[Sandra-A1]

For those who might be interested the 2005 Arabian Sporthorse National Proofs are online at: http://www.donstine.com/show/SHN_05Show.htm

Third Arabian Sport Horse Nationals Exceeds Expectations

The Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Sport Horse Nationals) topped out at 550 horses this year, exceeding by 100 the original number forecast by the Arabian Horse Association which produced the show.

"It's just incredible," said Show Commission Chair Ed Peterson of Charles City, Va. "The feedback we're getting from people confirms to me what a great concept this sport horse event is and how much our members love having a national outlet to showcase their sport horses."

This year's show was held at the Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, Va. on September 21-25, and included 69 classes in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. The Sport Horse Nationals is the only single breed championship competition focusing specifically on sport horse disciplines and catering to sport horse exhibitors. It alternates venues between east and west every year, and will return to Virginia in 2007. The 2006 show will be held at the Idaho Center Horse Park, Nampa, Idaho, from September 20-24.

The show mixes competition, camaraderie, fun and entertainment. There were activities every evening, starting with Pleasure Carriage Obstacle Driving on Wednesday won by Arabian/Saddlebred Mohamed Kockout and Wayne Gavitt of Forksville, Pa. Guests and exhibitors socialized Thursday during Open Barn Night and enjoyed Musical Dressage Freestyle on Friday. The Horse Illustrated Celebration of Arabian Sport Horse on Saturday afternoon and evening featured clinics by dressage pioneer Hilda Gurney and Olympic eventing gold medalist David O'Connor.

The Saturday evening headliner was a Jumper Mini Prix won in record time by the exciting daredevil team of Visconde Rach+/ and Claire Rozran of Turtle Rock Partners, Chicago, Ill. The Sport Horse Spectacular included a variety of specialty acts (see accompanying press release), which was followed by the naming of the Supreme Sport Horse Champion won by last year's reserve, Anglo-Arabian mare Soleya++++//, owned by Lisa Chovin, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.

The Sport Horse Show Hack Championships brought the evening to a close with Arabian Midnight Sun OA and Cynthia Derousie and Half-Arabian Nju Epic ridden by Todd Ehret and owned by Jodie Surerus of La Glace, Alberta, taking home the rose blankets. Rounding out the event on Sunday was the Practical Horseman Hunter Classic won by Showgun PGN of Daydream Arabians and John French.

The largest dressage class with 88 entries was Training Level ATR also won by Nju Epic. The FEI dressage levels brought in 34 entries, with 20 in Prix St. Georges "which we don't even get at a USDF regional show" said Technical Delegate Joyce Hardesty.

New this year was a Pleasure Carriage Driving Division sponsored by the Illini Arabian Horse Club and several individuals that attracted 20 drivers, horses and beautiful antique/reproduction buggies. Classes included pleasure driving working, pleasure driving reinsmanship and "pick your route" obstacles. The 2-year-old sport horse in-hand jackpot classes featured 6 classes for both Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian colts, fillies and geldings with Arabian/Dutch Warmblood filly Willowmina owned by Joyce Adair and Mary Ann Neidhardt, Eustis, Fla., getting the high score of 175.6. Only Soleya++++// earned a higher score (181).

Each Top Ten received a walnut plaque with brass plate and ribbons. Rose neck garlands or blankets and Gladys Brown Edwards trophy statues went to champion and reserve. Awards for FEI levels included gold jewelry by The Gorgeous Horse, with select classes receiving additional prizes such as bridles & saddles from Schneider's Saddlery, Catena watches, carriage number holders by Freedman Harness, and "Turtle Neck" blankets.

Hurricane Rita made her presence known for several attendees. Dressage judge Fran Dearing, photographer Don Stine and several exhibitors from the Texas Gulf Coast had evacuated horses prior and during the show and kept close contact with their farms.

Sport Horse Nationals was produced by AHA and sponsored in part by Corporate Partners Equisure, MD Barns, MBNA America, Sundowner Trailers, Dealer Direct Automotive and "Turtle Neck" Blankets. Show sponsors included Arabian Horse World, Dressage Today, Practical Horseman, Illini Arabian Horse Club, Schneider's Saddlery, Horse Illustrated, Catena Watches, The Gorgeous Horse, Freedman Harness, The Hat Lady, Bee Garlands and Peller Estates.

Results can be found online at ArabianHorses.org/SHN

[Heavenly Jumper]

THANKS a BUNCH!! I'm inspired....