Fort Worth, TX—In preparation for the upcoming 2012 American Junior Paint Horse Association’s (AjPHA) Youth World Championship Show, to be held June 22-30, 2012, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization put into action suggestions made over the past several years to make the Youth World Show more exhibitor-friendly, more pocketbook-friendly, and more fun.
Reduced fees will make parents happy. A new “flat fee” for youth entering multiple classes provides $100 savings on six World Championship classes or six Introductory classes. Reduced late fees mean $50 savings per class on late entries, and $37.50 savings per class for those added to a pre-entry.
Introductory “World Show Champion” and “Fun” classes will make kids happy. The six introductory-type World Show Champion classes are open to youth who have never earned a world or reserve world championship in APHA competition, and who ride Regular Registry Paint Horses. They are: Disciplined Rail English, Disciplined Rail Western, Ideal Paint English, Ideal Paint Western, Bareback English Equitation and Bareback Western Horsemanship. Winners will be named “World Show Champion” and receive a trophy Gist buckle. New “fun” classes are meant to be just that. They’re open to any youth on any registered Paint Horse, and boast a $20 entry fee. These include: Ride-A-Buck Bareback Equitation (no bling), Freestyle Shankless Showmanship (no bling); and a Costume Class.
For the first time, recognition will be given to the top five Limited Exhibitors in select World Championship classes—Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Trail and Western Riding—in both the 13 & Under and 14-18 age divisions. A Limited Exhibitor is a youth who has never placed in the Top 5 at the APHA World Show in the particular class (any and all divisions except walk-trot) in which they are competing.
The AjPHA Boot Camp, first introduced last year, will return prior to the show to help polish the skills of youth who do not currently have the opportunity to receive assistance from a professional trainer.
Seventy-three world championship titles will be awarded in a full gamut of classes: leadline, walk-trot, halter, showmanship, English performance classes, Western performance classes, speed events and cattle events (with the singular exception of youth cutting, which will be held during the Open/Amateur World Show this November).
Once again, the speed and roping classes will offer a jackpot, meaning that participants who opt in by paying a separate $25 entry fee will be eligible for a cash payout in addition to the traditional breed registry points and prizes. The fastest overall times in each class (regardless of division) will be eligible for the jackpot payouts.
A new payout opportunity by way of slot classes will be offered for barrel racing and pole bending classes at the Youth World Show. The Hopes & Dreams slot classes will be purchased on a yearly basis with a maximum of 30 slots per class. For the youth slot classes, all nominations must be paid in full by May 1 with the first $200 of the $400 slot fee due by March 15. Payouts will be based on the number of slots sold in each class, and distributed on the fastest times. All earnings are paid to the slot owner.
Additional activities
Although most of the action during the nine-day event will take place in the horse show arena, the AjPHA Youth World Show is not solely about kids showing their horses. The Youth Team Tournament allies groups of kids from the same state or region in several kinds of fun competition with kids from other areas both on and off of their horses. The biennial Youth World Games brings young equestrians from across the globe to compete head-to-head in four riding events—but the twist is that no one rides their own horse; so good horsemanship skills are vital and bragging rights are paramount.
AjPHA members will elect their new executive committee officers, host a youth horse judging contest, participate in dog races, and enjoy a host of social events among their competition and practice time.
The Colors of the West Gift Show will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with convenient, high-quality shopping opportunities. Vendors interested in participating may contact Ginger Walker at (817) 222-6445 or [email protected].
Learn more
Full details, tentative class schedule, premium books and class entry forms are available online at www.aphaworldshow.com. Pre-enter by the May 15 deadline for the best pricing, stall location and RV spaces. Entries are accepted until 5 p.m. the day prior to the class.
Beginning in 2012, World Show participation qualification is required for every horse shown at the AjPHA Youth World Show. Participation at four different APHA-approved show events with a minimum of 8 judges is the key. At no time will the number of points or lack thereof be considered for qualification. To verify if your horse has qualified, check the Qualifiers link on the Youth World Show website, ywcs.apha.com.
About the American Paint Horse Association
The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), the international breed registry for the American Paint Horse headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses. APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves over 64,000 active youth and adult members around the world.
For more information about APHA and the World Championship Show, including entry details, results and a list of competitors visit aphaworldshow.com or call APHA at (817) 834-2742.
