The National Show Horse

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The National Show Horse

National Show Horses represent a harmony of two very distinctive breeds; the Arabian and the American Saddlebred. This combination blends beauty, stamina, agility, grace and show ring charisma into a flowing athleticism that brings crowds to their feet and breeders to the barn.

National Show Horses are known in the industry as the breed of excitement and versatility, and specifically recognized as the mount of choice for youth and amateur riders.

Perhaps more than anything else the versatility of the National Show Horse underlies its popularity and makes it particularly appealing as a horse with which the whole family can become involved. The National Show Horse Registry offers a wide variety of classes including, Halter, English Pleasure, Country Pleasure, Three Gaited, Five Gaited, Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure and Show Hack.

To be eligible for National Show Horse Registration, the foal must be sired by a Nominated Arabian or Nominated American Saddlebred or registered National Show Horse Stallion and out of a mare registered with the National Show Horse Registry, the Arabian Horse Registry or the American Saddlebred Horse Association. The foal must possess a minimum of 25% Arabian blood and no more than 99% Arabian blood.

THE BREED STANDARD

The National Show Horse shall strive to produce an athletic horse which retains size, beauty and refinement. Specifically, the following traits are desirable:

A. Motion - Balanced and obvious power from the hind-quarters flowing into an elevated front end, the front legs showing both flexion and extension;

B. Neck - Very long, set high on the shoulder and relatively upright with fine throatlatch. The neck should be shapely but without a pronounced crest;

C. Head - Relatively small, short and refined with large eyes and small, well placed ears and a straight or slightly concave profile (a "roman nosed" or convex profile is not desirable);

D. Pronounced withers and a very deep and well laid-back shoulder;

E. Proportionately short back closely coupled with a long hip and relatively level top line (moderately sloping croup not to be penalized);

F. Legs - Correct from all angels with long forearms and short cannon bones in front and long, well-angled pasterns front and rear;

G. Refinement of bone but not lacking in substance, especially in the chest, girth, shoulder and hip;

H. A relatively high-set tail, natural and flowing;

I. When observed at rest or in motion, the horse must exhibit a natural presence and, when animated, extreme brilliance. The horse must exhibit high carriage when showing or relaxed.