Welcome to Shahwanpark, preservation breeders of Pure Crabbet Arabians
Jennifer and Dr. Jeffery Hawkins’ stud is located on the edge of the highly regarded Hunter Valley in New South Wales, and is approx. 4hrs driving time from Sydney. A short drive to Tamworth which has the magnificent new Australian Equine & Livestock Events Centre [AE-LEC], set to open mid 2008. It is expected that this international standard centre will not only become an Australian icon but will stage many national events of all breeds and disciplines in the future.
The property consists of thousands of acres of prime farming and undulating grazing country running into steep hills. Jennifer and Jeff believe this is the perfect country to produce surefooted horses with strong bone and limbs. They also run hundreds of head of beef cattle and so the Arabian saddle horses get to experience the fun and excitement of mustering and working with cattle.
Jennifer was born and raised on a farm in northern Victoria and begun riding in earnest at the age of nine. Formal lessons began in her early twenties and continued for some twenty years. Whilst studying for her National Coaches Accreditation she was introduced to the training method of Natural Horsemanship [or just good ‘Horsemanship’ as she sees it ], which has become a major part of their Arabians education.
Husband Dr. Jeffery Hawkins spent many decades running his own practices as a Veterinary Surgeon in country NSW. Jeff previously partnered in a thoroughbred stud and has a wealth of thoroughbred pedigree knowledge. He shares in a successful young racing sire and breeds several thoroughbred foals each year. With his wonderful eye for a quality horse and his long standing knowledge and experience in Veterinary science, Jeff is of immense value to the functioning of the stud.
Shahwanpark strives to continue to produce Pure Crabbet Arabians that not only retain the elegance and grace of the breed, but are also excellent saddle horses with great movement and temperament.They believe that an Arabian should be first and foremost a saddle horse which is undeniably of Arabian type.
Jennifer and Jeff hope that you will enjoy your visit to their site and welcome you to their stud.