WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN RIDDEN CHAMPIONSHIP (ARC)

ARC is a National ridden competition for registered Welsh Ponies & Cobs and Part Welsh, consisting of Ridden Welsh, Part Welsh, Lead Rein, First Ridden, Show Hunters and Show Ponies and Horses. ARC is run under the rules and regulations of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Australia Inc. (WP&CS).

Qualifying events are held during the competition season with a National Final being held in March each year.

The two highest placed exhibits in each qualifying class will qualify for the National Final.

Welsh Classes

Class 1 Ridden Mare, Gelding, Stallion of Section A Breeding

Class 2 Ridden Mare, Gelding, Stallion of Section B Breeding

Class 3 Ridden Mare, Gelding, Stallion of Section C Breeding

Class 4 Ridden Mare, Gelding, Stallion of Section D Breeding

Champion Ridden Welsh (1st and 2nd Classes 1 – 4 eligible)

Runner Up Ridden Welsh

Ridden Show Hunter Classes

Class 13 Mare or Gelding 12hh & under

Class 14 Mare or Gelding over 12hh ne 13hh

Class 15 Mare or Gelding over 13hh ne 14hh

Class 16 Mare or Gelding over 14hh

Class 17 Stallion

Champion Ridden Show Hunter & Runner Up Ridden Show Hunter (1st and 2nd in each class eligible)

Part Welsh Classes

Class 5 Ridden PW ne 12.2hh Mare, Gelding, Stallion

Class 6 Ridden PW over 12.2hh & ne 13.2hh Mare, Gelding, Stallion

Class 7 Ridden PW over 13.2hh & ne 14.2hh Mare, Gelding, Stallion

Class 8 Ridden PW over 14.2hh Mare, Gelding, Stallion

Champion Ridden Part Welsh (1st and 2nd Classes 5 – 8 eligible)

Runner Up Ridden Part Welsh

Ridden Show Pony and Horse Classes

Class 18 Mare or Gelding 12hh & under

Class 19 Mare or Gelding 12hh & ne 13hh

Class 20 Mare or Gelding 13hh & ne 14hh

Class 21 Mare or Gelding over 14hh

Class 22 Stallion

Champion Ridden Show Pony and Horse & Runner Up Ridden Show Pony and Horse (1st and 2nd in each class eligible)

Mini Championship Classes

Class 9 Welsh Leading Rein Pony 12hh & under, Rider 3 yrs and under 8 yrs

Class 10 Open Leading Rein Pony 12hh & under, Rider 3 yrs and under 8 yrs

Class 11 Welsh First Ridden Child’s Pony 12.2hh & under, Rider 5 yrs and under 12 yrs

Class 12 Open First Ridden Child’s Pony 12.2hh & under, Rider 5 yrs and under 12 yrs

Mini Champion (1st & 2nd from Classes 9 – 12 eligible)

Runner Up Mini Champion

ENTERING AN ARC QUALIFYING EVENT

The 2026 ARC Final qualifying period is from March 1 2025 to February 28 2026.

To be eligible to enter a qualifying class:

The owner of the exhibit must be a current financial member of the WP&CS.
The exhibit must be registered in the name of the owner.
The owner must agree to abide by the WP&CS Show Regulations as of August 2nd 2025.
**AGE OF EXHIBITS** Exhibits competing in ARC (Australian Welsh & Part Welsh Ridden Championship) Finals must be 4 years old or over.
Exhibits can be 3 years old at the time of qualification but must be 4 years old to compete in the Final.
HEIGHT OF EXHIBITS ** Exhibits must be shown in the section of the WPCSA studbook in which they are registered and must comply with the relevant height restrictions (Sections A B C D – excludes Section E geldings). Over height animals, excluding Section E, are not eligible for exhibition at events run under WPCSA regulations.
**MEASURING: All exhibits may be subject to measuring. An official measurer may be in attendance. Current EA or SHC height certificates or State Royal Show height stamped numbers are acceptable. All exhibits competing at the ARC Final including the Mini-Championship and Show Hunter Finals must provide a *current height certificate as per the above at the time of entry into the final. (*Current being no more than 12 months old, or a Life Certificate, except where an exhibit is under 5 years of age in which case the official certificate must be no more than 6 months old.) In the event of a dispute regarding an animal’s height, the WPCSA reserves the right to measure any horse including those holding a current height certificate.
The rider/handler does not need to be a member of the WP&CS but must sign a waiver for the WP&CS. A waiver is not required if the rider/handler is listed on the membership card of the owner.
Producers are not required to be financial members of the WP&CS unless they are the owner.