Press Release

The $10,000 U.S. National Champion is Back!

Aurora, CO (February 12, 2011) - The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) announced today that the big U.S. National payout for which the Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes (Sweepstakes) program has long been known is back—and in a big way. U.S. Nationals Champions can now earn $10,000 in certain classes, which hasn't been paid since 2005. Getting back to basics as a breeding program was the push behind the new changes. The Breeders Sweepstakes Commission has re-established the breeder as first priority, and they've selected classes to pay out that showcase the breeding of exceptional horses.

Now more than $1.4 million is available every year through Sweepstakes. Up to $25,000 is available for Arabian and $15,000 for Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian per Sweepstakes designated classes at the 2011 U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma from Oct. 21-29, 2011. At this flagship event only, an Overall 3 Year-Old & Under In-Hand Champion and Reserve and Overall 4 Year-Old & Over In-Hand Champion and Reserve will be named following a final presentation and judging of champion and reserve in-hand horses. Arabians earn $15,000 and $7,500 respectively for champion and reserve with Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabians earning a corresponding $10,000 and $5,000 if they are eligible in the Sweepstakes program.

In addition to the prize money now offered at U.S. Nationals, other Sweepstakes program changes include:

• Nominated Sire fee reductions
• Fast payouts of allocated prize money mailed within 60 days of completed results after Regional and National shows
• Four ways to earn prize money broken into categories for clarification
• Recognition of breeding success through yearly payouts to both Nominated Sire owners and breeders
• Elimination of the Original Entry after July 1, 2011, leaving the Breeding Entry as the only route possible to winning prize money (Original Entries previously nominated will continue to receive Sweepstakes prize money)
• Limited special enrollment fees available for Original Entries until July 1, 2011

Call the AHA Competition line at 303-696-4500 #4 or check ArabianHorses.org / Monday afternoon for more details.

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