Host to six equestrian events during the year, the American Royal season starts and ends in the saddle.  In the first weeks of September the season opened with the Youth and Open Horse Show, September 3-4, and the Quarter Horse Show, September 8-11.  A particularly sweet start to the season, the Youth and Open Horse Show embodies the American Royal mission by providing young exhibitors the opportunity to compete and earn awards, gain value life experience, and be acknowledged for their hard work.  The American Royal Quarter Horse Show, recognized as one of the top regional Quarter Horse Shows in the country, annually welcomes exhibitors from over 15 states, and is an important show for exhibitors as they work to accumulate points for local, state, and national awards.

 

With 450 entries, more than double the entries of 2015, it was a record year for the American Royal Cutting Horse Show.  Excitement filled Hale Arena as riders demonstrated the skills of their working cow horses.  During the three day event, September 30 – October 2, riders cut each day and the event culminated with finals and bridleless cutting on Sunday.  Another crowd favorite, the Hunter Jumper Horse Show also saw an increase in entries this year with 229 horses entered.  Held from October 11 – 15, the Hunter Jumper Horse Show awarded nearly $100,000 in prize money, bringing the best of the best of Hunter Jumper riders from across the United States and Canada to Kansas City.

 

Most recently, the American Royal hosted the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kemper Arena, November 7 – 12.  Top trainers from around the country brought their best Saddlebreds, Road Horses, and Hackney Ponies to compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money and the prestige of winning at the Royal.  This year brought 733 horses to the American Royal Complex.  On November 12, the final night of the week long show, our Chairman, Angie Stanland hosted 155 honored guests at the Chairman’s Classic. In celebration of the grandeur and excitement of the final night of the UPHA National Championship, guests had the opportunity to tour the stables, interact with exhibitors, and learn what it takes to take home a ribbon from this renowned event. Following a cocktail party in an elegantly transformed Kemper Arena, guests were seated to watch the show and experience the majesty of the night.

 

  

The final equestrian event of the season, the Arabian Horse Show will be held December 3 – 4 in Hale Arena.  The Arabian Horse Show is an A-rated show for Purebred Arabians, Half-Arabians, and National Show Horses and is a qualifying show for the U.S. Nationals.