World’s Championship Horse Show Adds New Classes and Additional Prize Money

4/29/2023 Update Regarding WCHS Futurities and Sweepstakes Classes:

The Futurities and Sweepstakes will be held on the same time schedule as the National Futurities have been in the past. Any three-year-old, two-year-old, yearling, or weanling colt that is paid up in the National Futurities and Sweepstakes is eligible for the WCHS Futurities and WCHS Sweepstakes. As in the past the colt, will have to be entered in the World’s Championship Horse Show on the regular entry blank or on horseshowsonline.com. Weanlings must be registered with the ASHBA before the class. 

The ASB Walk-Trot Show Pleasure class will be conducted under the same rules as the other pleasure classes. This year, they will be required to have shown in three (3) classes in Walk-Trot Show Pleasure. The class limit is based upon the limitation for class entries posted in the prize list which is sixteen (16) entries, the limit for a class of riders thirteen (13) years old or under. Any child that has shown in a class that requires a canter is not eligible for this class.

World’s Championship Horse Show Adds New Classes and Additional Prize Money

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 25, 2024) -- The Kentucky State Fair Board, owner and operator of the World’s Championship Horse Show, announced today the addition of two new classes and changes to 16 classes for the 2024 show. The Kentucky State Fair Board fully funded these new classes, and winners will be bestowed World’s Champion titles.

These changes enable exhibitors to continue to show at the event following recent decisions by the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association to host their own sweepstakes and futurity classes in Indianapolis.

“The World's Championship Horse Show is stepping into a new era that enhances the show and adds to the prestige of this iconic event,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “With the recent announcement of ASHBA relocating its futurity and sweepstakes classes out of Kentucky, the Kentucky State Fair Board announced a significant increase in prize money and class additions to the show. Our team is confident this year’s show will be an outstanding experience for the entire Saddlebred community.”

The full list of changes is available below, which includes class name changes, new classes, and class removals. The prize list for the 2024 World’s Championship Horse Show will be released in May.

The following class names and prize money will be updated to the following:

Class 1

From:   ASHBA National Futurity – Weanlings

To:  WCHS Futurity – Weanlings

Prize Money:  $40,500.00

Class 5

From:  ASHBA National Futurity – Yearlings

To:  WCHS Futurity – Yearlings

Prize Money:  $40,500.00

Class 29

From:  Bill Wise ASHBA Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Fine Harness

To:  Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Fine Harness

Prize Money:  $12,000.00

Class 33

From:  Bill Wise ASHBA Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park Pleasure

To:  Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park Pleasure

Prize Money: $12,000.00

Class 38

From:  Bill Wise ASHBA Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited

To:  Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited

Prize Money: $12,000.00

Class 43

From:  Bill Wise ASHBA Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Five-Gaited

To:  Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Five-Gaited

Prize Money:  $12,000.00

Class 63

From:  ASHBA National Futurity - Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park Pleasure

To:  WCHS Futurity - Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park Pleasure

Prize Money: $17,000.00

Class 111

From:  ASHBA National Futurity - Two-Year-Old Fine Harness

To:  WCHS Futurity - Two-Year-Old Fine Harness

Prize Money: $40,500.00

Class 115

From:  ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity – Five Gaited

To: WCHS Futurity - Three-Year-Old – Five Gaited

Prize Money:  $17,000.00

Class 118

From:  ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity - Fine Harness

To:  WCHS Futurity - Three-Year-Old - Fine Harness

Prize Money:  $17,000.00

Class 121

From:  ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity – Three Gaited

To:  WCHS Futurity - Three-Year-Old– Three Gaited

Prize Money:  $17,000.00

Class 124

From:  ASHBA National Futurity – Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited

To:  WCHS Futurity - Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited

Prize Money:  $40,500.00

Class 131

From:  ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity – Three Gaited Park

To:  WCHS Futurity - Three-Year-Old - Three Gaited Park

Prize Money:  $17,000.00

Class 192

From:  ASHBA National Futurity - Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Finals - Class 111 (if necessary)

To:  WCHS Futurity - Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Finals – Class 111 (if necessary)

Class 202

From:   ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity - Fine Harness Finals - Class 118 (if necessary)

To:  WCHS Futurity Three-Year-Old - Fine Harness Finals - Class 118 (if necessary)

Class 208

From:   ASHBA National Three-Year-Old Futurity – Five-Gaited Finals – Class 115 (if necessary)

To:      WCHS Futurity Three-Year-Old – Five-Gaited Finals – Class 115 (if necessary)

The following classes will be added to the 2024 World’s Championship Horse Show:

ASB Walk-Trot, Rider 12 Years Old & Under Show Pleasure

Entry Fee:       $120.00

Prize Money:  $1,500.00

ASB Walk-Trot, Rider 12 Years Old & Under Show Pleasure Championship

Entry Fee:       $40.00 nom

Prize Money:    $2,500.00

The following classes will not be held at the 2024 World’s Championship Horse Show:

Class 107 Breeder’s Challenge Stake

Class 127 ASHBA National Amateur Futurity – Weanlings

Class 135 ASHBA National Amateur Futurity – Yearlings

Class 142 ASHBA National Amateur Three-Year-Old Futurity – Three-Gaited Park Pleasure

Class 144 ASHBA National Amateur Futurity – Two-Year-Old In-Hand

Class 198 Breeder’s Challenge Stake Class 107 (if necessary)