The Arabian Horse Association has announced a new show to spotlight, promote and help introduce the roll-out of the entire Ranch Horse Division to the Arabian Breed. There have been questions and misinterpretations of what The Arabian Horse Association’s Ranch Horse Championships show will be, the classes held, and the impact on other shows.

First, The AHA Ranch Horse Championships is not a National Championship Show. It is intended to highlight the Ranch Horse Division at a show produced and managed by Arabian Horse Association. The hope is that it will hold a level of prestige above a local show, somewhat equivalent to that of a Regional Championship Show.

Second, there will be no change in the classes held at any National Show (unless a National Show Commission chooses to do so.) All Working Western Classes, including Ranch Riding should and are encouraged to continue to be at the Local, Regional and National Levels. At this time, the Ranch Horse Division classes have never been offered at any Arabian National Show.

The AHA Ranch Horse Division classes are the same as those offered in the Ranch Horse Divisions of the Stock Breeds (ie: AQHA, APHA) and Ranch Horse Associations like SHOT (Stock Horse Association of Texas), VRHA (Versatility Ranch Horse Association), and NVRA (National Versatility Ranch Horse Association) to name a few. The Ranch Horse Division available classes are (all will be held at the AHA Ranch Horse Championship):

Ranch Horse Trail Ranch Horse Working Cow

Ranch Horse Rail Pleasure Ranch Horse Versatility Ranch Riding

Ranch Horse Reining Ranch Horse Conformation

Ranch Horse Cutting

Rules for these classes may be found in the USEF Rulebook and/or on the Arabian Horse Association’s website. These classes may be held as: Arabian, Half Arabian or Arabian/Half Arabian. Classes at the AHA Ranch Horse Championships will be offered as Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian and Open and ATR. Additionally, there will be a junior horse division offered.

Open, ATR, AOTR, Jr Horse & Champs and Open, ATR, AOTR for the Conformation sections.

Judges that may adjudicate the Ranch Horse Division classes are: AHA Recognized Judges, USEF/EC judges licensed in the Western Division, NRHA or NRCHA judges, judges licensed by another breed (ie: AQHA, APHA, ApHA etc.) or licensed by a recognized Ranch Horse Association (ie: NRVHA, RHAA, SHOT, ARHA etc.) Note: It is strongly recommended to verify knowledge of the division prior to contracting an official(s). The 2021 AHA Ranch Horse Championship Judge will be Michael Damianos. Additional judges may be added if entries warrant.

We are very excited to be able to offer a brand new show for Arabian Horse competitors September 4-5, 2021 at The Ranch in Loveland, CO! There will be no qualifications for 2021. Awards will consist of saddles, class prizes as well as jackpot and added prize money. More information, including the schedule, will be available shortly.