PHJ release by: Rachel Florman
Paint Horse lovers from across the heartland made their bids for the coveted Midwest Paint Horse Championship awards during the Zone 5 show, which took place September 24–25 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is the second year the Midwest Paint Horse Championships have been held in conjunction with the Zone 5 show, and the new rewards continue to draw excited entries eager for some extra time in the spotlight.
To be eligible for the Midwest Paint Horse Championship classes, exhibitors and horse owners must reside in Zone 5—Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin—and meet other eligibility requirements. APHA sponsored awards for up to 15 Paint Horse Championship classes, with the show selecting the specific events to offer.
Zone 5 Show Manager Cindy McGinnis says excitement for the Paint Horse Championship helped grow local interest in the Zone show.
“We were really pleased to see how much the championship classes grew this year,” she said. “Our exhibitors were more familiar with the program this year and excited to see it return so they could compete for the beautiful championship buckles. The excitement generated by this program has brought renewed interest in our Zone show and helped to increase attendance this year.”
Congratulations to the following Paints and their connections:
Photos are courtesy Ruehle Photographix. Find more at ruehlephotographix.com.