Quick Facts About Youth Nationals

Event: 16th Annual Youth National Arabian & Half Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals)

Produced by: Arabian Horse Association (AHA), 10805 E. Bethany Drive, Aurora, Colo. 80014. (303) 696-4500. Fax (303) 696-4599. Email: ned@ArabianHorses.org or visit ArabianHorses.org.

Dates: July 26-August 2, 2008

Location: Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Admission: All sessions free for the duration of the show.

Schedule: Three sessions per day (With the exception of the first Saturday and Wednesday-there are only morning and afternoon sessions): 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Two to three arenas run simultaneously.

Number of classes: 127

Number of entries: 2,858 entries in 2007. Exhibitors must qualify at regional championships and AHA-recognized shows to compete. The age of competitors ranges from 2 (lead-line) to 18.

Number of horses: 1,109 horses in 2007 from the United States and Canada

Largest Class: Arabian Hunter JTR Pleasure 14-17, with 84 competitors in 2007

New Classes: Class 829: Dressage Fourth Level JTR 17 & Under Championship Class 1021: Arabian/Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Western Trail Horse Walk Trot 10/Under Championship

Divisions: Country English, dressage, driving, English, equitation, halter, horsemanship, hunter, native costume, park, reining, saddle seat, show hack, showmanship, sidesaddle, trail, western, and working cow

Youth Membership: Arabian Horse Youth Association (AHYA), approximately 4,000 members and approximately 10 percent of AHA membership

Estimated Economic Impact to Albuquerque: $11.2 million

Other Attractions:

• Hippology Contest (tests horse knowledge)
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• Little Whinny Café, serving coffee and smoothies in the Youth Lounge
• Guitar Hero Tournament
• Parade of Regions
• AHYA Annual Convention featuring guest speaker Joel Kiesner
• Novice Youth Horse Judging Contest and Clinic
• Specialty classes (native costume, lead-line, etc.)
• Stick Horse Workshop and Contest for children 6 years old and younger
• Shopping Expo with booths offering tack, equestrian gifts, clothing, jewelry, etc.

AHA Corporate Partners: Bank of America, Cardinale GMC, Armstrong Display Concepts Inc., Markel Insurance Company, United Healthcare, New Holland and the Hat Lady.

Youth Activities Sponsors: Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau, 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 Press Contact:Press passes must be picked up and signed for by the photographer in the Commission office. Only one press pass per publication will be issued. Contact Hilary Nixon to set up interviews or for more information before the show at 303-696-4580 (hilary.nixon@arabianhorses.org) or during the show at 720-261-8606.

The media is always welcome to cover any events.