About National Show Horses

The National Show Horse (NSH) is a relatively new American breed whose registry was not founded until 1981. Representing the epitome of the modern day show horse, a National Show Horse was originally a combination of the best of two breeds, the Arabian and the American Saddlebred. Beginning in 2011, the National Show Horse will expand its influence and will accept into its registry a horse representing a combination of Arabian and any other breed as long as the resulting offspring possesses a minimum of 50% Arabian blood. A typical NSH stands between 14.3 and 16.2 hands in height and can be grey, bay, black, chestnut and even palomino or pinto in color. Due in large part to their natural upright carriage and lofty animated action, the National Show Horse is predominately ridden saddle seat in English pleasure and gaited classes, or driven as a fine harness or pleasure driving horse. However, their inherent dynamism, athleticism and willing disposition make this extremely versatile breed equally successful in a wide variety of classes, including hunter pleasure, Western pleasure, show hack and dressage. The combination of beauty, stamina, agility, grace, charisma and flowing athleticism results in the versatility of the National Show Horse, a trait that underlies its popularity and makes the breed particularly appealing as a show horse with which every member of the family can become involved.

Breed History

National Show Horses are known in the industry as the breed of excitement and versatility, and specifically recognized as the mount of choice for youth and amateur riders.

Perhaps more than anything else the versatility of the National Show Horse underlies its popularity and makes it particularly appealing as a horse with which the whole family can become involved. The National Show Horse Registry offers a wide variety of classes including, Halter, English Pleasure, Country Pleasure, Three Gaited, Five Gaited, Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure and Show Hack.

The Breed Standard

The National Show Horse shall strive to produce an athletic horse which retains size, beauty and refinement. Specifically, the following traits are desirable:

1. Motion - Balanced and obvious power from the hind-quarters flowing into an elevated front end, the front legs showing both flexion and extension;
2. Neck - Very long, set high on the shoulder and relatively upright with fine throatlatch. The neck should be shapely but without a pronounced crest;
3. Head - Relatively small, short and refined with large eyes and small, well placed ears and a straight or slightly concave profile (a "roman nosed" or convex profile is not desirable);
4. Pronounced withers and a very deep and well laid-back shoulder;
5. Proportionately short back closely coupled with a long hip and relatively level top line (moderately sloping croup not to be penalized);
6. Legs - Correct from all angels with long forearms and short cannon bones in front and long, well-angled pasterns front and rear;
7. Refinement of bone but not lacking in substance, especially in the chest, girth, shoulder and hip;
8. A relatively high-set tail, natural and flowing;
9. When observed at rest or in motion, the horse must exhibit a natural presence and, when animated, extreme brilliance. The horse must exhibit high carriage when showing or relaxed.