Tulsa awaits its champions as U.S. Nationals starts on 22 October
The updated official schedule opens competition on Thursday, with the major Arabian breeding finals on 31 October.
Competition at the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show begins in Tulsa on Thursday, 22 October 2026, according to the Arabian Horse Association schedule updated on 20 October. The Expo Square programme continues through Saturday, 31 October across in-hand and performance arenas.
The closing day’s Arabian breeding classes include junior fillies and colts aged three to five, followed by senior mares and stallions aged six and over. The schedule places these in the Pavilion session beginning at approximately 1 p.m. Tulsa time; the order does not establish a separate fixed start time for every class.
What changes for 2026?
AHA has divided ABS AAOTR Jackpot classes into Elite and Choice levels for Country English Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure and Western Pleasure. Riders must compete at their designated level. Country English Pleasure classes for four-year-old junior horses have also been added.
Breeding classes within a wider performance show
The event contains Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian divisions alongside ridden, driving and working classes. Eligibility and judging belong to each class. A breeding result therefore needs the horse’s age and class context, rather than pooling performance awards into one conformation ranking.
When to follow the programme
The schedule opens the Pavilion and Mustang arenas at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday, 22 October. The organiser notes that entry numbers can affect sections and sessions, making the approved daily running order the reference for following a specific class.