A record 4,848 entries logged at APHA’s premier event
World’s largest American Paint Horse show just got bigger

Fort Worth, Texas—A record 4,848 entries were recorded at this year’s World Championship Paint Horse Show, held June 26 through July 9 in Fort Worth, Texas. The total represents a 7-percent increase over the previous year and the largest number of competitive entries to date for the premier event of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). In addition, this marked the sixth consecutive year that more than 1,800 horses were exhibited.

The nationally acclaimed Freedom Riders, who earlier this year got a “two-thumbs-up” approval from President George W. Bush at his inauguration, brought World Show audiences to their feet during patriotic salutes to America. This year's show featured 1,838 horses and included a record 4,848 entries. APHA Photo/Laura Jesberg. Hirez JPEG (5.59 mb) more photos

The World Show also featured more action than ever before, with the debut of two Breeding Stock Performance classes, an Open Stake Race class and several more Amateur age division classes.

The two new Breeding Stock Performance Classes included Breeding Stock Western Pleasure and Breeding Stock Hunter Under Saddle.

In addition to the Breeding Stock Classes, APHA added classes for horses in its Regular Registry. These included an Open Stake Race class added to the speed events line-up and several more Amateur age division classes, split between 19-44 and 45-and-over age groups.

Growing international appeal
An annual event, the World Championship Paint Horse Show is held for 14 days each summer at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The venues there are only eight miles from APHA’s international headquarters, also in Fort Worth.

American Paint Horses competing in the show represented owners from throughout United States and Canada. APHA also welcomed visitors from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and Switzerland. APHA presented a special award to Orlando Lamônica Jr., the president of Associação Brasileira do Cavalo Paint (ABC Paint) for his role in the growth and development of the American Paint Horse breed in Brazil – South America’s largest nation. All international visitors were honored with a special reception.

A World Class event deep in the heart of Texas
An annual non-qualifying event for registered American Paint Horses, the World Show included 175 classes, five challenge series classes, three sweepstakes events, a select sale, an educational seminar, a trade show and many other special activities. Exhibitors demonstrated their skills in halter, Western, English, cattle, driving and speed classes.

All World Show activities took place in the sprawling 85-acre Will Rogers Memorial Center, which includes three major air-conditioned arenas. The equine complex is located in the heart of Fort Worth's cultural district.

The World Show has experienced steady and sustained growth throughout the years. The 1,838 horses shown this year represented a 51-percent increase over the 1,221 horses exhibited a decade earlier. Also, the 4,848 entries logged this year was a 78-percent rise over the 2,727 entries at the World Show 10 years earlier.

Non-stop competition and entertainment
APHA, which prides itself on being a family oriented organization, dedicated the first week of the show to Youth activities. Also included the first week was the world's largest comprehensive judging contest for youngsters. More than 350 youth participated in the contest, which was sponsored by Hart Trailers.

Other activities included a youth team tournament, during which American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) members competed both on and off their horses. The Team Tournament featured four team-oriented events: Hippology, Parade of Teams, Performance Classes, and a knowledge relay event.

Members of the American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) sold chances for a filly during the show. The filly, DGT Holly Bar Delta, was donated by Floyd and Maryann Moore of 6J Paints of Huntsville, Texas. The fund drive helped raise several thousand dollars for the youth group’s leadership activities.

During the second week of the show, competitors mounted up for non-stop Open, Novice Amateur and Amateur classes.

APHA continued its Bank One Challenge Series with the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge, 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Challenge and 3-Year-Old Reining Challenge. It also included a 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge as well as a 5- and-6-Year-Old Cutting Challenge.

A Team Penning Sweepstakes also took place. In addition, the 2005 World Show featured a Freestyle Reining Sweepstakes, as well as the Bridleless Western Pleasure Sweepstakes.

Also during the show, APHA sponsored a World Showcase Sale, featuring some of the best yearlings, mares, geldings and stallions on the market. A bay overo colt yearling, named Paint Me Only, was the high seller and brought $24,000. The horse was sired by Invitation Only (AQHA) and is out of Zippos Fire Girl.

New to the show this year were Rookie of the World awards, presented to five competitors. The awards were sponsored by Gist, Horse Illustrated and Young Rider.

Entertainment at the show included the nationally acclaimed Freedom Riders, who earlier this year got a “two-thumbs-up” approval from President George W. Bush at his inauguration. At World Show, they brought audiences to their feet during patriotic salutes to America.

Members of the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association came in with a bang on the final night of World Show with their sure-fire entertainment that involved quick guns and fast horses.

The finale included freestyle reining, in which both riders and horses in costume performed reining patterns to music.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better show this year,” said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. “It seems that every World Show is an improvement over the one before it. I think it’s all attributable to outstanding exhibitors, talented Paints and a unified desire to showcase the best horse breed in the world.”

APHA partners add value and support
APHA parterned this year with a select group of companies who offered World Show contestants a total cash and product package valued at more than $400,000. Those sponsoring partners include the following:

Corporate sponsors: Barnmaster, Inc.; Bank One; Gist Silversmiths; Hart Trailer Manufacturing; HorseCity.com; Markel Insurance Company; PRO Orthopedic Devices Inc.; and The Kent Group.

World Show sponsors: Airena; Boulet Western Boots; Jerry's; Charlotte's Saddlery; Horse Illustrated; Metro Golf Cars; Pro Stepps; Paint Horse Journal; Top Hand Tack; Western Horseman; Young Rider; and Zimecterin Gold.

Associate sponsors: Hodges Badge Company, Inc.; National Reining Horse Association; National Snaffle Bit Association.