Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show 2018

Being British means I take my dogs and horses very seriously! The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is  for anyone who takes their horses seriously and that of course includes dogs!  Every year it takes place at WestWorld in north Scottsdale and this, the 63rd annual event is running through to Sunday February 25th.

General admission tickets are just $10 and this enables you to walk around and see just about everything. Seating and boxes can be secured with more expensive tickets.

That feeling when you've just been placed and have your rosette!

Arabian tribesmen - the Bedouins were the first to breed the Arabian horse and they were valued above all other possessions. Eventually they made their way into North Africa and up into France, Spain and England. The first Arabian horse in the United States was owned by George Washington, who crossbred his thoroughbred Arabian stallion with cavalry horses to strengthen the military.

Horse and rider... just stunning!

The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has grown over the years and today brings in around 2000 horses with owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a win. It can mean big money for a breeder winning here in Scottsdale.

The main outdoor arena.

Activities start at 8 or 9 am and go on throughout each day of the event until 6 pm. There are "behind the scene barn tours" and "meet an Arabian horse", as well as a host of other fun things to learn and do! The show is very dog friendly, so BYOD on a leash of course, and enjoy a number of dog activities with your fur baby!

The indoor arena! This cutie came 1st in his category with his half Arabian.

The outdoor arena is a perpetual flow of competitions in various categories.  An indoor arena also showcases various events and there are warm-up rings where horses and riders can get the blood flowing.  It's non-stop horsemanship at it's best.

​Outside, around the main arena, top breeders lounge in their mini marquee tents with plush interiors and entertain buyers.

A breeder marquee sporting their winning rosettes!

Horses are walked or ridden from the warm-up ring to their competition or back to their stables, so you really get to rub shoulders and withers with the finest! 

A good gait on the leading leg from all!

It's an open, easy going event to saunter around, be prepared to get some good old Arizona dust on your boots. Enjoy a myriad of fashions too, from horse garb to traditional Arabian costumes, to those who invest all their money in horses and don't honestly care what they wear!

Competitors take a break (and a seat) to watch the competition warming up!

This outfit could be in a Ralph Lauren advertisement!

Inside the main hall, vendors sell everything horsey: saddles, tack, clothing and accessories! 

My horsey background began when I learned to ride as a young child, English style of course! For most of my late childhood and early teens I went to the local riding school every week for an hour lesson and an hour hack (a ride through the countryside). I cycled five miles there and five miles back come rain or shine (mostly rain) every Saturday and Sunday for this privilege! I entered every local gymkhana and show jumping event and acquired a stack of rosettes which I proudly kept until some point in my adult life when they finally disappeared.

At the age of 19, I took out a bank loan and bought my own pony for five hundred British pounds. Her name was Moony because she had a moon crest on her forehead!  She was a solid 15 hands Welsh Cob! She was not happy about her move to come and live with me - she missed her partner in crime, a donkey who had been her mate for donkey's years ha ha! She became erratic and very disagreeable, such that I couldn't take her out on the road as she was too unpredictable.  Eventually, I sold her to a reputable riding school where she would have the company she so desired. I later found out that she became one of their best ponies in the school. She was happy again!

Hats off to all the competitors, exquisite horses, breeders and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and it's sponsors! This is a phenomenal event that we are so fortunate to enjoy here in beautiful Scottsdale. Do visit if you can! Click here - Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show to check out the timetable of events on their website.

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Karen xox