Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show News for Thursday, February 18, 2016

Today’s Official Scottsdale Daily News is sponsored by Arabian Horse Futures, Ken and Joanne White and Tracy White. The Whites are the owners of the featured horse, Elite AF as well as his dam, Aria Elita, and his first daughter, Elexus AF. Elite AF was the 2014 Canadian National Reserve Champion Futurity Stallion. He is a nominated Scottsdale Signature Stallion, MAHA Medallion Stallion, an AHA Sweepstakes Sire, and Region 12 Spotlight Stallion and stands at Shada Inc. The Whites have several Elite offspring coming this spring, which are in partnership with Karen McMurtrie of Hawks Flight Farm. You are invited to stop by the Shada stalls to learn more about Elite AF and his breeding incentives available exclusively at the Scottsdale show. To view a video of Elite AF, please follow this link: https://vimeo.com/154954247

Last night, the Scottsdale Signature Stallion Auction, held in the South Hall, was a full house. It was exciting to see all the people interested in purchasing the services offered by some of the top sires in the world. Before the sale got started, everyone enjoyed great snacks as they looked over the final list of 78 stallions that were included in the live auction. There were still a few last minute people getting registered to bid – but better late than not at all – because they did not want to miss out on the exclusive opportunity to bid at the live auction. Breeders still have the opportunity to purchase the services of additional Scottsdale Signature Stallions that did not meet the required $1700 silent bid that took them into the live auction. All stallions that did not reach the minimum bid of $1700 can continue to receive bids until Sunday, February 2st at 12:00 noon. To view the SSS nominated stallions with services still available, please visit the large booth on the northwest corner of the Al Shahania Wendell Arena.

The Scottsdale Signature Stallion proposed prize money payout for 2016 was over $592,710.49. The SSS Yearling Auction Colt/Gelding & Filly Classes paid out $28,873.16 to each of the Champions and $14,436.58 to each of the Reserve Champions, and $4898.0 to each of the Top Ten Winners in both the filly and colt auction classes. Only offspring resulting from breedings purchased at the SSS Auction can be nominated to be eligible for these classes. Any offspring sired by a SSS nominated sire can be nominated to become eligible to show in the SSS classes. Every breeder and owner of Arabian horses will benefit from learning more about the innovative Scottsdale Signature Stallion Futurity offering halter and performance classes for amateur handlers and riders with fabulous payouts and prize money. Be sure to visit the website for detailed information at: www.scottsdaleshow.com/breeding-programs/sss-futurity-information

Wednesday afternoon was very warm and sunny, and so the seats were packed in the AutoNation Equidome, which was a cool, shady spot with air conditioning. But for me, the best way to enjoy watching classes is outdoors in the brilliant Arizona sunshine. Everyone at the Wendell Arena seemed to be enjoying watching the classes in the golden glow of late afternoon sun – especially the classes for yearling fillies and colts. Over at the Wells Fargo Advisors Reining Arena, the horses and riders were beautifully backlit against the setting sun – creating a truly classic western image.

Today's schedule looks very fun, starting off with performance classes in the AutoNation Equidome at 9:00 am, and purebred halter classes also beginning at 9:00 am at the Al Shahania Wendell Arena. Reining continues in the Wells Fargo Advisors arena and that begins at 9:00 am as well. Then, it is a full day schedule of purebred and Half-Arabian hunters and jumpers in Arena 6. AutoNation continues with afternoon performance classes and Wendell Arena will host the classes for SSS Two-Year-Olds. I plan to check out Arena 8 to watch the Arabian Cutting Horse Classes, which start at 1:00 pm – don't forget to bring your sunscreen – and I hope to see you ring side!

Thanks to the official show photographers, Howard Schatzberg/Rick Osteen Photography.
Be sure to stop by the booth to order your Scottsdale photos.