The end of October means Arabian horses in Tulsa, Oklahoma. About 1,750 of the world’s finest Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian show horses will visit Expo Square, Oct. 22-30, 2010, for the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals). U.S. Nationals is the flagship competition for the Arabian horse industry and is produced by the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, Colo.

The Show

The nine-day show is the grand finale of the Arabian horse national show season, which also includes Youth Nationals, Canadian Nationals and Sport Horse Nationals. U.S. Nationals hosts 134 classes across several disciplines, including English, mounted native costume, pleasure driving, reining, halter, working cow, hunter and western pleasure. In 2009, 2,789 entries from 45 states and six Canadian provinces made for great competition, filling each of the nine days.

There is a session beginning at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily, three arenas run simultaneously. The last two evenings of the show often offer the best of the best as competitors have worked all week to make their cuts and have the opportunity to show in class finals.

The Shopping

When they’re not in the ring, exhibitors and spectators can enjoy the U.S. Nationals Shopping Expo, located in the Exchange Center at Expo Square. The Shopping Expo offers 22,000 square feet of equine lifestyle vendors that offer everything from jewelry, tack and furniture, to small gifts and fine art. Vendors will be open for shopping on the east end of the Exchange Center starting on Oct. 18 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. The entire Exchange Center will be open for business, Oct. 22-30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fashion Show

On Oct. 27, the public has a chance to see the best of what each Shopping Expo vendor has to offer at the AHA/Iron Horse Jeans U.S. Nationals Fashion Show, which will take place in the Exchange Center at 5 p.m. Come join the fun as U.S. National exhibitors don their favorite riding and lifestyle attire on the runway.

Judging Contest

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the nationally accredited Arabian Horse Youth Judging Contest where youth judging teams across three divisions: 4-H/FFA, Jr. AHA and Sr. AHA/Collegiate, practice to fill one of the most respected positions in our industry. The contest awards youth contestants over $10,000 in scholarships and prizes annually.

For Kids and Families of the Community

AHA will put on a program called Total Arabian Interaction and Learning (TAIL), Oct. 25. TAIL is designed specifically for kids who are unfamiliar with horses and would benefit from a behind the scenes tour of the show with a knowledgeable tour guide. Each tour lasts about two hours and will include the chance to meet an Arabian up-close-and-personal. To make a reservation for a tour, email Hilary Nixon at [email protected] before Oct. 22.

Admission

Admission is free for the Ford Truck Arena, Mustang Arena and Shopping Expo for the duration of the show. Tickets are required for Oct. 28-30 in the Pavilion and can be purchased in the ticket office at the southwest corner of the Pavilion or at www.exposquare.com. General admission is $10, students and seniors are $7.50, kids 12 and under are free.

AHA is a major equine association serving 33,000 members across North America. It registers and maintains a database of more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses and administers approximately $3 million in annual prize money. AHA produces championship events, recognizes close to 600 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. For information about Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, call 303-696-4500, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ArabianHorses.org