In 2003, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) paid out close to $2.9 million to eligible horses in the International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes program, making it one of the richest payback programs in the horse industry. Since its inception in 1984, more than 100,000 horses have been enrolled in the program, and each year approximately 1,800 owners receive paybacks. Most of the payback went to Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian show horses in disciplines ranging from dressage, reining and trail to western, hunter and country English pleasure. Endurance and competitive horses earned more than $62,000 while owners of Nominated Sires pocketed more than $105,000, based on the winnings of their offspring.

The top 2003 Sweepstakes show ring winner was JKF MacGregor+/ (Allience+/ x P MacKenzie), who took home $29,375 for winning three championships and one reserve at U.S. and Canadian Nationals and four championships at regional shows. Owned by Loretta Reeder and ridden by Joel Kiesner and Nicci Reeder Waldschmit, JKF MacGregor+/ clinched those wins in Arabian English Pleasure open and AAOTR 18-39 and Arabian English Pleasure Driving.

Valerie Kanavy's Shahdon (Tyx+ x Shaheda Saba) was the top Sweepstakes endurance horse winner, earning $6,250 for his championship in the 2003 AHA 100-Mile Endurance Championship. Huckleberry Moon (Desperado V x Aerial Moondanse), owned by Jim and Lisa Windburn, netted $1,562 for three championships, one reserve and one top five in regional competitive trail rides. He also was placed top ten in the 2003 AHA National Endurance Ride.

If you are planning to compete in an Arabian horse regional or national show or ride, buying a Sweepstakes nominated horse or enrolling your foal in-utero as a Breeding Entry for a one-time fee of $400 is one of the wisest decisions you can make. Sweepstakes horses are eligible to win up to $4 million in prize money paid out annually in designated regional and national Sweepstakes classes for his entire lifetime.

By breeding to a Nominated Sire, an owner increases a foal's marketability and lifetime earning potential. Breeders interested in producing a quality Half-Arabian have the option of breeding their Arabian mare to a Non-Arabian Nominated Sire. Foals sired by a Non-Arabian Nominated Sire can be enrolled in-utero as Breeding Entries and reap the benefits of the Sweepstakes payback program.

2003 Top Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes Horses

AHA is a 40,000 member equine association that registers and maintains a database of more then one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. It administers more than $4 million in annual prize money, produces national events, maintains official event records, recognizes more than 400 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 info@ArabianHorses.org or visit www.ArabianHorses.org.

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