The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) announces that it will return to the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in 2006 to hold its annual flagship event, the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals).

Two factors were key to the decision:
1. Overwhelming requests by AHA members who were vehement in their desire to have one last opportunity to show at the Kentucky venue, and
2. Re-negotiations between the Kentucky State Fair Board and AHA regarding the additional expenses of accommodating the show during the construction period at Freedom Hall

"Since this will be the final year of our contract to hold the U.S. Nationals in Kentucky, there was a great deal of emotion surrounding showing here one last time," says AHA Vice President and U.S. National Show Commission Chair Lance Walters. "Once we met with the Fair people, we were reassured that the safety of exhibitor and horse would not be compromised by the heavy construction occurring at that time."

The main focus of construction at Freedom Hall will be the East Wing, which has formerly housed both premium stalling and commercial exhibits. Approximately 500 stalls and the entire commercial exhibit area will need to be moved to a different location.

The facility will pay the expense of tents, generators for electricity, water lines, excavation to accommodate drainage and the raising of the foundation where tents will be erected to create dirt pads above ground level.

"The desirability of the Louisville location has essentially outweighed the inconvenience that presents itself, so we are moving forward, confident that we can provide a special although somewhat unique final year for our exhibitors and owners," says Walters.


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