Compare and Contrast Essay

There’s tense excitement in the atmosphere, a packed crowd cheering, and the most beautiful horses in the nation showing at top level in an arena. Darkness blankets the stands as a stoplight follows the horses when they prance through the green shaving coated arena. They float in the air and come down only to lightly prick their hooves on the ground. The crowd watches in anticipation and awe as the amazing athletes pass by. If you’re looking for a fun and enjoyable time, the Arabian National Horse Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma is where you should go.

In the past two years, I attended and competed at two different National Horse Shows. Arabian Nationals was my first one and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Then the next year I went to Quarter Horse Congress; this show proved to be no comparison to the Arabian show. Each show was composed of a different breed which makes for the largest contrast between the two. Quarter Horses and Arabians are breeds of total opposite but one clearly exceeds in the category of entertainment and that is the Arabians. At Quarter Horse Congress the classes are completely on the other end of the spectrum from the other. Quarter Horse Congress is the largest one breed show in the nation. The classes in this show drag on and on as they move so slowly. The horses are also world class but the breed is to be shown in such a way that the horses are forced to move in a completely unnatural manner that looks almost painful to the horses. The horses are built bulky and not nearly as agile. Their unnaturally slow executed gaits make for typically boring classes no matter what the event. The crowd is not allowed to cheer for the competitors during the classes. The only noise present in the arena is the subtle low playing of slow country songs in the background. The atmosphere is so drastically different as it’s stiff and sleepy at the Quarter Horse Congress.

In high contrast, Arabian National's atmosphere is undeniably more ecstatic and intriguing. The onlookers are highly encouraged to scream and holler for the horses in the arena because it makes the fine boned Arabians more hyped up so that they may show more extravagantly. Also the barns and arena are fancier and more elaborately decorated.

Everyone who has been to both shows can’t deny the fact that Arabian horse show was clearly more exciting. No matter which breed one prefers, the opinion will be a majority of the same. Most would find a more entertaining time at Arabian Nationals over Quarter Horse Congress. If one asked which show would be recommended, I, along with many others, would strongly suggest the Arabian Nationals. So if you’re ever looking for a fun and good time you should definitely go to the Arabian Horse Show.