APHA premier event set for June 25–July 8
International Youth competition returns
to World Championship Paint Horse Show

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—In response to growing international appeal of the World Championship Paint Horse Show, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) will once again host the Youth Paint World Games in 2006. This one-day competition, which will feature youth from several nations, is part of the 14-day APHA World Show, set for June 25–July 8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Youth from around the world will travel to APHA's World Championship Paint Horse Show to compete in the second Youth Paint World Games, which will be held June 29 in Fort Worth, Texas. Pictured is Marcus Banister of Brighton, Colo., who competed on the United States team in 2004. Hirez JPEG (1.22 mb)

APHA first introduced the Youth Paint World Games in 2004 and plans to host them during its World Show every two years. At the inaugural event, teams traveled from Australia, Canada, Germany and around the United States to participate.

In 2005, APHA hosted guests to its World Show from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and Switzerland. Paint Horses competing represented owners from 46 states in the United States, several provinces in Canada, as well as locations in Brazil, British Columbia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Youth Paint World Games
APHA invites youth from all nations to participate in the Youth Paint World Games on June 29, and to stay for the duration of the show. Teams will compete in four categories—trail, reining, showmanship and horsemanship. As many as four riders and one alternate will make up each team and the horses used will be randomly drawn prior to the contest. APHA members generously donate the use of their horses for the events.

The Paint World Games give teams from around the globe the opportunity to compete against one another in a fun environment. Pictured at center is team Canada, winner of the 2004 games. Hirez JPEG (4.23 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.32 mb)

“Youth are an integral part of our association,” said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. “We also work hard to provide services and opportunities internationally. Hosting the Youth Paint World Games offers a great opportunity to reach out to our association’s youth and draw in more international exhibitors.”

International competitors interested in participating should contact APHA’s director of youth activities by calling (817) 834-2742, or e-mailing youth@ajpha.com.

Youth, Amateur and Open competition
Youth, amateur and professional horsemen and horsewomen will exhibit their horses during the two-week APHA World Show, demonstrating their skills in halter, Western, English, cattle, driving and speed classes.

The first week of the show is dedicated to youth classes and activities, including the world’s largest comprehensive judging contest for youngsters. Approximately 400 youth participate each year. Other activities include a youth team tournament in which American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) members compete both on and off their horses. The Team Tournament features four team-oriented events: Hippology, Parade of Teams, Knowledge Relay and Performance Classes.

In 2005, APHA logged 1,522 youth entries, which represented a 6-percent increase over the previous year’s 1,438 entries.

During the second week of the show, open and amateur exhibitors will compete for more than $400,000 in cash and prizes.

Based on the 2005 World Show compared to the previous year, entries continue to climb for the open and amateur portions of the show.

Amateur entries climbed 40 percent from 948 entries in 2004 to 1,332 in 2005. Open entries totaled nearly 1,500 in 2005, more than a 4-percent increase over 2004.

New in 2006
The 2006 World Show will add six new classes to its schedule.

Three of the new classes offered are open to Solid Paint-Bred/Breeding Stock Registry horses. APHA has added them to the lineup to provide more opportunities for its solid-colored horses to compete at the World Show. These classes include: Solid Paint-Bred Trail, Solid Paint-Bred Barrel Racing and Solid Paint-Bred Cutting.

The other new classes and age split classes offered cater to youth and amateur competitors. They include: Youth Cutting, Youth Working Hunter 13 and under, Youth Working Hunter 14-18, Amateur Trail 19-44 and Amateur Trail 45 and over.

World Showcase Sale
Held in conjunction with the World Show, APHA will host its World Showcase Sale, the largest Paint Horse sale of the year, on July 1.

More than 120 excellent performance, pleasure and breeding horses will be available to purchase at the sale.

If you are interested in consigning a horse for the sale, you can request a consignment package by calling (817) 222-6441, or e-mailing aphaworldsales@apha.com. The consignment deadline is March 15, 2006.

More about the largest Paint Horse show on earth
An annual non-qualifying event for registered American Paint Horses, the World Show will include 179 classes, including five challenge series classes and three sweepstakes events. A select sale, a trade show and many other special activities will also be offered.

All World Show activities take place at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, an 85-acre equine complex with three major air-conditioned arenas, located in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district.

The World Show has experienced steady and sustained growth throughout the years. A record 4,848 entries last year represented a 78-percent increase over the 2,727 entries 10 years ago.

Approximately 2,000 horses are expected to compete at the 2006 World Show.
Be sure to get your entries and reservations in early for the 2006 World Show. Stall and RV reservations, as well as early class entries, are due May 1, 2006. The World Show Premium Book will be available in March with a complete schedule, forms and other pertinent information regarding the show.

For more information about the World Show, including a complete schedule, list of accommodations, entry details and visitor information, visit aphaworldshow.com. Be sure to check the site regularly for World Show updates. You may also call APHA at (817) 834-2742 with questions.