In 1955, the very first Arabian horse show took place at the Arizona Biltmore. It was a grand affair with the backdrop of the luxurious hotel as well as the mountain peaks beyond. The show moved to larger grounds shortly thereafter, however once again the horses, as well as the crowds, outgrew the space and the show ultimately settled in the place where it remains today, the versatile and multifaceted Westworld of Scottsdale. Over the years, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has become the largest one in the world. In fact, it is known to many as the “Super Bowl of Arabian Horse Shows.”
The Competition
The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is more than just a place to see these magnificent equine specimens. The show actually represents a competition that begins the first stage of the Arabian Triple Crown, in which the U.S. National Arabian Championship is the second and Canadian National Arabian Championship as the third, respectively. At present, the competition is based upon the ability to compete in different modalities, in categories with esoteric jargon to the layman such as halter, dressage, working western, and English pleasure. In addition to the professional riders, the horse show also features a youth division for most classes. The event and entire competition take place over several days in February, and in the past, some attendance numbers reached more than 320,000, not to mention the fact the show provides a live feed to even more viewers.
Community Benefits of the Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale
Over these many decades, the Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale has generated millions of dollars for the local economy and a vast portion of the funds collected goes towards local charities and non-profit organizations. The show also provides a great opportunity for people to learn more about the horses themselves, the club programs, events, the equestrian members and the farms; basically everything you ever wanted to know about this particular breed of horse which originally comes from the peninsula it is named after.
Additional Info
The Arabian horse has been bred for nearly 5,000 years, and therefore it has become one of the most steadfast equine species to remain with humans. A visit to the desert city of Scottsdale would not be complete without attending this exciting event held every year in the magnificent entertainment complex of Westworld, located at 16601 N. Pima Road in North Scottsdale.
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