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There were record entries this year, and some very beautiful horses, but there were still too many with very plain heads and distinctly off type in my opinion. Many of the horses were shown on a much looser lead than before, but the handlers have to learn to run better with them to show off their good movement. The judging at times was very hard to understand and seemed very inconsistent to say the least. It made many of us wonder just what they were looking for as potential breeding animals. I noticed so many horrible leg faults and even a winner that was lame! It will be interesting to see how the scoring system goes next year.

Thursday morning was a huge halter day, with classes going on from 8 am until 4 pm. The first in were the two huge sections of yearling colts. Section A contained some very promising individuals. These classes tended to be dominated by the stallions Marwan Al Shaqab and his sire Gazal Al Shaqab, as well as Magnum Psyche. A new feature of these classes was making the judges more accountable by having each judge stand out in front, while the horses were lined up in order of their placings. With two out of the three judges placing him first, the winner was LC Prince Magnum (Magnum Psyche x Ludy El Shahller) a very exotic colt with a good body and movement. In second place was a great moving colt—Spartacus TO (Marwan Al Shaqab x Da Shahnia) it was a shame that his handler could not keep up with him very well to do him justice.
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PRESS RELEASE January 1, 2008
FROM DR. HANS-J. NAGEL, PRESIDENT, WAHO

WAHO is publishing the following announcement:
This is the first time in history that the world-wide existing Arabian horse registries and their membership, the Arabian horse breeders, are united. It has taken several years of negotiations and build-up of confidence between WAHO, the World Arabian Horse Organisation and PAT, the Pure-bred Arabian Trust to agree on a solid understanding how the past and the future of the world-wide existing Arabian horse population should be handled. Both organisations have explored all aspects how the past and the future could be put on a proper road and that PAT will become again a full member of WAHO under such considerations. The authorities of WAHO are appreciating highly the positive attitude of PAHR in co-operating to make such a change possible. There is also no doubt that the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry will join WAHO again in the coming year.

The total Arabian Horse breed world-wide is therefore from now on an exclusive and closed population and will be guarded as such, hopefully forever.

From January 01, 2008 on, PAT in conjunction with AHA will be therefore the only registering authority in the US. WAHO is very pleased to have this historically old registry authority again in a full member status within its ranks. PAHR, however, will cease its activities by December 31, 2007.

The WAHO Office
Newbarn Farmhouse, Forthampton
Gloucestershire GL19 4QD, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 274455
Fax: +44 (0) 1684 274422

December 15, 2007

A special thanks to David Boggs for allowing us to share the incredible story of *Padron with our readers.

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, the Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival will open its doors on the 15th of January 2008 for four consecutive days in the headquarters of His Highness's farms in Tebrak city, west of Riyadh.

A Higher Organizing Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness, Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin AbdulAziz, will oversee the event, and benefits from the expertise and experience of its members in Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed, Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, the Engineers Abdullah bin Fahd Al Sweilem and Sami Al Nohait, General Ayed Al Jeaid, and Mr. Mutlak bin Mushrif.

Peninsula and, more particularly, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is deemed to be a high class regal event and a horse lovers reunion as it will be focusing on the heritage of the Arabian horse, its distinguished culture, and in addition, its exceptional preservation since the Pre-Islamic state of Paganism, during the Islamic ages and forward.

This Festival will encompass a various number of activities that aim to restore equestrian disciplines and the importance and significance of the Arabian Horse as part of the nation's history.

Al Wataniya advertising, publishing and media development will be the official media representative and advertising agency for the Festival, which will be managed by the Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival office in Riyadh.

This year was to be the last year the US Nationals were to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as next year the show goes to its new permanent home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The weather was simply glorious with warm, sunny days, and fabulous autumnal colours. I have been going to the US Nationals since 1979, when the show was very exciting and the stands were so full that unless one bought tickets in advance for the last two nights, there was no chance of getting a seat. Then, most people dressed in evening dress on the last two nights, but now it's casual jeans etc. This year even on Saturday night the stands were barely a third full.

Back then the Halter classes were huge with several cuts before the finals. This year some of the cuts were cancelled, and the classes were small and sadly lacking in depth. Having been to so many other shows around the world, this show for the quality of Halter horses is very disappointing. The top two were usually well deserved, typey horses, but many of the top ten had horrible club feet and other bad conformational faults. My photographer Carol Maginn and I saw at least four club feet in one class. I observed only one judge out of the six Halter judges looking closely at feet and legs. The sooner this show goes to a scoring system where the judges are forced to really look at legs and movement the better—many just seem to stare at the neck !!

It was hard to see if some horses had good movement or not, since some trainers still clutch the head and trot the horses with their heads in the air and a hollow back, which makes it impossible to show good, athletic movement. Sad to say there are still some whip happy trainers out there and some very scared young horses.

Most of the performance classes were well filled, particularly the Western and Hunter Pleasure classes. The Working Western classes such as Reining, Cutting and Working Cow are always fun to watch and many spectators gravitated towards that arena. The commercial exhibitors were complaining bitterly of lack of customers—maybe the economy and sign of the times. I think that if the scoring system of judging Halter is not implemented soon that many owners will give up showing altogether. I hope not. So many of them now refuse to put their horses into some trainers hands to see them have to go through the severe training to get that 'hard standup'.

The first class I watched was the mares of six and over on the Tuesday night, a small and very average class in content. Here, in my opinion, the clear winner should have been the beautiful, very typey and correct Polish mare Elandra (Monogramm x Erlanda) whom I have admired many times: but it was not to be, as she was only named Reserve Champion. The Champion was Maggdalina(Magnum Psyche x Zolina) with a typical look of her sire.

On Wednesday evening, the stallions of six and over had their turn. This was a fairly good class, but too many plain and shapeless heads for my liking as well as poor movement. The Champion was a horse that I've always liked as he is very typey and correct—Pyro Thyme SA (Pryme Thyme x Holly On Fire). The same comments apply to the Reserve Champion Da Vanci FM (Versace x Full Moon Star) who is equally nice, and for me it was hard to choose between the two. Two stallions that got left out who should have been in the top ten were Antham (Rushan x WN Sharazada) and AM Ben Dream (Dreamazon x SEA Note) both lovely, typey and correct stallions.

Thursday was a busy day for us with three Halter classes to watch. First of all were the yearling Sweepstakes fillies, a lovely class and in my opinionby far the best of the show, certainly dominated by the sire Marwan Al Shaqab. It was sickening to watch some of these babies being picked on and some were trembling as they went past us. The winner was the very attractive RD Fabreanna (Falcon BHF x TF Simply Magic) with True Desire (Ames Charisma x Serenata Eljamaal) another feminine and typey filly in Reserve.

During the afternoon session we watched the class for three year old Futurity fillies, another fairly average class, but with a few outstanding entries—one of which did not make the top ten ! The Champion was the very typey and good moving Star of Marwan (Marwan Al Shaqab x OKW Notorious Star) with Regal Actress (Regal Actor JP x Enchanted Fflyte) in Reserve.

In the evening the Futurity three year old colts were shown in their final judging. Not a very inspiring class either, and I saw many colts frantically licking their lips, which is a sure sign of stress. The eventual Champion was the really beautiful, typey Marhaabah (Marwan Al Shaqab x Shalina El Jamaal) with illustrious parents like that he could hardly miss. This colt was bought by a partnership of small breeders who I believe had never shown a horse at Nationals before. Reserve was another lovely colt by Marwan Al Shaqab—this was NYC Hisani out of the Versace daughter NYC Imara Versace.

On Friday evening, the session started with the opening ceremonies of flag presenting and the National anthems of Canada and the USA. The finals of the three to five year old Junior mares was then held. In my opinion this was a disappointing class, but the outstanding winner was the ethereal, correct and very type Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab x Emanda) she was beautifully shown and trotted out without breaking stride to capture her title. It's so interesting that in Paris there would have probably been a whole class of mares of this standard. In Reserve was Kharmel BR (Khadraj NA x SF Georgia). A mare that I really liked was the Besson Carol daughter Allison MO out of Alia Jamaal, she did go top ten.

On the final day the yearling Sweepstakes colts were shown in the morning. There were some very promising colts in this class. The unanimous Champion was the incredible Aria Impresario (Marwan Al Shaqab x GC Echlectica). He was Supreme Champion in Scottsdale this year and obviously has a great future. I was told by his owners that he will not be shown again and will be retained as a breeding stallion. In Reserve was WH Patriot (Marwan Al Shaqab x WH Rosette) another very typey colt.

There was plenty of opportunity to spend money while wandering around the many commercial stands. One could buy anything from expensive jewellery and clothing to everything for the horse. A good back or foot massage could be had too. Mexican food was available everywhere, as well as delicious ice cream.

Finally the evening performance started with the opening ceremonies again. What was also fun afterwards was to see was a presentation of some of the old horses who had won numerous Championships at past Nationals. One was 25 years young and still came in ridden in Western Sidesaddle, he looked so dignified.

Following them was the final of the Junior Stallion aged three to five years. Not a very inspiring class when one thinks of the size of this country, and the number of horses being bred, although that has declined very sharply and many good stallions have been sold overseas. Rather a foregone conclusion was the stallion DA Valentino (Versace x DA Love) winning the Championship, since last year he was Champion Futurity colt and Junior Stallion. He's a nice enough typey stallion with a good body. Reserve to him was the pretty and well conformed Pprovidence (Echo Magniffico x Bey Amore).

In my opinion something drastic has to happen to get the Halter/Breeding classes back on their feet again, and encourage more owners to take responsibility to whom they send their horses to be trained and shown. This is one reason that the Sport Horse division has exploded since its inception. Owners feel that they have a fair crack of the whip and can enjoy preparing and showing their horses themselves. We'll see what the result of the upcoming Convention brings as far as the scoring system is concerned. Accordingly, perhaps we'll see a change for the better in Tulsa next year. We and many spectators gravitated towards that arena. The commercial exhibitors were complaining bitterly of lack of customers—maybe the economy and sign of the times. I think that if the scoring system of judging Halter is not implemented soon that many owners will give up showing altogether. I hope not. So many of them now refuse to put their horses into some trainers hands to see them have to go through the severe training to get that 'hard standup'.

The HSUS/Kathy Milani

Vicki Webb with a horse at the Lakeside temporary shelter.
Eighty-eight horses were claimed by owners at Lakeside Oct. 25.

By Rachel Querry

LAKESIDE, Calif.—Despite an improved forecast, The HSUS Disaster Services team welcomed volunteer reinforcements from Tallahassee, Seattle and Austin, Texas, Thursday.

The team, working with the San Diego County Animal Services, has been rescuing and helping shelter animals in ongoing efforts to help people and animals affected by a week of terrible firestorms in Southern California.

"Animals Need Food and Water"

The Southern California fires have raced through horse country, a repeat of 2003 fires that spread through the same area. The San Diego County Animal Services has emphasized preparedness in the intervening years, and the agency is generally pleased with the response from the public.

“I think this operation has gone amazingly well considering the scope” of this disaster, said Lt. Dan DeSousa Thursday.

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See slideshow on California fire and its impact on animals

Make a secure Donation to the Disaster Relief Fund

2007 Israeli National Championship Show October 18-19, 2007

Judges:
Dr. Nasr Marei from Egypt
Dr. Gianmarco Aragno from Italy
Mrs. Ann Norden from Sweden

Championships:

*2007 Israeli National Champion Filly: Badawiyah AA (Laheeb x Bahiha) Bred by Eli Meslati & Ariela Arabians. Owned by Meslati & Kahloon
*2007 Israeli Reserve National Champion Filly: Omniet Al Ayun (Laheeb x W. Warda) Bred by Yosuf Asalli. Owned by Amjad Keleani

*2007 Israeli National Champion Colt: Nader Al Jamal (Ansata Sinan x Savannah CC) Bred by Two Silos Farm, USA. Owned by the Nader Al Jamal partnership. On lease to Ariela Arabians
* 2007 Israeli Reserve National Champion Colt: Al Raheb AA (Laheeb x The Vision HG) Bred by Ariela Arabians. Owned by Al Fawaz Stud

*2007 Israeli National Champion Mare; Latifah AA (Al Maraam x Imperial Kalatifa) Bred & owned by Ariela Arabians
*2007 Israeli Reserve National Champion Mare: AA Alabina (Laheeb x Ahbabaa) Bred by Avi Aharoni. Owned by Monir Abed Alhadi

* 2007 Israeli National Champion stallion: MD Tallal (Mosalli x W. Aalia) Bred by Dani Miro. Owned by Al Fawaz stud
* 2007 Israeli Reserve National Champion Stallion: A Nadim (Kamsin Rodan x V.D. Daquebria) Bred by Achrak Arabians. Owned by Mahamod Wakid

* High scoring horse of the show: MD Tallal (Mosalli x W. Aalia) 93 Pointes!!!

See all results

The prominent two-year-old colt, QR MARC, bred in the U.S. and owned by Rohara Arabians, USA, was recently sold to Europe. Spectacular rumours on a spectacular price have been going around since the end of September. However, it is a fact that this excellent colt and young stallion has been sold to Europe, to Paul Gheysens of Belgium who starts his breeding program on sire's side with QR MARC. The stallion will be professionally managed by Christine Jamar, from Belgium, assisted by Greg Gallun, in the USA. QR MARC is by Marwan Al Shaqab and out of a full sister to stallion QR Excel, who came over to Italy in the beginning of the 90s, and was sold and owned later on by Yeguada Ferrero in Mallorca. QR MARC will be based at Christine Jamar's Jadem Arabians, in Belgium, and will be available also for outside mares.

Sinan Al Rayyan leased from Al Jazira Stud

Sinan Al Rayyan is returning to Al Rayyan Farm for one or two seasons. When Sinan Al Rayyan was sold to Al Jazira Stud the deal was clear; he would return to breed at Al Rayyan! Well right now its that time and they are happy to announce Sinan's return. Sinan will be used extensively and they are looking forward to getting the same high quality young stock as he has already successfully sired in Kuwait.

Sinan Al Rayyan, sired by Ansata Sinan x Al Wajba Al Rayyan ( Safir x Ansata Sharifa) is a great individual with excellent type and dry head, long, well shaped neck and superb body and top line. All of you will, I am sure, know of his sire Ansata Sinan's reputation as a great producer. Sinan Al Rayyan also has an equally well producing dam and dam-line which make up Al Rayyan's foundation stock of broodmares.

Qatar Arabian horse Show

The 10th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show will be held on the 3rd and 4th of December 2007

The 17th Qatar International Arabian Horse Show will be held on the 25th 26th and 27th February 2008.

After two years of very careful planning, this tremendous venture in Las Vegas at the South Point Equestrian Center on 20-22 April was pulled off with aplomb by a group of very dedicated breeders. It is no mean feat to orchestrate a brand new show of this size with a different judging system. The board of directors deserve a tremendous pat on the back for trying to halt the decline of halter entries, mainly due to politics and sometimes ignorance, thus bringing back some spectator excitement to these important breeding classes.

The glamour started on Thursday evening with the glitzy and wonderful gala dinner and dance at the Wynn Hotel. It was a phenomenal evening with great food, a lively band and everyone seemed to have a great time.

The show was based on the successful All Nations Cup show in Aachen, with the same age divisions for fillies, mares, colts and stallions. The board members whose idea this show was are: Scott Bailey, Bob Battaglia, Bob Boggs, Jay Constanti, Hank Deshazer, Bob North, Jim Sirbasku, Jeff Sloan (Chairman) and Carol Steppe. All these people have successfully been in the Arabian breed for many years and have traveled to observe shows around the world. It was decided to not only base the show on Aachen, but also to invite judges from many different countries who were conversant with the European scoring system. Several countries sent entries to the show, which gave the event an international flavor and spectators came from all over the world.

Experts running the show included the Scottsdale managers Taryl Pearson, Kelly Charpentier, and Janice McCrea-Wight, who certainly knows how to manage a show! The six judges invited were Doug Dahmen (USA), Silvia Garde-Ehlert (Germany), Nasr Marei (Egypt), Bruce McCrea (USA/Saudi Arabia), Cindy Reich (USA) and Liuz Rocco (Brazil). Richard Petty (USA) judged the performance classes.

The scoring system was designed so that a full scale of scores from one to 20 was able to be used. Unfortunately, this did not happen and the scores slipped into a narrow window of 14 to 20, as is used in Europe. This was disappointing to many, but I'm sure that it will be addressed for next year. Rome wasn't built in a day and with a new venture, there are always wrinkles to be ironed out. In spite of this, I think that the results would have been pretty much the same.

(This Article may not be reproduced or otherwise used without the express written consent of Liz Salmon)

Michael Byatt has been holding a very successful Open House for the last few years at the beginning of May, and this was the first time I was able to attend. In my opinion Michael has done more for the Arabian breed in the USA than most people I can think of. He has religiously sought to lease outstanding, typey and great moving stallions from overseas, he has fought against the use of ginger, whip abuse and also alterations of advertising photos.

The wonderful weekend started with a cocktail party at the farm on Friday evening. The farm is tucked away in spectacular, wooded country side, and takes a bit of finding with out the excellent directions given. The weather was perfect—which was a relief after all the heavy storms we had been having. We ate sumptuous food in great company under a starlit sky and fairy lights adorning the trees. Enthusiasts had come from all over the country from East to West.

The next morning, we started with a presentation of the most incredible group of stallions assembled by Michael. All the Al Shaqab stallions are on lease and due to return this year. We all stood around the covered round pen with cameras at the ready. First in was the ethereal, exquisite grey Straight Egyptian *Al Adeed Al Shaqab (Ansata Halim Shah x Sundar Alisayyah). He was turned loose to exhibit his presence and movement, and he certainly did not disappoint us. Next was a contrast in Colours, but equally impressive. This was the bay *Erte JCA (*Gazal Al Shaqab x *Egzonera) a powerful stallion with all the type and movement required for a great stallion. I had not seen him before, but I certainly was full of admiration for him. He is owned by the *Erte Partners LLC USA.

The exotically typey *Kenz Noor (Imperial Madori x Nakksh El Koob) was presented next. I had seen this beautiful Straight Egyptian stallion before, and had recommended to some of my clients that they should breed to him. He was bred at the Rabab Stud in Egypt and is in the States on lease. Another stallion that I had not seen before was WN Star of Antigua (Monogramm x WN Antigua) bred by Wayne Newton, this lovely stallion could not possibly miss with such illustrious parents as his known for their type and movement. He has recently been bought by the Al Shaqab Stud to cross with *Marwan daughters.

2006 US NATIONALS

by Liz Salmon

This year was the last time for the US Nationals to be held in Louisville, Kentucky—a sad milestone for many who had had their triumphs in the large facility. Entries were well over 2200, with many wanting to compete there for the last time. There were some extra attractions this year such as a display for the Black Horse literacy project, which does great work in encouraging children to read. The Arabian Nights Dinner Theatre Road Show came from Florida, providing outstanding circus type acts with bareback valting and an amazing Appaloosa who was incredibly well trained with spectacular trick acts.

Another feature was past Halter and Performance Champions now retired, who were shown everyday in the commercial exhibit area and finally in the main coliseum on the final night—few dry eyes in the arena for that one. They included the famous Monogramm (Negatraz x Monogramma) sire of so many wonderful Champions around the world.

The judging was as controversial as ever with some judges still going for the light bodied, 'giraffe necked' horses, but at other times picking really typey, good bodied, balanced horses in the winners spots—it was hard to follow !! Something has to be done about the judging system here—hopefully the European system will be passed as a resolution at the AHA Convention in November. Some judges don't seem to inspect legs and barely glance at movement. There were three sets of three judges for males, females and geldings.

The first major Purebred Halter class to come up was the Senior Mares on Tuesday night. This was not a very strong class in my opinion, but the unanimous winner and the crowd favourite, who totally out shined all the rest in the class, was the wonderful Polish bred El Dorada (Sanadik El Shaklan x Emigrantka). Showed to perfection by Greg Gallun she was allowed to display her natural presence—she wowed every one. She is on lease by Californian breeder Manny Vierra from the Michalow Stud in Poland. Reserve Champion was GAA Millennia (Magnum Psyche x Bey Cherie Amore) an attractive coloured dark bay mare fairly typical of her bloodlines.

The Sweepstakes Colt and Filly yearling classes were huge, requiring 2 sections of judging for each before the final judging. The finals of the filly classes came up first—it was a good class with some lovely fillies. Marwan Al Shaqab has certainly left his mark as there were many successful progeny by him in all the youngstock classes. Indeed the Champion in this class was by him, this was Goddess of Marwan out of Amety B owned by Sally Bedeker. She has an exotic head, but seemed to totally lack the sparkle that I saw in her as a weaned foal. She appeared reluctant to do anything. Reserve Champion was another Marwan filly Marabella JMF out of Just Mystyle VF) . This was a very typey filly with a much better body and good movement owned by Harold and Dolly Orr. There was another filly Shownel (Showkayce x WR Jullane) owned by Carol Steppe in the class that I felt could easily have won, she was exquisite.

Wednesday evening was the turn of the Senior Stallions. It was a big mixed class, and know that I was not the only one that was a little disappointed in the standard. I thought that the geldings were of a higher standard the next day. The Magnum Psyche son LD Pistal out of Halana won this one. He is owned by the LD Pistal parnership and is very typical of his sire's progeny, and is an elegant and refined stallion. Reserve was the 2006 Scottsdale Champion Rashid Van Ryad (Ryad El Jamaal x Striking Rhapsody) owned by Lee Melchi and shown by Jeff Schall—a good bodied horse with great presence.

The futurity fillies was a very good, even class of typey moving horses. Here again it was won by a Magnum Psyche daugther—NBW Angels Kiss out of BHF Dark Angel owned by The Arabian Horse Heritage Partners. I personally like more substance in the body, but she was typey. Reserve was Suzanna MPA (Versace x Fortune in Gold) owned by a pretty filly with a great body and hip. I personally loved the mare Drama Qyeen (First Cyte x Klassic) owned by Donna Henges who lived up to her name in every way, plus had the type and presence.

The Futurity colts were shown on Thursday evening. It was a huge class with some lovely colts, but also a few very plain heads. Taking the Championship was a Versace son DA Valentino out of DA Love owned by Dan & Maureen Grossman. He had a good body and hip, but in my opinion was some what unexciting. Reserve was PProvidence (Echo Magnifico x Bey Amore) owned by Margaret Vanden Broek— a typey colt with a great body and hip as well as being a good mover.

The Junior mare class was held on Friday night. This was a great class with some exquisite entries. The crowd favourite was absolutely Pianissima (Gazal Al Shaqab x Pianosa) and from the moment she entered, she looked a queen, as well as appearing relaxed and happy. The applause for her was deafening, and it was with great relief that she was named Champion. Shown by Greg Gallun, she is on lease to the Sloan brothers partnership from Janow Stud. In Reserve was another fabulous mare, the Spanish bred Abha Myra (Marwan Al Shaqab x ZT Ludjkalba) shown by Michael Byatt, owned by Harold and Dolly Orr . What a wonderful sight to see these two stunning mares with all the type, presence and movement being recognised as great examples of the breed as indeed they should be.

On the final day we watched the yearling colt finals. This was quite a good class with some excellent stallion prospects. The winner was the Enzo son Eden out of Silken Sable owned by Dona Bellinger; he's a colt I liked very much in Scottsdale this year, as he's very typey and has an excellent body and good movement. Reserve was the more exotic and refined Marwan Al Shaqab son QR Marc out of Swete Dreams owned by Rohara Arabians. When he has matured a bit more, I'm sure he'll stack up some major Championships.

In between Halter classes there was all the performance categories to watch as well as trying to avoid spending a great deal of money in the Commercial area. The variety of food available was very tempting—the huge ice creams were my down fall !!

Saturday night started off with the wonderful parade of past Champions, followed by the Junior stallions class. It was a good class with the first to enter blowing many of us away, this was the fabulous Major Jamaal (Soho Carol x Maya El Jamaal) owned by Taylor Arabians and well shown by Michael Byatt. What a fantastic horse, we all thought that he was surely going to win. Another really good horse was Mostly Padron ( Padrons Psyche x HS Mostly). I really expected that the top honours would go to Major Jamaal, but he was called out in Reserve place. It was to be the Champion Futurity colt DA Valentino who was named as unanimous Champion. Horses are allowed to show in the three year old Futurity and the Junior stallions aged three to five years. Well in the end, the spectators choose who they like regardless of the official results. Throughout the week, they cheered wildly for their favourites and often kept silent in disapproval for some of the Champions—more I think for the way some were handled, rather than the horses themselves.

It was a great week, I met so many friends and made several new ones. The social side is always fun and there are plenty of parties to go to. Next year the show will be back in Albuquerque, after that it will be held on a permanent base in Tulsa, Oklahoma—only four hours drive from me. I sincerely hope that the scoring system gets voted in, as I feel that something really needs to be done about the erratic judging. Too many good horses get overlooked because they are not shown by big names. We certainly need to get more people back into showing and enjoying their horses of this great breed.