The 2008 Royal Melbourne Horse Show will be held from 12 – 15 March at the Werribee Park, National Equestrian Centre. The Show has been moved to give Exhibitors greater certainty in holding the competition in light of the EI situation.

Media Release - Royal Melbourne Horse Show - A Great Success (9 April 2008)

Media Release - Royal Melbourne Horse Show Returns Bigger and Better (21 January 2008)

Click here to download the media release regarding the change of date and qualifications

Over 33 breeds will be on show at the 2008 Royal Melbourne Horse Show including a new heavy horse program, classes for Dartmoor Ponies, Morgan Horses and Irish Draught and Sporthorses.

Click here to download the latest show update

All accepted Exhibitors have been sent a Horse Participation Form. These forms must be signed and returned by Wednesday 5th March. Upon receipt of your signed Horse Participation Form we will forward your exhibit ticket/s and guide book. If the RAS or your breed society has contacted you regarding outstanding breed registrations, memberships or transfers this must be rectified before your exhibit ticket and guide book will be posted to you.

Click here to download the Horse Participation Form

The Royal Melbourne Horse Show will be held at the Werribee Park, Equestrian Centre, K Road, Werribee South.

Click here to download the Werribee Park Map

The 2008 Royal Melbourne Horse Show is fortunate to offer a very experienced line up of judges. Judges are selected with input from applicable breed societies and equestrian organisations.

If your particular section is yet to have a judge listed please check back here as judges will be updated as they confirm their judging appointments

Click here to download the Judges list

Click here to view the Judges Profiles

This year each class will be individually timetabled to enable Exhibitor’s to better plan their competition and to help assist in the prevention of classes clashing.

The timetable will be available in late February once the entries have been processed and class numbers established. A preliminary timetable outlining the days for each section is currently available.

Click here to download the Class Timetable

All scratchings must be received in writing by post to the Horse Event Coordinator, Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale, 3032 (prior to 10 March) or emailed to horses@rasv.com.au or faxed to (03) 9281 7592 or handed to the Event Office during the event.

Click here to download the official scratching form

Click here to download the scratching refund policy

All stabling and campsite requests to be directed to the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on (03) 9741 7672 or www.wpnec.com.au

A limited number of yards will be able to be booked prior to the event. Please contact Werribee Park if you would like to book a yard. All other yards will be available on a ‘first in’ basis.

Temporary yards specifically for Miniature Horses, Miniature Ponies and Shetlands (yards are 5’ x 5’) can be booked through the RAS. Please contact the RAS on (03) 9281 7469 or email horses@rasv.com.au

Alternative horse accommodation is available at the following properties:

Chetar Arabians, Mount Cottrell
Stables, yards and private paddocks available
Contact Kylie Horton on 0407 361 553
www.chetar-arabians.com

Elcho Equine B & B, Lara
Stables and private paddocks available
People catered for in B&B accommodation
Contact Judi Tainsh on 0412 889 333
judi@baycitybiz.com.au
Please note that Judi is judging Palominos and Miniature ponies, if you are exhibiting in these classes please contact another property.

The 2008 Schedule has been developed in consultation with Breed Societies and Exhibitor groups. We hope that the additional sections and classes will be beneficial to Exhibitors.

If there are changes or additions you would like made to the schedule please contact us in writing and we will consider your request. Please be mindful that the Royal Melbourne Horse Show is a breed event and we will be maintaining this as a focus.

When completing entry forms please ensure you read the schedule and entry forms carefully and fill out your forms correctly. Incorrect completion of forms slows down the acceptance process for all Exhibitors.

Click here to download the schedule and entry forms.

Due to popular demand we are introducing a new merchandise line. So be part of this wonderful Show and grab some of the latest and greatest t shirts, caps, vests and bags. Merchandise can be pre ordered or purchased at the Show.

Click here to download the Merchandise Order Form.

Performances – BREED SECTIONS 1 - 23

We are aware of the postponement or cancellation of horse competitions due to the Equine Influenza situation and the effect it will have on the ability of exhibitors to qualify their exhibits for the 2008 Royal Melbourne Horse Show. The minimum performance criteria have been reviewed and performance requirements have been reduced.

Should there be a need to select horses due to greater entries than available places a selection process will take place. Horses with the most performances at Agricultural Shows will be given preference.

Minimum performance requirements – BREED sections 1 -23

• Geldings, Females and entire males 2 years and under are not required to provide performances.
• Entire males 3 years and over (with the exception of Thoroughbreds and Friesians) must have either a performance in the 2006 or 2007 show season or be able to demonstrate that they are fit to be shown.
• Entire males 3 years and over must be appropriately socialised and the exhibitor must sign a declaration of fitness to be shown. Information must be provided on entry form.
• Thoroughbred and Friesians are not required to provide any performances.

• Pony Club, RDA and HRCAV qualifications have been reduced. Exhibitors please see performance requirements outlined in the applicable section of the schedule.

NOTE: from the information supplied the RAS will determine which entries are to be accepted. The RAS may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an entry, an Exhibit or an Exhibitor.

A Family Fun night for Exhibitors and their families will be held on Friday 14th March. Book with your entries by 4th January to receive one FREE ticket per horse entered, additional tickets can be purchased at $5 per person.

The fun night will include a sausage sizzle, soft drinks, easter egg hunt and prizes for the best decorated easter helmet.

Click here to download a Family Fun Night Booking Form

New in 2008 is the Best of Show Championship. Open to the Supreme led exhibit of each breed. The Best of Show Championship will be the most prestigious award of the Show.

The Best of Show Championship will be judged by three independent judges. From all the Supreme Champions a preliminary final will be held, each judge will select three exhibits to progress to the final round.

The selected exhibits will be given a score out of 20 by each judge. Two judges will announce their scores and the third will remain silent.

The winner will hold the highest score.

All Exhibitors are encouraged to return or stay to show in the Championship. As an incentive all Exhibits that are presented for the Championship will receive a rosette and prize.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria is making available a number of commercial locations for companies, who service the equestrian industry, to promote and sell their products.

Participating companies can expect exposure to Australia’s leading horse and pony breeders, exhibitors and enthusiasts, and will be able to market directly to them.

It is the largest event of its type in Australia, attracting more than 2,000 exhibits from 1,000 exhibitors Australia wide. It is a genuine showcase for Australia’s stud horse and pony breeding industry.

Over thirty different breeds of purebred horses and ponies will be represented over four days of competition and will parade before a nationally accredited panel of judges.

The show’s commercial precinct will be located adjacent to the Main Judging Arena at Werribee Park – central to all competition activity and catering facilities.

Click here to download a commercial site expression of interest application

Click here for further information

New in 2008 is The Breeds of the World Showcase available to breed societies and studs who would like to promote their breed and organisation. Sites are available near the competition arena for educational displays. Secure stables will also be erected for display of related horse breeds.

Breed societies are encouraged to send in an expression of interest application.

Click here to download an Breeds of the World Showcase expression of interest application

Click here to view the Best of Show Championship prizes and sponsors

We would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters of the 2008 Royal Melbourne Horse Show. The RAS greatly appreciates your support.

Further sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact us on (03) 9281 7469 or email horses@rasv.com.au to discuss some of our sponsorship options.

Victoria Racing Club Limited
All Weather Horse Wear
Australian Friesian Horse Association
Andalusian Horse Association of Australasia
Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc
Australian Pony Studbook Vic Branch
Australian Saddle Pony Association
Australian Stock Horse Ladies Association
Australian Stock Horse Victorian Management Council
Avondale Arabians
Cedar Lodge Equine Products
CEPA Farm Supplies, Bendigo
Mrs Debby Cheeseman
Clipperworld
Conceptions Garlands
Connemara Pony Breeders Society of Australia Inc
Mrs C Cornish
Ms Michelle Darnell
Deanhills Stud
Edinburgh Horse Rugs
Emma’s Show Horse News and Accessories
Horse Scene Magazine
Horseworld, Werribee
Icarus Park Stud
Irish Draught and Sporthorse Society (Aust) (Inc)
The Family of the late Mrs Jean Luckock
Malibu Park Pony Stud
Mornington Peninsula Miniatures Promotional Group
Minitube Australia
The Morgan Horse Association Australia
National Buckskin Society
Photonic Therapy, The McLaren Method, Victoria
Riding Pony Stud Book Society Inc
Shetland Pony Enthusiasts
The Shire Horse Society Australia
Shire Horse Breeders Australia Inc
Southern Cross Shires
Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association Vic
The Australian Palomino Horsebreeders Association Inc.
Victorian Arabian Horse Association
Victorian Pinto Society
Mr Knox Waddell