We promote, preserve and provide meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.

Showing

The APHA represents a wide variety of horse-lovers with a wide variety of interests. If you are competitive by nature, check out these programs designed just for you! Get information about showing your Paint horse in APHA-Approved competition, the Paint Alternative Competition program or get involved in our Youth or Amateur programs. Research show records and show results or find a show near you! Get information about sponsoring an APHA approved show, becoming an approved judge or find resources useful for show managers and secretaries. Check out the many ways that you can get show your Paint with APHA below!

APHA E-Shows
Paint Alternative Competition (PAC) & Recreational Riding Program
Breeder’s Trust
APHA Approved Shows
- Single & Multi-Judged Shows
- Special Events
- Regional Championship Program (formerly known as Paint Horse Championship Program)
- Zone Shows
Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program
Chrome Cash Program (Cutting and Working Cow Horse)
APHA National Shows
- Eastern National Show
- Western National Show
APHA World Show
- Breeder’s Futurity Program
- Breeder’s Trust Pleasure Stakes

APHA Awards

Perpetual Awards
Year-End Awards

Interested in showing your Paint at approved APHA shows? Here’s what you need to have to get started!

A registered Paint Horse (Regular Registry or Solid Paint-Bred)
- Solid Paint-Bred Registry Paints show in the corresponding Solid Paint-Bred division if offered.
Owner and Exhibitor must have current APHA memberships for all divisions.
Decide what division you want to show in and what you need to be eligible. See division descriptions and requirements below.

Open

For exhibitors who are ready to challenge all comers, the APHA offers classes that are “open” to everyone—professional and non-professional alike. With more than 20 different events in this division, there is virtually something for everyone – from cutting and reining to jumping and pleasure driving.

If you plan to show in Open Green classes, you will need to verify that your horse is Green Eligible for the appropriate classes. To determine this, either pull up your horse’s Performance Record on APHA Online, or submit a Performance Record Request Form.

Amateur

If competition is what you crave, you should check out APHA’s Amateur program.

APHA has three Amateur Divisions that gives people the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level:

AMATEUR & AMATEUR SOLID PAINT-BRED for seasoned competitors who are not professionals.
NOVICE AMATEUR a more introductory level; it is possible to be Novice in some categories and Amateur in others based on points, money earnings and/or championships.
AMATEUR WALK-TROT & AMATEUR WALK-TROT SOLID PAINT-BRED is a division for those that only want to walk-trot which gives people an additional level to choose to participate in. Please note that shows are not required to hold APHA-approved Walk-Trot classes.

To qualify for the APHA Amateur Program, exhibitors must:

Be 19 years old & over as of January 1 of the current year and follow the remuneration and judging restrictions under rule AM-010
Have a current Amateur Show Card for all Amateur Divisions in addition to an APHA membership.
Meet Amateur Ownership Requirements, which state that you or an immediate family member (as defined in SC-160.M.) must be listed as the owner of record for the registered Paint you plan to show. If you or an immediate family member is not the owner, a Show Lease must be submitted.

Please familiarize yourself with the Amateur Rules for eligibility, ownership, and competition in the APHA Rule Book.

READY TO SHOW? Check out the Amateur Division Homepage to see what you need to get started!

Youth

If youth competition is what you crave, you should check out AjPHA’s Youth program.

APHA has three Youth Divisions that gives kids the opportunity to compete comfortably at their skill level:

YOUTH & YOUTH SOLID PAINT-BRED for seasoned competitors who are not professionals.
NOVICE YOUTH a more introductory level; it is possible to be Novice in some categories and Youth in others based on points, money earnings and/or championships. This division requires a current Novice Youth Show Card in addition to an AjPHA membership.
YOUTH WALK-TROT 5-10 & YOUTH WALK-TROT 11-18 are divisions for those that only want to walk-trot which gives people an additional level to choose to participate in. Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 requires a current show card in addition to an AjPHA membership. Please note that shows are not required to hold APHA-approved Youth Walk-Trot classes.

To qualify for the AjPHA Youth Program, exhibitors must:

Be 18 years old & under as of January 1 of the current year and follow the remuneration restrictions under rule YP-010.
Have a current Youth Show Card if showing in the Novice Youth or Youth Walk-Trot 11-18 Divisions in addition to an AjPHA membership.
Meet Youth Ownership Requirements, which state that you or an immediate family member (as defined in SC-160.M.) must be listed as the owner of record for the registered Paint you plan to show to be eligible for APHA points, awards, titles, and earnings. If you or an immediate family member is not the owner, points, awards, titles, and earnings will not be awarded but will be recorded for Novice eligibility purposes only, unless a Show Lease is submitted.

Please familiarize yourself with the Youth Rules for eligibility, ownership, and competition in the APHA Rule Book.

READY TO SHOW? Check out the Youth Division Homepage to see what you need to get started!