Over $80,000 in Youth scholarships, 20 all-around trophy saddle awards, new senior horse high-point awards and more highlight the special recognition opportunities at the 2026 APHA World Championship Show. The event takes place June 19–July 4 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Highlights include:
- Over $80,000 in Youth world championship scholarships
- 20 all-around titles awarding trophy saddles
- 3 new Senior Horse High-Point awards
- 6 more special awards
2026 APHA World Championship Show
June 19–July 4, 2026
Will Rogers Memorial Center
Fort Worth, Texas
apha.com/worldshow
Youth World Championship Scholarships: $80,000+ Awarded
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- $1,150 awarded in every Youth world championship class, sponsored by the American Paint Horse Foundation
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- 1st–3rd place, plus one random exhibitor
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- $1,150 awarded in every Youth world championship class, sponsored by the American Paint Horse Foundation
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- All-Around Youth Awards: Champions earn a $500 scholarship and reserve champions win a $250 scholarship
All-Around Awards Packages: 20 Titles
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- Champions win:
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- Western work saddle certificate, courtesy Martin Saddlery (Exception: English performance winners receive an English hunt-seat saddle, courtesy Schneiders)
- 8” x 10” photograph, courtesy Ruehle Photographix
- $500 scholarship (Youth divisions only), courtesy APHA
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- Reserve champions win:
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- Harris gift certificate, courtesy Harris Leather & Silverworks (Exception: English performance winners receive an English bridle, courtesy Schneiders)
- 8” x 10” photograph, courtesy Ruehle Photographix
- $250 scholarship (Youth divisions only), courtesy APHA
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All-Around Award Categories
- Open Show Horse
- Open Western Performance Horse
- Open English Performance Horse
- Open Exhibitor
- Amateur
- Masters Amateur
- Amateur English—Sponsored by Le Cheval Embroidery, owned by Lindsay & Roman Murphy and in memory of Heavenly Machine
- Novice Amateur
- Amateur Walk-Trot
- Masters Amateur Walk-Trot
- Youth 13 & Under
- Youth 14–18
- Youth English—Sponsored by Initial Impressions by HWS, Werkema Machine Company and the Werkema Family in loving memory of “Grandma Pat” Werkema
- Novice Youth 13 & Under
- Novice Youth 14–18
- Youth Walk-Trot
- Open Ranch Horse
- Amateur Ranch
- Novice Amateur Ranch
- Youth Ranch
Senior Horse High-Point Awards—New for 2026
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- Open, Amateur & Youth
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- A special prize package will be presented to the high-point Senior horse (age 15 & older) in the Open, Amateur and Youth divisions, based on accumulation of the highest point total in their respective division’s world championship classes
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- Sponsored by My Senior Horse in partnership with Linda Mars and the Mars portfolio of equine-focused products and services which include BUCKEYE Nutrition, SPILLERS, WALTHAM Equine Studies Group, ANTECH, SOUND and MARS EQUESTRIAN
Special Awards
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Leading Breeder Award
- Recognizes the breeder whose horses earn the most points from horses placing in the Top 10 in all world championship classes; all divisions count and winner receives a trophy buckle
- At least three of the breeder’s horses must be exhibited to qualify
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Leading Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor Award
- Recognizes the top individual who is the owner, breeder and exhibitor of horses earning the most points from their horses’ combined placings in the Top 10 of all world championship classes. All divisions count and winner receives a trophy buckle
- Nomination deadline is June 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.
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Leading Owner Award
- Recognizes the owner whose horses earn the most points from Top 10 world championship class placings; all divisions count and winner receives a trophy buckle
- At least two of the owner’s horses must be exhibited to qualify
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Robyn Hanna Youth Sportsmanship Award
- Sponsored by The Milton Family
- Anonymous judges and exhibitor nominations contribute to selection of the youth displaying outstanding sportsmanship during the show.
- $1,000 scholarship and Gist Silversmiths trophy buckle
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Elegant April Memorial Award
- Sponsored by Jennifer & Margie Chan of Elegant Paint Horses
- Awarded to a Youth 14–18 rider who wins the Youth Working Hunter 18 & Under world champion title; winner receives a memorial award and $100 cash
- If the same horse-and-rider combination also wins Youth Hunter Hack 18 & Under world championship, the cash award escalates to $250
- If the same horse-and-rider combination follows that up with a world championship in either Youth Hunter Under Saddle 18 & Under or Youth Hunt-Seat Equitation 18 & Under, the cash award increases to $500 total
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Too Sleepy for Candy Memorial Award
- Sponsored by Susan Juroe
- Awarded to the world champion in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure; winner receives a custom trophy and $500 cash
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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.