Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen serve as positive APHA representatives at events they attend, yet the warmth with which they welcomed international riders at the 2026 APHA World Championship Show was truly inspiring.
While Paints are an iconic symbol of the American West, their beauty transcends borders. French APHA member Maeva Tridon was inspired to travel to Fort Worth, Texas, this year to compete at the world’s most prestigious Paint show.
The World Show is a long way from Champagnier, France, and she needed support to make her dreams come true. Professional Horsemen Kelley Boles Chapman and John Briggs, along with wife Jill, embraced the 16-year-old rider, helping her find a Paint with which she could compete. The 2020 palomino overo mare Jackie Daniels and Maeva found success across many Youth ranch events during the show. Read about Maeva’s journey and the help she received from APHA Professional Horsemen here.
The hospitality demonstrated by these horsemen and others showcase some of the best qualities of the APHA community. Their kindness outside the show pen is matched only by their aptitude within it. Kelly Boles Chapman of Bellevue, Michigan, brought home a world championship title in Tobiano Color with Shez Formally Invited. John Briggs of Pilot Point, Texas, earned an International Ranch Horse Association world championship in IRHA Ranch Rail Pleasure and bronze world champion in IRHA Ranch Trail with Wimpys All In Again (QH).
Serving as positive role models for the rest of the APHA community, Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen help foster a welcoming and competitive environment where comradery transcends language and nationality. Learn more about how to get involved as a Markel/APHA Professional Horseman at apha.com/prohorsemen.
Congratulations to our Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen’s success at the 2026 APHA World Show!
Kelly Boles Chapman: World champion Tobiano Color
Bryce Briggs: World champion Ranch Cow Work, Tie-Down Roping, Heading, Steer Stopping; reserve world champion Ranch Box Drive, Ranch Cow Work, Breakaway Roping, Heading, Steer Stopping; bronze world champion Ranch Cow Work, Breakaway Roping, Heading, Steer Stopping
John Briggs: World champion IRHA Ranch Rail Pleasure; bronze world champion IRHA Ranch Trail
Brooke Dixon: Champion Intermediate Junior Ranch Riding; Intermediate reserve champion Junior Ranch Pleasure; bronze world champion Green Ranch Rain Pleasure
Tera Fauver: Reserve champion Intermediate 2-Year-Old In-Hand Trail; bronze world champion 2-Year-Old In-Hand Trail, Intermediate 2-Year-Old In-Hand Trail
Clint Fullerton: Bronze champion Intermediate Junior Western Pleasure
Jando Guerra: Reserve world champion Tobiano Color
Mike Hachtel: Champion Maiden Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes; reserve world champion Senior Western Pleasure; bronze world champion Green Western Pleasure, APHA Super Sires Novice Horse Western Pleasure
Brian Henry: World championYearling In-Hand Trail, Intermediate In-Hand Trail
Clayton Jerrell: World champion Green Ranch Trail, Senior Ranch Rail Pleasure, Intermediate Senior Ranch Rail Pleasure, Intermediate Ranch Conformation, Intermediate Senior Ranch Pleasure, IRHA Ranch Trail; reserve world champion Ranch Conformation, Senior Ranch Pleasure, Green Ranch Trail, Green Ranch Pleasure, Junior Ranch Trail, Ranch Horse Triple Crown Ranch Trail Challenge, IRHA Ranch Rail Pleasure, Ranch Horse Triple Crown Ranch Rail Challenge; bronze world champion Senior Ranch Trail
Kristin Layher: Bronze championIntermediate Performance Halter
Steve Meadows: World champion Green Ranch Rail Pleasure; reserve world champion Junior Ranch Pleasure; bronze world champion Ranch Conformation, Ranch Horse Triple Crown Ranch Rail Challenge, Green Ranch Riding, Green Ranch Pleasure
Erica Owen: Reserve champion Intermediate Yearling In-Hand Trail; bronze world champion Yearling In-Hand Trail
Karen Qualls: Reserve champion Limited Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes, Senior Trail; bronze world champion Maiden Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes, Overo Color
Alyse Roberts: World champion Senior Hunter Under Saddle; reserve champion Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes; bronze champion 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle
Julie Schmidt: Champion Gold 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Breeders’ Futurity; reserve world champion 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle; bronze Intermediate champion Green Western Riding
Sara Beth Simons: World champion Junior Hunter Under Saddle, Senior Trail, Western Riding, 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, Gold 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Breeders’ Futurity; reserve world champion Western Riding; bronze world champion Green Hunter Under Saddle, Junior Western Pleasure, Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes
Dale Sullens: Reserve championIntermediate Green Hunter Under Saddle
Michele Tucker: ChampionIntermediate Hunter Yearling Longe Line
Article by Jordan Mueller; photo by Ruehle Photographix
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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.