Paynt Points, an innovative competition incentive program from APHA that’s designed to help grow shows and directly reward exhibitors, will launch January 1, 2025. The program proposal was passed by the APHA Board of Directors at their May 2024 meeting, following collection and thorough review of input from APHA members and exhibitors.
In the Paynt Points program, APHA will award cash payouts twice a year for all Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot points earned at APHA-approved shows worldwide. The proposed Paynt Points structure and goals were originally unveiled March 1 at the 2024 APHA & AjPHA Leadership Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, and on APHA’s online platforms. Members’ feedback was encouraged and reviewed by the board before they voted on program implementation.
Paynt Points Program Summary
WHAT: Paynt Points, an innovative competition incentive program from APHA that’s designed to help grow shows and directly reward exhibitors
WHEN: Launching January 1, 2025.
WHO: All APHA Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot points earned will automatically generate twice-a-year payouts to the horse owner/lessee at the time the points were earned.
WHERE: Points earned in Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot classes at all APHA-approved shows worldwide are included. Paynt Points is an automatic program, with no additional enrollment required.
WHY: Because Paynt Points is not limited to specific events, exhibitors around the world can earn meaningful payouts for minimal added investment. A primary goal is to provide greater incentives to own and show Paint Horses, which can help stimulate entries, regional clubs, breeding, sales, training and more.
HOW: APHA’s added money (estimated at $500,000 for 2025) plus the Paynt Points $2 fee per entry/per judge fee (collected for all entries in APHA-approved shows) goes into the purse for distribution. 100% of that money is paid out through Paynt Points.
More Info about Paynt Points:
$500,000 ADDED MONEY FROM APHA: The annual addition of Paynt Points purse money from APHA is estimated at $500,000 each year, funded through APHA investment proceeds. The amount of APHA-added money will be finalized by the Board of Directors annually as part of the budget process. 100% of the added money from APHA is paid to exhibitors through Paynt Points.
THE TOTAL PURSE: 100% of APHA’s added money (estimated at $500,000 for 2025) plus 100% of the show-generated $2 per entry/per judge fee goes back into the Paynt Points purse for distribution to exhibitors. The total purse is estimated at $1,034,766 based on 2022 data.
IMPACT: Paynt Points will help incentivize owning, breeding and showing Paint Horses in APHA-approved competition, and thereby stimulating all APHA-approved shows worldwide and other activities like breeding, training and more.
WHO PAYS IN? All entries in APHA-approved classes will pay the $2 per entry/per judge fee, regardless of division. Non-APHA-approved classes at the show (all-breed classes, for instance) are not subject to the fee nor eligible for Paynt Points payouts.
WHO GETS PAID? All Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot points earned in APHA-approved shows will generate a Paynt Points payout twice a year. Money is paid to the owner/lessee of the horse at the time the eligible points were earned.
WHY JUST YOUTH & AMATEURS? According to data about participation in APHA-approved competitions, only about 20 percent of horses show exclusively in Open classes. The remaining 80 percent also enter Youth and/or Amateur classes, too. Designing Paynt Points around Youth and Amateur points benefits the majority of horses while keeping proposed point values at a meaningful level.
Based on 2022 show data, a total of unique 4,655 horses participated in APHA-approved events; 3,709 of those horses competed in Amateur, Youth, Novice or Walk-Trot events and 68% of them earned .5 APHA points or more and would have qualified for a Paynt Points payout. And because Paynt Points is not limited to specific events, exhibitors around the world can earn meaningful payouts for minimal added investment. A primary goal is to provide greater incentives to own and show Paint Horses, which can help stimulate entries, regional clubs, breeding, sales, training and more.
WHAT ABOUT OPEN EXHIBITORS? Open division entries in APHA-approved classes will pay the $2 per entry, per judge fee. They are not eligible for Paynt Points payouts at this time, in an effort to keep payouts at a meaningful level. Data shows most Open division horses also cross enter Youth and Amateur events, too.
HOW DOES THIS HELP SHOWS? The opportunity for exhibitors to win cash-based incentives in APHA-approved shows can help drive entries to regional club events. Data shows the majority of Youth and Amateur exhibitors earn some APHA points in a year, and this program gives them a return on an investment and an exciting reason to choose to compete at your club’s shows.
WHAT ABOUT MEMBER FEEDBACK? Members had the opportunity to share feedback with the Board of Directors and staff following the program announcement on March 1, 2024. All feedback was shared with the Board of Directors and reviewed in full, and it composed both positive and negative viewpoints. The Board weighed all concerns and had extensive discussion about the program, and ultimately approved the Paynt Points program at their May 2024 meeting. It’s imperative to remember that not all members choose to share feedback publicly on social media.
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: 30% will be withheld from earned payouts for tax purposes unless a U.S. social security or tax ID number is provided.
REAL EXAMPLES: Paynt Points in Action
- At a four-judge POR, an exhibitor makes a Paynt Points investment of $8 per class. It just takes 1 point earned at the estimated $10/point payback to cover costs & make money!
- If an exhibitor shows in four classes at five PORs (4-judge each):
- $8 per class x 4 classes = $32 per show
- $32 per show x 5 shows = $160 annual Paynt Points investment (over five shows)
It takes only 16 points earned all year to cover costs!
Real-Life Exhibitor from NJ (Full Year 2022)
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- Generated 178 total entries in 2022 across 8 shows; earned 136 Novice Amateur points
- Would pay in = $356 total (178 entries x $2 Paynt Points fee)
- Would Earn $1,360 in Paynt Points payout (136 points x est. $10/point)
- Scottsdale Show Example (2022 figures)
- 3,293 entries at this show, with 1,630.5 points earned in Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot
- Would pay in $6,586 for Paynt Points fees (3293 entries x $2)
- Paynt Points would pay back $16,305 to exhibitors
- Cassopolis Show Example (2022 figures)
- 276 entries with 61 points earned in Amateur, Youth, Novice and Walk-Trot
- Would pay in $552 for Paynt Points fees
- Paynt Points would pay back $610 to exhibitors
[article updated June 20, 2024]
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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.