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 Utah Junior Paint Horse Club (UPHC) won the Youth Team Tournament competition for the second year in a row with a clever interpretation of the theme “Paint the Way.” APHA Photo/Laura Jesberg Hirez TIFF (11.5 mb) Hirez JPEG (3.07 mb)

One of the many proud winners at World Show was Alisa Bernhard of Germantown, Wisconsin. She earned the All-Around Amateur title with Fleetstreet Max, an 8-year-old sorrel overo gelding. This award goes to the horse and rider team that earned the highest point total in a minimum of three categories. APHA Photo/Adrianna Silvestri Hirez JPEG (4.36 mb)

Winning at World Show can be a family affair. All-Around 13 & Under, High-Point Western, and Rookie 13 & Under were all won by Ali Papendick of Rapid City, S.D. She is shown on her 14-year-old sorrel overo gelding Rust On My Zipper. Ali’s mother, Kerry, won a World Championship with the horse in Novice Western Riding. APHA Photo/Adrianna Silvestri Hirez TIFF (23.3 mb) Hirez JPEG (6.63 mb)

Hirez JPEG (2.59 mb) APHA Photo/Rob Owens
	On the July 4th, Independence Day, Air Force Major Val Baker arrived in Fort Worth after a tour of duty in Iraq and 19 other nations to take part in World Show. She competed in Amateur Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Steer Stopping, Heading and Heeling, with her horse Capital Business. She took a top 10 in Steer Stopping. No stranger to World Show competition, Major Baker was World Champion in Amateur Heeling in 2000 with Takin A Chance. APHA Photo/Adrianna Silvestri Hirez TIFF (12.6 mb) Hirez JPEG (3.84 mb)

The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association charged into John Justin to deliver their own brand of sure-fire entertainment during World Show. They displayed their shooting skills on talented American Paint Horses. APHA Photo/Rob Owens Hirez TIFF (24.0 mb) Hirez JPEG (4.19 mb)

A filly named DGT Holly Bar Delta, donated by Floyd and Maryann Moore of 6J Paints of Huntsville, Texas, helped AjPHA youth members raise several thousand dollars in a special drawing during World Show. APHA Photo/Rob Owens Hirez JPEG (1.84 mb)

Reining is always a popular event at World Show. Here, Ron Emmons showcases his skills on Shirley Ima Gunner. In all, 4,848 entries were logged over the 14-day show. APHA Photo/Rob Owens Hirez JPEG (2.45 mb)

Ollie Oops, an American Paint Horse who now resides at the Fort Worth Zoo, was a big hit with the children at World Show this year. APHA donated the horse to the zoo's Texas Wild! exhibit in 2001. The horse has been a great good-will ambassador for the breed. APHA Photo/Rob Owens Hirez JPEG (2.62 mb)