Competition Opportunities: Showcasing Your Paint Horse - APHA: American Paint Horse Association

Compete With Your Paint Horse

If competition is what you crave, APHA has opportunities for you to showcase your Paint Horse. Shine in APHA-approved shows, virtual E-Shows, racing, Paint Alternative Competition, Chrome Cash, PBRIP and so much more.

Find an Event Near You

Close up of hands holding reins.

Show Calendar

With shows located across the United States and internationally, check out when APHA-approved shows take place near you.

Paint Horse running down the track.

Race Calendar

Paint racehorses and barrel racers compete for millions in purse money at APHA-recognized races in the U.S. and Canada.

PAC Exhibitor showing their Paint Horse.

E-Shows

Compete virtually with your Paint from home. Learn more and make plans to enter events like our annual virtual championship.

Programs

With opportunities for avid competitors and for those who simply love Paint Horses, APHA has a program to help you reach your goals. For competitors, APHA offers traditional breed shows as well as incentive programs for those competing on APHA-registered horses in other arenas. Other programs reward those who ride recreational or enjoy Open shows and non-traditional events. Your Paint is unique, and APHA has a program for everyone. Check them out to learn more.

Resources

Two amateur exhibitors smiling with their horses.

Amateurs

Three APHA Amateur divisions—Amateur, Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot—give people the opportunity to compete comfortably amongst peers at their skill level.

Judges evaluating a class in the arena.

Judges

APHA’s judges are highly qualified experts who precisely evaluate and rank entries in a variety of classes, in keeping with the association’s rules. Learn more about becoming a judge.

Official evaluating the class at the show arena.

Show Management

The success of an APHA-approved show relies on its show-producer team. APHA is committed to making sure you have the resources needed to produce a fruitful event.

Record Requests

To view a horse’s performance record, show results and year-end standings at any time, elevate your APHAonline.org access from Bronze to Silver! In order to also see progeny records, supercharge your online access to Gold! Visit APHAonline.org to start researching today!

APHA-Owned Shows

While most shows are produced by regional clubs or independent show managers, the most prestigious APHA competitions are produced by the association itself. These include the APHA World Championship Show, APHA/WCHA Halter Million, and the Eastern and Western National Championship Shows.

Exhibitor showing off their champion buckle at World Show.

World Show

The APHA World Championship Show is the benchmark for top-tier APHA competition. Exhibitors from around the world are invited to compete for championship titles, prizes, scholarships and cash. More than $1.5 million is awarded at this event.

A Paint Horse being shown at Halter Million.

Halter Million

The APHA/WCHA Halter Million is one of the world’s largest gatherings of halter exhibitors and pays more than $1 million in cash and prizes each year. It includes both APHA-exclusive classes and all-breed competitions.

A national show champion showing off their trophy.

National Shows

At APHA’s Eastern National Championship and Western National Championship, regionally-focused exhibitors vie for national championship titles, prizes and more with their Paints.

Racing Programs

Speed-bred Paint Horses are top choices for track and barrel racing due to their athleticism, trainability and speed. With over $3 million in annual prize money available at North American events, it’s easier than ever to aim for glory in the winner’s circle.

Paint race horse stud photo.

Support Paint Racing

The Texas Paint Horse Breeders Association supports the breeding and ownership of race-bred American Paint Horses for both track and barrel racing. Help create your path to victory by bidding on breedings to top race-bred stallions in our annual fundraising auction.

A Paint Horse round a barrel.

Barrel Racing

APHA’s Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program makes it easy for barrel racers to be a part of APHA with Paint-exclusive side pots at events across the country. Turn and burn for your shot at more than $125,000 awarded annually.

Paint Horse running down the track.

Horse Racing

Paints add a splash of color to down-the-track racing. From 200-yard sprints to longer 870-yard races, Paints run for about $3 million annually at tracks across the U.S. and Canada, plus a shot at extra championship recognition and awards.