The third annual Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show will be held at the Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, Va., on September 21-25, 2005. The show promises to be exciting, and is being billed as showcasing ‘the most beautiful horses in the world, demonstrating supreme athleticism’ in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper.

“We strive to make it exhibitor friendly,” says Show Commissioner Cathy Gage. “We have beautiful awards, good shopping and a great progressive barn party!”

Besides the visual spectacle, there are activities every evening. Wednesday evening kicks off with the finals of Pleasure Carriage Obstacle Driving. Thursday is Open Barn Night and Friday features Musical Dressage Freestyle. The Saturday lineup, named the Horse Illustrated Sport Horse Spectacular, includes afternoon clinics and book signings presented by dressage pioneer Hilda Gurney and Olympic eventing gold medalist David O’Connor, followed by the Jumper Mini Prix, Sport Horse Spectacular presentation and the naming of the Supreme Sport Horse Champion. Rounding out the event is the Practical Horseman Hunter Classic held on Sunday morning.

New this year is a Pleasure Carriage Driving Division sponsored by the Illini Arabian Horse Club which includes pleasure driving working, pleasure driving reinsmanship and “pick your route” obstacles. All driving competition will take place on Wednesday, September 21. Also making its debut are three 2-year-old sport horse in-hand jackpot classes for Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian geldings, colts and fillies. All two-year olds are eligible, with no qualifications necessary. They will be shown in-hand on the triangle at the walk and trot on Sunday, September 25 in the Sport Horse Arena.

Each Top Ten will receive a walnut plaque with brass plate and ribbons. Champion and reserve also receive a rose neck garland and Gladys Brown Edwards trophy statue depicting the renowned Ideal Arabian Horse. Awards for FEI levels include gold jewelry, and select classes receive additional prizes such as bridles, saddles and Turtle Neck blankets. One-third of the total paid class entry fees will go into the prize money for each class. Of this payback, 75 percent will be divided among the top ten horses, with 15 percent going to the champion and 10 percent to the reserve champion.

The Sport Horse Nationals is the only national single breed competition focusing specifically on the sport horse disciplines and catering to sport horse exhibitors. All horses need to be Arabians, Half-Arabians or Anglo-Arabians registered with AHA or the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry, but they do not need to be inspected or approved by any particular sport horse registry. Both rider and owner need to be AHA members. The entry closing date is August 10.

There is free admission to all events except the Saturday Horse Illustrated Sport Horse Spectacular which includes the seminars and book signings and an evening performance. The cost is $10 for non-exhibitors.