More than $1 million paid out to 2,277 participants
APHA awards record Breeders Trust payout

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently paid out more than $1 million to Paint Horse breeders and owners as part of its successful Breeders Trust incentive program. The record payout of $1,002,175.50, which was distributed to 2,277 people, represents a 9.3 percent increase over the amount awarded last year, and a 514 percent increase over the program’s first payout of $163,217 in 1997. Since that time, APHA has paid out more than $3.9 million through Breeders Trust.

In this program, a person pays an annual fee to "subscribe," or enroll, a stallion in Breeders Trust for the upcoming breeding season. Offspring resulting from breedings to that stallion may then be "nominated," or enrolled in the program, for a specific fee. Enrollment money, including interest accrued in the APHA Breeders Trust Fund, is later paid out to these stallion subscribers, as well as the nominators and owners of the stallion's offspring, based on points earned by those horses at APHA-approved races and shows each year. Depending on the success of the nominated horses, payments to their owners and nominators, as well as the subscriber of the horse's sire, may continue for the life of the competitive horses.

Based on performance points, Playin For Broke, a 7-year-old chestnut overo owned by Carol Staub of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, was the highest money-earning horse, with $15,268.22 in earnings and 848 points. As the horse’s owner and nominator, Staub received $12,214.58, which was the highest payout to any individual for the year.

“I think it’s a great program,” Staub said. “I love it. I’ve had horses in it since the year it started. It provides a great opportunity to offset the costs involved with showing them.”

Zippos Sensation, owned by Andrea and Lynn Simons of Aubrey, Texas, was the top stallion for foal earnings for the third consecutive year. The couple earned $12,077.37 as the stallion subscribers. Fifty-one of the stallion’s foals earned a total of $51,169.82. Zippos Rap, who received $8,984.48, was the highest money- and point- earning foal by “Zippo.” Jacey Watson of Parker, Colorado, owns the 6-year-old sorrel overo gelding.

“The thing I like best about Breeders Trust,” Watson said, “is the fact that you get paid back for a lot of the costs of showing. … When you haul around to all the big shows and spend money, you have the opportunity to make some of it back. Having my horse eligible for the Breeders Trust has made it possible for me to continue showing when I may not have been able to without the payback.”

For more information on the Breeders Trust program, visit apha.com/breederstrust. You may also call (817) 222-6416 or send an e-mail to APHA Breeders Trust Coordinator Candy Cain at ccain@apha.com.

More information about APHA and Paints
Since its founding 42 years ago, APHA has registered more than 775,000 horses in 48 nations and territories around the world. Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 50,000 horses each year. The association serves more than 105,000 active members, who are located in every U.S. state, throughout Canada and in 41 other nations and territories around the world.

APHA employs 155 people and has an operating budget of $15 million for activities worldwide.

Some of the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable include sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, a willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns.