By Brianna York
As featured in the Fall 2024 issue of Arabian Horse World
The Arabian Sport Horse National Show is always a special treat for those who love the versatility of the Arabian horse. There are so many events throughout the week, from over-fences classes to dressage to in-hand, that there is never a shortage of exciting competitions to watch. The 2024 show was yet another testimony to the Arabian breed’s beauty, kindness, talent, and willingness, as owners and trainers enjoyed a week spent showing in a wide array of events.
The World Equestrian Center facility in Wilmington, OH, has been a fitting home for the Sport Horse National Show for years. It has excellent footing, plenty of places to warm up and ride, and even pasture turnout. There are also facilities to stay in on-site, which can be ideal for those who have made the long drive across the entirety of the United States to enjoy top-notch competition at a facility that feels like home.
Facebook forums and groups dedicated to the show echoed with repeated thank yous from impressed exhibitors who were able to settle in and get rolling on show prep with ease. There were effusive thanks for beautifully groomed footing, snacks and supplies at the paddocks and gate areas, and intelligent scheduling that made the days fly by.
Exhibitors and show committee members alike also supported one another throughout the week through the highly interactive online forums associated with the show. The spirit of community was alive and well at this show, as exhibitors loaned one another tack or a helping hand, and the show staff tracked down last-minute volunteers for scheduling conflicts and other challenges.
The slate of classes offered at the Arabian Sport Horse National Show has increased over the years, from dressage and under saddle classes alone to in-hand classes, jackpot classes, and even overall supreme awards. The 2024 show schedule included the much-requested Supreme Champion and Juvenile Supreme Championship in-hand awards to recognize quality Arabians who displayed superior type and athleticism. The Juvenile Supreme Championship was won by AL Khiss my Kash, bred and shown by Victoria Shaw, and the Supreme Champion award was won by Bluffing Birdie LD, shown by Jennette M Aubert, bred by Lucky Day Arabians.
The addition of jackpot classes and overall supreme in-hand championships has been welcomed and embraced by everyone passionate about the Arabian Sport Horse. These classes help to showcase the best horses in the U.S. and reward the breeders of these fine specimens for their effort and skill. All the horses who took home jackpot, supreme, or overall high point prizes at this year’s nationals were lovely individuals who exemplify the Arabian and Half-Arabian horse in every way.
Challenges over the cost of providing a live feed for the show did nothing to dampen the spirits of everyone who attended this year’s show. Exhibitors raved about the quickness with which scores were returned, the organization in every official area of the show, and the welcome they received as soon as they arrived. Where else can you ride your horse up to the order window and get a coffee or wander along bridlepaths that are perfectly groomed during breaks in your class schedule?
Paddock announcers and officials enjoyed pranks and fun, which livened up the atmosphere between classes and made for cute and funny social media posts that made everyone at home feel included in the fun. Exhibitors enjoyed ordering lucky capybaras for one another to help support the AHPA, and exhibitor parties kept things social, even after classes were done for the day.
2024 Sport Horse National Supreme Champion Sport Horse In-Hand and National Champion Half-Arabian Sport Horse In-Hand 3-Year-Old Jackpot Bluffing Birdie LD (MW Bodacious x MSU Salignac) with Jennette Aubert. Owned and bred by Lucky Day Arabians.
2024 Sport Horse National Supreme Champion Sport Horse In-Hand Juvenile and National Champion Half-Arabian Sport Horse In-Hand 3-Year-Old Jackpot AL Khiss My Kash (AL Khassius Khlay x MPA Tacori). Owned, bred and shown by Victoria Shaw.
Another exciting and welcomed addition to the show was the musical freestyle class. Exhibitors selected fun and moving music, wore incredible costumes, and generally had a ball showing off their creative talents and dressage skills. Many people dropped everything they were doing to watch this class unfold.
Another new addition to this year’s national show were the Western Dressage Suitability and Western Dressage Hack exhibition classes. These classes offer a new way for Western Dressage horses to enjoy the spotlight. They are being added to local shows and regional competitions all across the U.S. Western dressage classes are typically some of the largest classes at any sport horse show. The 2024 Sport Horse Nationals was no different. These classes offer a necessary opportunity for horses and riders with slightly different backgrounds to enjoy the benefits of dressage.
There are so many reasons that the Arabian Sport Horse National Show is thriving. Still, most of all, the effort that is made to allow exhibitors to feel welcome and to provide a superior show facility for this showcase of the Arabian horse creates an environment that is hard to duplicate anywhere else. There are still concerns about the distance of the trip for those who have nationally competitive horses on the West Coast, but concerns over the quality of other facilities and the attendance of those who live on the East Coast continue to make Ohio the most natural location for the show. Sport Horse Nationals proves the adage that quality shows will attract exhibitors from all over, even if the journey to get to the competition is long.
Many exhibitors who took home roses at the 2024 national show hail from the Pacific Northwest, and their unwavering support of the national show speaks volumes about what the facility and the class schedule have to offer to everyone passionate about sport horse competition. Exhibitor numbers have held relatively steady for the past four years, a promising sign when many shows around the country are struggling to get enough entries to remain held.
Few shows dedicated to the Arabian horse are so well-thought-out or so purpose-built. This show is a labor of love, and the effort and dedication behind it, which have allowed it to grow and thrive over the years, are apparent from the moment you set foot on the showgrounds.
The Arabian Sport Horse epitomizes the family-friendly horse that helped make the breed well-known generations ago. For exhibitors looking to work one-on-one with their horse and handle most of their training, and for those looking for classes that are truly focused on athleticism and temperament, there is no better venue than the sport horse arena. The 2024 Arabian Sport Horse Nationals made it very clear that the future of the Arabian sport horse is very bright indeed.
