The AOHA Alabama State Championship Horse Show became the official state championship horse show in May of 1988. The idea for a statewide horse show was the dream of a man named Don Witt. The first horse show was held in W. O. Crawford Arena in Montgomery in September 1988 with 994 entries over a two-day period. By 2002 the show had grown to three days with over 2,000 entries. It is usually held at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery over Labor Day weekend and is the second largest horse show east of the Mississippi River. Winners receive awards such as belt buckles, trophy saddles, and plaques. The horse show is sponsored by the Alabama Open Horseman Association.

Sources:
Acts of Alabama, May 13, 1988
Letter from Mark Jarvis, Secretary, AOHA, 4 August 2003.