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Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd. - Board of Directors Profiles
CHAIRMAN –
Mr. Allan Preston, New South Wales, 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."
SENIOR VICE CHAIRMAN –
Mr John Newton, South Australia 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.
Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd. - Board of Directors Profiles
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.
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.
Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd. - Board of Directors Profiles
DIRECTOR –
Mr Clint Bilson, Victoria Phone: 03-9702 6814 Email: [email protected]
My interests are varied and I believe I have many great ideas to offer. I work as a full time equine trainer where I train and
show many breeds of horses for varying disciplines. My passion for horses has been with me for a lifetime, my love for
Arabians has been with me since my introduction over 20 years ago. I have successfully competed at all levels of shows
with both Purebred and Derivative horses in Saddle, Halter and Performance. I have been privileged to share these honours
with some incredible Arabians and I enjoy the social side of it all.
I am a National Panel Judge and a Show Horse Council Royal Level Judge. Being a competitor and judge puts me in a position
whereby I have the same experiences as many of the members.
I have been heavily involved in the Victorian Arabian Horse Association for over ten years. Over five years were spent as a
committee member, and more recently as Vice Chairman and Chairman. I enjoy being able to work with likeminded people
to put on some great events for members and other enthusiasts ranging from shows and dressage days, training days,
clinics to social nights that anyone can attend.
Within the open horse world I was heavily involved in founding the Show Horse Council in Victoria. I often instruct at the
Victorian Arabian Youth Group weekends. It gives me a lot of pleasure encouraging the children and helping them to further their skills. I firmly believe that
our youth are the future of our breed. It is imperative that we nurture their enthusiasm & provide assistance to educate them.
I think the Arabian breed needs more exposure to a greater audience. In Victoria we have successfully poached many “open” competitors to Arabian shows
and now they are bringing their friends as competitors. We still need to improve promotion of the unique versatility the Arabian breed provides to a vast
range of equestrian disciplines through our registries. No other breed is able to cater as broadly and I have for many years promoted the Arabian in open
company. I will always be available and approachable to members. I am a strong minded person who will present member’s concerns to the Board. I will
work with others to resolve problems no matter how small an issue and am always receptive to both sides of an argument.
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 subcommittees for Junior Development and Website. 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.’
Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd. - Board of Directors Profiles
DIRECTOR –
Ms Marjory Stuart-Smith, New South Wales 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.
DIRECTOR –
Ms Gudrun Marini, Victoria, 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 State Representative of
the JEC. As such she organizes seminars and young judge mentoring, co-ordinates interstate examinations
and assists all other Judges. Gudrun has also been the Show Director of the Australian Arabian Championships
with responsibility for the over-all function of the Show.
Arabian Horse Society of Australia Ltd. - Board of Directors Profiles
DIRECTOR –
Mrs Yvonne Downes, Tasmania, Phone: 03 6429 1353 Email: [email protected]
Yvonne Downes has bred Purebred Arabians, Anglo and Arabian Warmbloods at Ennovyar Arabians for 40
years, now at Gunns Plains, Tasmania. Previously living in NSW founded South Coast Arabian Riders and
Breeders Society (SCARABS), organizing two A Class Shows for over 25 years. In Tasmania Yvonne belongs to
both Affiliates, was Secretary of Tas ARABS and currently President of TCAG. Also Secretary of the committee
that runs Burnie Show. She competes in Arabian Shows (including the Australian Championships) in halter,
dressage and saddle, and in open events in dressage and eventing.
Some highlights of Yvonne’s resume include National Panel Arabian judge, competed horses to Australian
Championships level, Equestrian Australia Dressage/Showhorse judge, PCAT Jumping Equitation and Dressage
judge, PCAT Level 2 coach, past teacher of Equine Studies (TAFE), Pony Club and Adult Riding instructor.
Yvonne would like to see more promotion of the Arabian in the wider horse community, Arabian sections in
more Ag Shows, training days for judges/exhibitors/riders in Tasmania, rewards/incentives to endurance
breeders to register, support for small breeders, transparency in all Board decisions.
DIRECTOR –
Ms Virginia Dodson New South Wales, 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.