More than 70 exhibitors traveled to Logan Township, New Jersey, August 6–7 to compete at the Northeast Paint Horse Championships, held in conjunction with the Northeast Connection Zone 7 Show. Show manager Margie Lawler-Moser of Williamstown, New Jersey, has seen the benefits of the Paint Horse Championship program.
“You just see the joy on exhibitor’s faces when they’re winning the amazing Gist Silversmiths belt buckles and medallions. We had new people come this year that have never been to our horse shows because we had the Paint Horse Championship classes, too,” Margie said. “The fact that APHA helps out and provides the awards doesn’t put a burden on the show committees or any of the sponsors. It helps us be able to give out the fullest amount of awards we can to our exhibitors.”
Margie recalls one instance of a family new to APHA attending the show.
“There was a little girl named Bailey, and it was her and her family’s first time coming to our show. Bailey came in the ring and handed out awards. Her mom said besides her having the greatest day showing there, her whole family felt welcomed,” Margie said. “I think it really promotes the common goal we have, which is the unity of our equine sport.”
To be eligible for the Northeast Championship classes, exhibitors and the horses’ owners were required to live in Zone 7—Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—and be current APHA members. Also, neither horse nor exhibitor may have placed in the Top Five of a halter class or the Top 10 in a performance class at the APHA World Championship Show within the last five years. Click here for a list of qualification criteria. APHA sponsored awards for up to 15 Paint Horse Championship classes, with the show selecting the specific events to offer.
Congratulations to the following Paints and their connections:
- Youth Geldings: Box Office Sensation, exhibited by Serena Rubin
- Amateur Geldings: Xtreme Lover, exhibited by Marjorie Lawler-Moser
- Youth Mares: Entirely Smooth Movin, exhibited by Ava Stanker
- Amateur Mares: Her Style Is Blue, exhibited by Clint Walker
- Youth Showmanship: Your Invited Too, exhibited by Madison Messick
- Overo Color Class: Maxs Strait Shooter, exhibited by Eric Zistl
- Tobiano Color Class: Sum R Purely Mr GQ, exhibited by Lynn Barauskas
- Youth Trail: Special This Time, exhibited by Anna Lia Sullivan
- Novice Amateur Trail: Zippos Du Intimidate, exhibited by Shelbi Probst
- Amateur Trail: All Rights Reserved, exhibited by Brandy Barniak
- Open Hunter Under Saddle: Painted Blue Details, exhibited by Emily Cavanaugh
- Amateur Ranch Riding: All Rights Reserved, exhibited by Brandy Barniak
- Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle: Frosted All Fancy, exhibited by Caylee Conner
- Novice Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation: Ive Got Good Assets, exhibited by Marissa Campbell
- Novice Amateur Western Horsemanship: Ive Got Good Assets, exhibited by Marissa Campbell
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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. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.