A few spaces have opened for the premier AHA Trail Ride held on September 28 through October 1, 2005, at Fort Robinson State Park in Crawford, Neb. Notable Arabian breeder and Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Sheila Varian will join the group as the official AHA Trail Ride clinician. The AHA Trail Ride is open to all breeds of horses. Membership in AHA is not required. The fee of $295 ($350 for non-members) includes trail activities, indoor lodging and meals every day served at the lodge or on the trail. A wide array of activities will be available for riders and non-riders making it the perfect family activity. Find details and registration info at AHA Trail Ride.

Feature your Sweepstakes-nominated stallion in the Dec/Jan '06 Nominated Sire Guide , a full color exclusive just for IABS Nominated Sires. Or, showcase your stallion all year long in the Stallion Directory of the Arabian Horse Magazine. Contact Christy Christiansen at 303-696-4584 or Advertising@ArabianHorses.org.

If you're taking horses across the border for the Canadian Nationals, be sure to check International Animal Export Regulations for Canada by clicking here.

The province of Saskatchewan is celebrating its centennial year in 2005, and the Canadian Nationals or Royal Red, is part of the festivities. From First Nations celebrations and community fairs to arts and cultural activities, there's a lot to see in Regina and beyond this summer. Visit the Centennial website for more information.

This year's Fort Worth Convention is one not to miss because it's loaded with extras:

1. Night Out at the Rodeo & Billy Bob's Texas
2. Luncheon speakers (Dr. David "Doc" Carlton and Ellen Reid Smith)
3. Forums
• Breeder's Forum
• What every horse owner should know about equine dentistry
• Membership - The Big Easy
• Barn Buff Workout
4. AHYA Silent Auction
5. AHA Show Secretary School
6. President's Banquet themed Denim and Diamonds

New at Convention is the Review Resolutions Plenary Session on Wednesday, November 16th at 6:00 p.m. where proponents for each resolution can express the intent and answer questions about the resolution without having to go from meeting to meeting as before. A Moderator will oversee the plenary session and all delegates will be able to participate in and hear all of the discussions regarding the resolutions. Don't miss this session!

For more information about the 2005 AHA Convention click here.

A presentation that's sure to wow the crowd at Sport Horse Nationals this year will occur on Saturday, September 24, called the Celebration of Arabian Sport Horse. The Saturday lineup includes afternoon clinics presented by dressage pioneer Hilda Gurney and Olympic eventing gold medalist David O'Connor, followed by the evening entertainment which features the Horse Illustrated Sport Horse Spectacular & Jumper Mini Prix showcasing dynamic renditions of extraordinary Arabian & Half-Arabian sport horses. Click here for more info.

Starting in October you'll be able to renew your AHA membership online. Click here to read all about the new membership structure that takes only three simple steps to complete. Note: It's important to renew on or before your expiration date (most memberships expire 12/31/05) to avoid a $10.00 late fee. Your future expiration date will change according to when you join. For example if your membership expires December 31, 2005, and you wait until March 8, 2006 to renew, you'll pay a $10 late fee and your membership will then expire March 30, 2007.

Anyone wishing to be on an AHA Committee in 2006 and have their name printed in the 2006 AHA Handbook needs to sign up by October 1, 2005. Committee sign up is available online in the Members Only area of the AHA website. To access the Committee sign-up section, just click on the members info tab on the left of the screen after inputting your Membership # and PIN #. (While you're in the Members Only section, make sure to update any contact information by selecting "update personal information" on the left side of the screen.). If you do not have Internet access or encounter any problems with online sign-up, please call (303) 696-4500 and a Member Service Rep will be happy to assist you.

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.

Don't miss the Sport Horse Nationals entry deadline of August 10 or the U.S. Nationals deadline of August 25 except for those horses not qualified and seeking qualifications at regional shows held after the deadline.

AHA's democracy in action requires that members and clubs submit resolutions to AHA postmarked no later than August 18, 2005.

Dealer Direct Automotive Sales and Leasing of Salinas, California, sells and leases the all new 2005 Sportchassis M2 by Freightliner. It has been touted as the ultimate pick-up that's perfect for pulling a six to 12-horse trailer. Dealer Direct also has a complete line of luxury vehicles. Visit them online at dealerdirectautomotive.com or call to find out all about their ultra luxury haulers at 831-758-2085!

The Turtle Neck Mane and Tail Saver™ is a unique design that is patent pending which helps protect the mane and tail and eliminate breakage. The product was extensively tested by Arabian horse professionals prior to its being launched. It's tailor-made for the shorter back of an Arabian and is contour cut. There's also elastic in the neckline to keep the blanket snug and comfortable for the horse. Paint Rock Designs also manufactures blankets, custom show bags, leg care products, trail riding accessories, sheets, hay bags, halters and girths. Their motto is Quality that works and looks good doing it. To order the Mane and Tail Saver, call toll free at 888- 371-1519.

Did you know Equisure offers a very good mortality/major medical insurance rate for Arabian horses? Premiums start as low as $175 a year, and multi-horse discounts are available. Call today for a free, no-obligation quote for AHA members only. 1-800-752-2472 or visit Equisure.

September 22 is the entry deadline for the 2005 Arabian Horse Judging Contest. Scheduled for October 28 during U.S. Nationals in Albuquerque, 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.

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.