By Mary Cage
Dirt flew as Paint Horses’ carried their riders at top speeds and around tight turns during the 2018 APHA World Championship Show’s RAM Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program competition. With a total of $11,350 on the line, the events were split between the 4D PBRIP Sweepstakes and the 4D PBRIP 4- & 5-Year-Old Futurity Jackpot.
PBRIP 4- & 5-Year-Old Futurity Jackpot—Total Payout $750*
Young Paints battled it out in the futurity jackpot, with Famous French Pistol and Teresa Watson of Nowata, Oklahoma, clocking a 16.154 to take the 1D championship and $450. Famous French Pistol is a 2013 bay tobiano mare by French Too Fame (QH) and out of HH Classy Robin. Famous French Pistol was bred by Jim and Mari Masters of Scott City, Kansas.
“I didn’t start running her until late December to keep her eligible,” Teresa said. “I knew she was probably a year behind, but she’s got all the potential in the world. I knew if I just sat up and rode her, she would make a nice, smooth run. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to come to the World Show and compete against some really tough horses. It seems to get tougher and tougher each year, which is a good thing for the Paint Horse world. Since the PBRIP first began, I’ve seen more and more Paints running, and it’s good to see the growth.”
Sixteen-year-old Madison Harrison from Park City, Kentucky, earned a $300 check aboard Catching Fire, taking the 2D futurity championship. Catching Fire is a 2014 red roan overo gelding by Dos Poruno and out of Kiss This Chrome; he was bred by Steven B. Wright of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
PBRIP Barrel Racing Sweepstakes—Total Purse: $10,600*
Taking home the 1D PBRIP Sweepstakes title with a time of 15.182, Shelton Headley of Port Gibson, Mississippi, and Speedin For Cash also earned the PBRIP World’s Fastest award, presented to the team with the best average time in the PBRIP Sweepstakes and any Open 
APHA world championship class at the show. Speedin For Cash also took home world championships in the Amateur Barrel Racing and the Senior Barrel Racing—both with Shelton’s father, David Headley, in the saddle. Speedin For Cash claimed the World’s Fastest award with a combined time of 30.840 between the Senior Barrel Racing and PBRIP Sweepstakes.
“She’s easy to ride—there’s no tricks to her,” Shelton said. “All I did was aim down the alleyway and give her rein. With her, you just point, kick and hold on. Running a fast time is fun—I don’t get to do it very often.”
Speedin For Cash is a 2012 sorrel tobiano mare by Got Caught Speedin (QH) and out of Cash Sign. She was bred by Carol E. Waters of Red Rock, Oklahoma. With these wins, Shelton also took home a trophy barrel saddle, courtesy of Elite Custom Saddles, and trophy jacket, courtesy of Cinch—along with a host of additional prizes.
2D Champion—15.745:Mr Tapestry Moon and Katti Pinnix-Breaux
3D Champion—16.193: Nicinizer and Candice Miner
4D Champion—17.262: Suntan Showgirl and Sue Williams
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*Estimated Payout Totals
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.