Out of almost 700 amateur competitors, 17-year-old Amanda Purdin earned the coveted Arabian Horse Association (AHA) MD Barns Amateur High-Point Award by accruing 565 Amateur Achievement Award (AAA) points during 2004. This program is the highest award an amateur can receive in the Arabian horse industry and recognizes the accomplishments of adult amateurs and youth members that participate at horse shows and distance rides from January 1 through December 31, 2004. As the 2004 championship winner, Purdin will receive a $5,000 gift certificate towards the purchase of an MD Barns product. All top ten winners will receive a Turtle Neck cooler from Paint Rock Designs. To read more, click here.

Soleya++++//, an Anglo-Arabian mare owned by Lisa Chovin of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, ranked as the top horse among a field of more than 3,500 Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians to become the 2004 AHA High Point Horse. To reach this pinnacle, the mare had to accumulate the highest number of points in the Horse Achievement Awards program during 2004. She racked up 362 points in just four months and 12 days by winning five national championships, one reserve, and three top tens. Professional's Choice will award Soleya++++// a $1,000 gift certificate for this honor, and the remaining top ten horses will receive a $100 gift certificate. To read more click here.

The first winner of the AHA Distance Horse of the Year was awarded posthumously to DR Thunder Bask+// (Baskin El x Memory Lane Mini), an Arabian stallion owned by Cheri Briscoe. DR Thunder Bask+//, aka "Doc," was chosen from 16 entries for his outstanding accomplishments in endurance. He completed 269 rides during his 16-year distance career. As the winner, DR Thunder Bask+//'s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy designed by Joe Staheli and donated by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation (AHOF). To read more about Doc, click here.

If you are 21 or under, what are you most likely to be found doing?

1. Dragging a portable easel behind your horse and yelling, "Stand STILL!"
2. Designing computer horsy graphics for fun
3. Yelling "That's a wrap, folks!" with the last toss of your pitchfork
4. Rummaging in the barn fridge for that last roll of film
5. Scribbling your short story ideas on the wall of the tack room while seated on the world's biggest Thesaurus.

Whatever your deal is, you can combine your love for Arabians with your talents in the Creative Contest! The 2005 theme is Mystery of the Arabian Horse. Enter as many categories as you like for just $10!!! Categories include Art, Computer-Generated, Audio/Video, Photography and Creative Writing. Winners get cold hard cash and hot Breyer Model horses! Grab an entry form online today!

AHA will host the National Championship Endurance Rides at the historic Biltmore Estate Equestrian Center in Asheville, North Carolina, on May 7, 2005. The AHA championships are held in conjunction with the Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride, which offers both 100-mile and 50-mile AERC divisions. The 100 mile ride is also an International CEI*** approved ride. AHA entries must be cross-entered in the Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride. Awards include champion and reserve trophies, top ten plaques and ribbons; blankets, coolers and sheets from Turtle Neck by Paint Rock Designs; and completion buckles. International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes prize money will be paid to the 100-mile ride top ten winners comprising both Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian horses that are eligible. The payout will be $5,000 (champion), $2,500 (reserve) and $525 to each of the remaining top ten. For more info, click here.

Sport Horse Nationals returns to Virginia, September 21-25, with new classes for 2-year-olds and driving enthusiasts. New 2-year old in-hand jackpot classes will be held for Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian fillies, colts and geldings (no qualifications required). Also a new carriage driving division has been added with three carriage driving classes: working, reinsmanship, and obstacle driving- pick your own route, which is sure to be a spectator favorite. All driving classes will be held on Wednesday, September 21st. Click here to read more.

Starting in 2005, those exhibiting in the Sport Horse Division classes will be required to qualify. This includes the in-hand, sport horse under saddle and sport horse show hack classes. Qualifications can be earned at AHA approved shows in qualifying classes. Click here for the online AHA Handbook and refer to Chapter 17. Dressage classes at Sport Horse Nationals continue to require qualifications. However, classes that do not require qualifications in 2005 include: Hunter/Jumper division, Carriage Pleasure Driving, and the new 2-year-old in-hand jackpot.

The 2005 U.S. Nationals will be held from October 20-29 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Box Seats for Tingley Coliseum go on sale Tuesday, February 1. Box seats are $190 per ticket and are good for the entire show. Preferred parking passes can be purchased for $50 each. To place an order, contact Jennifer Miner at 303-696-4553 or Lori Dutoit at 303-696-4558. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. General Admission tickets will be available through Ticketmaster at a date to be announced later.

The show season kicks off at Scottsdale and you can visit several official AHA merchandisers: MD Barns, sponsor of the Amateur Achievement High Point Award, Dealer Direct and Sport Chassis, The Hat Lady, Zia Graphics and Bennett Fine Jewelry. If you need hotel accommodations, remember to stay at a Choice Hotel. Mention the AHA discount code #00802151 when you make your reservation at 800-258-2847.

The grace period to re-nominate your already enrolled Halter Futurity horse ends March 31. For an additional $100 per horse per country, you can keep your horse eligible to compete as a 3 year old in Canadian and/or U.S. Nationals Halter Futurities classes. Payments are accepted by fax, phone or mail.

You can enroll Breeding Entries through February 15 for an extra $100 late fee. Payments are accepted by fax, phone or mail.

The Registration Amnesty ends March 31. This is your last chance to register your older Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses at a discount. Up to $150 in savings! Find out how. Call Registry Services at 303-696-4500.

Many members have contacted AHA regarding supplies needed for the 19 remaining horses from the Iraqi National Herd after the bombing of Baghdad. Click here to read about their progress and also find an updated list of supplies that have already been donated and what is currently needed. Please don't forget the many equine rescue groups throughout North America that always need your help. If you would like to see a comprehensive list of these organizations, click here.