MONTGOMERY, AL- The Alabama Open Horseman’s Association (AOHA) will host its 38th Annual State Championship Show August 29-31, 2025, at the Garrett Coliseum and its Crawford Arena in Montgomery. This year’s event will be the largest in more than 15 years, with over 2,000 registered entries showcasing more than 550 ponies and horses.
AOHA offers classes for four age divisions: eight years old and under, 12 years old and under, 13–17 years old, and adult (18 and older), with separate divisions for ponies and horses. Riders will compete across a variety of disciplines including halter, English, gaited, racking, western and ranch. It will also include timed events such as barrels, arena race, poles and stake race.
This year’s schedule features 72 classes, with the largest class topping 100 entries and many exceeding 70 participants. Sixteen classes are so large they must be split into multiple cuts for safety purposes. Youth-focused classes alone will have more than 800 entries.
New to the schedule this year is an Equine with Disabilities class, available only to riders who cannot compete otherwise. Another highlight is the Costume Leadline class open to riders eight years old and younger, which will have 33 entries.
Exhibitors will compete for over $35,000 in prizes and awards, including 10 saddles and a halter for the high point winners in each of the 11 divisions. AOHA will also award two $1,000 scholarships annually to participating high school seniors.
Beyond the exciting action in the arena, attendees can enjoy shopping from over 20 vendors offering everything from tack and leather goods to country lifestyle décor, apparel, knives, cowhide rugs and more.
This marks the 26th year the Garrett Coliseum has hosted the AOHA State Championship Show. As the largest facility in the state for this type of event and one of the biggest horse shows in the Southeast, the Coliseum will be filled to capacity. The AOHA is adding 50 temporary stalls to house the animals and equipment. Previous feasibility studies suggest the show has over a $4 million annual economic impact on the City of Montgomery and surrounding areas.
Incorporated in 1988, AOHA was founded by eight Original Chartered Associations and three Associate Associations of which, six are still active in the organization. Currently, AOHA has increased to 14 associations with members from across Alabama and surrounding states.
To qualify for the State Championship Show, exhibitors must participate in a minimum of six shows at their local club and rank among the top 25 exhibitors in their regional association.
For additional information visit https://showaoha.org/ or please contact:
Mark Durden at markdurden2@aol.com or 205-753-3694
John Lipscomb at AOHATreasurer2@gmail.com or 205-492-9725.