by Rhianne Weghnnar
The impressive week-long Region 17 Arabian Horse Show took place from July 31 to August 5 and boasted approximately 1,200 entries comprised of around 300 full and half Anglo-Arabian horses.
Hosted at the Agricentre at Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alberta, Region 17 is geographically the largest North American region of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA); comprised of the Western Canadian provinces from BC to Manitoba as well as the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon.
The show is sponsored by AHA and Region 17 and is a qualifying show for the Canadian Nationals, the US Nationals, the Sport Horse Nationals and the Youth Nationals.
The pre-show qualifier started on July 31 and the championship show followed the days after with the usual class list of in-hand and Western and English classes as well as saddle seat, ladies side saddle, native costume, reining, dressage and lead-line.
The lead-line class, offered to two- to six-year-olds, was well attended with a total of 13 participants who performed so perfectly that the judge awarded all with a first place ribbon and a large bag full of goodies!
Friday was host to a number of events outside of the usual horse show including “The Best in the West Dog Race” held during the lunch break. There was also a presentation acknowledging the retirement of two successful Arabian horses: WL Magnifique and Gold of Mecca.
For more information about Region 17 or the Region 17 Arabian Horse Show, please visit their website at www.region17. com or visit www.arabianhorses.org for more details regarding the Arabian Horse Association.
