APHA offers Combined Training Awards to exhibitors at all levels of competition

FORT WORTH, Texas-Equestrians who do a lot of things well will benefit from a new Combined Training Awards program announced by the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). For those involved in Combined Training-dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping-all at one show, the APHA has created the special awards program for five different levels of competition.

Preliminary, intermediate, advanced, novice and training level competitors will have the opportunity to earn points at United States Combined Training Association (USCTA) events during the Dec. 1, 2000 to Nov. 30, 2001 competition season.

Winners at all levels will receive a plaque and the top five competitors at every level will each be awarded a certificate.

At the higher levels-preliminary, intermediate and advanced-winners will be determined by USCTA grading points accumulated during the competition season. Winners at the novice and training levels will also be determined based on a cumulative point system during the season. In addition, they must compete in at least three USCTA recognized events and place in at least one competition to qualify for awards.

"We would like to reward those great horses that have the remarkable talent to be eventing horses," said Linda Knowles, APHA show awards coordinator. "Having competed myself, I know the enormous amount of training involved for a horse to run and jump in cross-country events, as well as the discipline it takes for that same horse to train in dressage and stadium jumping."

Knowles added that the Combined Training Awards are being made in addition to the "Horse of the Year" breed award presented each year to the outstanding Paint Horse in Combined Training.

Reporting forms, available now, for the Combined Training Awards must be submitted to APHA by Dec. 2, 2001. To be eligible, horses must be registered in either the APHA Breeding Stock Registry or Regular Registry and owners must be current members of the association.