January is all about the Australasian Arabian Breeders Coalition’s International Championships, the biggest Arabian horse show to be held in Australasia. Held at the end of the month at the stunning Willinga Park, this year’s International Championships look set to be the best yet.
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The Australasian Arabian Breeders Coalition (AABC) was founded in 2022 with the aim of promoting the breeding of purebred Arabian horses throughout Australasia. Since then, the AABC has continued to not only grow, but to shine, leading the way with its educational programme and fundraising activities. The focus now, however, is very much on the International Championships, held this year from 29 January to 1 February, making it a four-day show for the first time.
This will be the second year that the Championships are affiliated to ECAHO as an International C Show, the only show in this part of the world to be recognised by this association and underlining the Coalition’s commitment to celebrating the Arabian breed in this part of the world. Not only that, but immediately after the show, there will be an ECAHO Level I Judges’ Assessment. Held at Mulawa Arabian Stud on 4-6 February, the assessment offers Australasian National Level judges a chance to advance to the ECAHO judging list.
The International Championships will be running the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Australasian Championships for the third time, the first show in the world to do so. Championships organiser Scott Benjamin says: “The Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup is an innovative, truly global recognition programme designed to both promote small breeders worldwide and to reward owners and breeders on every continent with significant prize money totalling millions of euros annually. The Committee is most grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage of the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup initiative and his generous support of prize money for small Arabian horse breeders all around the world.”
For the first time, the Championships will be livestreamed through Arabian Essence WebTV, something that the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup has made possible and for which the committee is extremely grateful.
The International Championships are held at the stunning Willinga Park, located just metres from the South Pacific Ocean in New South Wales, which is home once more for the event. With world-class amenities for all, Willinga Park offers the perfect backdrop for the show and social events alike.
With a full range of halter and ridden classes across purebreds and derivatives to judge across the four days, the 2026 panel will no doubt see some of the very best Arabian horses from Australasia. This year, that panel consists of Deirdre Hyde and Emma Maxwell, both from the United Kingdom; George Zbyszewski and Joseph Polo, both from the United States; Anna Stojanowska from Poland; and Robyn Parker and Sheila Jones, both from Victoria, Australia.
Alongside the show, there are a number of social events to bring the community together, beginning with the popular welcome BBQ on the first night. This year also sees a progressive barn party take place, plus youth activities to help visiting families fall in love with the Arabian horse. After the last horse has been garlanded on the Sunday, a pizza party is organised for all exhibitors, breeders and owners, sending everyone home more connected, energised and inspired for next year’s event.
However, the indisputable highlight of the Championships is the AABC Legacy Awards Gala Dinner, held on the Saturday evening. Since its inauguration, the AABC has inducted eleven iconic breeding programmes and their breeders into the Australasian Arabian Breeders Hall of Fame: Ron and Val Males of Ralvon Stud; Peter and Vivienne Hall of Fairview Arabian Stud; the Toft Family of Bremervale Arabians; Sue Spratt and Bev Jones of Gerzanne Arabian Stud; Pam and Rob Morris of Avondale Arabians; the Sharman Family of Jangharm Arabians; Alan and Cheryl Skinner of El Kheir Arabians; the Farrell Family of Mulawa Arabian Stud; the Wall Family of Noran Arabian Stud; and Jim and Mary Triggs of Aloha Arabian Stud. Joining this illustrious group of world-class breeders in 2026 are the Walker Family of Bluegrass Arabians, and the Maclean and Johnson families of the seminal Fenwick Stud, that latter of which has been breeding Arabian horses for just over 100 years. Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Marion Richmond of Simeon Stud will also be celebrated for her achieving the 70 year milestone in 2026.
In addition, the Coalition recognises individuals who have made invaluable contributions to the Arabian horse outside the pursuit of breeding with the Arabian Ambassador Award. This year, accomplished journalist, editor, photographer and tireless breed promoter Sharon Meyers will join Kay Edward (2025), Leonie Williamson (2024) and Helen Dohan (2023) as the recipient of this very special award.
At the AABC Legacy Awards Gala Dinner, all honourees are celebrated with tribute videos documenting their invaluable and enduring contribution to the breed, all of which are available online to watch. “The Legacy Awards are a true highlight of the year, and a chance for us to honour those who have contributed so much to our Arabian community, not only in Australasia, but all around the world,” adds Scott.
“The AABC has achieved so much since its founding in 2022 – none of which would be possible without the vision, dedication, support and hard work of our founding members, all of whom continue to fuel and inspire Arabian horse breeding and equine activities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
“With so much to look forward to in the months and years ahead, including the return of the Arabian Breeders Celebration later this year, the Australasian Arabian Breeders Coalition remains committed to providing leadership, mentorship and abundant opportunity for its members, breeders, and owners, and to celebrating the Arabian excellence wherever it may be found in the world.”
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