The Aurora Arabian Horse Association of Sherwood Park, AB, was formed in 1965. The Aurora club has a vibrant and active membership and board of directors who work relentlessly to improve their corner of the industry. Aurora runs an annual horse show and tries to create other opportunities to involve the public and members with the Arabian horse. In 2025, Aurora celebrated 60 years in style at their summer horse show with many perks and events including a Saturday evening celebration, extensive giveaways and prizes, and record attendance with over 160 horses!
Aurora submitted three entries to the Arabian Horse Association’s annual club excellence award categories (Club Project, Membership Retention/Recruitment, and Breed Promotion) where a $500 award is given for each category. The Club of the Year award is then selected from those clubs that were placed in the top five of a minimum of 2 of the 3 categories, and an additional $500.00 award is presented for that honour.
Aurora felt that for the club project they should highlight the 60th anniversary show. They broke club records for attendance and sponsorships, and they showcased the very best of the club and 60 years together with the classes offered, prizes and awards given, and events created for the attendees.
For the membership retention/recruitment award, they highlighted the popular and successful changes made to the bylaws in the last year to bring back associate memberships; the Volunteer Program they created for members and non-members to receive a recommendation letter in return for volunteer hours with the club; and the High Point awards program for current members to enter each year.
The breed promotion category highlighted their success with the Aurora Horse Experience in August of 2024, where the club held an event during Canada’s National Championship in Red Deer, AB. Open to the public, the event drew approximately 120 people. They showcased breed disciplines, lesson programs, and the beautiful animals that Arabians are.
At the 2025 AHA Convention held in Reno, NV in November, the results of the club excellence awards were announced during the awards banquet. What a thrill when the Aurora club was called forward as winners of the Membership Retention and Recruitment Awards! It was an honour to have the Aurora club sit among strong successful clubs who strive to better our breed and the industry every day.
Rounding out the awards was the Club of the Year award. Shock and surprise hit the table when Aurora was called forward. Aurora is honoured and proud to hold this award and bring it back to the club after many years.
The Aurora Arabian Horse Association will continue to strive proudly for excellence and to better our industry one step at a time.
Submitted by Donna Kavanagh
Chair, EC Breed Sport Committee