Greatest American Paint Horseman contest showcases breed’s versatility

FORT WORTH, Texas—As horses raced around the barrel-racing pattern
during the last qualifying event of the Greatest American Paint Horseman contest, held recently in Stephenville, Texas, many of the competitors cheered loudly for one another. Veteran trainer Earnest Wilson of Tolar, Texas, created the contest to showcase the versatility of the Paint Horse breed and to encourage camaraderie between rivals.

Zane Haverty stays right on target, piloting Mark This Spot to the 2005 Greatest American Paint Horseman's Open title. Photo courtesy of APHA/Adrianna Silvestri ©2005. Hirez JPEG (1.34 mb) more photos

Wilson, an American Paint Horse Association world champion competitor and the only person to have trained and shown 24 APHA Superior All-Around horses, is no stranger to competition or supporting others in the equine community. He was recently awarded the association’s Distinguished Service Award for his 30-plus years devoted to the horse industry.

The Greatest American Paint Horseman challenge
The Greatest American Paint Horseman contest is held in conjunction with an APHA-approved Working Ranch Horse competition, which also promotes versatility with multiple one-horse, one-rider events. While both contests include events that test all-around skills, Wilson’s competition takes his challenge a step further, measuring success on speed as well as precision with timed events like barrel racing and roping.

Wilson’s goal for the contest was to create a single competition that rewards versatility of a horse and rider above specialization for one event.

“A guy doesn’t have to be a superstar in any one event to win,” said Wilson. “The guy who appreciates what he knows and can do a little of everything is the guy who is most likely going to get a shot at a title.”

The Awards
The Greatest American Paint Horseman competition awarded Open division
winner Zane Haverty $1,560, while top Amateur Jaime Gossett won $1,830.
The two also took home trophy saddles and other prizes.

Haverty, who rode the world championship-winning stallion Mark This Spot, was attracted by the challenge of an event series.

“The classes looked like a lot of fun and there was quite a bit of added money,” he said.

Youth division winner Casey Hicks rode Senoras Delly to a college
scholarship worth $1,250, a trophy saddle and other prizes, while reserve champion Brandyl Brooks, on Gunsmoke Dixon, received a $750 scholarship and prizes.

Prize money awarded in the Open, Amateur and Youth divisions totaled
more than $10, 000.

More about the Greatest American Paint Horseman
For more information about the Greatest American Paint Horseman
competition, visit www.barndoors.com/PaintSuperStakes. Then click on
“2005 Greatest American Paint Horseman Contest.” You can also contact
Earnest Wilson by e-mail at ewilson@itexas.net, or by calling (254)
835-4936.

More about APHA
From reining to racing, APHA offers a wide variety of opportunities for the versatile American Paint Horse to show off its talents. To learn more, visit apha.com/programs, or call (817) 834-2742.