The second annual Arabian Horse Association Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show will be held at the Murieta Equine Complex in Rancho Murieta, California on September 15-19, 2004. See the most beautiful horses in the world demonstrating supreme athleticism in 64 classes in three divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage and hunter/jumper. For a complete list of classes, check out the prize list by going to www.ArabianHorses.org/shn. The closing date for entries is August 4, 2004.

Showcase events include the elegant Musical Freestyle Dressage and Sport Horse Show Hack classes on Friday, September 17 at 7 p.m. and the thrilling Jumper Mini-Prix on Saturday, September 18 at 7 p.m. That same night the show will crown the Sport Horse Supreme Champion. There is free admission to all events.

This is the only national single breed competition focusing specifically on the sport horse disciplines and catering to sport horse exhibitors. A special patron's lounge overlooks the dressage and sport horse rings. Sport Horse classes will take place in the main covered arena, and dressage competition will be held in two indoor rings. Hunter/jumpers will perform in two outdoor rings.

For each class, champions and reserves will receive Gladys B. Edwards horse trophies, garlands, plaques and ribbons. Fifty percent of the total paid class entry fees will go into the prize money for each class. Seventy-five percent of this payback will be divided among the top ten horses, with 15 percent going to the champion and 10 percent to the reserve champion.

The judges for the show are dressage judges Lorraine McDonald, Arlene Rigdon, Brian Ross and Natalie Lamping. The hunter/jumper judges are Kristin Freeman-Lowry and Peter Stoeckl. The sport horse judges are Donna Singlehurst and Joe Darby.

All horses need to be Arabians, Half-Arabians or Anglo-Arabians registered with AHA or the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry but do not need to be inspected or approved by any particular sport horse registry. Both rider and owner need to be AHA members. For information on how to join, go to the above website and click on join AHA or call (303) 696-4500.

Seven companies are sponsoring the Sport Horse Nationals. Primedia Business Magazines and Media has partnered with three of its publications as division sponsors: Dressage Today, Practical Horseman and Arabian Horse World. Award sponsors include AHA Corporate Partners Arabian Saddle Company and Turtle Neck Blankets by Paint Rock Designs. Schneider’s Saddlery, Freedman Harness, Bennett Fine Jewelry and the Gorgeous Horse.

When reserving rooms for this show, make sure you mention that you are with the Sport Horse Nationals so you don't get turned away. Hotels that have blocked off rooms for exhibitors in Rancho Cordova include Amerisuites, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, Marriott Residence Inn and the Sacramento Marriott Ranch Cordova.

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.

.