Content provided by the Arabian Horse Association

Albuquerque, NM— The Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals) is under way through Saturday, August 2, in Albuquerque, NM, at the Expo. The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, produces the week-long event, which is in its 16th year, and features top-level horse show competition, a shopping expo, the annual Youth Convention—all of which bring in an estimated $11.2 million to Albuquerque.

The Arabian Horse Youth Association (AHYA) makes up more than 10 percent of AHA with more than 4,000 members. An intelligent and involved bunch, members of AHYA are among the best and brightest in the equine industry. AHYA leaders met last Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 for the annual Youth Convention where they decided on their future leaders and listened to keynote speaker and professional trainer, Joel Kiesner. In addition, AHYA members participated in workshops that included clinics put on by the Arabian Professional and Amateur Horseman’s Association (APAHA).

This year's horse show features 1,000-plus horses from across the United States and Canada, competing in 127 classes in a wide variety of disciplines. Exhibitors up to 18 years of age compete for prizes such as saddles, plaques, ribbons and trophies. The competition is underway and runs through Saturday, August 2. Classes run from 7:30 a.m. through 10 p.m. almost every day and are divided into morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Finals night is Saturday, August 2 and features competitors going head to head in mounted native costume, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, country English pleasure and the crowd favorite—park.

In addition to the convention and horse show, Youth Nationals features a shopping expo that offers everything the equine lover could want—tack, jewelry, art and more. For those who do not shop there is a variety of other must-see activities. The annual freestyle reining class, a dog costume contest and race, a brand new Guitar Hero tournament, the Stick Horse Workshop and Contest and the Flying Pigs Fundraiser, all guarantee a good laugh.

In addition, the Arabian Horse Hippology contest will be held Thursday, July 31 and offers all participants, including adults, the opportunity to test their equine knowledge about horse anatomy, nutrition, physiology and tack. Also, a novice horse judging contest challenges participants’ judging knowledge against a professional judge on Friday, August 1.

ENDS