Paint Horses have a deeply rooted history in performance horse events like reining, cutting and working cow horse—it’s part of their heritage, and that of APHA.
In the last several years, APHA has been making a serious effort to make inroads in the performance horse disciplines of reining, cutting and working cow horse—it’s an effort to reconnect with generations of “lost” Paint Horse owners, who recognize the breed’s talent in these events, but have bypassed APHA involvement for discipline-specific organizations. Developments have included:
- Alliance Partnerships
Instead of viewing discipline-specific organizations as competition, APHA has been cooperating with groups like the National Reining Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association to expand opportunities for Paints. Among the benefits of these alliance partnerships are including select non-APHA competitions for World Show qualification requirements, offering dual-approval for these events at the APHA World Show, providing Paint incentive awards, cross-marketing and more. - Expanded Recognition
Paints are prolific in the reining pen, thanks to notable sires like APHA and NRHA Hall of Famer Colonels Smokingun. Starting in 2014, APHA has been rewarding high-placing registered Paints at select NRHA events with custom Gist Silversmiths trophy buckles, dually recognizing their accomplishments as well as their dedication to APHA. In 2015, we’ve awarded Paint incentive buckles at the National Reining Breeders Classic, Tulsa Reining Classic, High Roller Reining Classic and The International reining; this program will continue in 2016, so keep your eyes peeled on apha.com for news about next year’s lineup of featured events. - Cash Prizes
In addition to expanding World Show class offerings in these events, APHA’s sweetened the pot by adding nearly $80,000 in cash prizes for reining, cutting and cow horse classes. Cash payouts are awarded in challenge classes, which are limited to Regular Registry Paints—$40,000 in reining classes, $18,000 for working cow horse and $14,000 for cutting—and an additional $5,000 is being put up for NCHA all-breed cutting classes. The World Show takes place November 4–14, and entries are accepted until 5 p.m. the day before the classes take place; check out the schedule and learn more about the APHA World Show at apha.com/oawcs. - Expanded Paint Horse Journal coverage
Pick up the November issue of the Paint Horse Journal, and the first thing you’ll notice is a spectacularly intense cover shot that puts colorful cow horses front and center. That image—featuring Dueling Chic Olena, snapped by Down the Fence documentary filmmaker and photographer Lori Adamski-Peek at the 2015 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity—sets the stage for content dedicated to cow horse-related events. Filling in the editorial theme are articles about trying “boxing” classes, cow horse enthusiast Francine Acord-Brown’s inspiring journey from multiple traumatic brain injuries to the saddle, a judge’s breakdown of APHA roping classes and more.
December is the Journal’s reining issue, and it’s chock full of information spotlighting this crowd-favorite event. We’ll spotlight 10 Paints heading to the 2015 NRHA Futurity, an APHA judge explains what she wants to see from reining exhibitors, and two trainers share tips to help boost your reining score (including some that could help your horsemanship and trail scores, too); we also have coverage from the High Roller Reining Classic, Tulsa Reining Classic and more.
We’ll have limited copies of the November issue available at the APHA World Show, and the December issue will be distributed at the NRHA Futurity. But the best way to ensure your access to these issues—along with the Paint Horse Journal’s great content all year long—is by subscribing: a 1-year subscription starts at only $30. Subscribe, renew or extend at apha.com/phj/subscription or 817-222-6430.
The only way to take advantage of APHA’s recommitment to the performance-horse industry is by riding a registered Paint Horse … and we can help you with that, too. Find your next prospect, show horse or stallion in the pages of the Paint Horse Journal (check out a free preview of each issue, featuring ALL of our advertisers, online at apha.com/phj) or at painthorsejournal.equine.com. Need help registering your Paint? Connect with our helpful MemberCare professionals at [email protected].
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.