Horse Illustrated Magazine

Answering a call for a fun, friendly and affordable show venue, the Arabian Horse Association has developed Arabian Community Shows. ACS is designed to offer a stress-free showing experience and provides even the most novice horse owner a chance to show.

A recent ACS show in Parker, Colo. Reflected a typical sample of exhibitors: a fox hunting enthusiast wanting to try showing for the first time and her 20-year-old Arabian gelding, a 4-H girl and her mother sharing the same horse, a professional schooling a young horse, a teenager looking for a venue that wouldn’t use up her entire savings and a Youth Nationals rider who loves to show.

“ACS is a possible stepping stone for future Class A competitors, a growth opportunity for clubs and organizations and an invitation to everyone in the community to celebrate Arabian Horse ownership,” says Kari Stewart, AHA product marketing manager.

ACS centers on affordability, emphasizing fun over qualifying for regional and national shows. They follow general guidelines as opposed to strict rules. Shows focus primarily on Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians. Other elements include web-based show approval, results entry and tracking, as well as permanent recognition of horse accomplishments on Arabdatasource.com. Milestone and Year-End High Point Awards are given.

More than 50 shows have been lined up for 2007.

For more information about the ACS program, visit arabianhorses.org/ACS.