APHA kicks off second year
of exciting ranch horse competition

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) will host a day of versatile working ranch horse competition on May 7 at Lone Star Arena in Stephenville, Texas, with its Ranch Horse Round Up.

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Whether you are looking to ride an American Paint Horse in the Ranch Horse Round Up, or just want to join the ranks of a growing number of people who are eager to discover what the competition is all about, you will not want to miss this event.

Spectators can also gain perspective about the competition and perhaps participate in a similar event next year.

Participants can compete in both Open and Amateur in APHA Regular Registry and Breeding Stock Registry divisions.

The one-day event will feature classes that include:
• Stock Horse Pleasure—horses must walk, trot and lope smoothly and efficiently on a designated course.
• Stock Horse Versatility—horses perform some of the many tasks required of them in the course of actual ranch work. Horses may be asked by their riders to walk calmly over bridges, walk through brush, back into confined spaces, jump over obstacles, or drag hay bales, just to name a few challenges.
• Working Stock Horse—horses will demonstrate the skill and athleticism necessary to move cattle to specific areas. Roping may be performed in this class.
• Stock Horse Reining—horses must show they can be guided and ridden willingly, without resistance, in specific patterns.

APHA’s working ranch horse competitions offer Paint Horse enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their versatile ranch horses and compete in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

“The great thing about this type of competition is being able to get back to the stuff I love doing,” said APHA member Rodney Rosenhauer of Burleson, Texas, who won the Breeding Stock division at the 2004 Ranch Horse Round Up in Stephenville. “It brings out the old cowboy in me. I think it also brings out the cowboy attitude in the other riders.”

Winners of each of the divisions will be awarded a trophy belt buckle, courtesy of Gist Silversmiths.

To add a little more drama, APHA will host a head-to-head competition between the winners of the Open and Amateur divisions of Regular Registry against Breeding Stock. The victor will be awarded custom-made spurs, courtesy of Gist.

The Paint Ranch Horse Round Up is sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, Hart Trailers, The Kent Group, Pro Orthopedic, Jerry’s and Top Hand Tack.

APHA will also sponsor a special trade show, featuring a variety of equine-related merchandise, including tack, clothing and APHA General Store items.

APHA will host another Paint Ranch Horse Round Up on September 10 at Fort Robinson State Park, near Crawford, Nebraska, in conjunction with APHA’s annual trail ride, which will be held September 5–10 at that location.

Rules, fees and horse accommodations
The Stephenville entry deadline for the Paint Ranch Horse Round Up is April 22. There is a $200 entry fee, which includes cattle charges. The number of participants is limited. An entry form and premium list can be downloaded by logging onto apha.com/ranchhorse/entry.

Stephenville's Lone Star Arena comprises two covered arenas with seating, a covered warm-up arena, 400 stalls, a café and RV accommodations. Stalls will be available May 6 and 7 at the facility.

For more information about the Paint Ranch Horse Round Up, contact APHA at (817) 834-2742, extension 773. Rules may be accessed at APHA’s Web site at apha.com/forms/rulebooks. The Working Ranch Horse rule begins on page 84 under the Show & Contest section.

More about APHA
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. APHA has registered more than 811,000 horses in 49 nations and territories since it was founded 43 years ago.

APHA serves approximately 108,000 active members around the world.

Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of the American Paint Horse breed.

For more information about APHA and the American Paint Horse breed, contact the association at (817) 834-2742, or visit apha.com.