2020
U.S.
N A T I O N A L S Tulsa, Oklahoma ¡ October 23, 2020 STORY
BY
Morgan Moore
or the first time in the history of the Arabian Horse Association, the biggest question weighing on the minds of potential exhibitors in the days before October 23 was whether the U.S. National Championships would be held. With COVID cases on the rise and numerous international Arabian horse competitions cancellations, Arabian horse aficionados waited anxiously. Much to the relief of all involved, the show began without complication. Exhibitors, trainers, grooms, and owners worked hard to comply with the mask and social distancing rules so that the show could proceed. After a year of sporadic equine events and isolation, the show environment felt a bit foreign. Attendees cautiously greeted one another, yet there was excitement in the air. The record entries also reflected the enthusiasm of the Arabian horse community. Over 1900 horses were entered (nearly 500 up from 2019). The Arabian Horse
F
Association helped facilitate this surge by dropping the qualification requirements prior to the competition in the wake of unprecedented qualifying show cancellations across the country. For the first year ever, Performance Halter was added to the schedule. This class requires that the horse be 3 years of age or older and actively competing in an under-saddle class at the same competition. With $5,000 in Sweepstakes money at stake in each class, the competitors showed up, with the Purebred Arabian Performance Halter geldings class boasting 41 horses. The class was won by the 2017 gelding Jhavani DHA (TF Royal Shahbaz x Nevaeh DHA), owned by Deer Haven Arabians, who also claimed the titles of National Reserve Champion Canadian Futurity Gelding and a Top Ten finish in the Arabian Futurity Gelding class. Jhavani DHA also competed in the Futurity Western Pleasure class. The main ring breeding halter arena boasted exceptionally strong numbers with 19 beautiful mares in the Adult Amateur to Handle Mares class. The Amateur
A H W > 182 < W I N T E R 2 0 2 1