The idea of holding a Standardbred State Championships was the brain storm of a relatively new committee member way back in 1999 that was met with a lack of enthusiasm and held a degree of negativity amongst the committee of the day in that time. Persistency, along with the change of guard resulting in the formation of the WASBA Show Committee now being an independent group representing the showing of Standardbreds in WA would see the inaugural running of our very first State Championships on 26th November 2000 at the Magenup Equestrian Centre in Wandi with almost 80 Standardbreds attending. Determination from new committee member Kristie Morrone, who had an extreme passion for the breed and a vision, almost single handily pulled off the mammoth task of providing the breed with its very own feature event.

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Over the next five years the event maintained its popularity with it becoming a two-day event to cater for the needs of both Led, Ridden and Harness sections. With the blessing of our mother association WASBA we accepted the invitation to join the Standardbred Horse Association of Australia as SPPHAWA in 2006 that saw our very first State Championship run under that banner and with the introduction of engaging National Accredited judges from the Eastern States to adjudicate.

We are very blessed to look back on this list of judges and recognise the credentials each and every one of them have attained not just nationally but also some on an international level. Regarded as most as the pinnacle event to attend since its inception, entries are usually received from far and wide areas of the state to showcase the best of the best in WA.

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It’s an event with all competitors striving to have themselves and their horses presented in tip top condition in anticipation to have their name added on the honour roll. Such is the prestige of this event, that has stunning sashes, garlands, trophies and enticing prize money awards on offer due to the generous sponsors from groups, businesses and a heavy influence from within the racing industry. WASBA has been with us the entirety of this journey and we have now added their brand to our State Championship title in recent years. All our winners will have their names added to our State Championship Perpetual Shields for each corresponding year and will be awarded a memento plaque to acknowledge their success.

We will have an updated honour roll added each year to reflect on past and present winners of this premier Standardbred event.