AHSA Board Member Profile CHAIRMAN – Mr. Allan Preston NSW

AHSA Board Member Profile CHAIRMAN – Mr. Allan Preston NSW, Phone: 02 4773 2054 Email: [email protected] Allan has been involved with the Arabian Horse for over thirty years, In this time he have met countless wonderful people that share his passion and love for this noble breed. He has long admired the determination, focus, persistence, dedication and sacrifice that many of our breeders and members undertake on their personal quest with the Arabian Horse. "Some members involvement with the Arabian Horse Society of Australia is minimal but as members we are extremely fortunate that the forbearers of our Society developed a solid foundation and structure for the Australian Arabian Horse Registry. "The Board of directors has faced many challenges over the years and yet has managed to develop the Society as one of the strongest and most admired horse registries in Australia, making me a very proud member. I am honoured to be part of the directors of this society and I endeavour to serve the members in a constructive and progressive manner. I regularly travel abroad, giving me a great opportunity to observe other Arabian registries and monitor the progress of the Arabian Horse globally." AHSA Board Member Profile SENIOR VICE CHAIRMAN – Ms Karen Fletcher-­‐Grieve Western Australia, Phone: 0435 340 137 Email: [email protected] I have been involved with The Arabian Horse for over 30 years. I have trained and shown many Purebreds and Derivatives for myself and other people in top level saddle competition and dressage, and still compete actively in these fields. Having spent 25 years as a primary school teacher and riding instructor, I am committed to the encouragement of Youth into the horse world, and in particular the Arabian world. I am interested in doing whatever I can to encourage Arabian ownership in all areas of equestrian endeavour, showing and otherwise. AHSA Board Member Profile VICE CHAIRMAN – Ms Gudrun Marini VIC, Phone: 0408 448 477 Email: [email protected] Gudrun is a very experienced committee person and administrator on the Arabian scene. She is also a long-­‐time breeder of Purebred Arabians and has worked with the famous Arabians of Fenwick Stud in her early years. As a committee member and Chairman of the Victorian Arabian Horse Association, she had the responsibility of organizing the Victorian Classic at a time when it was one of the biggest shows in the country with over 1000 competitors. Gudrun is a National Panel judge with the current responsibility of Chairman of the JEC. As such she organizes seminars and young judge mentoring, co-­‐ordinates interstate examinations, and edits the quarterly Newsletter. She is also the Show Director of the Australian Arabian Championships with responsibility for the over-­‐all function of the Show. AHSA Board Member Profile TREASURER – Ms Leonie Williamson Queensland Phone:07-­‐5446 8953 Email: [email protected] Leonie’s involvement in the Arabian breed has been over 40 years of breeding, showing and training, and in the later years she was a committee member of the AHAQ and was president for 10 years. Leonie stepped down from this position as she felt it was time that new blood stepped in, however, she still assists in whatever capacity she can. Leonie instigated the forming of the Allied Arabian Group which was to bring together all the Affiliates in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW. The aim was to try and work together for common goals such as the promotion of the Arabian and assist each other at shows. Leonie is a National Panel Judge and loves to judge both Halter and Performance. In 2007 she was the very proud recipient of the Arabian Horse Society of Australia Distinguished Service Award. Leonie is committed to listening to members concerns, constructive ideas and communicating with members. She is open to discussion and would like to instigate more contact with members through workshops and meetings. Leonie is passionate about the Arabian horse and it’s sustainability in Australia and feels the success of the Arabian, is to be able to enjoy them in whatever way you choose AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Mrs. Jill Bromley Victoria, 0417 241 637 Email: [email protected] My involvement with the Arabian spans 30-­‐plus years. I have been involved in many facets of the industry, including breeding for most of this time in a small but dedicated stud. I have shown occasionally in Victoria and interstate. My most successful home-­‐bred Arabian has been OAKHILL REBA, the 1999 Australian Champion Filly, and 2003 Australian Reserve Champion Mare. I have given many years of active service in staging Shows, working at Equitana, running Promotional tents for Arabian Racing, working with Affiliates -­‐ anywhere I could help promote the Arabian horse. I have been a Board member for the past eleven years. This year I am Chairperson for the Australian Championships Committee and involved in the Promotions Committee. AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Ms.Marjory Stuart-­‐Smith NSW, Phone: [02] 6355 6268 Email: [email protected] I am third generation in our family stud, Springmead Stud Farm where I am a Director and Manager. I am also managing Director of Edinburgh Horse Rugs, Owner Manager of Horse & Chicken Saddlery and Secretary of Springmead Riding & Social club. I hold an Assoc Diploma in Horse Husbandry and Management (Roseworthy Ag College). I have competed at dressage, endurance, official harness groom, led and ridden bred events with several different breeds. Through Edinburgh Horse Rugs I am exposed to many different breeds and disciplines allowing me to stay current with the horse industry as a whole and to bring new and different ideas to the table. I am passionate about not only Derivative Arabians but Purebreds as without good purebreds we have no derivatives. I want to work towards seeing our society become an industry leader that other societies look to for inspiration. I am particularly interested in promoting not only the Arabian horse and its derivatives but the society as a whole and am currently chairman of the Promotions sub committee. AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Mr John Newton SA, Phone: [08]-­‐8520 2453 Mob 0427 153 570 Email: [email protected] John Newton – Ah’Kem Arabians, TWO WELLS – I have been involved with horses since the age of four, and have been an Arabian horse breeder for 41 years We first bred part breds and then progressed to Purebreds, Anglos and Arabian Warmbloods. With my wife Diana we have successfully bred and shown purebreds for a number of years.. I am a retired Police Officer of nearly 43 years of service. 23 years in the Mounted Cadre. In the last ten years in the Mounted I was the Officer in Charge. I am a great believer in the Pony club movement as in not only develops members ability as future horsemen and women but assist in producing good citizens of tomorrow. I have been involved in the Lutheran Church, Rotary International (thirteen years), Horse SA (Board Member for 5 years), Two Wells Animal Husbandry Sub-­‐committee and SA ARABS Inc. I am still involved with the Lutheran Church and SA ARABS Inc. (V/Chairman). I have had five stints on the Arabian Committee since the early 1970’s. I am currently on the Board of Horse SA and the AHSA and President of The Adelaide Plains Equestrian Club. I believe that for the Arabian breed to flourish, more has to be done for the juniors, not only by the AHSA but by all of the Affiliates so as to increase the number of young people competing on Arabians and their derivatives. Young people are the future of the breed and must be promoted and assisted as much a possible.. There also needs to be a system developed to encourage the breeding of the Purebred Arabian with an emphasis on good feet, legs and gait, in an effort to continue the reputation of the Australian Arabian, and reverse the reducing number of purebreds being bred and registered. I am a Level 1 judge and in 2009 was honoured with a Distinguished Service Award. AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Ms Selina Ahel TAS, Phone: 03 6253 6080 Email: [email protected] Selina has been involved in the Arabian horse industry for over 30 years. Originally Oyster Bay Arabians, since her divorce she has established Baring Court Arabians. This small stud alternates between breeding purebreds and derivatives. Selina believes this gives her an overall appreciation for the Arabian horse industry. She has a good understanding of the involvement and commitment required to be a board member. Selina has been on the Board for 6 years in the past and has been re elected since 2009. Selina is currently on the sub committees for JEC, Championships and Memberships. Selina has attended numerous horse shows, seminars and visits many horse studs around Australia. She also stewards regularly at the Australian Arabian Championships. Selina was a co delegate at the WAHO conference in Abu Dhabi. and in 2008 attended The Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas. Selina is a National Panel Judge and enjoys all aspects of judging and showing and would like to encourage people to become more involved in this area. She also has some experience with endurance and has been lucky enough to have gained a Tom Quilty Buckle. Her sound knowledge of the Arabian horse and her enthusiasm for the breed make her an excellent ambassador. Her honesty and integrity, combined with her eagerness to communicate and her constant desire to gain more information and knowledge, support her commitment to the promotion and continuing success of the Arabian Horse Society. AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Ms Virginia Dodson NSW, Phone: 0438 621 475 Email:[email protected] I am a professional gardener of many years and have been an endurance rider since 1985. Like most of us I started with derivatives in the form of my first horse, an Arabian pony, who was a wonderful endurance competitor over many years. I then graduated to breeding purebreds and Jupiter Speed and Distance Arabians emerged , albeit on a small scale. My interest and commitment to Arabian Racing has spanned the last 20 years and I finally feel that it's future is assured, however there is much work still to be done. Endurance is still my passion and I am proud to have two Quilty and several State Championship and Shahzada buckles to my name. I am currently a Director on the board of the National Arabian Racehorse Association (NARA) and have previously served on the AHSA board. I believe that racing and endurance, while not for everyone, are important testing grounds for soundness and stamina in our breeding stock. Besides, it's fun! I strive to breed an animal that is attractive, functional and 'user friendly', sound in both body and mind. My ambition is to infect children with 'Arabitis', see them progress through Pony Club, stay with Arabians as adults and in turn provide their own children with the best friend they will ever have-­‐ an Arabian horse. AHSA Board Member Profile DIRECTOR – Ms Tracey Keller Queensland, Phone: 07-­‐5427 9353 Email: [email protected] Tracey Keller is the youngest person ever to be elected to the AHSA board of directors. Currently she sits on the sub-­‐committees for Junior Development, Promotion and Australian Championships. Tracey has been involved with the Arabian horse her entire life, thanks to her mother Wendy’s Eskdale Arabian farm which was established in 1979. Tracey is actively involved in breeding, training, riding, showing and the day to day operations of the farm. She is a keen supporter of youth and is actively involved in educating young people about horses and promoting equestrian as a sport in her local community. Tracey has been the secretary of the Downs Arabian Club Inc. since 2010 and is still involved with the club today. She enjoys the shows and events that are apart of the Arabian horse industry and hopes to see events of all manner continue to grow and be successful. Tracey believes that as the horse industry evolves the Arabian breed needs to be further promoted to the wider equestrian community as the beautiful, versatile athlete that it is. She also feels it is important to promote the breed to young people as the ‘horse of choice.’