150,000 Reasons to Attend 2015 AjPHA Youth World Show

PHJ press release by: Jessica Hein

APHA.com

Need a little motivation to attend the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show? How about 150,000 reasons why you should make plans to attend the world’s premier Youth Paint Horse show?

More than $150,000 in scholarships for Youth exhibitors will be up for grabs at the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show, which takes place June 23–July 4 in Fort Worth, Texas. Building upon the work of generous members who have raised $45,000 for scholarships awarded in Youth World Show halter classes plus rookie exhibitor awards, the American Paint Horse Foundation will add another $100,000 for scholarships awarded throughout the show’s world championship performance classes.

Additional groups and individuals have also pledged scholarship funds for special awards, and private donors are invited to pledge $1,000 earmarked for extra scholarships awarded for a class of their choice. Several APHA members have already signed on as scholarship sponsors for their favorite events, so don’t delay. Funds are being collected and distributed by the APHF. To pledge $1,000 for your favorite class or to donate to the general Youth World Show scholarship fund, visit ywcs.apha.com/awards/scholarships.

“The secret to increasing youth participation isn’t a secret at all,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “Stock shows have known this for years—children need money to go to college. We can’t just pay lip service to increasing our participation, however; we have to put our money where our mouth is.”

The 2015 Youth World Show scholarship awards breakdown follows:

 

More than $45,000 in scholarships will be presented to exhibitors in the show’s 10 halter classes, awarded for first–sixth place, as well as rookie exhibitor awards. Funds for these scholarships have been donated by generous APHA members in an effort spearheaded by Judy Ford—click here for a list of halter scholarship donors. Each class features $4,500 in scholarships; the breakdown is as follows:

1st Place: $1,250 scholarship

2nd Place: $1,000 scholarship

3rd Place: $750 scholarship

4th Place: $600 scholarship

5th Place: $500 scholarship

6th Place: $400 scholarship

A total of 71 performance classes at the Youth World Show will include scholarships awarded to first– through third-place winners, as well as a randomly drawn exhibitor. Scholarships will range between $1,300 and $2,300 per performance class.

Qualifying is NOT required to participate in the Youth World Show. Find more information about the event online at ywcs.apha.com—check out the Premium Book and the schedule, and online entries are coming soon. Remember to make plans to participate in the APHA/NSBA Color of Money show immediately preceding the Youth World Show June 23–25, featuring 90 percent payback in all classes for Youth, Amateurs and Open riders aboard approved color breeds. Enter by May 15 to get the best rates, but entries are accepted for any class up to 5 p.m. the day before it takes place.

Feeling generous? Donate to the APHF scholarship fund or earmark a $1,000 gift for your favorite Youth World Show class by visiting ywcs.apha.com/awards/scholarships or contacting APHF Director Laura Jesberg at (817) 222-6412 or ljesberg@apha.com.