Paints earn MVP honors at 2025 IEA Hunt-Seat & Dressage National Finals
It’s well known that Paint Horses are versatile athletes and fan favorites, and APHA is proud to recognize two APHA horses that earned “Most Valuable Paint” honors at recent 2025 IEA National Finals.
IEA—Intercollegiate Equestrian Association—is an APHA alliance partner. The organizations work together to promote Youth competition, enhance opportunities and recognize the talented Paint Horses that make their events possible. The Most Valuable Paint Award is sponsored by APHA.
Congratulations to Eagleswhitelightning (pictured above) and Selas Shining Star (pictured below), who earned 2025 IEA Most Valuable Paint honors at the IEA Hunt-Seat National Finals and IEA Dressage National Finals, respectively.

Eagleswhitelightning (“Apache”)
Most Valuable Paint—2025 IEA Hunt-Seat National Finals
2005 bay tovero gelding by Linesqtonranger x Imamidnightlady
Provided by The Authentic LLC IEA Team (Jay Moore, coach; Brownsboro, Alabama)
Owned by Sarah R. Broussard, Florence, Alabama
Selas Shining Star (“Phoebe”)
Most Valuable Paint—2025 IEA Dressage National Finals
2006 black solid mare by Pretty Black Jack x Sarahs Delite
Provided by Euchee Meadows IEA Team (Denise Talley, coach; Decatur, Tennessee)
Owned by Christopher S. Honeyman, Cleveland, Tennessee
The Most Valuable Paint at the 2025 IEA Western National Finals will be presented in June. That event takes place June 21–23 in conjunction with the APHA World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas.
Photos courtesy IEA
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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.