According to the Visit Albuquerque, the Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals) brings 5,000 attendees to Albuquerque generating nearly 2,000 hotel room nights and more than $4.2 million in direct spending in the city. The public is welcome to attend events throughout the week free of charge.
Competition
Young equestrians from all over the U.S. and Canada compete at Youth Nationals and vie for the Championship title in a lineup of disciplines that include English, hunter, western pleasure, working western, halter, and more. Beginning with a lead-line class for 2-6 year-olds and ending with the highly competitive 18 and under age division, all youth have a chance to compete. Competitors at Youth Nationals must be qualified for the show by earning points or placings at AHA-recognized shows throughout the year.
Learn about Arabians
On Sunday, July 21 and Monday, July 22 the Youth Nationals competitors have an opportunity to give back to the Albuquerque community by sharing their horses and horse knowledge during the Total Arabian Interaction and Learning (TAIL) program. TAIL is designed to introduce newcomers to the Arabian horse in a comfortable, “back stage” setting. Albuquerque families, youth groups, and day campers can make a reservation for a TAIL tour by emailing Hilary Nixon hilary.nixon@ArabianHorses.org.
Educational Opportunities
Before the competition gets underway, the Arabian Professional and Amateur Horsemen’s Association (APAHA) will host their annual clinic on Thursday, July 18. APAHA Horsewoman of the Year, Liz Bentley and APAHA Professional Instructor of the Year, Rick Nab will share their expertise from 2-5 p.m. in the Horse Arena.
The Arabian Horse Novice Judging Contest and Clinic, sponsored by Hesten Park and the Hoffman Family, is at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 26. This informal clinic and contest draws judging teams from the city streets of Los Angeles to the farm fields of Wisconsin. The event gives novice judges a chance to learn from a carded Arabian horse judge, then judge four classes themselves.
Anyone can test their equine knowledge with the Region 10 sponsored Arabian Horse Hippology Contest, Thursday, July 25 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Lujan C Building. Quiz stations challenge kids, teens, and adults.
For more information about Youth Nationals, visit www.ArabianHorses.org/YNL, email mediainfo@arabianhorses.org or call (303) 696-4500.