Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes modifications announced for 2021 APHA World Show and beyond

The Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes has awarded huge payouts annually at the APHA World Show for Breeders’ Trust-nominated 2- and 3-year-old Paints—both Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry—competing in elite Western pleasure and hunter under saddle stakes classes. The APHA World Show’s move to summer dates in 2021 and beyond spurred several modifications to this top pleasure stakes program. Starting in 2021, the Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes classes will exclusively be offered for 3-year-old horses, offering 3-Year-Old Maiden Horse Stake classes.

To be eligible for the Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Maiden Horse Pleasure Stake classes, horses cannot have been shown under saddle before the class takes place at the APHA World Show. These enrolled horses will also be eligible for the non-pro 3-year-old classes taking place later at the show (separate entry fees required). This modification goes into effect for the 2021 APHA World Show and Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes program.

“This modification was made in best interest of the horses and our exhibitors. With the new dates in the summer, changing this class to a 3-year-old event gives everyone a better opportunity to prepare their horses. We hope to see a larger group of horses vie for these substantial payouts with this modification,” APHA Senior Director of Judges, Shows & Education Dave Dellin said.

To be eligible for the 2021 classes, 2-year-old horses must be enrolled by November 15, 2020, for a $1,500 enrollment fee. Enrollments postmarked November 16, 2020, through December 31, 2020, can still enroll but at the late enrollment fee pricing. No further enrollments to the 2021 Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes program will be accepted after December 31, 2020.

Entry payments for the 2021 Maiden and Non-Pro classes will be split into two payments. The Maiden classes’ first entry payment is $725 (includes $225 administrative fee), due April 1, 2021; the second entry payment of $500 is due June 1, 2021. The Maiden Pleasure Stakes will have a Limited Rider division for exhibitors who meet the Limited Rider criteria, which remain consistent with the current 2-year-old classes.

For the Non-Pro classes, the first entry payment of $400 is due April 1, 2021, and the second entry payment of $400 is due June 1, 2021.

Horses paid in 2019 that were eligible for the 2-year-old classes this year will continue to be eligible for the Breeders’ Trust Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes program in 2021 at no additional enrollment fee (class entry fees do apply).

For the 2022 Breeders’ Trust Maiden 3-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes classes, split enrollment payments can be made.

“Splitting the enrollment payout is something horse owners have been asking for and we have listened. Now you can pay part of your enrollment in the horse’s yearling year and the second part in its 2-year-old year. This makes the program that more affordable for horse owners,” Director of Advertising and Incentive Programs Matt Arias said.

In this scenario, $750 (half of the enrollment fee) is due by the end of the horse’s yearling year, and $750 (the second half of the enrollment fee) is due by November 15 of the horse’s2-year-old year.

“We are really looking forward to awarding large payouts to these outstanding young horses,” Matt said. “With these modifications, we hope to see even more participation in these programs for years to come.”

For full details and conditions on the Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes program, along with enrollment forms, please visit apha.com/worldshow/breeders-trust-pleasure-stakes/.