4th Annual Arizona Miniature Horse March Festival

Watching the live American Miniature horses going round and round the show ring is like seeing the carousel horses come to life on a merry go-round. The 31st Annual Arizona Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show will be bringing out the best little horses in Arizona and the South West as they compete with one another for ribbons and awards.

The AZ Miniature Horse March Festival will be held March 29 through April 1, 2018, at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona. The events will begin daily at 8:00 am and run till 6:00 pm. Kicking off the three-show festival on March 29, Thursday, a one-day show for “R” registered Miniature horses will perform in Arena 3. A one-day AMHA show of the smaller type horse, measuring 34 inches at the mane and under, will be held on March 30, Friday, in the enclosed Equestrian Center. March 31 and April, Saturday and Sunday, the Touch of Class with hundreds of showy Miniature horses will celebrate its 31st year featuring prancing hooves, wishful whinnies, glittering-attired exhibitors, and polished harnesses and carriages, in the enclosed climate-controlled Equestrian Center which offers spectators a comfortable place to sit and watch their favorite classes.

The shows will feature small horses pulling carts and carriages, horses maneuvering obstacles, leaping over jumps, racing roadsters, costumed minis and handlers, and running free in liberty classes, a few of the classics that will delight the viewers. Admission and parking for the spectators of the Miniature Horse shows will be FREE for the entire event.

Visitors can also enjoy taking barn tours and seeing how the horses are groomed and made ready for their showing. In the coliseum food and refreshments will be available for the hungry attendees. Vendors of all sorts will be on the grounds showing interesting arts and crafts, apparel, and specialized products. Raffles and a silent auction, open to all, are added attractions.

The Arizona Mini Mystique Precision Driving Horse Drill Team will perform Sunday, April 1, during the lunch break, showing off Miniatures pulling carts in synchronized patterns of movements to music in the show ring. It is awe- inspiring to watch the trained Miniature horses as they pass by one another within feet and inches of each other. These special minis and drivers practice weekly throughout the year to perfect their performances.

The Miniature Horse Festival will be held in conjunction with The Mane Event Horse Expo, March 30 – April 1, with Mane Event vendors in the north hall of the Equestrian Center and special, unique horse performances and clinics in the arena in the evenings. Spectators for the Miniature horse show should look for the special area, designated for the Miniature Horse show’s FREE parking while attending the show.

For show information, call 623-465-5034. Visitors are invited to come and see the Miniature horses for a great

family-fun event sponsored by the Miniature Horse Association of Arizona, a non-profit organization promoting

the interest and welfare of the smallest horse breed, the Miniature Horse. Info: www.AZminis-MHAA.com