Resources for Show Managers, Secretaries, and Sponsors

Special Events

Special events are a great option to get APHA classes added to a discipline specific event such as a Hunter/Jumper Show, Ranch Horse Show, Team Roping, Reining, Cutting, Dressage Show, etc. Please follow steps 1-7 above after reading the below requirements. Special events are applied for like any other type of APHA show, which can be found on the Show Forms page. Special Events do not have to abide by the show mileage restrictions if they do not hold any of the same classes as any show that is within 250 mi on the same date/weekend.

In order to be considered a Special Event, classes cannot be chosen from more than 3 Special Event Categories. If your desired class list does cover more than 3 Special Event Categories, consider holding a 1 or 2 Judge Show instead. There are no requirements as to what divisions must be held for each class or a minimum set of classes.

To make adding APHA classes to an existing show easier, APHA allows “Restricted Judges” instead of APHA carded judges to be used for judges who are only judging certain disciplines. The Restricted Judge must be an APHA member and carded in the discipline association of the classes they are judging ((ie: USDF for Dressage, NCHA for Cutting, NRHA for Reining, NRCHA for Working Cow Horse, ARHFA for Judged Roping, USEF for Over Fences, etc).

Special events do not maintain priority dates from year to year, so should be applied for as soon as possible each year.

Special Event Categories

1. Special Event Category I: Halter, Ranch Horse Conformation, Color Class, Longe Line, (Yearling and 2YO), Longe Line (3YO & Older) (Zone 12, 13, 14)
2. Special Event Category II: Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Stake Race, Goat Tying
3. Special Event Category III: Reining, Ranch Reining, Western Riding, Ranch Riding, Trail, Ranch Trail, Yearling In-Hand Trail, Yearling & 2-Year-Old In-Hand Trail, 3 Year Old & Older In-Hand Trail (Zone 12, 13, 14), Utility Driving
4. Special Event Category IV: Hunter Hack, Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences, Jumping, Preliminary Working Hunter, Working Hunter
5. Special Event Category V: Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Stopping, Team Roping Heading, Team Roping Heeling, Timed Team Roping, Ranch Sorting, Team Penning, Cutting, Ranch Cutting, Working Cow Horse, Ranch Cow Work
6. Special Event Category VI: Hunter Under Saddle, Pleasure Driving, Western Pleasure, Ranch Pleasure, Ranch Rail Pleasure
7. Special Event Category VII: Showmanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship
8. Special Event Category VIII: Ranch Horse Conformation, Ranch Pleasure, Ranch Trail, Ranch Reining, Ranch Cow Work, Ranch Riding, Ranch Rail Pleasure
9. Special Event Category IX: Mounted Shooting
10. Special Event Category X: Dressage
11. Special Event Category XI: Competitive Trail Horse

Full guidelines for a Special Event can be found at SC-096. Special Paint Events and JU-000.C. Special Event Judges in the current APHA Rulebook.

1-Judge and 2-Judge shows are fantastic for schooling and education based shows. Any individual or group in good standing with APHA can host these show types. Clinics can be held in conjunction with these show types and can use the show judge as the clinician. There are no minimum class requirements for these shows, and these shows are exempt from a number of show restrictions such as those that limit the number of times a judge can judge in a state/province/country in a season. However, these shows do have to abide by the mileage restriction rules. In addition, these shows maintain priority dates from year to year.

Full guidelines for Single-Judge Shows can be found at SC-100 and for Two-Judge Shows can be found at SC-105.B.1.

POR’s can be hosted by APHA Regional Clubs only, and each club is restricted to hosting 2 PORs a year (exception: clubs in zone 10 may hold up to 4 PORs a year and Livestock Shows/State Fairs may hold one POR with up to 3 judges per year without APHA Regional Club Sponsorship). PORs can have 3-4 judges and must abide by all mileage restrictions, judge restrictions, and minimum class requirements. Clubs may co-sponsor PORs with other Regional Clubs in order to host a POR outside of their club’s boundaries.

The purpose of the ZOR, or Zone Show, is to encourage clubs within a zone to coordinate and work together to promote a large show and to utilize any net proceeds to promote the American Paint Horse and Paint Horse activities in their respective zone. ZORs must be hosted by a Zone Coordinating Committee, and each zone is allowed one ZOR per year. ZORs can have a maximum of 6 judges and must abide by all mileage restrictions, judge restrictions, and minimum class requirements.

For Rules and Bylaws regarding Zone Shows and Zone Coordinating Committees, see SC-105.B.3: Zone Shows and Article VIII: Zone Coordinating Committees.

The following guidelines must be followed:

• Form a Zone Coordinating Committee per Article VIII and SC-105.B.3 of the APHA Rulebook
  • The Zone Coordinating Committee will handle all of the business for the Zone Show and any other Zone business. The Zone show will not be approved until such time as the Coordinating Committee is formed.
  • Per Article VIII, the Organizational Zone Coordinating Committee will consist of an equal number of representatives from each state and/or regional club included in the zone that wishes to participate. Three per state is suggested. It is not mandatory for a state and/or regional club to participate. Each club, all National Directors with the zone and the Association must be contacted and given the opportunity to respond if they wish to participate. A staff representative or National Director may attend the zone meeting(s). Notification should be made at least 30 days prior to the organizational meeting.
  • Meeting/Officers
    • First Meeting
      • Set a meeting date and time with the Zone Coordinating Committee Representatives. Conference calls are acceptable.
      • It is suggested that this meeting take place at least eight (8) months prior to the projected show date.
      • Elect officers.
      • Incorporate the By-laws of the Zone Coordinating Committee and take care of any other preliminary zone business.
    • Second Meeting
      • Set a meeting date and time with the Zone Coordinating Committee Representatives. Conference calls are acceptable.
      • It it suggested that this meeting take place at least six (6) months prior to the projected show date. This meeting can take place immediately following the organizational meeting if in the first organizational year of the zone. Each club within the zone, all National Directors with the zone and the Association must be contacted at least 30 days prior to the meeting time.
      • Review and determine proposed Zone-O-Rama dates and locations and take care of any other zone business.
      • Subsequent to this meeting, write to each club and propose the date(s) and location, requesting their response of input into the date and location of the zone show to be in writing. Rule SC-090 shall apply.

• Submission to the American Paint Horse Association. The following must be submitted to the Association annually:
  • A current year list of the Zone Coordinating Committee Representatives and Officers.
  • A copy of the Zone By-laws.
    • Copies of the letters sent to each club/state asking if they would like to co-sponsor the Zone-O-Rama Show and their responses.
    • Minutes from each of the two required meetings.
    • A copy of the annual financial report.
  • Zone-O-Rama Show Application
    • Show application should be filled out by Zone Coordinating Committee and sponsored by the Zone Coordinating Committee. The committee has the option to hire a professional show management group to conduct the show.
  • The following should accompany the application:
    • A letter from the Zone Coordinating Committee stating that they have approved the date and location of the Zone-O-Rama.
  • The Zone-O-Rama will not be listed in the Paint Horse Journal or online until all required submissions are received.

Suggested Timeline

• A minimum of eight months prior to the show date
  • Hold the first meeting to establish a zone coordinating committee, elect officers and incorporate bylaws. Each club within the zone, all State Directors within the zone and the Association must be contacted at least 30 days prior to the meeting time.
• A minimum of six months prior to the show date
  • Hold the second meeting to propose show dates and locations and to complete show application and required submissions. Each club within the zone, all State Directors within the zone and the Association must be contacted at least 30 days prior to the meeting time.
• A minimum of three months prior to the show date
  • Submit application and all required submissions listed above.

The Challenged Horseman and American Paints Program for Independent and Support Exhibitors (CHAMPS) program was created to give our members with certain mental and physical challenges the opportunity to feel the joy of competition on their American Paint Horse and earn recognition for their accomplishments. CHAMPS classes can be added to any APHA approved event, held as a stand-alone APHA approved CHAMPS event, or held in conjunction with an event recognized by another organization such as US Para-Equestrian. Class results are submitted along with the rest of the APHA show results.

See the current APHA Rulebook or the PDF below for rules regarding CHAMPS classes. Exhibitors must have complete Diagnosis, Adaptive Equipment & Riding Ability, and Responsibility forms on file with APHA in addition to a current APHA membership in order to compete in CHAMPS classes. These forms must also be presented to the show office with class entries. CHAMPS forms can be found on the Show Forms page.

CHAMPS Rules