Access the patterns for the National Western Horse Show beginning January 1, 2008 by clicking here.HorseShowPatterns.com is the competitor's best course for patterns for the National Western Horse Show.

Held in the National Western Events Center, horse exhibitors from across the nation look to the National Western as a premier place to start their exhibition year.

The high level of competition and world-class brought about by the state-of-the-art equine venue has resulted in more than 16,000 entries shown during the 2008 National Western Horse Show. The horse show includes one of the top-five American Quarter Horse shows, a six-judge American Paint Horse show and the famous Draft Horse and Mule show. In addition, there are US Equestrian Federation -approved shows for hunters and jumpers, and an open division, which includes Arabians, American Saddlebreds, Appaloosas, Morgans and equitation classes.

While most horse judging and other activities in the 5,000-seat Events Center may be attended with the price of general admission, there are 14 ticketed shows, including two Super Dogs events, two Wild West Shows and a pair of An Evening of Dancing Horses^® scheduled in the arena. Ticketed horse shows include the $15,000 Dodge Invitational Freestyle Reining Jan. 11 at 2 p.m., Gambler's Choice Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., the $40,000 National Western Grand Prix presented Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. and four Draft Horse and Mule Shows over the final weekend, Jan. 23-25.

The National Western Grand Prix tickets start at $22, and tickets for An Evening of Dancing Horses^® performances are $18. Tickets for the Dodge Invitational Freestyle Reining start at $18, and the Wild West Show tickets are $13. All tickets include National Western grounds admission for the day of the performance. Buy Tickets

Draft Horse Shows are $12 for reserved seats during the evening performance on Jan. 23 and the matinee performances on Jan. 24 and 25. Tickets for the evening Draft Horse Show on Jan. 24 are $14, and a special $30 Draft Horse Combo is available to those who wish to see all four National Western Draft Horse Shows. Buy Tickets

With the exception of the National Western Grand Prix and Gambler's Choice, all other AQHA, APHA and USEF classes and championship finals may be attended with a National Western grounds admission.

The hunter and jumper and open divisions are presented in accordance with rules established by US Equestrian Federation. All these breeds are shown in performance classes only. In these performance classes, the obedience of the horse to its rider and the way the horse moves are of paramount importance.

Some breeds, such as Quarter Horses, Paints, Draft Horses and Mules are shown in both performance and halter classes. Halter judging can be compared to a beauty contest, with the judge's decision based on conformation and the relationship of form and function for each animal. With the exception of most Draft and Mule competition, no separate ticket is necessary to watch these horses being judged.


Listed at left are some of the breeds and the classes in the Horse Show that vary from day to day. Be sure to check the Horse Show schedule for your favorite breed or class and enjoy the show.