The Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association (AHPA) was founded in 2016 with a vision of enhancing the hunter pleasure horse’s value, performance, and opportunities. Since then, the program has grown in many ways. AHPA host their four-year-old futurity classes at U.S. Nationals, as they have since 2018. In addition, amateur owners have the chance to show their horses at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and Midsummer Nationals in jackpot championships of their own. At the 2024 Youth Nationals, AHPA added 18 & under and 10 & under hunter pleasure equitation classes. The 18 & under class ended up being the most entered class of the whole horse show. 

A lot of the organization’s success comes from thinking outside of the box and being innovative. The board of directors takes their first lead from the competitors who participate in their program when looking for more opportunities to engage and grow. That has been true since inception. Both the board of directors and the illustrative marketing committee are working year-round to bring the founders, competitors, sponsors, and spectators a quality experience.

“From the beginning, we wanted to make sure this was a program that served the people who use it,” Samantha Hillard, AHPA President and Co-Founder, said. “We want to support the breed, but also make sure that our program is accessible and enjoyable for all kinds of competitors. We are proud of the progress we have made in our classes and for the hunter pleasure horse.” 

The program operates differently than other futurity programs, as it does not rely on stallion nominations or support. Any three-year-old Arabian or half Arabian is eligible to be nominated no matter their sire or dam. That nomination qualifies the horse to be eligible for all the AHPA classes at any show for the rest of its life.  The horses never age out.

The program uses other creative approaches to support their program. They have become known for their “lucky ponies,” which show up at U.S. Nationals, Youth/Midsummer Nationals, Sport Horse Nationals, Scottsdale, and select regionals. What started as an idea to sweetly wish a barn mate good luck, has grown into a staple of major horse shows and a huge source of income for AHPA. They also have various raffles with partner John Deere for gators and tractors. Both the lucky ponies and the John Deere raffles will be available at the upcoming U.S. Nationals.

“Our program is successful for many reasons,” Samantha added “The continuous support of our Founders, the owners that nominate their horses, the incredible sponsors that support us every year by either sponsoring a saddle silks, providing lucky ponies, donating items to exhibitor bags, or helping supply or our amazing silent auction at Scottsdale every year, is so valuable to the success of AHPA.  If we reach out for help with something, many people always offer to help.  We couldn’t do this without our cheerleaders.”

It is also important for AHPA to give back as they can. At both Youth Nationals and U.S. Nationals, the provide grants to competitors. The Langston Family Foundation helps sponsor the youth nationals grant program. The U.S. Nationals grants are made in memorial of Vickey Bowman and La Rae Fletcher Powell, two horsewomen who our industry sadly lost in the last few years. AHPA also hosts donation drives at both U.S. Nationals and Scottsdale for local charities.

“Just like it is important for us to give back to our competitors and founders by using them as our driving force for our ‘next moves’, we also want to give back to our industry and the local communities where we participate,” Chelsea Wesson, AHPA Vice President and Co-Founder added. “We have made some great relationships with local nonprofits and businesses through our ventures.”

The Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association is gearing up for another exciting and eventful U.S. Nationals. Of all their endeavors, the futurity classes hosted in Tulsa each year will always host an important place in the organization’s heart and history. It is a chance to showcase the up-and-coming hunter horses who will carry on the legacy of the division and the program. 

Royal Arabians has sponsored the purebred class at U.S. Nationals since the first year. The hunter pleasure powerhouse breeding and showing facility also supports the AHPA in many other ways. John Deere is sponsoring the Half-Arabian class for the third year in a row. Their annual raffle has been a great activation point for the AHPA for the same three years. The AHPA is excited to see the quality of horse and rider/handler combinations who enter the Ford Truck Arena. 

For more information on the AHPA, visit arabianhunterpleasure.com.