It was the colt’s first show and he impressed the interstate judges.

The breed show, which attracted competitors from throughout the state, was called the Main Event.

Di’s locally bred and owned colt ‘Aachum’, co-owned by Bernie Braddock and trained by Di Gibb and Tanya Dudley, was in a field of youngsters which all had more show ring experience.

“It’s our first Arabian we have bred,” Di said.

Aachum was named the Best SA Bred, (had the) Most Classic Head (that Di says is judged purely on the shape of their head and how well it shows off the breed), he was placed second in the Trot and was awarded the Crabbet Related award.

“It’s my second Arab show ever. I was just totally blown away by his wins,” she said.

Aachum won Champion Purebred under three and Supreme Junior Purebred of the show.

Di owns both the stallion and mare from which Aachum was bred and said pursuing an interest in Arabs had been an “accident”.

“I bought Ali (the mare) sight-unseen and have looked in to her breeding and then looked into the stallion and thought they were a good match,” she said.

Aachum is named after the late Chum Braddock, who Di said had an interest in Arabians.

“We bought Ali on the day of Chum’s funeral. Aachum was named after the late Chum Bradock and shows the same spirited determination of his namesake,” she said. Di said the double-A was added for good measure.

Aachum has qualified himself for the national championships and can attend the state championships later this year.

“I was just totally blown away with the win,” Di said.