Horse Illustrated Magazine

UPDATE 10/26/11 11:00 a.m. EDT: Competition at the Appaloosa World Show has been suspended for Oct. 26 due to concerns about a horse exhibiting neurological symptoms. The show has implemented a voluntary quarantine pending the horse’s test results. For more information, visit www.appaloosablogspot.com

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: One of the many end-of-season championship shows
that takes place during the fall months is the Appaloosa World Show in Fort
Worth, Texas. Appaloosas and their riders kicked off the championship show on
Oct. 21, and it will continue through Saturday, Oct. 29.

The diversity of the Appaloosa’s talents is showcased
in a class schedule that jumps from a full day of roping on Oct. 21 to saddle
seat and western pleasure the following day. Other divisions offered include
jumping, cattle events, reining, trail and hunter under saddle.

Appaloosas at the World Show will also compete in
some unique speed events. The Camas Prairie Stump Race is a barrel race run as
a match race. Two courses are set up as mirror images in the arena. Two
competitors begin at the same time, facing opposite directions. The first horse
to cross the finish line wins.

The Nez Perce Stake Race is a similar set up where
two horses run side-by-side sets of poles at the same time. The winner of the
match race moves up the bracket to compete with another first-round winner, and
so on until a final winner is crowned.

To find out more about the Appaloosa World Show,
visit www.appaloosa.com.
To watch the live stream from the show, click here.