Filed under: Arabians, featuredarticle, horses, Scottsdale
The Arabians Prance into Scottsdale
Celebrating its 55th year, the February 11 – 21 is an amazing and unique event for anyone with the slightest interest in horses. As a city girl who now lives amongst the horse farms of North Phoenix, I’m thrilled anytime I see someone riding a horse in the desert terrain. My enthusiasm for these amazing creatures only increased when I saw my first Arabian horse show at West World.
Growing from 50 horses to 2,200 of the world’s most beautiful Arabians, Half-Arabians & National Show Horses in competition, this 11 day show features exhibitors artwork, jewelry, equine gifts, horse care products and more. Look for celebrities, partake in the barn parties and view the horses up close. This event makes the world of horse breeding and training educational and exciting for each member of your family.
This show brings top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. And a win at the Scottsdale show can mean big money in the breeding barns.
In the beginning, the show started at the Arizona Biltmore which over the years it has clearly outgrown and moved to , a much larger facility ideal for this type of extravaganza. Since the mid-1980s, West World’s multiple show rings, convenient parking, comfortable stabling, unique exhibitors and easy access have contributed to this show’s continued growth and prestige. Arabian horse owners from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries around the world bring their very best to compete in this festival. This year more than 2,000 entries will be competing for over $275,000 in prize monies. The show has also contributed millions of dollars over the years to worthy causes local and nationwide including the March of Dimes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Arabians
Long ago it was discovered that the Arabian horse, the world’s oldest purebred animal, and the second animal (after the dog) to be domesticated, made a finer companion and partner in work and leisure than any of the other, later-developed breeds.
Written documentation from more than 3,000 years ago verifies that the Arabian horse is essentially the same today as it was then. The first Arabian breeders were the tribesmen of Arabia who valued the Arabian horse above all other possessions. Islamic prophet Mohammed, who considered the Arabian horse sacred, made the breed a cornerstone of his holy wars. As the Moslem religion grew, so did the prevalence of the Arabian horse in North Africa, Spain, and France. Christian crusaders were also impressed by the swift, tough, Arabian horse and imported several into England and France.
A distinctive breed that most horsemen can easily pick from a herd, the Arabians attributes include a dished face, large, black expressive eyes set wide apart, often one less vertebrae than other breeds and yet have a high tail carriage and a light, easy way of going. The average Arabian stands 15 hands and weighs 1,000 pounds.
Show Schedule
The show begins at 7:30am each morning and shows take place throughout the day. See any number of shows at the same time, ranging from children and junior classes to Arabian Breeding and Western Horsemanship Championship. Here is the complete .
A variety of educational provide more insight into the world of Arabian breeding and training. Speakers such as breeders, trainers, riders and even the Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit provide hands-on demonstrations with the horses in the main ring.
Top Performances
With more than 650 classes of competition and showings taking place in one of the three arenas, it’s almost impossible to see everything in one day. In my opinion, the Mounted Native Costume class is one of the most unique events to see. The riders are dressed in beautiful Arabian costumes and put their horses through a variety of gaits, finishing with a dramatic gallop around the ring. It’s a real crowd pleaser.
Another one of my favorites is the driving class with high-stepping horses trotting around the ring pulling small carts or buggies. Their riders wear all types of attire ranging from top hat and tails to Victorian-style garb. The Western riders are outfitted in colorful fringed shirts, chaps and cowboy hats and the English style riding require formal attire of boots, breeches and jacket. Judging by the crowds’ reaction, this competition is also popular with most of the spectators.
For exciting jumping events, consider the Gambler’s Choice shows on Saturday, February 20. To win, riders jump as many obstacles as fast as possible to accumulate the highest score. The more difficult the obstacle, the higher number of points received.
Meet a Horse
See what all the fuss is about with these amazing animals and meet an Arabian horse up close and personal. You can also have a free picture taken with the Arabian horse in costume for a special memento. Meet-a-Horse will be held in the round pen at the east end of the first commercial exhibitor tent. You can sign up at the front gate for the 90 minute slot. Stop by the round pen at 10:30am every day from Saturday, February 13 till Saturday, February 20. Everyone from 9 months to 90 enjoys it!
Behind the Scenes Barn Tours
Another great option is to take a guided tour of the show grounds and barns led by a member of the Amateur Committee. What a fantastic way to have all your questions answered about what you are seeing and what it takes to show a horse at this level. Tours start in the entry tent. The gathering point is located at the Photography Contest display. Tours are open to the public and offered free of charge.
As I stated earlier this event has something for everyone. It’s a world that I’m not familiar with, but look forward to learning more about every time I attend. For $10 per person and children 12 and under free, I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon.
February 11-21, 2010
General Admission: $10/day
Seniors/Military: $7/day
Children 12 & Unders: Free
Reserved Bleacher Seating (All Ages): $15/day
Evening Performance – February 21:
General Admission: $10/evening
Reserved Bleacher Seating: $15/evening
Tickets may be purchased at the door however I recommend that tickets for the Saturday evening session be purchased through TicketMaster. This session commonly sells out early.
Ticket Master: Phoenix: 480-784-4444 or Tucson: (520) 321-1000
Purchase tickets
Additional Ticket Types:
Eleven Day Button General Admission: $50 (Can only be purchased at the gate ONLY, once show starts)
Box Seats for Entire Show: $250 (Can only be purchased by calling AHAA at 480-515-1500)
Discounted Tickets:
Download a 2 for 1 coupon .
16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale ()
480-515-1500
(North of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard)
Pima Frontage Road is for northbound traffic only.
Directions Coming From:
North (Flagstaff):
I-17 South to SR-101 Loop – Eastbound into Scottsdale. Take the Pima/Princess exit. Make a left at Bell Road (second light) Continue east on Bell Road. Turn right on 94 Street. Travel south to the WestWorld entrance.
South (Tucson):
I-10 to US-60 (Superstition Freeway). US-60 East to SR-101 Loop. SR-101 North to Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Exit at Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., move to far right lane. Continue straight, crossing the Frank Lloyd Wright intersection. WestWorld entrance is ½ block north on the right at large horse statue.
Photos courtesy of and
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A16601 N Pima Rd
