodlines and high performance of the Australian Stock Horse among equestrian activities and the general public.

The Society will be working with Upper Hunter Shire Council to ensure the council continues to deliver on their commitments. It is critical that the Council’s activities and future development complement and support the aims and mission of the Australian Stock Horse Society. The Society look forward to building a stronger partnership with the Upper Hunter Shire Council.

Please click here to view the Official Media Release.

Affinity Insurance Brokers can now insure your Australian Stock Horse online. The new online system is quick and easy to use and can give you an 'on the spot quote'.

This new package provides Mortality cover for your horse for up to $30,000. You will then also have access to a number of options including:
• Personal Accident cover for (at least 3 riders/handlers of your horse) up to $100,000
• Public Liability cover (Australia wide)
• Horse Floats
• Veterinary Fees - cover for up to $7,500
• Harness, Saddlery & Tack

As a special offer, ASHS Members will receive a $20 discount for using the online system.

Do you want to insure your Australian Stock Horse? Please click here for more information.

With the recent formation of the Upper Hunter Equine Infrastructure Working Party, the group is now looking at what the shire currently has to offer the wide range of horse related activities, and what changes or improvements can be made to improve the experience for both competitors and spectators alike.

Please click here to download the Media Release from Upper Hunter Mayor, Lee Watts.

Australian Stock Horse Society General Manager Catherine Smith has been invited by the Upper Hunter Shire Council to join the Equine Infrastructure Working Party. The Working group met for the first time on Friday, 10th June.

Please click here to view the full media release.

National Futurity – ORLANGA REBA and Cole Moxey
National Maturity – COOLUM ISABEL and Geoff Wallen
ABBEY Open Challenge – OBRIENS RESETTE and Gerald O’Brien
Maiden Campdraft Series – CEDAR DOWNS UNIQUE and Warwick Lawrence
National Youth Challenge Under 13yrs – CEDAR DOWNS MINIMAX and Jack Lawrence
National Youth Challenge 13ys and Under 18yrs – CEDERVALE NOIRE and Wyatt Young

Supreme Led – GOODERAH AUSSIE GEM and Aimee Mannix
Supreme Hack – SPRINGVALE BLUEPRINT and Karen Nicoll
Supreme Working – BOBADIL OAKS GEMMA and Hannah Fotheringham

Open Campdraft – OBRIENS VEDETTE and Gerald O’Brien
Novice Campdraft – BINNIA MODEL and Troy Palmer
Stallion Campdraft – SODA JUSTICE and Michael Wilson
Ladies Campdraft – SODA JUSTICE and Jan Smith

Fountain of Youth Sale, Highest Priced Horse – Lot 3, OBRIENS CREDETTE, sold for $21,500. Vendor: O’Brien Family Partnership
To download the sales report please click here

Congratulations to all competitors, vendors and purchasers. Thank you to all Judges, staff and volunteers. A full report on the World Championship Show and Fountain of Youth Sale will be printed in the July/August Australian Stock Horse Journal, on sale from 8th July and posted out to financial Members.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) wants veterinary practitioners to submit samples from horses displaying unexplained nervous system symptoms.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Andrew Cameron said DPI was investigating a number of cases of unexplained neurological disease in horses.

“Samples from veterinary practitioners investigating any cases of nervous system disease will help our investigation,” Dr Cameron said.

In Victoria, cases have been observed along the Murray River and in an area of approximately 50 kilometres around Ballarat.

Unexplained neurological cases have also been recently observed in South Australia and New South Wales. The main symptom in horses is ataxia or ‘wobbliness’.

“The coincidence of these cases with a period of extraordinarily high mosquito activity after a heavy rainy season, and the apparent association with proximity to water bodies is highly suggestive of arbovirus infection (i.e. ‘insect borne’ infection),” Dr Cameron said.

“Cases of neurological disease have been previously seen in horses during periods of Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) activity, such as in 1974.

“While recent evidence of Ross River virus infection has been detected in some of the horses sampled to date, the possibility of MVE or other arboviruses is also being investigated.

“The horse is usually a ‘dead-end’ host for mosquito-borne arbovirus infections.

“There is no risk to humans from direct contact with horses, and it is highly likely that the great majority of horses infected with arbovirus will develop no clinical symptoms.”

Horse owners are encouraged to consult with their veterinary practitioner as to means available to reduce the risk of horse exposure to mosquitoes.

“Stabling during the dawn and dusk periods of mosquito activity is a valuable strategy, and topical treatments and repellants are available,” Dr Cameron said.

“This is clearly not Hendra virus we are dealing with.

“There is no association with bat populations and the symptoms and course of illness in affected horses are unlike Hendra virus infection, which has also been ruled out by precautionary testing.”

Please click here to view the Victorian Department of Primary Industries website.
Please click here for the latest media release (7th April 2011)

At the recent Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved three new awards:-
 
Special Services Award – This award is designed to recognize individuals that have contributed to their branch, the Australian Stock Horse breed and/or the Society over a number of years. This award can also be awarded to Members who have contributed through extraordinary single events.
Winners of the Special Services Award will receive a certificate and special pin. Multiple Special Service Awards may be given each year.
 
Volunteer of the Year Award – For the volunteer who has given their services to the running of Australian Stock Horse Society events and have received no remuneration. Their dedication and achievement as volunteers has been outstanding.
The winner of the Volunteer of the Year award will receive a certificate, special pin, 1 year free membership and $500 to their nominated Branch.
 
Branch of the Year Award – For the Branch that has achieved a high standard of performance in Member development and event management.
The winning Branch will receive $1,000.
 
Nominations for all three awards close Thursday 30th June 2011. The simple nomination forms can be found on the 'Forms' page.

The two year old chestnut filly EBONYLODGE PURE MAGIC has been generously donated by the Whitbread family of Ebony Lodge and Larry and Glenda Cutler of Karraba Park ASH Stud, to giveaway to a flood affected person or family from South East Queensland.

The filly is by KYABRA SWIFT out of OKA CONJUR, and has generations of Open campdrafters on both sides of her pedigree. She has been broken-in by Mathew Holz, and is expected to mature around 15hh. She has a quiet nature, and should be suitable for a teenager or lady.

Written submissions outlining your situation and how this filly might help your recovery are to be mailed by Friday 15th April, 2011 to SQMC ASHS Inc., PMB 6, St George, Qld 4487 or emailed to jgrlyons@bigpond.com (Dob in a friend if you think they could do with some help.)

This offer is not restricted to current Members of the Australian Stock Horse Society, but the successful applicant will be expected to become a Member of the Society.

Also available (for flood affected ASHS members only): small and large hay bales, or financial assistance for fencing, etc. For further enquiries contact your Branch President or John Lyons Ph: 07 4625 7522 or email jgrlyons@bigpond.com

In a joint statement, representatives of four national horse organisations today welcomed news that agreement had been reached, that will enable them to formally sign the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) in early March.

The four bodies to sign the EADRA on behalf of the racing, performance and recreation sectors are:

• Australian Racing Board
• Harness Racing Australia
• Australian Horse Industry Council
• Equestrian Australia.

A meeting of all Australian governments and major livestock industries last week agreed that the horse industry should be admitted to the EADRA – providing greater certainty in rapidly mounting a response to a future exotic disease affecting horses.

Please click here to view the full media release.

Horsezone.com.au in conjunction with Equestrian Australia have gatherd over 100 stallion services to be auctioned online from Monday 14 to Friday 18 February. The proceeds will be used to help those horses and their owners affected by the recent floods throughout Australia.

While the equine fatality rate from the Queensland floods continue to rise, so too are the number of horses injured by debris and fencing from this catastrophic event.

To assist in the recovery of these injuries, Horse Deals is asking for donations of new First Aid items, to reduce the impact to the horse owners.

If you are interested in making a donation or for further information please click here to download the Horse Deals flyer.

Congratulations to the following Early Bird Special winners:

Mrs. Robyn Hoggins of COWWARR, VIC - $1,000 Fuel Voucher
Ms. Pam Lindsay of BOWRAL, NSW - $1,000 Fuel Voucher
Mrs. Meshelle Hall of SOUTH GRAFTON, NSW - Saddle Cloth
Mr. Leslie Godfrey of STRATHALBYN, SA - Saddle Cloth
Mrs. Vanessa Weightman of WITCHCLIFFE, WA - Saddle Cloth
Mr. Geoffrey Etherington of HIVESVILLE, QLD - Saddle Cloth
Mr. Anthony Fellows of GERALDTON, WA- Saddle Cloth
Miss. Stacey McIntosh of NICHOLLS, ACT - Saddle Cloth

The 2010 Dalby Sale was a very solid sale. The new agents, Grant Daniel and Long Pty Ltd, did a terrific job in conjunction with the Darling Downs Branch. A great result despite disruptions caused by the rain. The sale grossed $790,250 for an overall $8,064 average. The average selling prices were; mares - $9,491, colts -$15,500, geldings - $5,596.

To view the entire Dalby Sale results please click here.

At the recent Board of Directors meeting, the Board resolved to undertake a feasibility study on the possible relocation of Head Office from Scone NSW to Tamworth NSW. Tamworth Regional Council are currently developing an Equine Precinct in the AELEC area. Further investigation will be carried out to determine whether the relocation to that area will be beneficial for the Society. It is envisaged that the decision making process could take up to 12 months.

Australian Stock Horses won all four campdraft events at the recent Warwick Gold Cup, held 25th-31st October 2010.

Ben Hall of Julia Creek, Queensland, took out the Black Toyota Warwick Gold Cup on Ken Frost’s stallion CLARKES STUD PERFECT SON, while Ben’s wife Jaye took out the C G Welding Ladies Silver Cup on HAZELWOOD LEX. Jim Daley of Goomburra, Queensland, won the Frasers Livestock Transport Stallion Campdraft on his own WESTONS YAKKA, while the Supafloats Canning Downs Campdraft was won by John Hoath on DOCS LEGACY.
The Top 10 placings in each event were dominated by Australian Stock Horses. The Top 10 results are available for download below:

Black Toyota Warwick Gold Cup
C G Welding Ladies Silver Cup
Frasers Livestock Transport Stallion Campdraft
Supafloats Canning Downs Campdraft

Tasmania is a long way from Longreach, but a love of horses has bridged the geographic gap for 16-year-old Sara Boxhall.

The teenager set out from the northern end of Tasmania in the middle of this year for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, learning all about horses from award-winning and renowned teacher John Arnold from Australian Agricultural College Corporation.

Please click here to download the Australian Agricultural College Corporation media release.

Caption: Australian Agricultural College Corporation horse instructor John Arnold has a lifetime of experience with horses and 16-year-old student Sara Boxhall from Tasmania is benefiting from this through her Certificate III in Horse Breeding at AACC Longreach.

The Board of Directors have approved a Branch Coach accreditation program.  Branch Coaches will volunteer their time to oversee and assist Branches at Branch practice and training days. Branch Coaches are not entitled to receive any form of remuneration.
Interested Members must meet some pre-requisites and have the application endorsed by their Branch.

Please click here for an application form.
This accreditation course is FREE.
For further details contact Head Office.

At a recent teleconference Board of Directors meeting, the Board resolved to support the signing of EADRA and will work towards giving input into the conditions and the Levy structure. Animal Health Australia (AHA) have launched a new webpage with up to date information for horse owners on the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement. (EADRA).

The Board of Directors have resolved to support a levy mechanism on the sale of manufactured feed (hard feed) and  anthelmintics (worm treatments).  The Horse Industry has been given a strict timeline to have the matter resolved.   The General Manager and Chairman are available for Members and Branches for further information or discussion. Please do not hesitate to contact either Catherine Smith or John Green.

Please click here to check out the latest updates. Please click here to view the Signing the EADRA Newsletter.

On the 5th and 6th October 2010, Gloucester Branch of the Australian Stock Horse Society hosted the 2010 National Youth Show.

Please click here to download the Youth Show results.

HALLS RANSOM (ASH Reg. 165909), one of Australian Outback Spectacular’s top bred Australian Stock Horses, has taken out the prestigious Westpac Bank 'Star of the Year' award.

The Westpac Bank ‘Star of the Year’ trophy is an annual award that is awarded to an Australian Stock Horse that has been an outstanding ambassador for the Australian Stock Horse breed throughout the past year.

Please click here to download the media release

The Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) has just made available a press release regarding EI Vaccinations. If you wish to read the press release, please click here.

The Australian Stock Horse Society's Board of Directors have approved a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation Course. A course fee of $1,000 (+ GST) per participant will be payable upon acceptance into the program.

Please click here to download an application form.

Following the success of the 2009 “Pink” Ride, the Stockman’s Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the third annual “Pink” ride in the Outback in support of breast cancer research, to be held in Longreach, Saturday 26 June 2010.

Please click here to download the media release and here for the 2010 Advertisement.

Congratulations to Mrs Marjolijn Fitzgerald, of Walcha NSW 2354, the winner of The Australian Stock Horse Society and Smiff Industries Horse Float Raffle.

Please note that the 2010 ASHS National Championships will be held at the Australian Equine & Livestock Event Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth from 14th to 16th May 2010.

Click here to refer to the National Championships Page

The 2010 Fountain of Youth Sale will now be held at the Nationals at AELEC on Saturday, 15th May 2010.

The Commonwealth Bank Star of the Year Trophy is an Annual Award that recognises an Australian Stock Horse which is deemed to be a good Ambassador for the Society. THE BRAES DRUMMER is the recipient for 2008. Drummer has appeared often in large public entertainments in the last seven years and his versatility certainly fits the saying "the Breed for Every Need".

The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy is awarded annually in recognition of an Australian Stock Horse that has achieved a number of prestigious performance awards in three event categories in a calendar year. RINGWOULD JAGUAR is the recipient for 2008. Jaguar has excelled at a National and International level in his chosen field. His courage and grace wowed audiences at the 2008 Olympic Games and he is a deserving winner of this award.

(Right Hand Photo by Julie Wilson)

Take note that strangles is in NSW. All states need to be on the alert. NSW DPI has advised of a number of recent outbreaks of strangles on horse properties. Advice from NSW is as follows:

Strangles – take care when introducing new horses to your property. In the last few weeks there have been several cases of strangles on horse properties in NSW have occurred after a new horse arrived on the property.

A horse can appear normal, but be incubating the disease or be a source of infection. Horses can incubate strangles infection for 3 to 8 days before appearing sick. A horse that has had strangles can remain infectious for at least 4 weeks after they recover; some may remain infectious for up to 8 months. For this reason it is important to keep new horses isolated from other horses on your property for at least 2 weeks and check them daily for signs of ill-health. It is a good idea to ask the person who last cared for the horse whether the horse has been sick in the last few months, or if it has been in contact with sick horses, and get as many details as you can.

If your horse develops a fever, snotty nose or swellings under the jaw consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Remember, strangles is a notifiable disease in NSW. Further information on strangles, how to prevent it, and how to report it is available at:  http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horses/health/general/strangles

Strangles is only one of the notifiable diseases of horses inAustralia. Horse owners should be aware of those diseases - more information can be found on the websites of the different State Departments.

The current outbreak of Hendra virus (HeV) on a horse property in QLD emphasises again the critical importance of observation and reporting of clinical disease in horses. Recently, outbreaks of strangles on a number of properties in NSW provide additional proof of the need for all horse owners to institute biosecurity measures on their properties. This includes isolation of all new arrivals for a suitable period to prevent introduction of any disease onto the property.

The AGM went well with over 60 Members attending - please view the photos below. The minutes of the meeting have been compiled into a pdf file for viewing and are available for download by clicking on the following link:

Please click here to download the 2009 ASHS AGM Minutes

Captions (L to R):
1. Vicki Mascord, Honorary Member Reva Flint, Jacqueline Mascord and Jean Gavin
2. Malcolm Field and Jenny Petrich
3. Presentation of the Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy to Augusta Saunders, owner of RINGWOULD JAGUAR. Presented by Sally Scott
4. Presentation of the Commonwealth Bank Star of the Year award to Steve Jefferys and Sandy Langsford, owners of THE BRAES DRUMMER. Presented by Malcolm Field.
5. Honorary Member Reva Flint with David Wilson
6. Cecilia Gavin, General Manager Catherine Smith and Maree Sankey
7. Jean Gavin and John Lyons

The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia has accepted the position of Honorary Patron of The Australian Stock Horse Society.

Australia won the Olympic silver medal in the team eventing Tuesday night, after being narrowly pipped for gold by Germany.

Sonja Johnson, riding Australian Stock Horse RINGWOULD JAGUAR, recorded a score of 58.80 in the team showjumping.

"I know I don't always ride the prettiest round in the world but the prettiest thing we were after is that zero (penalties) on the board," she said. "So therefore I think it's probably been one of the prettiest rounds of the night."

The raffle was drawn over the weekend of the 2009 National Championships. The lucky winner of the brown gelding, STOCKHAVEN LUCKY STAR, was Mr Jason Fry from Bunyip North in Victoria. Congratulations! It was lucky for Jamie that a friend of his was competing at the Nationals and was able to take Luck Star to his new home.

Thank you to all who bought tickets for the raffle and most especially to Peter and Kerrie Allan for donating Lucky Star. Thanks must also go to all who helped make it happen. The money raised will go to those in need after the devastating Victorian Bushfires.

Congratulations to Mr Ashley Jennings from Queensland whose name was drawn as the winner of the ASHS/Smiff Industries Horse Float Raffle.

Congratulations to the following Members:

$2,000 Travel Voucher Winner:
Allison Blackshaw, Victoria

ASHS Saddle Cloth Winners:
Rodney Kings, Queensland
Dennis Neal, Victoria
Le-Roy Trengove, New South Wales
Kelly Butterworth, South Australia
John McFadden, New South Wales
Raymond Schmidt, Queensland