The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will celebrate ten years at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. with the 2010 Arabian and Half-Arabian Youth National Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals), July 24-31. The championship hors witez.come show mixes the country’s best young equestrian talent with youth-spun fun and activities, pouring approximately $10 million into the city’s economy.

Nearly 1,000 Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses and their youth riders will compete in head-to-head competition that ranges a wide variety of disciplines including western, English, dressage and jumping. Classes begin at 8 a.m. each day and are divided into morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Admission to all performances is free for the duration of the show. The entire week is laced with activities planned especially for families to draw the Albuquerque community to the fairgrounds for free, wholesome summer fun.

On the evenings of July 30 and 31, the week’s finalists compete for the national championship in special evening performances after the kids have competed to make their cuts throughout the week.

This year’s youth activities start even before the show begins and are scattered throughout the week. Albuquerque riding students should take advantage of a free clinic put on by the Arabian Professional and Amateur Horseman’s Association (APAHA), July 22, featuring showmanship expert, Laurie Long and hunter pleasure trainer, Wendy Potts. Clinics start at 2 p.m. in the Horseman’s Arena.

AHA corporate partner, Iron Horse Jeans will sponsor a fashion show at 5 p.m. on July 28 in the Lujan A building. Just after the fashion show, spectators have the chance to see an acoustic performance by country artist and Iron Horse Jeans spokesperson, Felicia King.

The Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico is the official Youth Nationals Charity and will benefit from proceeds collected in jars placed around the grounds throughout the week and passed around Tingley Coliseum in the evening on July 31. New Mexico children living with cancer will have an opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal, behind-the-scenes, view of Youth Nationals and will also be award presenters.

Youth Nationals always brings a variety of shopping options to Expo New Mexico, where shoppers can enjoy everything for their equine life-style, including tack, show clothing, casual clothing, jewelry, art and more. The Shopping Expo is in the Lujan A Building and is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., July 24-31.

For more information about Youth Nationals, contact the Arabian Horse Association at (303) 696-4500 and choose option #4 or contact [email protected].