With a rhythmic gate, Peri Wilson of Tavares, Fla., guided her horse during practice on Thursday in preparation for the Arabian and Half-Arabian Horse Show at the Covington Center Arena.

Beginning today, those interested in horses can get an up-close look. The two-day show begins at 8 a.m. at the arena and will feature exhibitors from all over the southeast and as far away as California showing their prized horses.

Charles Moseley, president of the Alabama Arabian Horse Association, said that every medium and small breed of horse in the world has Arabian blood, adding that the horses that race in the Kentucky Derby are of the common blood line.

“Here in Andalusia at the show, we have exhibitors from all over the southeast and horse owners from as far away as California that’ll be here,” Moseley said. “We have training barns from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Louisiana.

“We’ve got a lot of states covered here,” he said.

Arabia horses have distinct features, including a beautiful head and high tail set, Moseley said.

This isn’t the first time that the horse show has been showcased in Andalusia. For the last two years, Moseley said the show has been held in Rainesville, Ala.

“We had the show here for five or six years,” he said.

Moseley said the facility in Rainesville presented an offer too good to pass up, but in the end, the association liked the Andalusia facility better.

The show begins today and tomorrow at 8 a.m. and lasts until the evening. During the day today, classes will be held in which instructors will show how to stand the horse up and presetting the horse. Additionally, there will be performance classes held throughout the day today and tomorrow.

Moseley said kids, who are most welcome to attend, will love to watch the costume portion of the show.

“The kids love to watch the costume horses in full desert regalia,” he said.

On Saturday, the Tail Program will be held at 2 p.m.

Moseley said this program allows kids to come out and pet, rub, scratch and get to know the horses.

“The Arabian is known for its beautiful head and high tail set,” he said. “Those set the breed apart.”

Admission to the show is free and all are welcome.