Bluegrass Horseman

01/27/2025

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01/27/2025

From the ASHBA ~

January 27, 2025

The ASHBA Board of Directors will be providing several updates to our members in advance of our annual meeting on Thursday, Feb.13. Today, we are focusing on two topics:

Executive Leadership Search Update
Following the resignation of the prior executive director in October, a search committee was appointed to identify new leadership for the association. Interest in the position was strong with about 50 applicants. At this time, interviews with the finalists are ongoing.

We are on track to identify and announce a new executive director in February.

ASHBA Financial Review Update
An independent accounting firm, Dean Dorton, is conducting a review of ASHBA’s books and records and internal accounting procedures.

The board has received an interim report and is currently reviewing and evaluating Dean Dorton’s observations and recommendations. Additionally, the board is working to provide the accounting firm with additional documentation and information.

Given the nature of the initial review provided in the interim report and upon advice of legal counsel, the board has not approved publication of the interim report. The board will share additional information once the work is complete, and the board has reviewed the final report.

Moving forward, the board is committed to increasing the frequency of our communications and will share additional updates before our upcoming annual meeting.

01/27/2025

In 2025, the Kentucky State Fair Board will once again host the same WCHS Futurity classes held in Freedom Hall in 2024. To participate, exhibitors must pay a $150 WCHS Futurity entry fee. To verify eligibility for one-year-old, two-year-old, and three-year-old entries, proof of previous payment wil...

01/27/2025

Kentucky State Fair Board Announces World’s Championship Horse Show Futurity Updates



LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 27, 2025) – The Kentucky State Fair Board, the proud organizer and host of the World's Championship Horse Show, reaffirmed its commitment to the Saddlebred industry through several important actions.



World's Championship Horse Show Futurity Classes

In 2025, the Kentucky State Fair Board will once again host the same WCHS Futurity classes held in Freedom Hall in 2024. To participate, exhibitors must pay a $150 WCHS Futurity entry fee. To verify eligibility for one-year-old, two-year-old, and three-year-old entries, proof of previous payment will be required at the time of entry.

Exhibitors have the option of paying a one-time $5,000 entry fee (buy-in) for three-year-olds that have not previously been nominated for futurity classes. The deadline to buy-in for WCHS Futurity Classes eligibility is March 31, 2025.

Additional information regarding classes will be provided at a later date.

Updated Youth and Roadster to Wagon Division Rules

The board recognizes the updated rules of the American Road Horse and Pony Association (ARHPA). As communicated by ARHPA:

Youth Division: To qualify for the World’s Championship Horse Show, the combination of the same driver showing the same horse a minimum of four times during the qualifying period is mandatory.

Roadster to Wagon Division: To qualify for the World’s Championship Horse Show, the entered horse must have been shown in a Wagon class at least once during the qualifying period.

The qualifying period commences the day after the final classes of the World’s Championship Horse Show and ends the day before the first class of the World’s Championship Horse Show.

Show Information

The world's most prestigious Saddlebred show is scheduled for August 16 - 23, 2025, in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Additional information regarding the show, qualification submission process, and on-site exhibitor experience will be announced closer to the show. For more information about the event, visit

The prestigious World’s Championship Horse Show is held annually in Kentucky and crowns world champion Saddlebreds and offers $1.5 million in prizes.

01/15/2025

The Illinois State Fair is again supporting the Hackneys, Saddlebreds and Roadsters at a high level with all of the classes offered including UPHA Classics and breed division classes. Also support continues with the Mid-West Hackney Futurity and the Saddle Horse Breeder's of Illinois Futurity.

We had a few new exhibitors last year that were grass roots breeders to a few that wanted to get in the ring before Louisville. It was a very nice show.

Illinois State Fair Society Horse Show, August 4-8, 2025
(AmericanSaddlebred/Hackney/Roadster/Open/Shetland/Welsh). Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL.
https://statefair.illinois.gov/competitions/competitive-events/equine-events.html
Carole Kennedy 217-414-1900; [email protected].

Equine Events include Western Horse events, Junior Horse classes, the Draft Horse Show and Pulls, the Miniature Horse Show, as well as all Society Horse Shows. The exhibition of many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines are a staple of the Illinois State Fair

01/15/2025

Check out the amazing ways Kentucky Venues is impacting the state.

Hosting Millions and Growing Kentucky. View the 2024 Kentucky Venues Annual Report, which highlights the past year's success and future opportunities ahead for the facilities and shows.

01/14/2025

From the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association

In December the ASHBA Prize Programs Committee, Sweepstakes Committee and Board of Directors all voted unanimously to request that Kentucky State Fair (KSF) host the National Futurity, National Amateur Futurity and the Bill Wise Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes at the World’s Championship Horse Show in 2025. We communicated this request to the management of the KSF on December 17, 2024. It is essential to give KSF time to make their decision. It is also essential for our prize program participants to know where the classes will be held before making nominations. Therefore, the ASHBA BOD has voted to extend the 2025 deadline for nominations from January 31 to March 31. We are hopeful to have positive news to share with our members and our prize program participants in the near future.

01/14/2025

🐴 Reminder! Early Bird Pricing for the Youth Conference ends tomorrow January 15th. Join us for a fun weekend celebrating our youth and the American Saddlebred!

Register here: https://saddlebred.regfox.com/2025-ashba-youth-conference

01/13/2025

01/13/2025

01/10/2025

Looking forward to Forum Friday in New Orleans, along with more awards and celebrations! Be sure to visit the great vendors and bid on silent auction items.

Full conference schedule: https://www.uphaonline.com/schedule

01/10/2025

Today was a fantastic day filled with meetings, educational forums, awards, and great camaraderie!

Full conference schedule: https://www.uphaonline.com/schedule

01/10/2025

Horse Show banquet is tonight starting at 5:30. Horse Show forum is at 1:00 today at the Galt House.

01/09/2025

Congratulations to the KAFHS High Point Award Winners from the 2024 show season.

01/08/2025

The 79th Annual River Ridge Horse Show will be held April 23-26 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio. The historic Ohio State Fairgrounds has hosted the show for many years after being moved from the riding club near Columbus. The coliseum in which the show is held was built circa 1917 and had, for many years, a glass roof. The Ohio State Fair is itself quite large and is held in August. For many years, it hosted a big horse show with various breeds as well as the Shetland World Championships. Sadly, the horse show has not been held for a number of years, but each October for several weeks, there is the Quarter Horse Congress - truly a huge event with several thousand horses and a plethora of vendors with all kinds of goods for the public to see and purchase.

River Ridge is expertly managed by Barbara Dunham with her daughter, Dayne Maple serving as secretary. They have selected Clark Clouse as the judge for 2025 with Howard Schatzberg serving as the official show photographer.

Often referred to as “Little Louisville”, River Ridge has long served as the official kick-off to the show season. Manager Barbara Dunham and her staff have put on a high quality and entertaining show for many years, providing attendees with a great mix of competition, food, fellowship and fun!

Dunham encourages exhibitors to make room reservations early, as last minute accommodations can be hard to come by in the Columbus area. The official show hotel is the Embassy Suites Hotel - Columbus Airport. Phone number, 614-536-0500.

The official show schedule will be posted in the near future. Watch their website for updated information on vendors and schedule at riverridgehs.org.