Frequently Asked Questions

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 work online via PHcentral.com than sending it to the APHA office for processing via digital submission 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 (even if it’s expired) and zip code to verify your account during sign up, so the system knows which member you are. If you don’t have an APHA member ID already, you’ll click the box that indicates you don’t have an APHA ID number and follow the prompts. Finally, click a verification link that is sent to your email. Then you can sign in normally using the email and password you set for the account.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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 one from a long time ago), click “APHA membership” in the left sidebar and “My Membership” to start the Create Membership process.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: Membership

Contact 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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

Registration at APHA can be done online by the owner of the dam at time of foaling or by the resulting foal owner. Either party is welcome to submit a completed registration application and required photos with payment via postal mail to APHA as well. Please choose only one submission method.

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. Register your horse online using PHcentral.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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. If you own the dam and the foal, make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the dam per APHA records.
• See if a breeding report is on file for your mare. On the PHcentral account homepage, make sure the mare appears in your list of owned horses. Click on her name and then “breeding records” to see the breeding details 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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

If your registered AQHA or Jockey Club horse has at least one 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 one 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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

Learn More: The Breed

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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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, “soundalike” names are not accepted, even when spelled differently than an existing registered horse’s name.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

A breeder’s certificate is the same thing as a registration application. You can register the horse online using PHcentral or the printable application available on our Registration Guides page.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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

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 two 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. This application available on our Registration Guides page.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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, please contact MemberCare and we’ll be happy to take a look.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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. This form available on our Registration Guides page.

If you only need to report a gelding date, please use the Gelding Report Form.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

---

Learn More: The Breed

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 one APHA-registered parent
• Have qualifying Paint trait(s)
  • In most cases, a horse with one APHA parent must have two separate qualifying traits. A horse with two APHA parents must only have one 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.

---

Learn More: The Breed

Learn More: The Rule Book

RG-020.A.1.b or the “three-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 one parent (sire or dam) is a Regular Registry overo, tobiano or tovero.
• Horse has at least three 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.”

---

Learn More: The Breed

Learn More: The Rule Book

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. You can find printable forms at the bottom of The Breed page.

---

Learn More: The Breed

DNA tests for a registered horse can be ordered online on PHcentral or using the DNA Order Form available on the Registration Guides page. 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 also 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 with APHA that have parents registered only with AQHA or the Jockey Club, and it’s also used to see if your horse can advance to Regular Registry when white markings on the horse’s coat are 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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

If the stallion has AQHA-performed disease testing already on file with that organization, we can often use the existing hair sample to acquire the OLWS test. You can contact MemberCare to order this, or order it online at PHcentral (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).

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

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 printable transfer report available on the Registration Guides page. Make sure the date of sale is noted, and then fill in your info in the buyer section.

We have two 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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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 current side-view photos of the horse, a copy of your photo ID and payment for the fees. The forms are available on the Registration Guides page.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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 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 current side-view photos of the horse, a copy of your photo ID and payment for the fees. The forms are available on the Registration Guides page. 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 on the Registration Guides page.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

---

Learn More: PHcentral

Learn More: Registration Guides

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

Fill out the Enrollment For Breeding online at PHcentral.com, or use the Enrollment for Breeding Form available on the Registration Guides page. 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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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 online at PHcentral.com, or use the Enrollment for Breeding Form available available on the Registration Guides page. 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.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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.

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 complete the Stallion Breeding Report form and submit it to staff with payment. Forms are available on the Registration Guides page.

---

Learn More: Registration Guides

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.

---

Learn More: PHcentral

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

Regional Clubs are affiliated organizations that provide a more localized APHA experience, and they’re a great resource to help you get started. Visit our Current Clubs page to locate a club near you.

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

---

Learn More: Regional Clubs

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

What you need:

• A Paint Horse
• A current APHA individual membership

---

Learn More: Membership

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

• 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).
• In the last 36 months (three 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.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

If competition is what you crave, check out APHA’s Amateur program. APHA has three Amateur Divisions that give people the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level: Amateur, Novice Amateur, and Amateur Walk-Trot. You can hold one of the following show card types:

• Amateur ONLY: for seasoned competitors who are not professionals
• Novice Amateur: a more introductory level for less-seasoned exhibitors. It is possible to be Novice in some categories and Amateur in others based on points, money earnings and/or championships. Review your APHA Novice Eligibility before applying:
  • Less than 75 total points earned in a category (including Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur, Youth and Novice Youth)
    • For Zones 12, 13 and 14, it’s a total of 25 points
  • Less than $2,500 in prize money earned in a category
  • Cannot hold a world champion or reserve world champion title in a category
• Amateur Walk-Trot: a division for those that only want to walk and trot/jog.

To show in the APHA Amateur Divisions, exhibitor must:

• Be 19 years old or older 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 in addition to a current APHA individual membership.
• Meet Amateur ownership requirements with the Paint Horse they’re showing/leasing.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

Novice: a more introductory level for less-seasoned exhibitors. It is possible to be Novice in some categories and Amateur in others based on points, money earnings and/or championships. Review your APHA Novice Eligibility before applying:

• Less than 75 total points earned in a category (including Open, Amateur, Novice Amateur, Youth and Novice Youth)
  • For Zones 12, 13 and 14, it’s a total of 25 points
• Less than $2,500 in prize money earned in a category
• Cannot hold a world champion or reserve world champion title in a category

---

Learn More: Amateurs

Learn More: Novice Youth

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 and will not be asked to mount or dismount.
• Trail. Scored the same as any other trail class, but omitting the lope and 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 and hand gallop.
• Hunt-seat equitation. To be judged with a simple pattern, but omitting the canter and 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 2-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.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

Amateur, Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot cards are issued by APHA, and a signed application must be submitted to receive an Amateur card. A processing fee and current individual APHA membership is required for your Amateur card. Amateur cards cannot be issued over the phone.

Cards that are submitted online are processed the quickest and cheapest.

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.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

All Amateur program cards follow the point year and expire on December 31 of the year issued. This is different than the APHA membership, which is valid for 12 months.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

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.

• 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.

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. Remember, the recorded owner of the horse cannot show the horse during the time an active show lease is in effect. The show lease form and fees must be received by APHA prior to the first date of the show; the beginning date of the lease cannot be prior to the lease submission date.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

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.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

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.

Points do not “expire” off your record, your points will only be reset if you meet the reinstatement requirements above.

---

Learn More: Amateurs

APHA has several Youth divisions that gives children the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level:

The Youth division is for unmarried individuals that are 18 years of age & under as of January 1. Married individuals may apply for the Amateur or Novice Amateur division. 

• Novice Youth Division: must have an AjPHA membership and Novice Youth Show Card
  • The Novice Youth division is for a Youth that has limited show experience in a particular category of classes. 
  • Novice Youth eligibility is based on a per category basis, with 25 different categories available. To be eligible for Novice status in a category, at the time of application, an individual cannot have earned any of the following in a recognized equine association: 
    • Less than 75 revalued points (25 revalued points for Zone 12, 13 & 14 exhibitors), excluding Walk-Trot division points 
    • $2,500 or greater in prize money in that category; 
    • A world or reserve world title in that category. 
    • A rider can review their novice eligibility on the Exhibitor Novice Eligibility page.
• Youth Walk Trot (ages 5-10): must have an AjPHA membership
  • Youth Walk-Trot 5-10 is a division for Youth that are between 5 to 10 years of age as of January 1 and only want to compete in walk-trot classes. When an exhibitor enters these walk-trot classes at a show, they may not enter any other classes at the show, except for halter and showmanship.
• Youth Walk Trot (ages 11-18): must have an AjPHA membership and Youth Walk-Trot Show Card
  • Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 is for Youth members who have no prior show record at the lope and are between 11 to 18 years of age as of January 1.
  • To be eligible for the Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 division, an exhibitor cannot have earned a world or reserve world championship title in a corresponding class. They may not enter any lope classes at any show while holding a Walk-Trot card.
• Lead Line: an AjPHA membership or show card is not required.
  • Lead line is a class for Youth between 3 and 8 years of age as of January 1. The horse is led by an individual age 16 or older, and the contestant must show some knowledge of equitation/horsemanship.
  • Western or English tack/attire is permitted. Any registered Paint Horse may be used and there are no ownership requirements for this class. The exhibitor may not show in other riding classes.  

Remember, most Youth and Novice Youth divisions require horse ownership requirements to be met in order for APHA points, titles, awards and earnings can be tallied. Ownership requirements state the Youth or an immediate family member (see SC-160.M.) must be listed as the owner of record or lessee of the Paint being exhibited.

---

Learn More: Youth

If you would like to show in Open Green classes, you will need to verify that your horse is eligible for the appropriate classes. Green eligibility for a particular class requires the horse has less than 25 points (10 points in zones 12, 13 and 14), less than $2,500 in earnings, no world or reserve world titles, or a bronze horse medal in the EWU. Those requirements pertain to any division for the green class in which you’re interested, except Walk/Trot, as of January 1 of the current show year.

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

---

Learn More: World Show

Learn More: Halter Million

APHA has several programs that increase your horse’s value by providing cash rewards—it pays to have a Paint! Check out the following programs:

• Chrome Cash offers sidepots for Paints at select NRHA, NCHA, NRCHA, ARHFA, SHTX and APHA sll-around events.
• Breeders’ Trust offers annual payouts to the stallion subscriber, foal nominator and current owner of nominated horses, based on Open and Amateur points earned in most APHA-approved events.
• Breeders’ Futurity is a select slate of limited-age added-money classes designed to showcase the offspring of APHA Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to them.
• Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program offers dual-approved APHA barrel races with exclusive sidepots for PBRIP-enrolled Paints.
• Paint Alternative Competition provides competitive opportunities for those riding or driving their Paint Horses outside of APHA-approved competitions. Outside competitions and recreational riding are included, and participants earn PAC credits, recognition and awards from APHA.
• Paynt Points is an incentive program making its debut in 2025. It will provide twice-a-year paybacks for all Youth and Amateur points (including Novice Youth and Walk-Trot) earned in APHA-approved competitions.

---

Learn More: Our Programs

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.”

---

Learn More: PHcentral

We accept credit cards (all major types), personal checks and money orders. 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 preferable to avoid the extra wire transfer fee. If you still need the wire transfer details, please contact the accounting department.

---

Learn More: Contact Us

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

---

Learn More: Contact Us