APHA approves a variety of Paint competitions, from single-judge shows to those with multiple judges, and even special events that offer Paint-specific classes as part of a larger competition format. Learn more about what it takes to get your show approved by APHA.
Any individual, club or organization may request APHA approval for their show. Anyone can host an APHA Single-Judge, Two-Judge or Special Event show. A Paint-O-Rama (POR) is a three- or four-judge show hosted by an APHA regional club. A Zone Show is a multi-judge show (three to six judges) hosted by an APHA Zone Coordinating Committee.
Check out the following rules in the APHA Rule Book for more detailed information:
Applying for APHA show approval makes your event more marketable for APHA exhibitors and their Paint Horses. Fill out the APHA Show Approval form on PHcentral and submit it to APHA at least 30-90 days ahead of the first date of the show. Late fees apply when received less than 90 days before the show begins, and shows will not be approved if the application is received less than 30 days before the show commences. A complete application and payment for the fees is required for consideration. Keep the following tips in mind as you fill out the application:
| Fee Schedule: Per Judge | ||
| Application Submission | Fee | |
| 90 days or more before show date | $39 | |
| 60-89 days before | $118 | |
| 30-59 days before | $198 | |
Once your show has been approved, the secretary will be notified and sent additional information needed to host the show. Changes to the show can be made up to 30 days prior to the first date of the show. If changes are required, email showapproval@apha.com.
Special events are a great option to get APHA classes added to a discipline-specific event, such as a hunter/jumper show, ranch horse show, team roping, reining, cutting, dressage event, etc. APHA Show Approval is required—see the previous tab for details. Special Events do not have to abide by the show mileage restrictions if they do not hold any of the same classes as another show taking place within 250 miles of their event on the same dates/weekend.
Special Events are limited to offering classes from no more than three APHA Special Event categories. If your desired class list covers more than three Special Event categories, consider holding a 1- or 2-judge show instead. There are no requirements as to divisions that must be offered for each class or a minimum set of classes.
APHA allows the use of “Restricted Judges” when limited, specific disciplines are being judged. The Restricted Judge must be an APHA member and carded in the discipline association for the classes they are judging (ie: USDF for dressage, NCHA for cutting, NRHA for reining, NRCHA for working cow horse, ARHFA for judged roping, USEF for over fences, etc.).
Special events do not maintain priority dates from year to year, so apply for your requested show dates as soon as possible annually.
Full guidelines for a Special Event can be found at SC-096. Special Paint Events and JU-000.C. Special Event Judges in the current APHA Rule Book.
Special Event Categories
1-judge and 2-judge shows are fantastic for schooling, introductory and education-based shows. Any individual or group in good standing with APHA can host these shows. Clinics can be held in conjunction with 1- and 2-judge shows, and the judge can serve as the clinician.
No minimum class requirements exist for 1- and 2-judge shows. These shows are exempt from a number of show restrictions, including those that limit the number of times a judge can officiate in a state/province/country in a season. They must abide by show mileage restriction rules. In addition, 1- and 2-judge shows maintain priority dates from year to year.
Full guidelines for Single-Judge Shows can be found in SC-100 and in SC-105.B.1. for 2-Judge Shows.
Paint-O-Ramas (PORs) may only be hosted by APHA regional clubs; a club is restricted to hosting a maximum of two PORs a year (Exception: clubs in Zone 10 may hold up to four PORs a year, and livestock shows/state fair organizations may hold one POR with up to three judges per year without APHA regional club sponsorship). A POR can have three or four judges. The show must abide by all mileage restrictions, judge restrictions and minimum class requirements. Clubs may co-sponsor PORs with other regional clubs in order to host a POR outside of their club’s boundaries.
The purpose of the Zone Show is to encourage clubs within a zone to coordinate and work together to promote a larger show and to utilize any net proceeds to promote the American Paint Horse and Paint Horse activities in their respective zone. Zone Shows must be hosted by a Zone Coordinating Committee, and each zone is allowed one Zone Show per year. Zone Shows can have a maximum of six judges and must abide by all mileage restrictions, judge restrictions and minimum class requirements.
For Rules and Bylaws regarding Zone Shows and Zone Coordinating Committees, see SC-105.B.3: Zone Shows and Article VIII: Zone Coordinating Committees.
The Challenged Horseman and American Paints Program for Independent and Support Exhibitors (CHAMPS) was created to give members with certain mental and physical challenges the opportunity to feel the joy of competition on their American Paint Horse and earn recognition for their accomplishments. CHAMPS classes can be added to any APHA-approved event, offered as a stand-alone APHA-approved CHAMPS event or held in conjunction with an event recognized by another organization such as US Para-Equestrian. Class results are submitted along with other APHA show results.
See the current APHA Rule Book or the PDF below for rules regarding CHAMPS classes. Exhibitors must have complete Diagnosis, Adaptive Equipment & Riding Ability, and Responsibility forms on file with APHA in addition to a current APHA membership in order to compete in CHAMPS classes. These forms must also be presented to the show office with class entries. CHAMPS forms can be found on the Show Management page.
