Last time the Appaloosa Nationals were at Kihikihi was in 2010 when Sheila Dandy's (Clearview Stud) Rules Zipped in Chocolate won her fourth National Supreme title.
Rules Zipped in Chocolate's two-year-old daughter is competing in halter this year, while mum is at home with another filly foal.
Spectators are welcome to take in the three days of competition starting at 8.30am.
Best events for spectator viewing are English on Friday, including inhand, dressage and hack and show hunter classes.
Saturday commences with halter, showcasing youngsters and adult horses, and finishes with trail and the Cowboy Challenge.
The Cowboy Challenge, later Saturday afternoon, will be a great one to watch.
Competitors are challenged over a course of many different obstacles.
The Appaloosa National Show's 40th anniversary dinner will take place Saturday night.
Invited guests include founder members of the association. Guest speaker will be Appaloosa stud owner Craig Vacey-Lyle of South Africa.
Sunday is all Western performance - hunter under saddle, horsemanship, reining, ranch riding and games.
There will be three special classes that day - pleasure, trail and ranch riding.
Head judge will be Helen Bentley of Australia. English judges are Julie Smith (dressage), Peter Hill (inhand and hack) and Marty Barton (showhunter).
Entrants with local connections are Sheila and Tania Dandy, formerly of Te Awamutu, now living in Whakatane, and Farrah Allcock, Pirongia.
Other familiar faces are Rebecca Oatway (Hamilton), Vikki Madgwick (Te Kowhai), Caroline McKnight (Taumarunui) and Elaine McIndoe, Linda Ussher (Te Kuiti).
