With more than $1 million of added money on the line this year, the first round of 2026 Paynt Points and inaugural Color Bonus payouts did not disappoint. Checks mailed in late August featured $12.09 paid for every point earned in APHA competition from January 1–June 30, 2026. Paints eligible for APHA’s Color Bonus program took home another $10.76 per point on top of their Paynt Points earnings, too.
Payouts are made for every point earned in APHA-approved shows during the designated payout period. That includes points earned in Open, Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot divisions at shows around the world. No matter where you live, your Paint can earn Paynt Points payouts through APHA’s one-of-a-kind incentive program.
2026 Paynt Points Facts
Total Payout: $693,021.84
$500,000 added by APHA ($350,000 for Paynt Points and $150,000 for Color Bonus) plus $193,035 additional funds
Paynt Points: $12.09/per point
Color Bonus: $10.76/per point EXTRA
Color Bonus horses are Paints with 12 inches or more of continuous solid white markings in the qualifying zone, visible from a normal standing position, that are approved for participation in the Color Bonus incentive. Think your horse qualifies? Submit your free eligibility review here.
- 2,031 Paints earned Paynt Points payouts between January 1–June 30, 2026
- Average of 21.9 points earned per horse—worth approximately $264.77 in Paynt Points payouts
- 460* Color Bonus eligible horses earned payouts (518 shown)
- *Color Bonus eligible means they completed the required review process to verify eligibility to earn additional payouts
- 79.3% of Paint Horses that competed in APHA classes earned Paynt Points payouts
- Payout checks were mailed in late August.
- A W9 or W8-BEN (reflecting your legal name) is required before checks can be issued. Fill yours out here!
- Check out how much you earned at apha.com/paynt-points
Top Earners
Horse: Forever My Agent—$8,468.25
2024 sorrel overo mare by Agent Man x Temonup N Showin Off
$4,480.80 Paynt Points + $3,987.45 Color Bonus
Owner: Fred & Vanessa Cole, Patoka, Illinois—$12,581.42
- Forever My Agent (370.5 points) & Won Heckova Secret (340 points)
Fred Cole is a passionate APHA exhibitor, well known for his dedication to showing halter horses across the country. Realizing the potential of APHA’s Paynt Points program last year and anticipating its expansion into the Open division and inception of a Color Bonus, Fred went looking for a colorful horse with which he could compete in 2026. Last September, he found the ticket in Forever My Agent, a 2024 sorrel overo mare that he purchased from Stephanie Sickafoose Wilson following the 2025 APHA/WCHA Halter Million.
So far in 2026, Fred has earned 370.5 points with the colorful mare. That resulted in a combined Paint Points/Color Bonus check worth nearly $8,500 for the first half of 2026. The Breeders’ Trust-enrolled mare will amplify her earnings at the end of the year, both with points earned in the second-half of the year and Breeders’ Trust year-end payouts.
“It’s really making an impact with people out there,” Fred said. “Everybody is talking about how much they appreciate the fact that APHA is taking steps to help the exhibitors. Every year we drive 40,000 miles to horse shows, and every little bit just makes us want go to the next show.”
Next Payout: March 2027
For points earned July 1–December 31, 2026
##
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted. Please credit the Paint Horse Journal and provide a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.