This year at Scottsdale the AEPA again awarded $100,000 to four-year-old purebred Arabian English Performance horses. For all of us who breed for English performance, the fact that the horses are individually ridden and scored is a huge draw. The AEPA has written a manifesto that defines excellence in an English performance horse and the scorecard is used to measure all those aspects and weight each of them properly. To quote the manifesto: “The fact that the scoring system accounts for cadence, delivery, responsiveness, expression, manners, quality and Arabian English type, should give trainers and riders the courage to display elegance rather than ‘hustle’ and know that they will be rewarded for it.”

This year the judges received a DVD of prior years’ classes along with scorecards so that they could practice judging to the standard prior to the show. We also used a demonstration horse at the beginning of the class to help them get comfortable with the system before the actual judging began. I think it helped immensely and the feedback from the judges was very positive. By next year we hope to have available a complete educational video on the AEPA scoring system that will help judges, breeders, and exhibitors.
I loved the mare that won the class. ROL Fire Mist (Baske Afire x Firelite DGL), bred by R.O. Lervick Arabians, of Stanwood, Washington, took home a whopping $40,000 for her owners Strawberry Banks Farm. For me, she epitomized another quote from our manifesto, “exhibiting uphill body carriage with the hindquarters being lower than the withers. The head and neck carriage should be high with the tall, graceful, neck held vertically, and the poll well flexed and soft. The horse should look through the bridle excitedly with bright eyes, the ears held perfectly forward, and the tail slightly elevated with excitement, creating a brilliant expression.”

Next year we are increasing the total payout to $105,000 and will increase the award for a top ten to $7,500 each. There is no other prize money program that comes close to matching the impact that the AEPA is having on the Arabian English performance world. It’s great fun and easy to get involved, so come join us!

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