The Region 12 show is always a great show and the foundation of the annual show season for Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in the southeast. Most years it ranks well into the top three regional Arabian horse shows in the United States. Frequently it is the largest and the best and this year’s show looks to be reaching toward the top spot once again.

One of the first regional shows held each year, Region 12’s dates in 2012, May 7th through the 12th insure that there are few other Arabian horse events to distract from its fanfare and fun. Located at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia, the show kicks off with a general meeting and exhibitor party on Monday, the 7th and swings into an aggressive show schedule at 8 am the following morning. Included this year is a full complement of Dressage, Sport Horse and Hunter/Jumper classes. There are Spotlight Futurity classes daily, and the 6th Annual Spotlight Stallion Auction is at 6 pm on Thursday evening in the Beef/Dairy Pavilion. For the first time, the entire Region 12 show, including the stallion auction, will be live streamed at USEFnetwork.com.

Janet Searls, Director and Marketing for the Region 12 Spotlight Stallion Futurity, is full of anticipation and enthusiasm for the show. “There is a heartfelt commitment from everyone on the show committee. We try to ‘knock it out of the ball park’ every year and this time I believe we really are looking at a home run!”

To begin, the show’s judges are exceptional. Each of them is judging a national show later in the season. Included are James Brown, Rebecca Fleck, Chris Culbreth, Kay Meredith and Diana Cappellanti. The Spotlight Stallion Futurity is growing aggressively in strength and support. The 13 classes offered throughout the show this year will award ribbons, roses and $144,000 in prize money. Searles notes that the Spotlight program objectives include promoting the Arabian horse by making available opportunities to breed to quality stallions in a futurity program that is very amateur friendly.

“I think we are going to have a fantastic show this year,” Janet laughs, “maybe our best ever.  Sometimes when the show is over I stop and think ‘How will we ever top this show next year?’ I think that 2012 is going to be one of those years to remember!”

Region 12 entries close April 2nd. Show Secretary Marilyn Norton can be reached at (217) 563-2487
or e-mail: [email protected]