Florida Paint Horse Club helps 14 Youth realize their World Show dreams
Photo by Ruehle Photographix
Florida Paint Horse Club puts their money where their mouth is when it comes to growing Youth participation in the Sunshine State and beyond. In just about two months, the club raised nearly $18,000 to provide financial assistance to Florida Paint Horse Club Youth who were attending the 2025 APHA World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas.
The effort was the brainchild of FPHC President Amanda Palmer.
“We encourage the Youth a whole lot in Florida—we do as much as we can,” she said. “If their dream is to compete at the World Show, we want to be part of getting them here.”
Jumping In
The idea of fundraising for the club’s Youth World Show exhibitors came to Amanda in April, and she wasted little time getting the ball rolling. But it wasn’t just a matter of signing up and getting a check to offset expenses—Youth members had to engage, too. Requirements included showing in at least two Florida Paint Horse Club shows from June 2024 to May 2025 and raising at least $250 in donations—all of which went into the fundraiser’s pot. The club donated $2,000 itself, and they hosted a 50/50 raffle and an auction.
“We were able to award each Youth that qualified—there were 14 of them—$1,230 each. That helped offset the cost of their stalls and their entries,” Amanda said.
The Florida Youth have a mix of experience. Some have attended the World Show previously, while others are first-time exhibitors, like Delaney Baker and the Joyce sisters, McKinley and Kaidence.
“We have a lot of people who are new to the show this year, and this helped them get here,” Amanda said. “Times are hard right now, so it’s an additional financial burden off the parents. If they know they can work and help us raise that money, that will give them [incentive to think] ‘I can actually do this. I can go to the World Show.’ Moving forward, we will continue to promote this program and increase the money we can offer to help get more kids here.”
Recipe for Success
Support from their home club didn’t stop when trailers crossed the state line. The Youth and their families cheered each other on in Fort Worth, the club posted exhibitor bios on social media, and Amanda was front and center for almost all of their classes—a familiar face ready to offer words of encouragement.
I feel like it [investing in the Youth] is the most important part for a regional club,” she said. “We need these kids. In Florida, we’ve created an environment that’s welcoming, and they feel like they’re part of a family. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it, and I enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference in these kids’ lives.”
A thought-leader when it comes to new ideas to encourage youth participation, Amanda generously shares the blueprint of what works for the Florida Paint Horse Club with others. She recommends using successful ventures as a starting point and molding the ideas to fit the needs of your respective area.
“The Youth are the future,” Amanda said. “We have to develop these kids, let them realize what it takes to do this and get them even more centered into what APHA and the club are about so when people like myself are gone, it still carries on.”
Members of the Florida Youth contingent, pictured above are: (top, l to r) Abigail Sanders*, Lainey Shiver, Olivia Miller, Teal Bumstead*, Addison Minahan*, Ava Mariotti, Telek Kozlowski, Delaney Baker*, Peyton Pelton*, Payton Holt, Addison Cerasale*, (bottom l to r) Wyatt Huffines, Harper Madole, McKinley Joyce*, Cecelia Bischoff*, Kaidence Joyce*, Rosalee Huffines* and Chandler Childers*
*denotes those who earned Florida Paint Horse Club travel funds
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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.