The 51st Annual Canadian National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Canadian Nationals), affectionately known as "The Royal Red," went off without a hitch, August 18-23, 2008, at IPSCO Place in Regina, Saskatchewan. Canadian Nationals comes on the heels of Youth Nationals, also produced by the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, which was equally successful despite nationwide economic woes.

Exhibitors from 50 states and provinces attended Canadian Nationals, bringing 800 horses to the venue—an estimated $6.5 million impact on the local economy.

The six-day Canadian Nationals featured a full range of competition with Canadian flair. Spectators enjoyed a variety of classes in English, Western and hunter pleasure, show hack, pleasure driving, dressage, working hunter, jumper, trail, reining, working cow, park, sidesaddle, in-hand and the ever-popular native costume, which is only found at Arabian horse shows.

The two largest championship classes, Arabian Hunter Pleasure Adult Amateur Owner 18-39 and Arabian Hunter Pleasure Adult Amateur To Ride 18-39, each had 31 horses, six horses more than 2007. O Lordy, ridden by Laura Wolsey and owned by VWV Venture, Inc., of Langley, British Columbia, took home the national championship for both classes. For a complete list of results, visit www.arabianhorses.org/competitions/nationalevents/canadiannationals/2008.