Arabian club plans four-day show at Evergreen State Fairgrounds

The Half Arabian Club of Washington is hosting its 55th annual Mid-Summer Classic Dual Arabian Horse Show this weekend; a free, four-day horseshow at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.

The family-friendly equestrian event kicks off Thursday June 9, and runs through Sunday, June 12, at the Evergreen Equestrian Park. The event features numerous show classes, including Arabian Mounted Native Costume, Reining, Ranch Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Halter, Western Pleasure and Sidesaddle.

In addition to showcasing approximately 200 Arabian and half-Arabian horses from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, northern Idaho and western Montana, the event will feature corporate bingo, prizes, wheelbarrow races and championship-level show classes.

The Mid-Summer Classic is the second largest Arabian horse show in the Pacific Northwest, second only to the Half Arabian Club's regional championships that take place in July. Spectator attendance is free at the Mid-Summer Classic and families are welcome.-á -á

"It's good to bring the kids,GÇ¥ said Laura Maitland, Half Arabian Club of Washington volunteer marketing manager. "We really encourage people to come learn about the breed.GÇ¥

A Lake Stevens resident, Maitland has been involved in the Half Arabian Club as a rider and a volunteer for about three years. She is the manager at Sam's Cats and Dogs, Naturally in Monroe, and owns a purebred Arabian show horse. Vegas, an 11-year-old sorrel gelding, was slated for death before being group-funded and saved from the kill pen.

"He was actually ready to go to slaughter, and a group of people jumped in and bailed him, and I ended up buying him,GÇ¥ Maitland said.

Vegas is Maitland's first experience with the Arabian breed, and she has never looked back. In 2015, the two took eighth place in the Arabian Horse Association Region 5 High Point Championship horseshow in the adult amateur class. She said she has been welcomed by the entire Arabian horse community, and has loved the instant inclusivity and sense of camaraderie.

"I can't imagine being with another breed,GÇ¥ Maitland said. "I love the Arab community. Everybody's so friendly and supportive and welcoming, and it's incredible.GÇ¥

One of the things Maitland loves about the Half Arabian Club of Washington is its community advocacy, including equestrian-related causes. Every year the club awards educational scholarships to local students. Additionally, the club supports organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Arabian Horsemens Distress Fund, a nonprofit created to help members of the Arabian community stricken with unanticipated hardship.

Since there were no candidates this year, the club's scholarship funding will be awarded during the Mid-Summer Classic's Friday night equitation challenge. Each day of the Mid-Summer Classic event will feature activities and show classes, which take place at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Some of the highlights include the Arabian Mounted Native Costume class on Thursday night, Friday night's scholarship equitation challenge, professional/amateur showmanship auction and supreme halter class and Saturday night's Mid-Summer Nights Dream championship classes. Saturday evening festivities also include bingo, wheelbarrow races and a costume class, with prizes given for the most outrageous, most creative, most colorful, crowd favorite and judges' choice.

All attendees are eligible to play the Saturday night corporate bingo game, which takes place in the stands as they enjoy the show and includes prizes for the winners.

Private tours can be scheduled with show organizers, for families or groups that would like to learn more about the club, the horses and their riders. The club hopes to generate renewed interest in the sport of professional horse showing, and is inviting everyone to attend the event and experience the Arabian breed.

"This is the best Arabian and half-Arabian show around, so come hang out, make some new friends and watch our gorgeous horses and riders perform,GÇ¥ said event organizers in a news release.

For more information about the event or to schedule a tour, contact Joan Palelek at vpfltd@gmail.com. For more information about the Half Arabian Club of Washington, visit www.hacw.org/index.html or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HalfArabianWA.