2013 AjPHA/ApHC World Show Numbers Are In: 286 APHA Horses, 670 ApHC Horses

FORT WORTH—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) successfully completed the 2013 AjPHA Youth World Championship Paint Horse Show. The association joined forces with the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) based in Moscow, Idaho, to hold overlapping youth events at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth.

The 85-acre WRMC complex boasts 45 acres of roof, which housed 286 horses for APHA and another 670 for ApHC. The Appaloosa National Show was held at the same location, immediately preceding the youth events. This was the first time the two organizations collaborated on such a large scale, and a first in the industry as well.

“This combined show was a great example of how to create a win-win outcome,” said APHA Executive Director Billy Smith. “Everyone benefited.”

APHA youth, who are all members of the American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA), competed in 79 World Championship classes and 12 additional specialty events like sweepstakes, challenge, introductory and fun classes over the course of the show, which began June 29 and concluded July 6. Five classes and multiple social events were offered in which youth from both APHA and ApHC could participate together with a shared love of spotted horses.

In all, APHA hosted 1,327 paid entries with exhibitors representing 39 states plus Canada. New age division breakouts in select Novice Youth classes (Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship and Western Pleasure) proved popular, as did recognition for Intermediate Exhibitors in 14 classes.

The World Championship Paint Horse Shows feature the finest gathering of Paint Horses from around the globe. APHA hosts two annual World Shows to showcase the talents of American Paint Horses and their owners.

Thanks to the involvement of leaders within the Paint industry, $20,000 in scholarships was awarded during the AjPHA Youth World Show. Friends of the halter industry gathered $15,000 to ensure that every World Champion and Reserve World Champion at the AjPHA Youth World Show received a scholarship for their efforts. Halter World Champions were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship, while Halter Reserve World Champions each received a $500 contribution to their future education. Yet others donated to secure $1,000 scholarships for the All-Around winners in three divisions—Novice Youth, 13 & Under and 14-18.

The annual Youth Team Tournament provided an opportunity for youth to work together in teams outside of the traditional show ring. Nine teams comprised of 2 to 20 members each had fun competing for top position in YTT performance classes, hippology contest, a knowledge relay, and a parade of teams. Overall placings and teams represented were: 1) Texas Team Blue; 2) Team Oklahoma; 3) Texas Team Red; 4) Illinois Junior Paint Horse Club; 5) Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club; 6) Michigan Paint Horse Club; 7) Utah Junior Paint Horse Club; 8) Pennsylvania Paint Horse Club; 9) Team Colorado.

Horse show exhibitors, their families, friends and local visitors to the show explored over 16,000 square feet of vendor offerings in the World of Color Gift Show, held in conjunction with the dual horse shows. Approximately 70 vendors from as far as California sold wares including jewelry, clothing, artwork, home décor, hats, boots, equine necessities and assorted other baubles, tractors and horse trailers.

APHA Executive Director Billy Smith and the daily breakfast sponsors provided hot coffee and breakfast items to exhibitors around the complex. Later each day, he and other hosts delivered lemonade and cookies. Everyone enjoyed the championship dog races, which were wildly popular and drew more than 45 entries over two days of racing.

Entries into the AjPHA/ApHC World Championship Judging Contest were the largest since 2009 with 234 youth judgers and 56 teams. During the contest, held June 30, up-and-coming horse judgers evaluated 6 performance classes and 4 halter classes comprised of both American Paint Horses and Appaloosas. Longtime corporate partner Hart Trailers provides $500 scholarships for the highest placing junior and senior contestants. Clara Holt with the Gulf Coast Paint Horse Club won the $500 Hart scholarship in the Junior division. Chaz Rufo with the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club won the $500 Hart scholarship in the Senior division.

Hart Trailers and Barbara’s Custom Hats stepped up to reward the Superior Sportsman with a $500 Hart scholarship and a certificate for a 50X hat. Her peers and a panel of anonymous judges voted Kirsten Chamberland of Langley, British Columbia, Canada, as the most qualified candidate.

Once again, APHA hosted a pre-show “boot camp” to help exhibitors fine-tune their skills before their classes. Professional trainers—Rob Meneely and Kelly Boles— volunteered their time to the cause. Hart Trailers provided a $500 scholarship to one lucky Boot Camp participant, as well.

A new piece of the pre-show preparation in 2013, “Ride the Pattern” offered exhibitors a cost-free opportunity to hear World Show judge Brad Kearns critique patterns demonstrated live in the arena. The overwhelmingly positive response given to Ride the Pattern at the AjPHA Youth World Show means that exhibitors at the upcoming Open/Amateur World Championship Show can expect a session in November as well.

All-Around and High-Point Exhibitors

Competition culminated on July 6 with an awards presentation for the youth who excelled to the highest levels—the top High-Point and All-Around exhibitors. Award titles, recipients, horses and prizes are listed below.

• All-Around Youth 14-18—Jenni Hanson of Elkhorn, Nebraska: Inthesweetshop

[$1,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club/Lance Jordan/Kevin Smith; Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered accessory tote, courtesy of Purina; embroidered fleece cooler, courtesy of Big D; embroidered deluxe stall bag, courtesy of APHA; custom frame, courtesy of Veda’s Awesome Framing; 16” x 20” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve All-Around Youth 14-18—Taylor Dixon of Dover, Delaware: My Sensational Cookie

[Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; saddle pad, courtesy of Purina; embroidered fleece cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• All-Around Youth 13 & Under and High-Point English—Emily Drew of Cypress, Texas: Cadets Honor

[HP English = Marcel Toulouse English saddle package, courtesy of Franklin Horse Supply & In-Tech; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered grooming tote, courtesy of APHA; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

[AA 13&U = $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club/Lance Jordan/Kevin Smith; Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered accessory tote, courtesy of Purina; embroidered fleece cooler, courtesy of Big D; embroidered deluxe stall bag, courtesy of APHA; custom frame, courtesy of Veda’s Awesome Framing; 16” x 20” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve All-Around Youth 13 & Under and High-Point Western—MacKenzie Preston of Kent, Washington: Brokers Lucky Kid

[HP Western = Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered grooming tote, courtesy of APHA; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

[Res AA 13&U = Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; embroidered fleece cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; saddle pad, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• All-Around Novice Youth—Ally Fink of Coronado, California: Gallant Zippo

[$1,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club/Lance Jordan/Kevin Smith; Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered deluxe stall bag, courtesy of APHA; 16” x 20” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve All-Around Novice Youth—Gabrielle D’Agostini of Mount Aukum, California: Invited Only Zippen

[Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; saddle pad, courtesy of Purina; embroidered fleece cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• High-Point Walk-Trot Youth—Josey Cornett of Spruce Pine, North Carolina: Pour Me A Cuervo

[Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; embroidered grooming tote, courtesy of APHA; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered necessity tote, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve High-Point Walk-Trot Youth—Lauren Gralla of Norman, Oklahoma: RL Sudden Style

[Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; saddle pad, courtesy of Purina; embroidered fleece cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; 8” x 10” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve High-Point Western Youth—Meredith Scroggs of Kelly, Louisiana: Renos Cool Dancer

[Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; saddle pad, courtesy of Purina; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered necessity tote, courtesy of Purina; 8” x 10” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

• Reserve High-Point English Youth—Alexis Miller of Eaton, Colorado: Thanks For Zip En Me

[Bronze trophy, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; splint boots and bell boots, courtesy of Purina; embroidered accessory tote, courtesy of Purina; 8” x 10” photograph of her choice, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography]

In all, exhibitors at the 2013 AjPHA Youth World Show vied for more than $100,000 in prizes and cash payouts, along with some $20,000 in scholarships. The support of corporate partners, World Show sponsors and donors are key to the high level of recognition that APHA provides. Awards are presented through 10^th place in each World Championship class; NSBA trophies were presented in 41 classes; and Intermediate Exhibitor recognition went as deep as 5^th place in 14 classes.

Corporate Partners include: Farnam, Gist Silversmiths, Hart Trailers, LubriSyn, Markel Insurance, Merial and Purina. World Show partners are: Arena Werks, Big D, Blue Ribbon Custom Tack, Cowboy Bronze, Franklin Horse Supply, Hodges Badge Company, Jerry’s of Weatherford, Larry Williams Photography, Metro Golf Cars, Paint Horse Journal, Paint Horse Racing, Platinum Performance and Video Horse World.

Ahead of the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Show, the APHA Executive Committee voted to eliminate the qualifying requirement for horses being shown at the Youth World Show, which is scheduled for June 28 through July 5 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We anticipate that eliminating qualifying beginning at our 2014 Youth World Show will have a positive effect on entry numbers,” said APHA Executive Director Billy Smith.

Find complete 2013 AjPHA Youth World Show results, video blogs, interviews with champions and much more online at ywcs.apha.com.