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The National Show Horse, a breed of horse famously known for it beauty and showmanship in the competitive ring, comes from a long line of good breeding, with bloodlines that are able to be traced back centuries through its Arabian and American Saddlebred ancestry. Although this particular type of breed has existed for a number of years, it wasn’t until the 1980s that it was given its official name, “The National Show Horse,” by the National Show Horse Registry.
The name, National Show Horse, was borne out of the desire to not only recognize, but also preserve the breed, also known as the Arabian-Saddlebred. Since the inception of the National Show Horse Registry, which monitors the horses, approves new entries and traces blood lines, the National Show Horse has won numerous victories in championship competitions around the world, starting with the first victory for the breed at the National Championship Finals in 1984. Since being officially named, the breed has quickly become famous for its distinctive breed-specific characteristics and beauty.
There are very specific regulations that monitor the types of horses that are allowed to register with and be endorsed by the National Show Horse Registry. Today, the only horses that are allowed to operate until the National Show Horse title are those offspring of specifically purebred Arabian, American Saddlebred or National Show Horse animals. In addition, there must be adequate proof given as part of the registration and approval process. While all three breeds of horse – the Arabian, American Saddlebred and National Show Horse can be used to produce appropriately pure offspring, each one must be examined according to bloodlines in order to determine if the animal meets the criteria of having at least a minimum of 25% Arabian blood, although offspring may have an Arabian blood content as high as 99%.
The National Show Horse breed has a very specific look that sets it apart from the others in regards to its overall manner, appearance and abilities. While Arabian horses have long been famous for their strength and outstanding beauty, the American Saddlebred has gain recognition and respect for its pride and flashiness as well as a noble and brazen manner. When these two breeds are bred, their combined characteristics produce offspring that include a smaller head with large eyes and a long, graceful neck. One of the most recognizable traits of the National Show Horse is the step, or gait – the way that it walks, even when not performing or showing. The gait of the National Show Horse is high-stepping, meaning that the hooves are raised higher off the ground that most other breeds and that it seems to have the appearance of marching.
The tail of the American Saddlebred is also an often-recognized
characteristic of the breed being somewhat high set on the body and should be kept free flowing. There is not one color that is specific to the National Show Horse, which is most typically used for high-energy, saddle riding activities such as parades, jumping and long-range rides.
National Show Horse Picture
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