Horse show organizations are common as horse organizations; but the idea of an association of horse show exhibitors is relatively new. It was in 1960 in Los Angeles County that such an idea became a reality. Thus the way was paved for exhibitors to have a voice in the operation of the horse shows at which they exhibited.

The Los Angeles County Horse Show Exhibitors Association, as the organization was originally called, came into existence with the following aims:

1. To provide exhibitors with an opportunity to compete in quality horse shows without traveling great distances.

2. To provide high score awards on a local level.

3. To raise the quality of horse showing conditions within the Los Angeles area.

4. To help adjudicate disputes between horse show exhibitors and show management.

From a modest beginning of eighteen members and four approved horse shows, the Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association has grown to its present size with over six hundred members. In 1984, the name of the organization was shortened to Los Angeles Horse Shows Association (L.A.H.S.A.). This change also emphasized the relationship to the American Horse Shows Association of which it is an affiliate member.