Press Release

Canadian Nationals in Hospitable Wheat City an Exhibitor Favorite

Aurora, CO (July 18, 2012) - The Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba will once again host the Canadian National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show, August 13 – 18, 2012. This will be the second year Canadian Nationals will take advantage of Brandon's facility, which is finely tuned for horse shows, easy to access from four interstates and situated in central Canada. Brandon is a rural community, known for its acres and acres of surrounding wheat fields and is host to major agricultural expositions and shows each year.

Canadian Nationals will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year – a show that has remained an exhibitor favorite over the years due to undeniable Canadian hospitality. Canadian Nationals attracts exhibitors from about 40 states and six provinces to compete in almost 200 classes and provides breed competition that cannot be found anywhere else north of the border. Some of North America's finest Arabians and Half-Arabians show off their versatility in a wide variety of classes including halter, saddle seat, driving, western pleasure, mounted native costume, reining, working cow, hunter pleasure, jumping, and more. Like other AHA national shows, horses have to qualify to show at Canadian Nationals, earning points by either showing at A-rated Arabian shows and Regional shows or at open shows, depending on the division.

The show culminates on the last two days with special evening performances, beginning at 7 p.m., featuring some of the breed's most popular classes. Brandon locals and exhibitors will gather to see the best of breeding mares and stallions, western and hunter pleasure horses, and crowd-favorite classes like purebred Native Costume and Park Championships.

New this year at Canadian Nationals is yearling halter classes. Purebred and Half-Arabian colts and fillies will compete for the very first time. The sponsored prize money for all the yearling classes will equal at least $40,000. Qualifications have been waived for 2012 and a full Top Ten will be awarded including prize money for Champion, Reserve and the balance of the Top Ten winners.

The Canadian Nationals Shopping Expo will be in the UCT Pavilion and will provide ample shopping for riders and spectators interested in equine-related and inspired clothing, tack, art and jewelry. Days and hours of the shopping expo will be extended this year and will be posted before the show starts.

Admission to Canadian Nationals is free and open to the public. A tentative schedule can be found at www.arabianhorses.org/CNL under Forms.

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