Albuquerque – The Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals) will celebrate its 16th year in Albuquerque, N.M., at Expo New Mexico, July 26 through August 2. The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, Colo., produces the weeklong event that features top-level horse show competition, a shopping expo, the annual Youth Convention and brings an estimated $11.2 million to Albuquerque, according to the AHA. Approximately 5,000 attendees are expected.

This year's horse show will feature 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. Competition starts Saturday July 26, 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. Admission to all performances is free. A detailed schedule is attached.

“The Youth Arabian Horse Show is a signature event for Albuquerque and brings thousands of people here each year including talented kids and their families.  We encourage Albuquerque area residents to come see this spectacular showcase,” said Dale Lockett, Visit Albuquerque President/CEO.

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. Or just relax at this year’s new Little Whinny Café and enjoy a coffee or smoothie in the first ever Youth Lounge.

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

Youth Nationals activity sponsors include Visit Albuquerque, Hesten Park and the Hoffman Family, Long Meadow Arabians, Exxpectation, Jim & Christy Egan and Results, Chesapeake Training Center—Virginia Godwin, SPEAH, Bennett Fine Jewelry and AHA Regions 1 and 10. AHA corporate partners include: Bank of America, Cardinale GMC, Armstrong Display Concepts Inc., Markel Insurance Company, United Healthcare, New Holland and the Hat Lady. 

AHA is a major equine association serving 37,000 members across North America. It registers and maintains a database of more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses and administers approximately $4 million in annual prize money. AHA produces championship events, recognizes close to 400 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. For information about Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, call 303-696-4500, e-mail info@ArabianHorses.org or visit ArabianHorses.org