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| APHA
boosts incentive payout to $60,000
American
Paint Horse Association awards $20,000 at first
Gelding Plus payout for 2001
FORT WORTH--The American Paint Horse Association
(APHA) paid out $20,000 in incentive money recently
to the highest-advancing geldings in four classes
at the National Snaffle Bit Association-approved
event, The Southern Belle Invitation, held July
27-29, in Tunica, Miss.
The payouts were part of APHA's innovative
Gelding Plus incentive. Open to both Regular
and Breeding Stock Registry horses, the program
gives Paint gelding owners and breeders added
opportunities to earn cash and increase the
market value of their horses. APHA paid out
$45,000 in prize money last year at select shows
and earmarked $60,000 for top-placing geldings
at several futurities around the country this
year.
"We're finding that this program is rapidly
stimulating increased interest in performance-bred
Paint Horse geldings," said Jim Kelley,
APHA assistant executive secretary. "Our
Gelding-Plus entries tripled over last year's
APHA-approved Gelding Plus event.
"What was so special about The Southern
Belle Invitation was that it was a not-for-profit
show and a part of the proceeds are being donated
back to APHA and other associations. That benefits
our industry as a whole."
The highest-placing geldings earning Gelding
Plus money in Tunica included:
… Knee Deep N Zip, owned by Deborah Sayre,
Houston, Texas, in 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western
Pleasure ($5,000), and for a two-way tie in
3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure ($2,500).
… Ima Cowboys Hitman, owned by Danielle
Lassiter, East Palatka, Fla., in 3-Year-Old
Open Hunter Under Saddle ($5,000), and for a
two-way tie in 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure
($2,500).
… Real Groovy, owned by Tami Farnsworth
of Madison, Wis., for 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter
Under Saddle ($5,000).
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The payouts and resulting participation in APHA's Gelding
Plus program have added a new dimension to The Southern Belle
Invitation, said show manager Connie Hill. "It has opened
our show up to an entirely new group of exhibitors who were
not there previously," said Hill. She said of the 290
horses stalled on the grounds during the show, about 20 were
American Paint Horses.
"Their presence enhances our industry with diversification,"
she added.
The show manager said she expects to see even more Paint
geldings at next year's show. "As word gets around, we'll
see that happen," she said.
Hill said The Southern Belle Invitation featured $80,000
in guaranteed money this year, with a total purse estimated
at about $160,000.
APHA is expected to receive about $5,000 back from the show's
proceeds. "By giving money back to our affiliates, they
can channel it into educational programs for youth, and this
helps the entire industry," said Hill. "Our future
is in our youth, and we feel this is one way we can help."
This was the first year The Southern Belle Invitation was
held at the new equestrian center in Tunica. Located about
40 miles south of Memphis, Tenn., the city is home to 10 casino
resorts and the newly constructed, air-conditioned Paul Battle
Arena and Expo Center. Moving the show there from its former
home in Memphis not only allowed organizers to hold the show
at a modern venue, but also gave them the opportunity to locate
it in an area that draws exhibitors from throughout the country,
Hill said. About 100 additional stalls are expected to be
added for next year's show, said Hill, and more novice youth
and novice amateur classes are planned.
More Gelding Plus money to be awarded this year
In addition to the Gelding Plus payouts at the NSBA-approved
event, The Southern Belle Invitation, APHA will award $5,000
to the owners of the highest-advancing Paint geldings in the
Open and Non-Pro divisions at the following futurities:
… National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Futurity-3-year-olds
… National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity-3-year-olds
… National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity-3-year-olds
… Barrel Futurities of America (BFA) World Barrel Futurity-4-year-olds
To enter this year's Gelding Plus events a horse must be
foaled in 1998 and registered as a gelding prior to his 3-year-old
year, or gelded and his status change reported to APHA prior
to his 3-year-old year. In addition, owners of the horses
must be current APHA members and their horses must meet futurity
age requirements.
Prepare now for 2002 Gelding Plus payouts
Don't miss out on the chance to earn Gelding Plus prize money
in 2002 at the NSBA, NRCHA, NRHA, BFA and NCHA futurities.
It's easy to participate in the Gelding Plus program, and
enrollment is free.
Enrollment is automatic and applies to horses in the Regular
or Breeding Stock registries. To qualify for Gelding Plus
payouts in 2002:
… The horse must have been foaled in 1999 and registered
as a gelding prior to his 3-year-old year, or gelded and his
status change reported to APHA prior to his 3-year-old year.
Owners of horses foaled in 1999 must notify APHA of their
horse's gelding status prior to December 31, 2001.
… Owners of the horses must be current members of APHA.
Note: Because the BFA World Barrel Futurity is for
4-year-olds, horses foaled in 1998 and meeting the reporting
requirements are eligible to compete in that event in 2002.
For more information on the Gelding Plus Program, visit APHA's
Gelding Plus Web site at apha.com/geldingplus.
To learn more about the American Paint Horse Association, visit
the association's Web site at apha.com
or call (817) 834-2742, extension 788. |
