2019 APHA Youth World Show Exhibitors Head Home With $250,000+ Cash and Prizes
PHJ release by: APHA.com
APHA successfully concluded the 2019 APHA Youth World Championship Show after nine days of premier competition for youth ages 18 and under aboard American Paint Horses. In addition, all world championship cutting classes (Open, Amateur and Youth) took place during the show, which was at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, June 24–July 7. The show was held in conjunction with the Appaloosa World Championship Youth Show and incorporated several other events including a Jr American Super Qualifier and the ACHA Cowtown Cutting.
This year, the APHA Youth World Show offered more than $250,000 in scholarships and prizes to competing AjPHA members. Included were scholarships for top finishers in 87 world championship performance and halter classes, along with scholarships for randomly selected entries and other special events. All this in addition to the customary prizes awarded at the show, such as trophy buckles, jackets, halters and saddles. Scholarship money totaling more than $110,000 was provided by the American Paint Horse Foundation, as well as private donations from APHA members and industry supporters.
With the chance at some wonderful incentives, the show attracted nearly 1,100 entries and 262 horses from 34 U.S. states and Canada. Each world championship class paid out $1,300 in scholarships.
“Each year, I am so impressed by the kids attending our Youth World Show,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “They have worked extremely hard to get there and, win or lose, they leave the show ring with a smile and they make sure to encourage and support one another along the way. It’s amazing to watch, and it’s an honor to help get them started saving for their college education through our scholarship program.”
Seven talented Youth exhibitors proved they were the best of the best, capturing the show’s all-around and high-point titles. The all-around titles were awarded to Samantha Stubblefield, 14–18; Kaylynn Heitman, 13 & Under; Taylor Daniel, Novice Youth; and Fallon Owen, Solid Paint-Bred. Four additional high-point awards were presented to top-placing Youth: Ady Kallay earned the High-Point English Youth award, Sydney Shaw took home both the High-Point Western Youth and High-Point Power Performance titles, and Delaney Good won the High-Point Walk-Trot award.
The Youth World Championship Judging Contest sponsored by APHA and ApHC took place June 29 and saw a 44 percent increase in total number of contestants over last year. Teams and individuals from across the country competed, including representation from Minnesota, Idaho, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas and more. The overall Senior High-Point Team was Team O.C.D. of Texas. Team members were J’Cee Petty, Brandalyn Ellis, Clayton Elbel and MaKenzie Knipe. The overall Junior High-Point Team was Locust Grove #1 of Oklahoma. Team members were Harley Chance, Lynlee McCurry, Seve Blackwell and Katsy Atkins.
The Robyn Hanna Memorial Sportsmanship Award honors an exhibitor selected by an anonymous panel of judges as someone who exemplifies what it means to be a role model in and out of the arena. Raygan Follis, 13, of Colleyville, Texas, received this year’s award, along with a $1,000 scholarship and custom Gist Silversmiths trophy buckle sponsored by the Milton Family.
As part of the APHA Youth World Show, the association also hosted a Jr American Super Qualifier July 5–6 which included barrel racing, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping and steer wrestling. This competition was a qualifying event for the 2020 Jr American Rodeo.
New for this year, all world championship cutting classes for all divisions (Open, Amateur and Youth plus Challenge classes) were moved to the summer show from the fall, which proved to be a popular decision. As a result, cutting entries grew by 80 percent over 2018. APHA paid out $21,650 in the APHA cutting classes.
Also returning this year was the ACHA/APHA Cowtown Cutting. The all-breed, all-age event, which is approved by the American Cutting Horse Association and APHA, took place July 5–7 and attracted 140 entries and paid out $16,627.
APHA would like to thank its sponsors for their generous support of this premier event. Special thanks to APHA corporate partners Cinch, Gist Silversmiths, LubriSynHA, Cowboy Trailer Sales, Markel Insurance, RAM, Ritchie Industries, UltraCruz, Rod Patrick Bootmakers, Mars Equine, Pedigree, Nutro, Greenies, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Bob’s Custom Saddles and the Paint Horse Journal as well as World Show sponsors Arena Werks, Harris Leather & Silverworks, Classy Courses Inc., Cowboy Bronze, NRCHA, NRHA, NCHA, SmartPak, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Kentucky Equine Research, Larry Williams Photography, Metro Golf Cars, Hodges Badge Co., Schneiders, Owen Farms, NSBA, WCHA, John Deere, IEA, So Cool Fans, RideTV, Washington National and Perri’s Leather.
