Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
February 14-24, 2019
WestWorld, Scottsdale
Scottsdale Preview—Past Success Inspires Big Dreams
The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has a rich history in the valley of the sun and will be celebrating its 64th Anniversary this year. Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The first show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel which was a beautiful setting for a horse show. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was a first class show from the very first day. After the show’s beginnings at the Arizona Biltmore, Ann McCormick bought 150 acres in Scottsdale and made it into the horse facility known as Paradise Park which served the needs of the show for many years. Since that time, the show has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale since 1989. It has grown from 50 horses to over 2400 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns.
The sponsoring organization, the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, was incorporated in 1955. There were about twelve members when it began and it has grown to over 650 members. The non-profit board of directors that is anything but lax, from the sensational group of horse and horseman that participate, and from the non-horse and horse community of Scottsdale making the show an elaborate and exciting event to attend. And beyond all this, there are always new things to look forward to at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. So, as the show quickly approaches, what does the show management have planned for this year?
The show will be held February 14-24, 2019, one of the new components of the show is a new and improved high point program. No longer necessary to enter or pay a fee to take part in the program, the new program is categorized through junior exhibitors, adult amateur exhibitors, and overall horse points. These are further broken down by age and class division, offering many category possibilities for exhibitors. Considering further the prize benefits available, the prize money total reaches well over an incredible $2,500,000 this year. Nearly $550,000 of this colossal total comprises the prize winnings for the Scottsdale Signature Stallion classes, an impressive amount and incredible opportunity for the elite group of stallions in the Signature program. The rest of the prize money comes from the divisions of halter, performance, dressage stakes, freestyle liberty, the Gambler’s Choice class, youth scholarship classes, and in the prominent reining classes of the show.
More than these substantial prizes for exhibitors, Scottsdale is a nonprofit organization that donates much of its gate proceeds to charity. Executive Director of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, Taryl O’Shea shares, “We have 4 main charities for the show this year they will be: Horses Help, March of Dimes, Scottsdale Community College Equine Sciences and Youth For Troops.”
Scottsdale is a show that brings in more than 300,000 people and 2300 horses into WestWorld each year. Numbers like these rightfully call for the incredible shopping opportunities, countless events and exhibitions every day, and the chance to see the most beautiful and talented Arabian horses in the world. Further demonstrating the versatility of the Arabian horse, spectators enjoyed a full program of education and entertainment opportunities with admission, including meet and greets with Arabian horses, barn tours, pony rides, art projects, and more. An Ice Cream Social will take place on Saturday, February 16th at 12pm in the Equidome to help celebrate the new young youth riders 2 to 7 years of age that compete in the leadline class where they are lead around the arena to make their show debut. The Schedule of Education & Entertainment @ The Scottsdale Show is updated weekly and located on the following web page: scottsdaleshow.com/schedule-of-exciting-events-at-the-scottsdale-arabian-horse-show.
Throughout the week, many distinguished farms will present their top stallions and sale horses both at WestWorld and offsite at their respective Scottsdale farms. These horses come from around the world to show in Scottsdale at the first show to kick of the season. Another distinctive feature of the show has to do with the astonishing level of competition the reining division has. The most competitive Arabian and Half-Arabian reining horse shows in the world, Scottsdale has much to offer for this unique and growing sport. There is no denying that Scottsdale certainly delivers in the reining department. In the Reining Futurity Classic, $150,000 in prize money is up for grabs for purebreds and half-Arabians. A fun class to watch if the Short Stirrup class is back for kids 10 and under perform a reining pattern.
In between competitions (classes), seminars, and parties, Scottsdale also offers premier shopping from over 350 vendors and an international cuisine court. In terms of what types of shopping is available, Commercial Exhibitor Coordinator Reita Lathrop shares, “The shopping expo has a variety of shopping to fit everyone’s budget, from high end custom made diamond jewelry, fine art, household items, clothing, custom saddles, show apparel to t-shirts and coffee mugs. Everyone can go home with something!” We have added pony rides and a petting zoo so bring the whole family for a fun affordable day out. Children 12 & under get in for FREE.
These aspects of the show are sure to impress the adults attending, but there are plenty of youth events to keep the kids entertained as well. Another youth and public event is the Paint-A-Pony event. March of Dimes will run this event, which is sponsored by John and Sharon Ames. The first 400 kids will get to paint a ceramic pony at the show for free.” Military families we have a special day for you — Tuesday, February 19, 2019 FREE admission for the Family all day!
