Kelly Perkins and her horse Provincias are champions of purebreds

Albany equestrian competitor Kelly Perkins has shone on the horse breed stage, collecting a swag of awards in the last few months. Perkins competed at two shows last month and returned with a stack of top awards, while also having great success at the WA Arabian Horse Association awards night. After receiving her first pony when she was eight, Perkins began riding at the Albany Pony Club, and enjoyed jumping. She then brought young stock on, leading her to compete at the Perth Royal Show, where she found her love for the Arabian breed. Perkins attended the WA Arabian Horse Society Arabian Championships on May 2 and it proved to be her most successful show with her horse, Provincias. Provincias and Perkins returned having won the State champion purebred gelding 4-7 years category, also claiming the WA champion ridden purebred gelding title. “These two were the big ones which I didn’t expect to win and really can’t believe that we took out both classes against such an amazing field of horses,” Perkins said. “Winning these have definitely been the highlight with Nutsy (Provincias) so far.” Perkins also claimed the State champion led purebred sport horse title, along with reserve State champion ridden sport horse, and from those results they were awarded the high-point sport horse gong. The pair were also named reserve champion purebred show hunter and reserve champion purebred handler. “Riding is just my happy place, I love all of it and helps mentally to relive stress,” Perkins said. “I used to love jumping but eventually started bringing on young stock.” Perkins attended the WA Arabian Horse Association awards in Perth in February, when the pair were named ridden purebred gelding of the year and non-professional for the year, which is someone who is not paid to train, lead, show or ride horses. “I was completely over the moon winning the ridden pure-bred of the year because it was his (Provincias) first season under saddle,” Perkins said. The Arabian Pacific Arabian Horse Organisation awards were held on May 29 and 30. There, she won the senior purebred handler and gold 2020 purebred newcomer awards. “Just would really like to encourage anyone with a registered Arabian purebred or derivative to look at attending the WAAHA events,” Perkins said. “They are super-fun and so encouraging, with many different types of events to enter from ridden, led and even native costume classes.” Provincias is a six-year-old purebred Arabian, who is called Nutsy in the stables.