APHA’s lucrative Platinum and Gold Breeders’ Futurity programs set new records at the APHA/WCHA Halter Million. The event took place September 23-October 1, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Among the 2023 Halter Million highlights were:
- 40 Platinum-participating sires—new record
- 264 Platinum-eligible horses—new record
- $330,850 in Platinum division payouts—new record
- $109,941 in Gold division payouts—new record
Since its inception in 2009, the Breeders’ Futurity program has increased opportunities and financial rewards for APHA Breeders’ Trust-nominated foals. Gold Breeders’ Futurity competitions take place at the APHA World Championship Show and Halter Million. Platinum Breeders’ Futurity classes are elite non-pro futurities offered at the Halter Million. These competitions feature the world’s finest American Paint Horses and exhibitors competing in a select slate of classes that showcase the offspring of APHA Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to them.
2023 Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Leading Sire
Execute
2023 Gold Breeders’ Futurity Leading Sire
Trillions
Read more about the 2023 Platinum and Gold Breeders’ Futurity Leading Sire honors for Execute and Trillions here.
2023 Platinum Breeders’ Futurity Champions
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Xcused & Steve Byers, winning $8,132 (Total Payout: $25,414)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Shes Ridin Shotgun & Christopher Page, winning $6,752 (Total Payout: $19,860)
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: Im Expenziv & Heather Olson, winning $7,037 (Total Payout: $17,594)
- Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Hes A Miracle Worker & Sue Drawdy, winning $6,646 (Total Payout: $19,549)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Leavin Ya Speechless & Christopher Page, winning $7,427 (Total Payout: $21,846)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: O Sprinklez & Tawni Jones, winning $18,410 (Total Payout: $70,807)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Edorabelle & Roy Houser, winning $14,394 (Total Payout: $44,983)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Rhipped & Sarah Reeder, winning $7,647 (Total Payout: $16,993)
- Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: KR Kracker Jack & Patricia Ellsworth, winning $11,782 (Total Payout: $36,820)
- Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Paso Doble & Robert Martin, winning $15,954 (Total Payout: $56,979)
“The Platinum [program] is tremendous,” exhibitor Steve Byers said. “It allows us to continue to have competition at a high level and quality horses coming back here. [Platinum] drives that.”
Fellow competitor Patricia Ellsworth agreed.
“I think this is such a wonderful opportunity to come out to the Paint show, at a venue like this and with this quality of horses, and have a chance to win wonderful prizes,” Ellsworth said. “It’s been a great experience. I think it’s a great go-to for people.”
2023 Gold Breeders’ Futurity Champions
- Gold Junior Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Trilionaris & Tim Finkenbinder, winning $3,398 (Total Payout: $12,136)
- Gold Senior Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Edorabelle & Ronald Stratton, winning $4,083 (Total Payout: $15,705)
- Gold Junior Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Paso Doble & Kathy Smallwood, winning $4,454 (Total Payout: $17,133)
- Gold Senior Weanling Stallions & Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: DMM Legacy & Robin Robinett, winning $3,598 (Total Payout: $12,850)
- Gold Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity: Shes One Ina Trillion & Tom Robertson, winning $4,454 (Total Payout: $17,133)
- Gold Yearling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: Say Now & Luke Castle, winning $3,426 (Total Payout: $10,708)
- Gold Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: Ahh Maizing Blue & Tom Robertson, winning $3,198 (Total Payout: $11,422)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Geldings Breeders’ Futurity: DE Finest Legend & Clint Fullerton, winning $1,606 (Total Payout: $3,569)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Mares Breeders’ Futurity: FG Miss Sassy Pants & Tim Finkenbinder, winning 2,570 (Total Payout: $6,425)
- Gold 2-Year-Old Stallions Breeders’ Futurity: I Gotta Get Ripped & Christopher Artensen, winning 1,713 (Total Payout: $2,855)
Learn more about the Gold & Platinum Breeders’ Futurity programs: apha.com/showing/breedersfuturity
##
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.