STATEMENT FROM THE DIRECTORS REGARDING EQUITANA 2016
An e- blast (see below) was sent out by the AHBAA on July 28th stating that the 2016 Australasian Breeders Cup Show had been cancelled for 2016 because the Equitana dates clashed with one of Australia's largest Arabian shows - the National Stud Show. The Directors of the Alliance decided that it was in the best interests of all concerned, and the promotion of the Arabian horse to take this action. We knew that cancelling this show for 2016 would be disappointing to many Arabian horse breeders. Simply put = running these two shows against each other would certainly not have been good breed promotion .
The e- blast mentioned above, detailing why we had cancelled the 2016 Breeders Cup Show was sent to the A.H.S.A. Secretary Helen Dohan and to the Chairperson Leonie Williamson, plus most A.H.S.A Board members. Also some of the A.H.S.A. Board members were advised of our decision personally. Even if Leonie Williamson did not read this e- blast, I am sure the cancellation of this show would have been discussed at an A.H.S.A. meeting - so to say publicly that the A.H.S.A were not advised is not true.
A position at the 2016 Equitana Breeders Village was booked and Victorian and South Australian Arabian Horse studs owned by Vanessa Crosland, Belinda O'Connor and Sioux Reed had horses ready to be presented there, showcasing the versatility of the Arabian horse. Unfortunately, at the last minute the Alliance was advised that there was an error in the planning and we had not been allocated a position in the breed village, and also that at that late date, a suitable new position for the Arabian horse at Equitana was not available.
The AHBAA express their appreciation to the above breeders who prepared their horses for the planned presentation. The AHSA had no reason to think that the Arabian horse was not going to be promoted at Equitana and the Society's members have no reason at all to find fault with the A.H.S.A. in regard to Equitana. Asking for help from the Society was never an issue given the circumstances.
The Alliance is committed to supporting Equitana and our 2018 show is booked in already and confirmed by Equitana. The dates are 15th - 18th November 2018 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The 2017 Australasian Breeders Cup Show will be held at "EQUIFEST" . Sydney on the 29th and 30th March 2017 and 1st and 2nd April 2017 . Please everyone mark this date on your calendar.
Equitana is only held every two years now and it is permanently based in Melbourne. So the Breeders Cup will alternate between Sydney in 2017 (with EQUIFEST) and Melbourne with Equitana (15th - 18th November 2018).
The AHBAA and the NSW Arabian Horse Association (President Greg Liddle) have liaised so that the dates of our two shows will not clash in the future.
The above sets the misconceptions , false statements and innuendos straight. The AHBAA supports the Arabian Horse Society of Australia and also Equitana .
It is time the tables turned and some appreciation was expressed - dump the negative attitude - being POSITIVE is powerful .
QUOTE "Appreciation is a free gift that you can give to anyone you meet - it is completely your choice. And each time you choose to thank someone for a job well done , you are making the world a better place"
