Horse showing season is upon us, so saddle up, riders. One of the most highly anticipated and popular horse shows, Arizona’s Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, is preparing to kick off its 65th year.
According to the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, their first show in 1955 took place at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. During the mid-1950s, Anne McCormick, who adored Arabian horses, dedicated 150 acres of her ranch as an equestrian center. This center was Paradise Park, which hosted the show from 1956 through 1968. (For more on the history of the Scottsdale Show, see Arabian Horse Life Issues 1 from 2018, 2019, 2020.) From 1968 to today, the show has taken place at an events facility called WestWorld of Scottsdale, or WestWorld for short. While it used to feature 50 horses, today it is the largest Arabian horse show worldwide, with over 2,400 horses and skilled breeders, trainers and riders competing from all over the world, in addition to more than 300,000 visitors and over $2.5 million in prize money. As a nonprofit organization, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show donates more than $100,000 to charities around the area.
Although the show’s objectives are to encourage participation and increase competitor numbers, it also demonstrates flexibility by adding events and activities for children and adults to enjoy. Whether you want to wander and look at jewelry, boots, horseback riding gear, and gifts sold by one of the 350 vendors at the show’s renowned Shopping Expo, attend a barn tour or seminar, or take your child on his or her first pony ride, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has plenty of fun and entertainment to offer amidst the many competitive events on the schedule.
Some events featured in this year’s show include Western, English and Hunter Pleasure, Side Saddle, Western Seat Equitation, Reining, Ranch Riding, and Dressage. The full schedule can be found on the show’s website.
The show will take place February 13-23 of this year. Follow this link to learn more about other events, exhibitions, contests, and future show dates.
