2024 APHA Western National Championship Show hits a jackpot in Las Vegas
The 2024 APHA Western National Championship Show, October 3–6, returned to Las Vegas with a bang. Like its Eastern counterpart, the Western National Championship Show saw significant increases, including growth of 71.9 percent in total horses and nearly doubling the number of entries over 2023 numbers.
This year’s event took place at South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, which will host the Western National Show through 2026. It featured 137 Western National Championship classes and 20 all-around awards, attracting 294 horses and nearly 1,450 entries. International Ranch Horse Association classes paid out nearly $8,000 during the show, as well. Unofficially, the show welcomed more than 90 first-time Western National Show attendees.
“The Western National Championship Show was certainly one for the books,” Director of Incentive Programs Matt Arias said. “We had a great turnout of exhibitors and horses from all over the Western United States and Canada. Fun activities for exhibitors helped make the show extra fun. We are already looking forward to 2025.”
In addition to competing for national championships and prizes, exhibitors and fans also participated in a Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen Clinic, Ride the Pattern, equine bingo, costume challenge, boot scramble and more. Special thanks to Kimes Ranch, who generously sponsored all Novice Youth and Youth Walk-Trot entry fees, and the California Paint Horse Association, who provided complimentary trailer unloading assistance.
Future Western National Championship Show Dates
- October 30–November 2, 2025
- October 29–November 1, 2026
All-Around Champions: 2024 Western National Championship Show
Open Ranch
Smokin Jeans, owned by Harry Stoddart III, Princeton, Oregon
Open Solid Paint-Bred Ranch
A Lot Like Diamonds, owned by Laura Hoelscher, Kerrville, Texas
Amateur Ranch
Freckles Nu Lil Gun & Kathleen Roach, Spanish Fork, Utah
Novice Amateur Ranch
Hot Lil Appointment & Angela Tamburello, Harper, Texas
Open Show Horse
Ima Lopin Sensation, leased by Kelli Foster, Washington, Utah
Open Solid Paint-Bred Show Horse
PS BlondHairDontCare, owned by Chelsea Bagby, Boise, Idaho
Amateur
Lucky In Luv & Shannon Yeaton, Whitesboro, Texas
Masters Amateur
Mr Verifiable & Julie Nelson, North Logan, Utah
Novice Amateur
Ima Hugable Impulse & Celeste Berger, Magnolia, Texas
Amateur Walk-Trot
Hesa Vision & Wendy Brown, Scottsdale, Arizona
Youth 13 & Under
A Sultry Playboy & Alyssa Bass, Newport Beach, California
Youth 18 & Under
Especially Lazy & Angelica Zizza, Saugus, Massachusetts
Novice Youth
Shesa Hot Suggestion & Faith Perrine, Tacoma, Washington
Youth Walk-Trot 5–10
Im Good With It & Avery Hallett, Tenino, Washington
Youth Walk-Trot 11–18
Letsgetreadytoparte & Gracie Tonkin, Boise, Idaho
Photography by Ruehle Photographix.
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted. Please credit the Paint Horse Journal and provide a link to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.