ARC is a National ridden competition for registered Welsh Ponies & Cobs and Part Welsh, consisting of Ridden Welsh, Part Welsh, Lead Rein, First Ridden and Show Hunters. ARC is run under the rules and regulations of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Australia Inc. (WP&CS).
It comprises three elements:
- Element 1: a ridden component with all exhibits working on the circle together under both judges,
- Element 2: a ridden component with all exhibits doing an individual workout under Judge 1 (Saddle),
- Element 3: a led component with the exhibit stripped and judged for conformation and type by Judge 2 (Conformation/Type Judge).
Each competitor is scored out of a maximum of 100 points. Marks are 50 for Manners and Way of Going (ridden) and 50 for Conformation and Type (Conformation only in Part Welsh classes). Up to 5 marks may be deducted for Welsh exhibits not shown in a ‘natural state’. From the marks awarded in the classes, first and second in each class go forward for Champion and Reserve Champion. The championship is judged as a new class by both judges.
Qualifying events are held during the competition season with a National final being held on 14th March 2025 at SIEC, NSW.
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
Australian Ridden Welsh Champion & Australian Ridden Welsh Reserve Champion (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
Australian Ridden Part Welsh Champion & Australian Ridden Part Welsh Reserve Champion (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
Australian Ridden Mini Champion & Australian Ridden Mini Reserve Champion (1st and 2nd in each class eligible)
Compulsory workouts will be used for all qualifying events and the National Final. Welsh Ponies & Cobs should be shown in a ‘natural state’.
Rosettes are awarded for 1st to 6th in each qualifying class.
First and second in each qualifying class are eligible in compete in the National final. The National final is the same format as the qualifying events.
HOW DOES AN ARC QUALIFYING CLASS RUN
All exhibits enter the ring and work on the circle under two judges. Exhibits work at a walk, trot and canter on both reins. If more than 12 exhibits in a class then heats need to be held. Once the two judges have inspected all exhibits on the circle, the steward will invite exhibitors to line up at the rear of the ring in random order, or number order for events with numbers allocated to exhibits.
Exhibitors must not leave the ring. They must always stay in the original order and wait to be called forward by the steward for their individual show under the Saddle Judge only. Exhibitors will present to the judge and perform the specified workout which includes a hand-gallop.
The Conformation/Type Judge will stay in the ring but moves to the side of the ring. He/she will judge the exhibits immediately after they have done their individual show under the Saddle Judge.
Once the individual show is complete and the exhibitor is back in the line up, their strapper will enter the ring to assist with unsaddling. All exhibitors MUST have a strapper. Strappers should be smartly dressed.
Once the exhibit is unsaddled, the exhibitor goes immediately to the Conformation/Type Judge for the in-hand workout. The in-hand workout will require exhibits to be stood in front of the judge to be inspected, and then walk away from the judge, turn and trot straight back towards the judge.
After the in-hand element is completed, the exhibit will be re-saddled and return to the line up in their original random order.
Exhibits are not permitted to leave the ring and must always remain in line and in order especially when returning from completing the in-hand element of the competition.
The scores are then tallied and placing rosettes awarded for first to sixth. First and second in each class are eligible to compete for Champion and Reserve Champion, which is judged on the circle. Both first and second enter the ring together for judging of Champion and Reserve Champion.
Exhibitors must be aware that parts of this event are conducted on the circle. Should an exhibitor be competing on more than one exhibit, they will need to arrange additional riders or chose which exhibited to ride in the Championship.
First and second in each qualifying class qualify for the National Final to be held on 14th March 2025.
JUDGES, WORKOUTS & SCORING
Qualifying events and the National Final are judged by two judges – one for ridden and the second for conformation and type. A WP&CS Panel Judge is not required for the ridden component, but he/she must be approved by the WP&CS Committee of Management. The Conformation/Type Judge must be a WP&CS Panel Judge or approved judge.
Compulsory workouts are used for all qualifying events and the National Final.
Each exhibit is scored to a maximum of 100 points with marks awarded in the classes only and not the championship which is judged on the circle. Marks will be 50 for Manners and Way of Going (ridden) and 50 for Conformation and Type (Conformation only in Part Welsh classes). Up to 5 marks may be deducted for Welsh exhibits not shown in a ‘natural state’.
In the event of a tie, the exhibit with the highest Manners and Way of Going (ridden) score will be the winner. If there is still a tie, the winner will be decided by discussion between the two judges. The Judge’s decision is final.
First and second in each qualifying class will come forward for the Championship and Reserve Championship which is judged as a new class and only on the circle by both Judges. The Champion and Reserve Champion will be decided by a discussion between the two judges.
If the Judges can not agree, then they should refer to the scores from the classes with the highest score for Manners and Way of Going to determine the winner, and then the Type/Conformation score. If a winner still can’t be determined, a third adjudicator Judge decides the winners.
The two highest placed exhibits in each qualifying class will qualify for the National Final.
In the event that the two highest placed exhibits have already qualified, qualification will be given to the third placed exhibit in the class. An exhibit may only qualify once but can continue to compete in subsequent qualifiers after they have gained their qualification.
ENTERING AN ARC QUALIFYING EVENT
The 2024 ARC Final qualifying period is from March 1 2024 to February 28 2025.
All qualifying events are listed below and can be found on the Australian Welsh & Part Welsh Ridden Championships Facebook page
Entry to all qualifying classes, including classes held at State All Welsh Shows will be via the ARC ENTRY website and will be pre entry only. ENTER AN ARC QUALIFIER (For issues with online entry please contact Peter Hodgson on 0429 989 608).
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 1st 2024_2. AGE OF EXHIBITS** Exhibits competing in ARC (Australian Welsh & Part Welsh Ridden Championship) Qualifiers and Finals must be 4 years old or over. 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.
Qualification to compete in the ARC Mini Championship is by placing first or second in a Mini Championship qualifying class at an event holding ARC & Mini Championship qualifiers.
For further information download the 2024 – 2025 AUSTRALIAN RIDDEN CHAMPIONSHIP booklet!
2024 – 2025 QUALIFIERS
2024 ARC Final qualifying period is from March 1 2024 to February 28 2025
VICTORIA
- Euroa Agricultural Show (29th October 2023)
- Victorian Pony Pageant (18th – 19th November 2023)
- Whittlesea Horse Show (4th – 5th November 2023)
- Victorian All Welsh (29th November to 1st December 2024)
- Gippsland and Peninsula Youngstock and Performance Show (21st January 2024)
- Barastoc EA Horse of the Year (9th – 11th February 2024)
Contact: Janet Evans evansrp@bigpond.com
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
- SA Performance Day (22nd August 2024)
- SA All Welsh (2nd – 3rd November 2024)
- APSB Championship Show (18th February 2024)
- RPSB All Breed Show 19th Jan 2025
Contact: Kathryn Mitchell dalbrae@bigpond.com
TASMANIA
- Tasmanian All Welsh Show 2023 (9 – 10 December 2023)
- SHC HOTY, Longford Indoor, Longford (4 – 5 November 2023)
Contact: Simonn Mansley: simonn.mansley@gmail.com
NEW SOUTH WALES
- NSW All Welsh Show (March 2023)
- Bathurst Royal (14th April 2023)
- NSW Youngstock Show (July 2023)
- Corowa Agricultural Show (8th October 2023)
- Cootamundra Agricultural Show (21st October 2023)
- Northern NSW Welsh Show (11th – 12th November 2023)
- Western NSW RPG Christmas Show (10th December 2023)
- Southern Pony Classic (TBC 2023)
- Gundagai Agricultural Show (18th February 2024)
- Battle Of The Borders (17th February 2024)
Contact: Fiona Forge forges@bigpond.com or Jenni Cesnik cesnikfamily@bigpond.com
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- WA Welsh & Part Welsh Performance Show (11th August 2024)
- WA All Welsh (16th-17th November 2024)
Contact: Kym Shingleton: kymshingleton@outlook.com
QUEENSLAND
- Queensland All Welsh (17th March 2023)
- Toowoomba Royal (April 2023)
- SE Queensland Spring Welsh, Youngstock, Little Red Dragon & ARC Show (29th October 2023)
Contact: Sam Smith Sam Smith treasurerseqrpg@gmail.com