Appaloosas Take a Bow

The 61st National Appaloosa Show and 2008 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show run June 23 through July 6 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., and the world’s most colorful breed is competing in a variety of compelling events.

The National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show is the nation’s oldest single-breed horse show. Nearly 1,000 Appaloosas will be on hand this year to compete for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. The show is free to the public and draws more than 10,000 visitors each year. It’s accompanied by a gift and trade show, and by free horse-care seminars and training clinics.

Top Things to See at the National Appaloosa Show:

* Horse-against-horse speed classes. These include Camas Prairie stump race (barrel racing), Nez Perce stake race (pole bending), and rope race (similar to musical chairs). Instead of racing against the clock, as is done in other horse breeds, Appaloosas race head-to-head.

* Most colorful at halter. Here’s your chance to see the great variety of eye-grabbing Appaloosa coat-color patterns.

* Stick-horse rodeo. Part of the activities lineup for youth, the stick-horse rodeo is set for 3 p.m., June 24.

* Challenged Rider Leadline. Set for June 27, this heartwarming class is for special-needs riders mounted on horses controlled by attendants.

* Heritage. This is a costume class. In separate divisions for men and women, contestants display authentic apparel and trappings appropriate to early-day users of Appaloosas—native Americans, mountain men, et cetera.

* Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. These young women perform gravity-defying stunts while aboard colorful Appaloosa. June 27-28.

* Mississippi’s own, Callaway: This 16-year-old is on her way to topping the charts with her soulful voice. See her benefit concert June 28 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.
For more information, visit www.appaloosa.com.