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APHA
Programs
The APHA offers several
programs which should give you lots of extra excuses to
play with your paint horses, as if you needed any.
Some of these include cash incentives, points and
awards. While we won't try to explain them in
their entirety, this may give you some basic
wet-your-whistle information. We strongly
encourage you to seek more information from APHA.
Links provided here will take you directly to the
pertinent page on the APHA site.
For those people who
enjoy showing, or who think they would like to try it
for the first time, APHA offers the
Amateur and Novice Amateur Exhibitor Programs .
APHA-approved shows offer Novice Amateur classes which
are reserved for those riders with little or no
experience in competition. Amateur classes are for
those riders who have had show ring experience, but who
do not wish to jump into more intense Open competition.
Eligible performance categories naturally include the
Western and English riding disciplines, but also include
driving, cow work, trail, barrel racing and pole
bending; even goat tying! This is where you can
earn those "ROM's" and "Superiors" for your horse's
performance record.
To compete in Amateur or
Novice Amateur classes at APHA-approved shows, you
must present your Amateur or Novice Amateur card, or a
photocopy of the card, to the show secretary at each
show. Your card will only cost $15 (for APHA
members), and its good through December 31 of the year
issued. Its easy to get one, so apply now and put
it in your pocket in preparation for the time the bug
gets you!
There are lots of
activities going on around the state that fall outside
the category "APHA-approved show", most likely including
horses of, ahem, other colors. (Now, just because
these unfortunate people haven't wised up and procured
fine paint horses, we shouldn't hold it against them -
merely lead by example!) These events may include
open horse shows, 4-H shows, team pennings, ropings,
judged trail rides, three-day events and more.
Even though APHA is not officially associated with these
events, your accomplishments can be recorded on your
registered horse's performance record through the
Paint Alternative Competition program (PAC)
IF the event has received prior approval from APHA.
Again, you must have a card to qualify, but this time it
is in a particular horse's name instead of your own.
Event approval isn't that hard to obtain, so if you know
of events that might qualify, encourage them to do so,
then please let us know so that we can pass the word
along to other paint owners.
Do you just like to ride
or drive without competition? Would you like to
receive acknowledgement for all the hours you spend with
your best friend? By enrolling in
Ride America, you receive an official time log
and a Ride America patch. You will receive
additional patches and prizes after accumulating as
little as 100 hours; and up to 3,000 hours. In
addition, each hour award you and your paint horse
achieve is permanently recorded on your horse's
performance record. There is no time limit during
which you must achieve your hours, as long as your APHA
membership remains active.
Do you figure that
stallion and mare owners are the only ones that can make
the big bucks? Starting in 1999, APHA's
Gelding Plus provides a unique opportunity for
breeders and owners to increase the value of the Regular
and Breeding Stock Registry geldings - no fees, no
forms, no hassles. Each year, the APHA offers
$60,000 in cash incentives to the highest-advancing
qualified Paint gelding in both Open and Non-Pro
divisions at six designated events. The designated
events are:
- The National Reining Horse Association Futurity
- The National Cutting Horse Association Futurity
- The National Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity
- The National Snaffle Bit Association's designated Western event
- The National Snaffle Bit Association's designated English event
- The Barrel Futurities of America Work Championship Barrel Futurity
These events are arguably the most-watched equine events
in the world. While they provide a great
opportunity for geldings to show off their stuff and
make money, they also increase the visibility and value
of all paint horses.
Don't forget about
Racing
and the
Breeder's Trust.
  For youth under the age
of 18, APHA also offers
AJPHA,
as well as the Youth Development Fund (YDF),
offering scholarships.
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