Inaugural Get of Sire and Produce of Dam Classes Come to 2014 Paint Horse Congress

By: Brittany Bevis

At the 2012 AQHA World Show, halter horse fans saw a return of the popular group halter classes of the past with the inaugural Get of Sire class. In 2014, the Paint Horse industry is following suit by offering the first ever Get of Sire and Produce of Dam classes at the Worldwide Paint Horse Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Because it’s all about breeders and mare owners, and, ultimately, an exhibitor heading to horse shows with the offspring, we felt the Congress was a great place to stage these seldom offered Get of Sire and Produce of Dam classes,” says Congress Chair Casey West. “Thanks to Merial, an APHA Corporate Partner and the title sponsor for these classes, we will have extra awards for the winners.”

The 2014 Paint Horse Congress will host two four-judge Paint-O-Ramas at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex, July 30-August 3. A completed showbill hasn’t been finalized at this time, however, show management confirms that this new set of halter classes will take place on both Wednesday and Saturday.

For those competitors not familiar with these group halter classes of days gone by, the premise is that a group of horses, typically two or three in most cases, all sired by the same stallion or out of the same dam, forms a single entry to be judged. Each individual horse in the winning group is typically honored with a prize and/or title, but, most often, credit for the win goes to either the entry’s stallion or dam.

The unique format of these classes provides the opportunity for a breeding animal to be honored, posthumously, for their contributions to the industry. This was the case at the 2012 AQHA World Show when the late MH Supremo was honored for his win by the offspring that competed on his behalf, PF Premo, PF Amazing, and Sacred Supreme.

In accordance with the 2014 APHA rule governing group halter classes of this kind, SC-180. Group Halter Classes, no official points will be awarded. In addition, horses shown in a group class must be registered in Regular or Appendix Registry and be eligible to compete in individual halter classes.

 1. Produce of Dam. Two produce, either sex, can show. Dam must be registered with the APHA, but need not be shown nor need produce be owned by owner of the dam. Horses actually shown as the Produce of Dam will be limited to horses four years old and younger. EXCEPTION: See Rule SC-165.C.

2. Get of Sire. Three get, either sex, can be shown. Sire must be registered with the APHA, but need not be shown nor need get be owned by owner of sire. Horses actually shown as the Get of Sire will be limited to horses four years old and younger. EXCEPTION: Rule SC-165.C.

Because it is not required that the get or produce be owned or shown by the owner of the stallion or dam, these classes promote a kind of exhibitor camaraderie as the group must work together to gather horses to make up their entry. Entries may be submitted at the Paint Horse Congress, so competitors will have ample opportunity to gather the appropriate number of horses to build their entry.

With Merial, a multinational animal health company, signing on as the title sponsor of these classes, exhibitors can bet there will be some great prizes up for grabs.

“We had made a decision to add the World Wide Paint Horse Congress as one of our sponsored shows in 2014,” says Kelley Mundrick, Merial Equine Brand Marketing. “When Kalyn Sanders with APHA approached us with this idea, we jumped at the chance to be involved in ‘breeder’ type classes. We were aware these are not generally offered at shows, and we hope the added awards benefit will help generate interest and entries. ”

APHA Director of Business Development Kalyn Sanders echoed that sentiment by saying, “APHA is proud to partner with Merial and the Paint Horse Congress in this new and exciting endeavor. This kind of unique opportunity is what truly makes a great partnership work.”

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for more information coming soon about the upcoming 2014 Paint Horse Congress.