Albuquerque, N.M. - By the time summer makes its appearance across the upper Midwestern United States, the entire Arabian horse younger set is looking forward to the Youth National Championships. Held in Albuquerque, New Mexico for one final year before a 2016 move to Oklahoma City, this 23rd edition of the championship show will run from Saturday, July 18th through Saturday, July 25th at Expo, New Mexico.  Entries for the all-youth show in recent years have been running around 800 horses, though most of these noble purebred and Half-Arabian equines wear diverse gear in numerous divisions as mounts for two or more youngsters. Classes run from 8 am well into darkness daily.  Judges are divided into four three-judge panels, plus Dressage and Cutting. Fabulous rose blankets and large, silver trophies are given to the Champion and Reserve Champion riders and handlers. There are over 150 classes at the 2015 Arabian Youth National Show, including competition in English, Western, Working Western, Hunter, Show Hack, Side Saddle, Jumping, Trail, Harness and Halter. Among these varied divisions are 10 brand new classes in 2015 for English Trail, Sport Horse Show Hack, Sport Horse Under Saddle, and five new classes for Reining competition.
        
There is a Youth Convention and Judging School Seminar plus Q and A on the first weekend of the show. There are always many seminars and parties, planned and unplanned, dog races and a Regional Golf Cart parade. There are pink flamingoes that just suddenly appear all over tack rooms, and the hot New Mexico weather provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor fun, including ice cream socials and water fights … did we mention the water fights? Visitors and their families will enjoy some occasional time off from the show by soaking up Albuquerque’s Southwest ambiance and dining at local Mexican restaurants in Old Town. They’ll ride the Sandia Peak Tramway up the nearby mountains and see 400-year-old Santa Fe, a not-to-be-missed journey just an hour’s drive north.

The Arabian Youth National Championship is a very modern, computer age show, as befits the average age of those in attendance. You can follow it by watching the daily broadcast on your laptop, I-Pad or I-Phone on www.ArabianHorseGlobal.com. Simulcasts are planned with www.usefnetwork.com during the magical final Friday and Saturday evening sessions, July 24th and 25th. If you are in Albuquerque, visit the AHA #Blueroom across from the AHYA booth in Commercial Exhibits.  Or elsewhere around the world, follow the action on Instagram @arabianhorseyouth, Twitter @AHYneigh or Facebook #ahaYNL15 too.