Mike Ferrara (Leslie Lurkin of Rochester, MN, after his win with Melissa LOA in the Half-Arabian Mare Breeding Saddle Pleasure AAOTH at the 40th Annual U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show. )
The Arabian Horse Association of Aurora, CO, produced the 10-day event, which reigns as the flagship competition for the Arabian horse industry and the grand finale of the show season. Almost 2,000 horses competed in 109 classes that included reining, cutting, working cow, trail, mounted native costume, pleasure driving, show hack, in-hand, sidesaddle, park, and English, hunter and Western pleasure.
This year there were additional special events and activities to highlight the "Louisville—One Last Time" theme.
Past Champions Live Collection
The U.S. Nationals Live Collection featured a return to the ring from individual Arabian and Half-Arabian legends that made their mark in Louisville. This tribute brought fans to their feet as a tearful crowd gave a standing ovation to this year’s illustrious horses.
• Good Thunder—Arabian stallion with numerous wins in Arabian English pleasure, mounted native costume and pleasure driving
• Monogramm—Leading living international sire of halter and performance horses
• Rohara Moon Storm—a.k.a. “The Western Pleasure Swan”
• Scarlet Lace—Sold for $1 million at public auction in 1984
• She Be Jammin’—Beautiful Half-Arabian with multiple halter titles
• (NDL Pericles++++//—the winner of more U.S. National championships than any other horse, and Countess Vanessa, renowned Half-Arabian Park horse, were unable to make their scheduled appearance.)
Arabian Nights Dinner Theater Road Show
The most recognized Arabian horse of all time, Walter Farley’s Black Stallion, appeared on Friday evening, October 20, during the Arabian Nights Dinner Theater Road Show at Freedom Hall. Courtesy of the Black Stallion Literacy Project, this show packed Freedom hall with a fairy tale on horseback that culminated in an appearance by The Black Stallion®. AHA member Cynthia Richardson from Longmont, CO, funded the purchase of 500 The Black Stallion books that were handed out to all elementary school children that attended the evening performance.
U.S. Nationals Barn Party Series
The popular U.S. Nationals Barn Party Series invited all attendees into the barn areas of the industry’s most notable training and breeding professionals for food, drinks, open barns and horse presentations. Krichke Training Center, Dolorosa Arabians, Garland, Inc., Trowbridge’s Ltd., Setting Sun Training Center, Al Marah Arabians, Bill Porcher Pleasure Horses and Fox Hollow Farm hosted parties back to back at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. during the last four days of the show. It provided an opportunity for 1,600 people to experience the best horses, hear tips and techniques from the most successful breeders and trainers and enjoy socializing with fellow Arabian horse enthusiasts.
U.S. Nationals Fashion Show and Wine Tasting
Emcee Ron Armstrong, owner of Armstrong Arabians in Newaygo, MI, provided delightful commentary during a fashion show in the shopping expo that featured show ring and current fashions. A complimentary California wine tasting directly preceded the event.
For horse show results, go to www.ArabianHorses.org/USN.~~~