Distance riders are encouraged to nominate their horses by the September 1 deadline to be considered for the new award sponsored by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation (AHOF) in cooperation with the Arabian Horse Association (AHA). The award is a walnut plaque with a facsimile of a bronze sculpture by Joe Staheli that immortalizes the distance horse. The award will be presented for a significant accomplishment in the distance sports as determined by the Distance Horse of the Year Committee. The original sculpture is a perpetual trophy that will remain on display at the AHA office with yearly winners engraved on its base. The nominating form is available here.

AHA is once again offering a VIP Trip to the US Nationals. All those who renew or join online between August 1 and September 15 will automatically be entered. The drawing will be held September 16. The grand prize winner will receive a VIP trip to Louisville, Kentucky, for two to the 2004 U.S. Nationals. Package includes two round-trip airline tickets, three nights of hotel accommodations, VIP lounge passes, a souvenir show program and reserved tickets for Thursday thru Saturday performances. Sign up or renew on line now.

Sundowner Trailers has signed on as a show sponsor for the 2004 U.S. Nationals. They continue to offer safe and reliable transportation for active exhibitors and will have a large display of trailers at this year's show. Sundowner's commitment to quality has led to a long list of standard features and options, most of which were introduced by and are exclusive to Sundowner. New features for 2004 include lower handles on the drop down head doors, beefier running boards, effective drip rail, effective gasket seal on the rear doors, rounded rear post and corner caps and vertical face guards. A more comprehensive list of features and dealers can be found at sundownertrailer.com.

Platinum Performance will sponsor a Platinum Super Horse Competition at this year's U.S. Nationals with the winner receiving a $5,000 cash prize and year's supply of Platinum Performance Equine. In addition, all show champions will receive a 17 pound bucket (2 months supply valued at $88) of Platinum Performance Equine delivered at the show via golf cart to your stall by Platinum Performance staff. The Super Horse will be selected based on points earned at the show from champion, reserve and top ten placings. The winning owner will take home a $5,000 check presented following the final evening session. Platinum Performance is an official U.S. Nationals Show Sponsor. Check out their full range of human, canine, feline and equine products at platinumperformance.net.

For the first time ever, share the excitement of the U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show with other Arabian horse enthusiasts at the Finals Extravaganza. This special new program at U.S. Nationals is free for members and horsemen and takes place Oct. 13-16. Imagine the excitement of the most prestigious Arabian horse show in North America spiced with the sizzle of an ultimate Arabian horse shopping expo complete with special discounts, education and demonstrations by top equine vendors, and an insider's look at the finest Arabian horses by eight of the industry's most notable barns at 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Attendees receive a FREE ticket voucher to attend the U.S. National Show each day they attend a Finals Extravaganza Barn Party, their reward from AHA just for having fun! For more information, click here or call (303) 696-4569.

The naming of a supreme champion sport horse, a musical freestyle dressage demo, a jumper mini prix and the Practical Horseman Hunter Classic all happen during the last weekend of the Sport Horse Nationals held Friday, Saturday and Sunday on September 17, 18 and 19 at the Murieta Equine Complex, Rancho Murieta, California. It promises to be a great three days of watching beautiful and talented horses no matter what discipline you enjoy. Come appreciate the beauty of the Arabian horse in the company of horsemen! Show division sponsors include: Ariat International (Hunter/Jumper), Dressage Today (Dressage) and Arabian Horse World (Sport Horse). For info click here.

Tickets are still available for the U.S. Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky from October 7-16. This year, we're offering day passes for the first time! To purchase day passes only, contact Ticketmaster at 1-800-487-1212. To purchase a ticket for the entire show, please call either Lori Dutoit at 303-696-4558 or Jennifer Miner at 303-696-4553. Box seats for all 10 days of the show are $190. Preferred parking is also available for only $50.

The presence of vesicular stomatitis (VS) has been confirmed in horses from Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. Horses that have health papers issued from these states will not be allowed to enter Canada or Kentucky. Horses that are in transit through the affected states will be stopped at the Canadian border and tested on the spot. If they are VS clear, they will be allowed to enter Canada. For further information about VS, please contact the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Emergency Programs Staff at 4700 River Rd, Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 or phone 301-734-8073. Updates on current VS status nationally and for individual states are available through the www.aphis.usda.gov/ or from the Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health 24-hour Voice Response Service at 1-800-545-8732.

CeCe Giovanni-Moss will replace Dona Singlehurst as one of the Sport Horse Division judges. Find out more about Sport Horse Nationals here.

The 2004 Fall Judges Exhibitor/School will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, December 2-4, 2004. The cost is $375. The registration deadline is November 1. Please contact the Judges & Stewards Office at 303-696-4537 for more information. You can download a registration form
on line.

If you know a local, regional or national volunteer who deserves recognition, nominate this individual for the Volunteer Service Award. Contact an officer of your club, and your nomination can be entered online through the Club Only option. If you nominate a regional Volunteer online, it will automatically be forwarded via e-mail to the appropriate regional director.

Always a great place to network and do business at the same time, the AHA Annual Convention is in Anchorage, Alaska, this year. Make plans to attend now. Read all about it here.

AHA is proud to have America's No. 1 pre-engineered barn builder, MD Barns, as a Corporate Partner. MD Barns sponsors the AHA High Point Amateur Achievement Awards, presenting a $5,000 gift certificate annually to the High Point Amateur. Amanda Purdin is the current High Point winner. Check out the standings online. As a division of MD Enterprises, Inc., MD Barns is the leader in design, manufacturing and installation of pre-engineered barns, stables, corral systems and accessories. With over 30 years experience and more then 150,000 satisfied customers worldwide, MD Barns is dedicated to working with customers from the beginning to the satisfactory conclusion of a project. MD Barns' manufacturing facility is state-of-the-art and all materials used in construction projects are of the highest quality and workmanship. With a variety of designs for Barns, Mare Motels, Run-Ins, Hay Shelters and Out Buildings, MD Barns is the overwhelming choice for all your farm, ranch and livestock needs. Check out their website at mdent.com.

Choice Hotels has signed on as AHA's newest Affinity Partner. Members now receive a 20 percent discount at their properties worldwide. Reserve your next hotel room by calling 1-800-258-2847 and using AHA ID #00802151. They have many hotels conveniently located near many show grounds. Properties include Rodeway Inn, EconoLodge, Mainstay Suites, Sleep Inn, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Hotels and Clarion Hotels.

The Arabian Horse Judging DVD is now available. This excellent educational tool filmed at the 2003 contest is perfect for beginning judges and features easy navigation through ten classes, plus sample sets of oral reasons, official placings, patterns, and more. Build or refine your horse judging skills- order your DVD today! Copies are $25 each, and can be ordered online or by calling 303-696-4500.

September 22 is the entry deadline for the 2004 Arabian Horse Judging Contest, scheduled for October 15 during U.S. Nationals in Kentucky. This horse judging contest is one of the longest-running, most prestigious national level contests anywhere. It offers more than $10,000 in scholarships and prizes! Get your entry form online.

The Stallion/Breeding issue deadline is October 22 and will be in the mail by December 1. This is the best venue for reaching every single mare owner in the country with your message touting your breeding program. Contact: Tracy at 303-696-4584 or Advertising@ArabianHorses.org.