This year, over 350 horses and 1000 exhibitors attended the show. The first ever, Exhibitor Welcome Pizza Party was hosted by AHA and the Sport Horse Show Commission just prior to the show. It proved to be a huge success, welcoming exhibitors to the show and helping them have a little fun prior to competition. The party also provided a fun photo booth and door prizes!
Sport Horse Nationals isn't just about the ribbons and trophies. It isn't just about the pride of winning. Winning, and trophies and ribbons are a huge accomplishment and the crowning jewel of any exhibitor. However, the heart and soul of Sport Horse Nationals lies in the goals, dreams and accomplishments of the exhibitors and their horses.
Many exhibitors are Nationals veterans, returning year after year to compete. Others are first-timers, such as Connie Arnold. Connie's mare, CDB Aluna proved her National Champion status by taking home two Reserve National Championships in the Arabian Sport Horse Mares In-Hand Hunter Type class, as well as the Arabian Sport Horse Mares in Hand Dressage Type ATR class. CDB Aluna’s filly, MiraLuna Lady also went home with a Reserve title. Connie said she had a fantastic first-time experience at the show.
First-timers or returning exhibitors - they all have heart and soul. One very special exhibitor takes the definition of "having heart" to a whole new level. Stephanie Parrish, a youth exhibitor who competes both at Youth Nationals as well as Sport Horse Nationals is not just making her mark in the show ring, but in the lives of others who struggle with heart disease and impairments.
A survivor of open heart surgery herself, Stephanie is a huge campaigner for others who are experiencing their own heart health struggles. She is a beautiful girl on the inside and out, with the true heart of a champion. She proved it at Sport Horse Nationals as well, taking home the Reserve National Championship in the Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack AT Championship, aboard EVG Ynyr.
Sport Horse exhibitors are also special because they are so excited to share their love for the Arabian breed with others. Total Arabian Interactive Learning (T.A.I.L) tours at Sport Horse Nationals were a raving success, with over 40 visitors coming out to view the show and meet some very special horses. TAIL tour guides are all trainers and exhibitors at Sport Horse Nationals, taking the time out of their day to talk to others about the show, their horses, and even allowing people to pet and feed their equine friends. AHA would like to thank all of the TAIL tour guides and host barns for sharing the magic of the Arabian horse.
The 2015 Arabian Sport Horse National Horse Show will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex. Show dates are Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 20.