Well-known for massive payouts to elite halter horses, APHA’s Platinum Breeders’ Futurity program once again paid out like a slot machine at the 2026 APHA/WCHA Halter Million. Over $317,000 was on the line in 10 classes for weanling and yearling Paints. Robin Robinett of Terre Haute, Indiana, pulled checks worth $32,181 with a pair of wins with Solar Storm R57 and Cowboyn Up.
Both weanlings were raised at trainer Chris Arentsen’s barn in Trenton, Illinois, and they caught Robin’s eye early. Solar Storm R57 (above), a 2026 sorrel solid mare by Solaris (QH) and out of I Gotta Mighty Secret, was bred by Scott and Julie Nylen of Scottsdale, Arizona. Cowboyn Up is a 2026 sorrel solid stallion by The Final Verse and out of BPF Queen Of Hearts; he was bred by Carolyn Stewart of Ramona, Oklahoma.
“We kind of watched them kind of from the beginning and everything just kind of fell into place,” Robin said. “They fit where I needed them to fit, and I said sold.”
Platinum Power
Robin’s no stranger to the Platinum program—she’s been a supporter since its inception. The horsewoman approaches her equine investment as a business with Platinum classes in mind.
“You literally have five weanling classes,” Robin said, explaining the purchasing strategy that helps maximize her Platinum payout opportunities. “If I have a solid, I’m going to try and find a colored [horse]. If I have a gelding, I’m going to try and find a colt. I make the program work for me.”
Solid Paint-bred classes for weanling mares and weanling stallions/geldings represented the two largest-entry classes in the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity this year, with total class purses exceeding $70,000 and $64,000, respectively. Robin won both on October 1, scoring the lion’s share of the payouts.
“I could not have asked either one of them to show their hearts out. They gave me 100 percent,” she said. “Literally, the stars, the sun, the moon—everything aligned this morning for me, and they both were perfect.”
A fan of the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity program, Robin appreciates that the classes are limited to non-professional exhibitors.
“I really think that the non-pro portion of it is what has helped this program grow,” she said. “A lot of non-pros out there feel that they cannot compete against the professionals. I just think it really boosts the confidence of the non-pro exhibitors and puts them in a field where they’re competing against other non-pros.
“It’s just been a great big bonus for the halter industry within the APHA and the Paint Horses.”
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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.