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And the supreme Arab champion is...

From the archive, first published Saturday 31st Jul 2004.

THE finest Arab horses in the land will be revealed today, after competing in a gruelling three-day Arab Horse Society National Championship Show.

A record number of entries for the championships have kept the judges exceptionally busy at Malvern's Three Counties Showground, said show secretary, Harriet Caudrey.

"The standard this year is very, very high and our judges face a tough task to choose the two ultimate winners - the supreme in-hand and the supreme ridden," said Harriet.

"The event is a showcase for the Arabian horse and they have come down from Scotland and across the water from Ireland in their bid to win.

"We have already beaten last year's entries with more than 900 horses competing this year, including 45 stallions.

"We have had a marvellous crowd so far, but I hope that more enthusiasts will come down here this afternoon and see just what Arabian horses can do - from sports horses to dressage.

"Our aim is to show how wonderful the breed is and I am sure that more people will be tempted to buy an Arab horse once they see this beautiful breed in action and realise just how versatile the horses are."

Arab horses are the oldest breed in the world and there's a wonderful costume display today based on Arabian and Egyptian themes. There's also a sports horse class which qualifies the winner to compete abroad.

Over the last three days, competitors have been earning points in a variety of classes, including pure-bred yearling colts, sire produce groups, pure-bred Arabian light horse, palominos, show jumping, dressage, ridden veterans, pure-bred stallions and western classes.

There's also a wide range of trade stands selling clothing and equipment.

"The prestigious show has been held at Malvern for the last 15 years because it is such a convenient venue," said Harriet.

"There's a fantastic setting with excellent access from all over the country. We will be here again next year."

The Arab Horse Society is a registered charity which was founded in 1918 to promote the breeding and importation of pure-bred Anglo and part-bred Arab horses, and to encourage the wider use of Arab blood in light horse and pony breeding.

It is particularly interested in horse welfare.

"Over the years we have registered more than 120,000 Arabs, Anglo and part-breds, and register more than 1,000 foals and imported horses each year," said Harriet.

"We also organise educational courses and seminars on veterinary topics, judging and breeding and have a healthy membership of 3,500.

THE Arab horse originates from the desert lands of Asia and the most famous are the horses of the Bedouin Arabs.

Through selective breeding, the Bedouins developed an Arab horse which was tough and yet beautiful and it was these horses that were used by Muslims and taken to North Africa and into Spain and France.

Many Arabian horses were left behind when the Muslims left and were bred with local horses such as the Andalusian.

The UK imported Arab horses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The characteristic of the Arab horse is the peculiar way it carries its well elevated tail - very still and without the usual sideways swing - while at the gallop the dock is held almost vertically.

The Arab horse has a small head with concave profile, large eyes and small muzzle, arched neck, sloping shoulder, strong level back, hindquarters and legs.

Pure-bred Arabs are of most colours, but bay, grey and chestnut predominate.

A feature of the Arab is endurance and they make excellent polo ponies.

The best known use of Arabs in horse breeding today is in the upgrading of pony stock used by the use of Arab stallions in mares of British native breeds, such as New Forest, Welsh and Highland.

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