PHcentral.com is the American Paint Horse Association’s new online portal for APHA business. It’s faster, easier and often less expensive to submit the work online via PHcentral.com than sending it to the APHA office for processing via email or postal mail.

To get started, go to PHcentral.com. If you haven’t before used the site, click “Sign Up Now” and you can sign up. Put in your APHA member ID number and zip code to verify your account during sign up, so the system knows which member you are. Finally, click a verification link that will be sent to you via email. Then you can sign in normally using the email and password you set for the account.

If you haven’t before used the site, click “Sign Up Now” and you can sign up. Put in your APHA member ID number and zip code to verify your account during sign up, so the system knows which member you are. Finally, click a verification link that will be sent to you via email. Then you can sign in normally using the email and password you set for the account.

If you have used the site before, but forget the password, you can use the “forgot password” button to have a link emailed to you that will allow you to reset it.

If you need more help, go to PHcentral.com and click the “help” button in the lower right corner. Click magnifying glass in the search bar, then press the “ask” button at the top of that box to send us our online team a message.

If you don’t see options in the left sidebar under the “Registry” tab, then you probably don’t have an active APHA membership affiliated with the PHcentral.com account.

If your account has a membership connected, and it’s telling you to renew, you can click “APHA Membership” in the sidebar and then “renew.”

If you forgot to connect your account, reach out to our team for help connecting your account. Click the “help” button in the lower right corner of PHcentral.com, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us our online team a message.

If you’re new to APHA and don’t yet have an APHA membership (including on from a long time ago), click “APHA membership” in the left sidebar and “My Membership” to start the Create Membership process.

Let’s check a couple of common reasons you might be “stuck” on your registration submission:

• Check the sire and dam details. Make sure you’ve selected the correct sire and/or dam profile for this registration. Remember, if the horse is dual-registered, you must use the APHA registration number. And make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the dam per APHA records—only that account can submit an online foal registration.
• See if a breeding report is on file for your mare. Back on the PHcentral.com account homepage, make sure the mare appears in your list of owned horses. Click on her name and then “breeding records” to see the detail that’s on file with APHA. Make sure you see an applicable breeding report there for the sire and breeding year, and that it’s labeled “released” for online registration. If it’s not released, contact the stallion owner to release it.
• Check the foaling date vs. breeding exposure dates. The date range must be within the 300-390 day window of normal gestation. You should see an error message in the lower left corner of the screen if that’s the error you are encountering.

If you’re still stuck, click the “help” button in the lower right corner at PHcentral.com, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us a message.

To change the credit card on file for your PHcentral.com account, sign into that site and then press the arrow next to your profile name in the upper left corner. Click “Profile.” Then scroll to the bottom and you’ll see the option to enter new card details and “update card.”

Log into the PHcentral.com account under which you own the stallion. Click on the stallion’s name in the list of owned horses. Then click “Breeding Records” and that will display all breeding records on file for that particular horse at APHA.

This most often occurs if you forgot to link your existing APHA membership to your PHcentral.com account when you signed up. Remember, only horses owned under the connected member account will display in the PHcentral.com profile. If you renewed your membership at a different site or with the APHA staff, it will take about 24 hours for the membership detail to update in the PHcentral.com system.

If you need further assistance, click the “help” button in the lower right corner at PHcentral.com, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us a message.

Nope. Each member account must use their own, unique email address when using PHcentral.com.

If you received an invoice from APHA, pay it online at our Formstack link: https://americanpainthorseassoc.formstack.com/forms/?2833664-YahAPyPXgs

If you submitted the work through PHcentral.com, you can click “records” in your profile’s left sidebar and find the case in question. It will say “pending review,” “review” or “complete.” Any case labeled “open” has not been submitted yet.

Work submitted to the APHA office for processing via email, fax or postal mail cannot be viewed online. Contact MemberCare for a status update.

A Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred must be enrolled for breeding at APHA before it will show up in the owner’s profile and ownership will be listed at APHA in the exact same way it’s been done at the other association.

If your horse has already been enrolled for breeding, make sure you’re logged into the ownership account that actually owns the horse. An individual’s account cannot view horses owned by a joint or farm account, for instance.

If you recently purchased the horse, you might just need to update ownership at APHA (that information isn’t shared automatically by the other association). Contact MemberCare for the ownership update—it’s free if the horse has already been enrolled with APHA.

The link will be sent to the email on file for that particular PHcentral.com account. First, check your spam or junk folders to see if it got filtered there. If you still don’t see it, contact our online team for help. Click the “help” button in the lower right corner, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us a message.

Contact the accounting team by email  and provide your member name and ID number with your request to be removed from auto-renewal. Or you can send our online team a message with your name, ID number and request for removal from auto-renew. Go to PHcentral.com and click the “help” button in the lower right corner, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us our online team a message.

Go to PHcentral.com and click the “help” button in the lower right corner, then press the magnifying glass. You’ll see the “ask” button appear at the top of that box—click that to send us our online team a message.

Log in or sign up at PHcentral.com. Once you’re in and have an active membership affiliated with your account, click “Transfer” from the left sidebar (under Registry). Follow the prompts to get started.

Registration at APHA can be done online by the owner of the dam at time of foaling, or anyone is welcome to submit a completed registration application and required photos with payment via postal mail to APHA.

The applicable breeding report must be on file for the sire and list the dam of the foal, along with exposure dates and breeding method.

The sire owner must sign the registration application or can “release” the breeding on the breeding report to allow the registration to proceed without their signature on the application itself. The dam owner at time of foaling must sign the registration application.

Photos of the horse being registered (left side, right side, front and back) along with any closeups of qualifying minimal white markings with a ruler present should accompany the registration submission. Payment is required at time of submission. Get a registration application at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

If your registered AQHA or Jockey Club horse has at least 1 parent that is dual-registered with APHA, your horse is eligible for APHA registration.

If your registered AQHA or Jockey Club horse doesn’t have at least 1 parent that is dual-registered with APHA, it might still be eligible for APHA registration based on its white markings. The horse must have 2” of solid white hair with some underlying unpigmented skin in the qualifying area — that’s basically above the center of the knees/hocks or behind a line on the face from the base of the ear to the outside corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth and under the chin.

If your horse meets that requirement, you can apply for APHA registration by completing the APHA registration application, providing the required registration photos (left side, right side, front and rear, along with any closeup photos of the qualifying area with and without a ruler), a copy of the horse’s AQHA/JC registration certificate (front and back) and payment for the fees. Parentage verification is required, and we’ll use those test results from AQHA/JC if available. Breeding related fees for the sire/dam must also be paid. If approved for registration, the horse must also have a color/pattern DNA test completed through APHA.

We don’t provide registration decisions outside of actual registration submission. If you feel like he meets the guidelines for registration, you can follow the steps above. If it’s determined that he doesn’t, all but an office processing fee will be refunded.

A horse can be registered with APHA at any age, so long as registration requirements are met.

APHA has policies in place to address limited situations where parental DNA is not on file for foal registration. In many cases, an on-file sample can be used to acquire the missing testing that might be required. If a parent is deceased before DNA testing is completed, submit a written statement explaining the situation to APHA with the foal registration materials, and the situation will be reviewed by the Registration Review Committee for advisement about how to proceed.

If your horse’s sire or dam is registered with APHA, your foal can be registered with APHA too, provided the other parent is a registered Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred.

You will provide APHA with a registration application, filled out with the horse’s details; a copy of the horse’s AQHA registration papers, front and back (this is used for the signatures required on the registration application, as well as for creation of the applicable breeding records in our system); photos of the foal (left side, right side, front and rear) and payment for the applicable fees.

To be eligible for APHA registration, the horse’s sire and dam must be known and registered with either APHA, AQHA or the Jockey Club. If the parent(s) are unknown or registered with a different breed than those listed above, the horse will not be eligible for APHA registration.

To be eligible for APHA registration, the horse’s sire and dam must be known and registered with either APHA, AQHA or the Jockey Club. If the parent(s) are unknown or registered with a different breed than those listed above, the horse will not be eligible for APHA registration.

Please contact the MemberCare team by phone or postal mail to reserve a name. You will need to pay the name change reservation fee and provide the name choice. A name reservation is good for 12 months. Remember, “sound alike” names are not accepted, even when spelled differently than an existing registered horse’s name.

A breeder’s certificate is the same thing as a registration application. You can use the blank registration application available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

The registration application, photos and payment detail must all be submitted together via one method of submission. Please register your horse online or submit all material via postal mail to APHA.

Contact the stallion owner and confirm a breeding report was submitted to APHA. You can view the breeding report on file for your horse at PHcentral.com by clicking on the horse’s name in your list of “my horses” and opening the “breeding records” section. Remember, the foaling date must be within 300-390 days of the last exposure date listed on the breeding report.

If your horse is registered/transferred in your name, but your registration certificate hasn’t arrived (and it’s been at least 30 days since the horse’s registration was completed), you can request that the certificate be remailed. Fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide a copy of your photo ID (in lieu of notarization on that form). This will allow the certificate to be reprinted and remailed to you. No fees or photos of the horse are required if received within 12 months of the original registration or transfer date.

Mark the error and return the original certificate to APHA for correction within 30 days of receipt. This must be sent by postal mail.

APHA provides pre-printed breeder’s certificates as a courtesy to the recorded owner of the stallion when the breeding report is filed by November 30 of the breeding year. If you didn’t receive the pre-printed breeder’s certificates, don’t worry—just use the blank registration application available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms.

Contact the stallion owner and confirm a breeding report was submitted to APHA. You can view the breeding report on file for your horse at PHcentral.com by clicking on the horse’s name in your list of “my horses” and opening the “breeding records” section. Remember, the foaling date must be within 300-390 days of the last exposure date listed on the breeding report.

Your AQHA or Jockey Club stallion will need to be enrolled for breeding with APHA (if that hasn’t already been done). To do this, you will fill out the Enrollment For Breeding form and pay for the one-time stallion listing fee. Include a copy of your stallion’s AQHA or Jockey Club registration certificate, including the page showing the pedigree details and the ownership history. The Enrollment for Breeding can be submitted online at PHcentral.com, or by submitting the physical form to APHA via email or postal mail.

Your stallion must have his DNA genetic markers on file with APHA—that test provides the genetic data needed to parentage verify his foals. Breeding stallions must also have their DNA 6-panel genetic health test results on file before their foals can be registered (tests for HYPP, HERDA, GBED, MH, PSSM1 and OLWS). If your stallion already has an AQHA health panel testing on file with that association, we can use that but you’ll still need to pay for the OLWS testing in most cases. Our staff can help you acquire the OLWS testing using the hair sample on file in many situations. Either or both of these required DNA tests can be ordered online at PHcentral.com, or on the Enrollment for Breeding or the DNA Order Form that is available on the APHA website.

Then any year in which your stallion breeds a Paint mare, you’ll need to file a stallion breeding report with APHA, listing the mares bred and the breeding dates/method. To avoid a late fee, make sure that’s submitted by Nov. 30 of the breeding year. The stallion owner can submit a breeding report online at PHcentral.com, or the Stallion Breeding Report form can be used to submit via email or postal mail. Forms are available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

Paint, AQHA and Jockey Club stallions must be enrolled for breeding before their first foal can be registered.

Fill out the Enrollment For Breeding form online at PHcentral.com, or use the Enrollment for Breeding Form available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms. Make sure you include payment details, along with a copy of registration papers (front and back) if you’re enrolling an AQHA or Jockey Club horse.

Only AQHA and Jockey Club mares must be enrolled for breeding with APHA, and that’s done before their first foal is registered. APHA mares are automatically eligible for breeding.

Fill out the Enrollment For Breeding form online at PHcentral.com, or use the Enrollment for Breeding Form available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms. Make sure you include payment details, along with a copy of registration papers (front and back) if you’re enrolling an AQHA or Jockey Club horse.

APHA provides pre-printed breeder’s certificates as a courtesy to the recorded owner of the stallion when the breeding report is filed by November 30 of the breeding year. If you didn’t receive the pre-printed breeder’s certificates, don’t worry—just use the blank registration application available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms.

The stallion owner will need to provide a corrected breeding report form to APHA, along with a note detailing the mistake that was made on the original submission. Make sure you fill out and sign the corrected breeding report for our records.

To transfer ownership, you’ll need to have a signed transfer report from the person listed as the current owner according to APHA records. There’s usually a transfer report printed on the back of the horse’s original registration certificate with a place for the seller to sign, or you can use the transfer report available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms. Make sure the date of sale is noted, and then fill in your info in the buyer section.

We have 2 ways to submit the transfer to APHA if you have the information above:

1) Send that original certificate and signed transfer to APHA with payment for the transfer fee and your membership fee (if you’re not already an APHA member). Membership is required in the name of the buyer.

2) If it’s just the single transfer of ownership, from the owner of record to you, you can complete the transfer of ownership online at PHcentral.com. You will need to sign up as a new user there. If you have an APHA membership or had one in the past, you should connect that member ID number to your account on page 2 of that sign up process. If not, you’ll need to purchase an APHA membership once sign up is complete. Once you have a current APHA membership connected to your account, you can transfer the horse online.

If you’re not yet the horse’s owner of record with APHA, you’ll need to transfer ownership of the horse and apply for a replacement certificate at the same time.

To transfer ownership, you’ll need a signed transfer from the horse’s recorded owner per APHA records. Then you’ll also need to fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide 2 current side-view photos of the horse, a copy of your photo ID and payment for the fees. The forms are available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms.

To transfer ownership, you’ll need a signed transfer from this owner (and one from whomever you purchased the horse from, if that was someone different). Then you’ll also need to fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide 2 current side-view photos of the horse, a copy of your photo ID and payment for the fees. The forms are available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms. A copy of a signed bill of sale can also be used in place of a signed transfer.

It’s advisable to try this route first. If you’re unable to acquire the signatures on transfer reports from all in-between owners or the recorded owner, there is a process called Transfer Indemnity that’s more complicated and a bit more expensive. You will fill out the Transfer Indemnity form and pay the associated indemnity and transfer fees, along with the membership fee and replacement certificate fees if applicable. This process requires that you provide detail of your attempt to contact the recorded owner for the signed transfer report. We recommend sending a certified letter, so you can prove receipt. The form lists full instructions about what you’ll need to submit, and it’s available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

An Affidavit of Heirship can be filed with APHA to allow an heir or family member to sign on behalf of the deceased owner. If that’s not already on file, you can have the applicable party complete that form and provide a copy of the death certificate for the owner of record. The Heirship forms are available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms. If you’re unable to acquire that, you will follow the Transfer Indemnity process, and that form (which includes detailed instructions) is available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

The only way to stop transactions on a particular horse is for APHA to receive a temporary court restraining order or injunction prohibiting the transaction, or proof that a lawsuit has been filed asking for ownership of the horse. Submit copies of any court filings, civil or criminal, specifically naming this horse. This flag will be in place, without fee, until said case in adjudicated and copies of judgments are received in this office.

In the meantime, if you would like to be notified if any transactions are received for this horse, we can enter a flag in the system.  This flag allows APHA to contact you and advise you that a transaction has been received. To do that, submit a signed statement regarding the reason for the flag and payment for the flagging fee (a current APHA membership is also required); this flag will be good for 120 days from receipt of the statement and fee. Contact MemberCare if you’d like to place a flag on a horse.

APHA offers show leases and breeding leases, and each requires a separate form and fees. Submit the lease online at PHcentral.com or use the forms available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

You’ll need to file a breeding lease at APHA as well. You can do that online at PHcentral.com or use the form available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

If you’re the horse’s owner per APHA records, you can purchase a replacement copy of her registration certificate. You’ll need to fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide 2 current side-view photos of the horse (left and right), a copy of your photo ID (in lieu of notarization) and payment for the fees. The form is available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms.

If you’re not yet the horse’s owner of record with APHA, you’ll need to transfer ownership of the horse and apply for a replacement certificate at the same time.

To transfer ownership, you’ll need a signed transfer from the horse’s recorded owner per APHA records. Then you’ll also need to fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide 2 current side-view photos of the horse, a copy of your photo ID and payment for the fees. The forms are available at APHA.com/forms/registration-forms.

DNA or photos alone generally cannot be used to uncover a horse’s identity. APHA did not require DNA testing on every horse as a function of registration until 2022, so most horses do not have a DNA profile on file with APHA, and that would be required in order to identify a horse by DNA testing. It’s much more helpful if you can provide at least some of the following information:

– Name of the horse or registration number

– Name of the horse’s sire and/or dam

– Name (and location, if possible) of the horse’s former owner/breeder

If you know any of that information, send us a message on Facebook and we’ll be happy to take a look.

If your horse is registered/transferred in your name, but your registration certificate hasn’t arrived (and it’s been at least 30 days since the horse’s registration was completed), you can request that the certificate be remailed. Fill out the Affidavit for Duplicate Certificate form and provide a copy of your photo ID (in lieu of notarization on that form). This will allow the certificate to be reprinted and remailed to you. No fees or photos of the horse are required if received within 12 months of the original registration or transfer date.

DNA tests for a registered horse can be ordered online at apha.myshowday.com or using the DNA Order Form available at apha.com/forms/registration-forms. You will see options to select Genetic Typing, Genetic Health Panel, Color/Pattern Panel, or individual health or color/pattern tests.

A horse used for breeding must have their DNA Genetic Typing (without parentage verification) on file with APHA in order to complete the foal’s required parentage verification. Breeding stallions must have their Genetic Health Panel testing results on file with APHA before foals born in 2019 and after can be registered. Color/Pattern panel testing is required for all horses being registered that have parents only registered AQHA or the Jockey Club, and it’s also used to see if your horse can advance to Regular Registry when the pattern on the coat is not enough to qualify alone.

For a foal being registered, the DNA testing must be ordered as part of the foal registration submission. You’ll see options for testing on the registration application and in the online registration procedure.

Our partner labs are University of California-Davis and Etalon Diagnostics.

We generally cannot accept test results from non-partner labs, though some special exceptions exist for European customers who have test results from their country’s government-required lab; inquire with MemberCare for details if you think that might apply.

If the stallion has an AQHA 5-panel test already on file with that organization, we can use the existing hair sample to acquire the OLWS test. You can contact MemberCare or order this, or order it online at PHcentral.com (but you’ll need to send a message through the site advising that the hair on file needs to be used for testing, so staff can help you execute that request).

Breeding stallions must have their DNA genetic typing and Genetic Health Panel testing on file. The Genetic Health Panel testing specifically requires results for HYPP, HERDA, GBED, MH, PSSM1 and OLWS.

Testing for color, pattern and health conditions is optional for other horses.

Broodmares must have their DNA genetic typing on file with APHA in order to allow for parentage verification of foals. That can be ordered separately or as part of the foal registration process.

All foals require DNA parentage verification testing as part of the registration process. This is ordered as part of the registration process. Other testing, such as the Color/Pattern Panel or Genetic Health Panel, can be purchased at that time, but is optional.

If your horse’s parent does not have DNA testing on file with APHA and is deceased or unavailable for testing, you will need to apply for a waiver to the DNA requirement for that horse. Include a statement explaining the situation with the registration work you submit, including why testing is not possible. Include a photo of the foal with the dam at/near birth, if one is available. APHA’s MemberCare team will request review of the waiver by the Registration Review Committee. The foal will still have to complete parentage verification against the other parent in most cases.

You won’t have to repeat the testing—we accept test results that were performed through AQHA or the Jockey Club. Make sure you provide a copy of the horse’s certificate showing the DNA testing information or a copy of the results, so we can long those. In the case of Jockey Club tests, you’ll need to provide a statement giving permission for the Jockey Club to release the DNA results to APHA for the horse in question.

Our online payment form is: https://americanpainthorseassoc.formstack.com/forms/?2833664-YahAPyPXgs

Our PayPal is: https://www.paypal.me/apha 

(If paying via PayPal, please include details in the “Notes to Seller” section with the Work Order number).

We accept credit card (all major types), personal check and money order. Bank wire transfers can be accepted but an additional wiring fee will apply to those situations.

Payment by bank transfer is possible, but there is an additional fee that will be assessed. Paying via check, credit card, money order or PayPal is preferrable to avoid the extra wire transfer fee.  If you still need the wire transfer details, please contact the accounting department.

Please have your invoice work order number available, and contact APHA MemberCare.

To be eligible for the Regular Registry, the horse must meet requirements outlined in one of three possible guidelines:

• Horse has qualifying white markings on its coat. This includes an area of solid white hair that’s 2” or more in size (continuous) with some underlying unpigmented skin, located in the qualifying area. The qualifying area is basically above the knees/hocks (measured at the bony protrusion at the back of those joints) or behind a line on the face from the outside corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth and under the chin to the opposite corner of the mouth.
• Horse qualifies under the RG-070.E rule, via a combination of pedigree requirements, Paint trait(s) and a Paint pattern gene(s).
• Horse qualifies under the RG-020.A.1.b rule, via a combination of pedigree requirements and non-qualification under the RG-070.E rule.

RG-070.E or the “genetics rule” is an option that allows some solid Paints the opportunity to advance to Regular Registry. To qualify, the horse must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have at least 1 APHA-registered parent
• Have qualifying Paint trait(s)
  • In most cases, a horse with 1 APHA parent must have 2 separate qualifying traits; a horse with 2 APHA parents must only have 1 qualifying trait.
  • Qualifying traits include leg white (any height), blue eye, apron face marking, white on the lower lip/chin, two-tone mane or tail (with 1 color being natural white), dark spots in white face or leg markings, white markings in the non-visible zone (belly, flank, inner thigh, etc).
• Have a Paint pattern gene confirmed through DNA testing at an APHA-approved lab.

Eligible horses will be classified in the Regular Registry with a pattern type of “overo,” “tobiano” or “tovero” based on their genetic profile.

Link: https://apha.com/news/2020-stimulus-plan-registration-modifications-to-rg-070e/

RG-020.A.1.b or the “3-generation pedigree rule” is an option that allows some solid Paints the opportunity to advance to the Regular Registry. To qualify, the horse must meet all of the following requirements:

• Horse has an APHA-registered sire and dam
• At least 1 parent (sire or dam) is a Regular Registry overo, tobiano or tovero.
• Horse has at least 3 connected generations of APHA-registered horses (beginning with the sire or dam).
• Horse does not otherwise qualify for the RG-070.E (genetics) rule.

In most cases, the horse must first attempt registration under the RG-070.E rule and have color/pattern panel testing completed. Eligible horses will be classified in the Regular Registry with a pattern type of “solid.”

Link: https://apha.com/news/3-paths-to-regular-registry-thanks-to-new-apha-rule-change/

If your horse qualifies for a status change based on markings, RG-070.E or RG-020.A.1.b, return the original certificate to APHA with “registry change” marked on the back. Include the “Request for Corrected Certificate” form with the appropriate status change method marked, payment for the status change fee, and any applicable photos—that will include photos of the qualifying marking (with and without a ruler) OR photos of the Paint trait and DNA results (if applying via RG-070.E). A current membership for the owner is required to complete a status change. Once received, APHA staff will evaluate the horse for possible advancement to the Regular Registry.

Return the original certificate to APHA along with the “Request for Corrected Certificate” form. You can use that form to indicate what needs to be updated, and it outlines if a fee is required or not. Mail this material to APHA MemberCare.  You’ll receive a new certificate when the update is made.

If you only need to report a gelding date, you can do that online at https://americanpainthorseassoc.formstack.com/forms/?3937775-YahAPyPXgs.

We’re sorry to hear about the loss of your horse. Please contact the MemberCare team and provide the horse’s registered name, registration number and date of death so we can update our records.

The horse will continue to show in the last recorded owner’s account until a transfer of ownership is formally recorded by the association.

Our computer system automatically lists a horse as deceased after age 25. If your over-25 Paint is still alive, just let our MemberCare team know and we can update our records. You will need to keep us updated annually so we can continue to “revive” the horse in our records.

Contact APHA MemberCare by email or phone and we can update that for you. Please provide your APHA member ID number, along with the old/new details so we can make sure the change is made correctly.

We cannot modify an existing APHA membership in most cases. If you have an individual membership and want a joint or farm account (or vice versa), you will need to purchase a separate membership in the new member name.

A:  Yes, we provide these things free of charge. The only thing we ask is that you pay for the shipping, which is built into the online form. Please fill out the form at the following link to get your order in our system:

https://americanpainthorseassoc.formstack.com/forms/promomaterials

To qualify as an Amateur, Novice Amateur or Amateur Walk-Trot division, individuals must meet two basic requirements.

• First, they must be 19 years of age or older as of January 1 of the current show year (ineligible to compete in the Youth division).
• Second, in the last 36 months (3 years)an Amateur may not have done the following:

• • Shown, ridden, judged, trained or assisted in training for remuneration, either directly or indirectly;
  • Instructed another person in riding, driving or training a horse for remuneration, either directly or indirectly;
  • Soliciting for any of the above;
  • Shown, ridden, trained or assisted in training of a horse for which the individual’s spouse, at the time, accepted any form of remuneration (either directly or indirectly)
  • Judging (any approved horse show judge is automatically ineligible).
  • An individual cannot hold a membership accreditation in the following organizations: Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, International Professional Rodeo Association, Professional Women’s Barrel Racing and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association for the same events or classes the individual competes, or desires to compete, in APHA amateur competition.

NOTE: Payment of entry fees or expenses by anyone other than the Amateur, his/her immediate family or his/her corporation as defined in AM-020.A is considered remuneration.
Please refer to the current edition of the APHA Official Rule Book for detailed information and complete rules of the Amateur program.

The difference between an Amateur and a Novice Amateur is show ring experience. In addition to meeting the basic Amateur requirements, Novice Amateurs either have little or no experience in the category in which they wish to compete. Amateurs, on the other hand, may have years of experience showing. As long as an individual has not accepted remuneration for the activities previously listed, the exhibitor remains eligible to compete in the Amateur division.

Novice Amateurs can show “up”  to an Amateur classes at any time, but Amateurs cannot show in Novice Amateur classes.

An exhibitor can qualify as a Novice Amateur in one or more of the 25 categories. Moving up to Amateur in any one category does not force you to show Amateur in all of the others. To qualify for Novice Amateur in a specific category, the individual must not have earned any of the following:

• Forty (40) or more revalued performance points (Open, Amateur and/or Youth combined, excluding walk-trot) in that
  category in any recognized equine association. (EXCEPTION: Zone 12, 13 and 14 cannot have earned 20 revalued performance points;
• Fifty (50) or more revalued Novice Amateur or Novice Youth points combined in that category in any recognized equine association (EXCEPTION: Zone 12, 13 and 14 cannot have earned 25 revalued performance points;
• $2,500 in prize money in classes included in that category in any recognized association;
• World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in any recognized equine association.
• To review your APHA Novice Eligibility, go HERE.

Exhibitors may show as Novice Amateur for the entire calendar year in which the card was issued, regardless of how many points they earn during that year. However, once a competitor earns the above-restricted criteria in that category, they are ineligible to compete in Novice classes in that category in the following years.

NOTE: If you have ever been ineligible for Amateur Status according to rule AM-010, you are no longer eligible for Novice Amateur in any category!

The Walk-Trot division for adults was introduced on January 1, 2011, as an option for APHA-approved shows to hold, but are not required to do so. We hope that offering this additional level of competition will translate to more participation by allowing more people to participate at a level that is comfortable for them.
The APHA Walk-Trot division includes six classes:

• Showmanship. To be judged in the same manner as any other showmanship class, but at the walk only.
• Western Pleasure. To be judged in the same manner as any other Western Pleasure class but omitting the lope.
• Western Horsemanship. To be judged with a simple pattern but omitting the lope. Will not be asked to mount or dismount.
• Trail. Scored the same as any other trail class but omitting the lope. Will not be asked to ground tie. A minimum of four and a maximum of six obstacles is required.
• Hunter Under Saddle. To be judged the same as any other Hunter Under Saddle class, but omitting the canter or hand gallop.
• Hunt Seat Equitation. To be judged with a simple pattern but omitting the canter. Will not be asked to drop irons, mount or dismount.

Walk-Trot cardholders may also participate in the following classes at APHA-approved shows:

• Amateur/Novice Amateur Showmanship according to eligibility.
• Halter
• Yearling In-hand Trail
• Yearling and Two-Year Old Longe Line
• Pleasure Driving
• Utility Driving

You cannot “point out” of Walk-Trot. The card is to be held on an annual basis, and renewed as any other Amateur program card which expires on December 31 of the year issued.

Amateur, Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot cards are issued by APHA, and a signed application must be submitted to receive an Amateur Card. There is a processing fee for your Amateur Card and it requires a current individual APHA membership.

You MUST have a current Amateur/Novice Amateur/Walk-Trot card in hand to show in the related classes. Normal processing time is 5-10 business days through the APHA office, but can be processed faster with a rush fee. Should you get to a show and find yourself in need of a card to participate, simply fill out a Temporary Amateur Application provided by the Show Secretary and pay applicable fees OR pay the rush fee online to have a temporary card emailed directly to you.

All Amateur program cards follow the point year, and expire on December 31 of the year issued. This is different than the APHA Membership, that is valid for 12 months.
For complete rules governing the APHA, the exhibition of horses, and the APHA Amateur/Novice Amateur/Walk-Trot programs, consult the current APHA Official Rule Book.

Any horse shown in APHA Amateur/Novice Amateur/Walk-Trot classes must be owned by either the exhibitor or the exhibitor’s immediate family. Family shall include the following: spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandchild, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal ward, in-laws (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter), stepchild, stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or solely owned corporation, ranch or farm. The exhibitor must be directly related to everyone in a joint ownership, corporation, ranch or farm situation.

If the exhibitor or their immediate family member does not own the horse they plan to show, they must submit a Show Lease to meet the Amateur ownership requirements. But remember, the recorded owner of the horse cannot show the horse during the time an active show lease is in effect, and the show lease must be on file with APHA prior to the first date of the show. Also, the show lease must be received by the APHA office prior to exhibition of the horse.

EXCEPTION: Amateur Walk-Trot Division—The horse may be owned by any person or group of people. However, to be eligible for APHA points, titles, awards, and to compete at the World Show, the horse must be owned by the Amateur exhibitor or the Amateur exhibitor’s family. For a list of approved family relationships, please see rule AM-020 in the Official APHA Rulebook.

No, an exhibitor must pick between holding an Amateur, Novice Amateur/Amateur or Amateur Walk-Trot card. However, you can reclassify your card type from Amateur Walk/Trot to Amateur or Novice Amateur  ONCE a calendar year. You cannot reclassify from Amateur or Novice Amateur “down” to Amateur Walk/Trot. Therefore, an exhibitor may not show Amateur and/or Novice Amateur reclassify to Amateur Walk-Trot reclassify to Amateur and/or Novice Amateur in one calendar year. Nor may the exhibitor show Amateur Walk-Trot reclassify to Amateur and/or Novice Amateur then reclassify to Amateur Walk-Trot in one calendar year.

To Reclassify, you will need to complete the reclassification application and pay the $15 fee.

Yes! If you have become ineligible for Novice Amateur in a category, you can be reinstated in that category if in the 10 years prior to your re-application, you have not earned ANY points, money, or World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in ANY recognized equine association in that category. You can determine your Exhibitor Novice Eligibility using APHA’s Online Services with Silver or Gold Access. You can research your Show Record to see if you qualify for this using APHA’s Online Services with Gold Access.

To be reinstated, you must complete the Reinstatement Application and pay the $25 fee.

First things first, WELCOME! We’re glad you’ve joined APHA and chosen a breed that is Marked for Greatness!

APHA has many Regional Clubs and youth Regional Clubs to join. Visit our Regional Club Finder to locate a club near you. Can’t find one close enough for comfort? See what it takes to start a new club HERE!

Use APHA’s Event Calendar to find APHA sanctioned shows near you. Don’t see any nearby? APHA sanctioned classes can be dual-approved with existing shows, visit our Show Management page to learn how to hold your own APHA shows or classes!

The difference between an Amateur and a Novice Amateur is show ring experience. In addition to meeting the basic Amateur requirements, Novice Amateurs either have little or no experience in the category in which they wish to compete. Amateurs, on the other hand, may have years of experience showing. As long as an individual has not accepted remuneration for the activities previously listed, the exhibitor remains eligible to compete in the Amateur division.

Novice Amateurs can show “up”  to an Amateur classes at any time, but Amateurs cannot show in Novice Amateur classes.

For exhibitors who are ready to challenge all comers, the APHA offers classes that are “open” to everyone—professional and non-professional alike. With more than 20 different events in this division, there is virtually something for everyone – from cutting and reining to jumping and pleasure driving.

What you need:

1. A Paint Horse
2. A current APHA individual membership

If you would like to show in Open Green classes, you will need to verify that your horse is Green Eligible for the appropriate classes. To determine this, pull up your horse’s Performance Record on APHA Online or submit a Performance Record Request Form to determine their APHA earnings, and consult any other associations’ records that the horse has competed in.

Your horse must have less than 25 points (10 points in zones 12, 13, and 14), $2,500, no World or Reserve World Titles, or a bronze horse medal in the EWU in any division of the green class you are interested in, except for Walk/Trot, as of January 1 of the current show year.

If competition is what you crave, you should check out APHA’s Amateur program.

APHA has three Amateur Divisions that gives people the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level:

• AMATEUR & AMATEUR SOLID PAINT-BRED for seasoned competitors who are not professionals.
• NOVICE AMATEUR is a more introductory level; it is possible to be Novice in some categories and Amateur in others based on  points, money earnings and/or championships. With a Novice Amateur card you can also show in Amateur or Amateur Masters classes.
• AMATEUR WALK-TROT & AMATEUR WALK-TROT SOLID PAINT-BRED is a division for those that only want to walk-trot which gives people an additional level to choose to participate in. With an Amateur Walk/Trot card you can also show in Novice Amateur Showmanship and Amateur or Amateur Masters Showmanship, Halter, Longe Line, In-Hand Trail, and driving classes. You may not show in any loping classes at shows where APHA or other sanctioned equine association classes are held.
• Please note that shows are not required to hold APHA-approved Walk-Trot classes.

To show in the APHA Amateur Divisions, exhibitors must:

• Be 19 years old & over as of January 1 of the current year and follow the remuneration and judging restrictions under rule AM-010.
• Have a current Amateur Show Card for all Amateur Divisions in addition to a current APHA individual membership. Visit the Show Forms page to renew your Amateur Card and Membership.
  • If you plan to show in only Amateur or Amateur Masters classes, select the Amateur card.
  • If you plan on showing in Novice Amateur classes, select the Novice Amateur card.
  • If you plan on showing in Amateur Walk/Trot classes, select the Novice Amateur card.
• Meet Amateur Ownership Requirements, which state that you or an immediate family member (as defined in SC-160.M.) must be listed as the owner of record for the Paint you plan to show. If you or an immediate family member is not the owner, a Show Lease must be submitted before the start of the first show you plan to enter.

Please familiarize yourself with the Amateur Rules for eligibility, ownership, and competition in the APHA Rule Book.

If you would like to show in Novice classes, you will need to verify that you are Novice Eligible for the appropriate classes. To determine this, enter your membership ID into our Exhibitor Novice Eligibility page.

You must have less than 40 Open/Amateur/Youth points (20 points in zones 12, 13, and 14), 50 Novice Amateur/Novice Youth points (25 points in zones 12, 13, and 14), $2,500, no World or Reserve World Titles,  in any division of the novice category you are interested in, except for Walk/Trot, as of January 1 of the current show year. Novice eligibility is determined on a per-category basis, the categories are defined on the above page. Points, titles, and earnings from other equine associations also count against your novice eligibility with APHA and must be reported when submitting your Novice Show Card forms. Non-APHA points are revalued using the revaluation table in the current APHA Rulebook.

That is correct, during the 2023 APHA Convention, the APHA State Directors passed a rule change proposal that will change the way that APHA Novice Eligibility is calculated.

In order to be Novice Eligible for a category starting in 2024, exhibitors may not have (bold text denotes changes):

• Seventy five (75) or more revalued performance points (in ALL divisions, excluding walk-trot) in that
  category in any recognized equine association. (EXCEPTION: Zone 12, 13 and 14 cannot have earned 20 revalued performance points);
• $2,500 in prize money in classes included in that category in any recognized association;
• World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in any recognized equine association.
• To review your APHA Novice Eligibility, go HERE.

Instead of your Open/Amateur/Youth points counting separately from your Novice Amateur/Novice Youth points, they will now count together, simplifying how novice eligibility is determined. This could mean that an exhibitor who has pointed out of a category under the current rules would regain novice eligibility in that category if they have a combined total of less than 75 points in that category (excluding W/T). 

If youth competition is what you crave, you should check out AjPHA’s Youth program.

APHA has three Youth Divisions that gives kids the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level:

• YOUTH & YOUTH SOLID PAINT-BRED for seasoned youth competitors who are not professionals.
• NOVICE YOUTH is an introductory level; it is possible to be Novice in some categories and Youth in others based on  points, money earnings and/or championships. This division requires a current Novice Youth Show Card in addition to an AjPHA individual membership.
• YOUTH WALK-TROT 5-10 & YOUTH WALK-TROT 11-18 are divisions for those that only want to walk-trot which gives people an additional level to choose to participate in. Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 requires a current show card in addition to a current AjPHA individual membership, Youth Walk-Trot 5-10 requires a current AjPHA individual membership. Please note that shows are not required to hold APHA-approved Youth Walk-Trot classes.

To qualify for the AjPHA Youth Program, exhibitors must:

• Be 18 years old & under as of January 1 of the current year and follow the remuneration restrictions under rule YP-010.
• Have a current Youth Show Card if showing in the Novice Youth or Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 Divisions in addition to an AjPHA membership.
• Meet Youth Ownership Requirements, which state that you or an immediate family member (as defined in SC-160.M.) must be listed as the owner of record for the Paint you plan to show to be eligible for APHA points, awards, titles, and earnings. If you or an immediate family member is not the owner, points, awards, titles, and earnings will not be awarded but will be recorded for Novice eligibility purposes only, unless a Show Lease is submitted.

Please familiarize yourself with the Youth Rules for eligibility, ownership, and competition in the APHA Rule Book.

APHA has many programs that makes it pay to have a Paint! Check out the following programs!

• Chrome Cash offers sidepots for Paints at select NRHA, NCHA, NRCHA, ARHFA, and APHA All-Around events.
• Breeder’s Trust offers annual payouts to the stallion subscriber, foal nominator, and owner of horses nominated into the program for their points earned in APHA-approved events.
• Breeder’s Futurity, an enhancement of the Breeder’s Trust program, is a select slate of classes designed to showcase the offspring of APHA Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to them.
• Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program (PBRIP) offers dual-approved APHA Barrel Races with sidepots for Paints enrolled into the program.
• Paint Alternative Competition (PAC) rewards members for the hours you spend riding your Paint outside of the show pen as well as your competitive success outside of APHA shows. Report your riding hours and show results and earn PAC Credits and Awards!
• APHA E-Shows, offered bi-monthly, offer a great way for you to practice your skills with challenging patterns, receive judge critiques from APHA Carded Judges, and earn some spending money with jackpots in every class from the comfort of home.

APHA no longer requires qualifying in order to exhibit at the APHA World Show and Halter Million! Check out the APHA World Show Homepage and APHA Halter Million Homepage to view the show schedule, premium book, and other necessary forms.