2023 Platinum & Gold Breeders’ Futurities set new records at Halter Million
APHA’s lucrative Platinum and Gold Breeders’ Futurity programs set new records at the APHA/WCHA Halter Million. The event took place September 23-October 1, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Among the 2023 Halter Million highlights were:
- 40 Platinum-participating sires—new record
- 264 Platinum-eligible horses—new record
- $330,850 in Platinum division payouts—new record
- $109,941 in Gold division payouts—new record
Since its inception in 2009, the Breeders’ Futurity program has increased opportunities and financial rewards for APHA Breeders’ Trust-nominated foals. Gold Breeders’ Futurity competitions take place at the APHA World Championship Show and Halter Million. Platinum Breeders’ Futurity classes are elite non-pro futurities offered at the Halter Million. These competitions feature the world’s finest American Paint Horses and exhibitors competing in a select slate of classes that showcase the offspring of APHA Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to them.
2023 Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Leading Sire
Execute
2023 Gold Breeders’ Futurity Leading Sire
Trillions
2023 Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Champions
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Xcused & Steve Byers, winning $8,132 (Total Payout: $25,414)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Shes Ridin Shotgun & Christopher Page, winning $6,752 (Total Payout: $19,860)
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: Im Expenziv & Heather Olson, winning $7,037 (Total Payout: $17,594)
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Hes A Miracle Worker & Sue Drawdy, winning $6,646 (Total Payout: $19,549)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Leavin Ya Speechless & Christopher Page, winning $7,427 (Total Payout: $21,846)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: O Sprinklez & Tawni Jones, winning $18,410 (Total Payout: $70,807)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Edorabelle & Roy Houser, winning $14,394 (Total Payout: $44,983)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Rhipped & Sarah Reeder, winning $7,647 (Total Payout: $16,993)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: KR Kracker Jack & Patricia Ellsworth, winning $11,782 (Total Payout: $36,820)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Paso Doble & Robert Martin, winning $15,954 (Total Payout: $56,979)
“The Platinum [program] is tremendous,” exhibitor Steve Byers said. “It allows us to continue to have competition at a high level and quality horses coming back here. [Platinum] drives that.”
Fellow competitor Patricia Ellsworth agreed.
“I think this is such a wonderful opportunity to come out to the Paint show, at a venue like this and with this quality of horses, and have a chance to win wonderful prizes,” Ellsworth said. “It’s been a great experience. I think it’s a great go-to for people.”
2023 Gold Breeders’ Futurity Champions
- Gold Junior Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Trilionaris & Tim Finkenbinder, winning $3,398 (Total Payout: $12,136)
- Gold Senior Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Edorabelle & Ronald Stratton, winning $4,083 (Total Payout: $15,705)
- Gold Junior Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Paso Doble & Kathy Smallwood, winning $4,454 (Total Payout: $17,133)
- Gold Senior Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: DMM Legacy & Robin Robinett, winning $3,598 (Total Payout: $12,850)
- Gold Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Shes One Ina Trillion & Tom Robertson, winning $4,454 (Total Payout: $17,133)
- Gold Yearling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: Say Now & Luke Castle, winning $3,426 (Total Payout: $10,708)
- Gold Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Ahh Maizing Blue & Tom Robertson, winning $3,198 (Total Payout: $11,422)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: DE Finest Legend & Clint Fullerton, winning $1,606 (Total Payout: $3,569)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Mares Breeders’ Futurity: FG Miss Sassy Pants & Tim Finkenbinder, winning 2,570 (Total Payout: $6,425)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: I Gotta Get Ripped & Christopher Artensen, winning 1,713 (Total Payout: $2,855)
Learn more about the Gold & Platinum Breeders’ Futurity programs.
[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 in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.