MORE than 1250 horses will bring the National Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park to life for the biggest horse breed show in Australia.

The annual Royal Melbourne Horse Show, from January 23-26, is presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.

The show was introduced in 1993 to cater for the increased involvement in equestrian sports and growing interest in horse and pony breeding.

Holding the same status and appeal as the Horses in Action program at the Royal Melbourne Show, the RMHS generates widespread engagement from around Australia.

This year has seen entries flood in from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.

"The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria is pleased to present the 2010 Royal Melbourne Horse Show and to demonstrate our ongoing support of the equine industry," RASV chief executive Mark O'Sullivan said.

"(This year) more than 40 breeds will be on show and we have introduced several new aspects to the program, including classes to acknowledge the best-presented exhibits for each breed, along with a new section that will recognise Australia's best handlers.

"We are proud to provide a huge program of events and exemplary judges at the RMHS allowing horse breeders the opportunity to showcase their excellence to the industry."

The event will feature the coveted Best of Show Championship on January 25.

The breeds on show on the opening day include Cleveland Bays, Thoroughbreds, Welsh, Arabian Riding ponies, pure-bred Arabians, Australian Ponies, Shetlands, Riding Pony males and ridden and Warmblood horses.

Appaloosas, Australian saddle ponies, Buckskins, Irish Draught, Morgans, Open breeds and Paints will parade for the judges on the Sunday.

On Monday, it will be the turn of the Andalusians, Australian Miniature Horses, Australian Miniature Ponies, Australian Stockhorses, Connemara ponies, Clydesdales, Fjord ponies, Friesian horses, Gypsy Cobs, Haflingers and Hackneys, Highland Ponies, Percherons, Shires and Pintos.