2012 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show Names Champions Near & Far

Fort Worth, TX—Entries came from across the nation and the globe for the 2012 AjPHA (American Junior Paint Horse Association) Youth World Championship Show. In all, 293 young equestrians from 34 states, plus Canada, Germany, Austria, Australia, France, Holland and Switzerland traveled to Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth to vie for championship titles during the annual nine-day show.The Youth World Show is unlike any other horse show, as it is the only place where competitors can earn World Championship titles and recognition for their efforts with their registered American Paint Horses. Seventy-three world championship titles were awarded in a full gamut of classes, including leadline, walk-trot, halter, showmanship, English performance, Western performance, speed events and cattle events. Jackpots, slot classes, introductory and fun classes added depth to the class list, resulting in a total of 1,455 paid entries.

More Reasons to Show

A new flat fee for youth entering multiple classes offered $100 savings on six World Championship classes or six Introductory classes. The Introductory classes—Disciplined Rail English, Disciplined Rail Western, Ideal Paint English, Ideal Paint Western, Bareback English Equitation and Bareback Western Horsemanship—were open to youth who had never earned a world or reserve world championship in APHA competition, and who rode Regular Registry Paint Horses. Winners were named World Show Champion and received a Gist trophy buckle. New “fun” classes—Ride-A-Buck Bareback Equitation, Freestyle Shankless Showmanship, and a Costume Class—were open to any youth on any registered Paint Horse, for a nominal $20 entry fee.

Professional trainers volunteered a full day before the show to help new competitors at the AjPHA Boot Camp. Speed and roping classes offered a jackpot format, giving participants who opted in a cash payout in addition to the traditional breed registry points and prizes. A new payout opportunity for barrel racing and pole bending classes at the Youth World Show was introduced as the Hopes & Dreams slot classes. Payouts were based on the number of slots sold in each class and distributed on the fastest times.

Sportsmanship was a focus at the Youth World Show, where the AjPHA “Code of Conduct” was introduced and the inaugural Superior Sportsmanship Award was presented to Kristina Hermanson of Yorba Linda, California. She was recognized with a custom hat from APHA sponsor J.W. Brooks and an embroidered World Show jacket.

World and Reserve World Champions were each presented trophy buckles from longtime APHA (American Paint Horse Association) sponsor Gist Silversmiths, in addition to a multitude of other awards from sponsors and APHA. The National Snaffle Bit Association awarded bronze statues to their highest-placing member in 41 dual-approved classes. All finalists received large rosettes.

APHA recognized the top five Limited Exhibitors in select World Championship classes­­—Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Trail and Western Riding—in both the 13 & Under and 14-18 age divisions.

Thirty-five international youth competitors travelled thousands of miles to Fort Worth to represent six countries in the Youth World Games, a series of four classes held biennially in conjunction with the Youth World Show. The Youth Welcome and World Games Draw Party, hosted by Platinum Performance, gave international exhibitors the chance to mingle with their American peers. The Youth World Games depend upon the generosity of American horse owners who allow exhibitors to use their World Show horses. Overall team placings and countries represented include:  1) Team USA; 2) Team Germany;  3) Team Australia; 4) Team Holland; 5) Team Austria; 6) Team United (Australia & France); 7) Team Canada. Sponsors provided Gist buckles for teams finishing first through fourth, and all teams received awards for their overall placings.

The annual Youth Team Tournament, presented by Purina Mills, gave Youth the opportunity to excel in a team format with friends from their region. Eight teams vied for top positions in a hippology contest, knowledge relay, YTT performance classes and a parade of teams. Overall placings and teams represented were: 1) Team Texas; 2) Missouri Junior PHC; 3) Utah Junior PHC; 4) Oklahoma Junior PHC; 5) Team Colorado; 6) Illinois Junior PHC; 7) Arizona PHC; 8) Team Australia.

APHA hosted the Youth Judging Contest on June 24. Nearly 200 up-and-coming horse judgers evaluated six performance classes and four halter classes comprised entirely of registered American Paint Horses. Sponsored by longtime APHA partner Hart Trailers, the competition awarded $500 scholarships to the highest-placing judge in the junior and senior divisions. Oklahoma Junior Quarter Horse Association member Colt Cunningham won the junior division Hart scholarship, and Kelsey Ritchie with Tulsa County 4-H won the senior division Hart scholarship.

AjPHA members elected their new executive committee officers, participated in dog races, and enjoyed a host of social events intermingled with their competition and practice time.

All-Around and High-Point Exhibitors

The culminated efforts of the top all-around competitors were rewarded June 30 immediately following the Youth Versatility Challenge. Award titles, recipients, horses and prizes are listed below.

• All-Around Youth 14–18 and High-Point English – Ashley Wildes of Lakeside, California and Heza Texas Hobo

[English saddle package, courtesy of Alliance by Lynn Palm; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; 11” x 14” and 16” x 20” photographs, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics] [AA 14–18 = $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of Ford Farms and Morse Paint Horses; Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; splint boots, bell boots, necessity tote and bags of feed, courtesy of Purina]

• Reserve All-Around Youth 14–18 – LeRoy Poignant of Pilot Point, Texas and Ill Be Sensational

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; embroidered cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; saddle pad, splint boots, and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics]

• All-Around Youth 13 & Under & High–Point Western – Ryan Stille of Colleyville, Texas and T Town Sensation

[Western trophy saddles, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; splint boots, bell boots, necessity tote, and bags of feed, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” and 16” x 20” photographs, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics] [AA 13&U = $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of Ford Farms and Morse Paint Horses]

• Reserve All-Around Youth 13 & Under – Drew Rogers of Bakersfield, California and Shez Eye Candy

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; embroidered cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; saddle pad, splint boots, and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics]

• All-Around Novice Youth – Elizabeth Collins of Carrollton, Texas: Hustle Thou Art Romeo

[$1,000 Scholarship, courtesy of Ford Farms and Morse Paint Horses; Western trophy saddle, courtesy of  Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; splint boots, bell boots, necessity tote and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 16” x 20” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics]

• Reserve All-Around Novice Youth – Olivia Mae Eagles of Mount Vernon, Missouri: Chipped In Roses

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; embroidered cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; saddle pad, splint boots, and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics]

• High-Point Walk-Trot Youth – Caroline Nielson of Las Vegas, Nevada: Stately Sensation

[Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Big D; splint boots, bell boots, and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 11” x 14” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics]

• Reserve Walk-Trot Youth – Sabine Lazo of Caldwell, Texas: IB Zippin In Dixie

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; embroidered cooler and arena bag, courtesy of Big D; saddle pad, polo wraps and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; 8” x 10” photograph, courtesy of Montgomery Photographics.]

• Reserve High-Point Western Youth – Mackenzie Preston of Kent, Washington: Brokers Lucky Kid

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; saddle pad, polo wraps, bell boots, necessity tote and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Merial]

• Reserve High-Point English Youth – Alexis Miller of Eaton, Colorado: Thanks For Zip En Me

[Bronze statue, courtesy of Cowboy Bronze; polo wraps, bell boots, necessity tote and bag of feed, courtesy of Purina; embroidered arena bag, courtesy of Merial]

Generous Sponsors

APHA would like to extend a special thanks to the partners that made this show a great success.  Corporate Partners supporting the event were Gist Silversmiths, Hart Trailers, Markel Insurance, Merial, JW Brooks Hat Company, and Purina Mills.

The 2012 AjPHA World Show Sponsors were Alliance Saddlery, Arena Werks, Big D, Blue Ribbon Custom Tack, Cowboy Bronze, Hodges Badge Company, Jerry’s GM, Metro Golf Cars, Montgomery Photographics, Platinum Performance, Russell Feed and Supply, Tioga Territory and Video Horse World.

The show also received support from its publications, The Paint Horse Journal and Paint Horse Racing, and APHA affiliates, the National Reining Horse Association and the National Snaffle Bit Association.

Learn moreFull details, results and Paint Horse Journal interviews with World Champions can be viewed online at www.aphaworldshow.com.

Since 2012, World Show participation-based qualification has been required for every horse shown at the AjPHA Youth World Show. Participation at four different APHA-approved show events with a minimum of 8 judges is necessary, but points earned are not considered for qualification.

About the American Paint Horse Association

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), the international breed registry for the American Paint Horse headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses. APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves over 64,000 active youth and adult members around the world.