APHA Platinum Breeders Futurity Halter Purse Expected to Exceed $80,000

PHJ release by: Cristin Conner

APHA.com

Thanks to recent modifications to the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity approved by the APHA Executive Committee, non-pro APHA halter exhibitors with Breeders’ Trust-enrolled horses will have the chance during the 2016 APHA World Championship Show to compete for an estimated payout of more than $80,000—a sizable increase over last year’s purse.

Currently, no fewer than 11 stallions and 53 mares have committed to the new Breeders’ Futurity Platinum program for 2016. Based on 2015 participation numbers, the potential purse for participating horses is projected to be in excess of $80,000.

The Platinum Breeders’ Futurity is an elite weanling halter futurity that takes place at the APHA World Championship Show, and starting in 2016, it will be exclusively for Non-Pro exhibitors. It’s designed to showcase the offspring of APHA Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to these stallions. This division is separate from the Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions of the Breeders’ Futurity.

Foals become eligible for the Platinum futurity via both stallion subscription and mare enrollment. Beginning in 2016, stallion owners pay $5,000 annually, and mare owners pay $200, thus making weanling offspring eligible for entry in the futurity.

This increase in payments directly increases the amount of payouts: 100 percent of collective stallion and mare payments will be awarded back in purse prizes. The Platinum Breeders’ Futurity will pay back percentages of the purse to the foal owner at the time of showing (80 percent), as well as the mare owner at time of foaling (10 percent) and the stallion owner or recorded lessee at the time of breeding (10 percent).

“Jumpstarting the halter horse industry is a priority for APHA; this is one step in that effort. The Platinum program, along with scholarships for Youth, are a part of an overall strategy to reinvigorate the industry,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “This is a grassroots efforts organized by our own breeders and stallion owners. The Executive Committee responded by listening to and supporting the effort to grow the halter industry.”

Steps to Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Eligibility

1.     The stallion must be subscribed to the Breeders’ Trust program.

2.     Stallion owners—or the recorded lessee of the stallion—must nominate the stallion to become a Platinum Stallion for a $5,000 nomination fee by December 31 of the breeding year.

3.     Upon stallion’s nomination to the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity, all mares present on the stallion’s breeding report are eligible for nomination to the Platinum division.

4.     To nominate a foal to the program, the mare owner/lessee must pay the $200 per foal Platinum Mare nomination fee by December 31 of the breeding year (see fee schedule for late fees).

5.     Offspring must be a Breeders’ Trust-nominated foal in order to enter any Breeders’ Futurity class.

6.     Foal payments must be paid in order to enter in Breeders’ Futurity classes.

Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Classes for 2016

Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Stallions
Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Mares
Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings
Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Solid Paint-Bred Stallions & Geldings
Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Solid Paint-Bred Mares

A Non-Pro is defined as a card-carrying Amateur or Youth exhibitor. Both Amateur and Youth exhibitors must meet the ownership requirements as set forth in the current APHA Rule Book.

Click here for additional rules and information regarding the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity program.

To enroll your horse or for more information, contact Director of Breeders’ Trust/Breeders’ Futurity Candy Jebavy at breederstrust@apha.com.