APHA successfully concluded the 2016 American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) Youth World Championship Show on July 9 after 13 days of premier competition for youth ages 18 and under, as well as specialty ranch horse and cutting events. The event took place June 27–July 9 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
This year, the Youth World Show offered more than $165,000 in scholarship prizes to AjPHA members competing at the event. Included were scholarships for top finishers in 82 world championship performance and halter classes, along with scholarships for rookie exhibitors, randomly selected entries and other special events—all of which was presented in addition to prizes awarded in individual classes and for overall champions at the show. Scholarship money was provided by the American Paint Horse Foundation, as well as private donations from APHA members and industry supporters.
Entries at the 2016 Youth World Championship Show were up 9 percent over 2015, due in large part to significant increases in the Walk-Trot and Novice Youth divisions. Exhibitors and horses were drawn to the show from all over the United States and Canada for their chance to earn scholarships ranging from $1,300 to $4,500 per class. With 153 exhibitors earning scholarships during the event—83 of which were first-time recipients—the 2016 Youth World Show put a new meaning behind the phrase “getting the most bang for your buck.”
“We’re thrilled to see so many new faces at this year’s show,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “It’s the ultimate validation that we’re doing something right. Word is getting out that APHA is doing great things for deserving youth, and we look forward to keeping that momentum going.”
Six exhibitors proved they were the best of the best, capturing the show’s all-around and high-point titles. The All-Around Youth titles were awarded to Alexis Miller of Eaton, Colorado,14–18; Lauren Gralla of Norman, Oklahoma, 13 & Under; and Samantha Gross of Underwood, Washington, Novice Youth. These three young women earned additional $1,000 scholarships, trophy saddles and more great prizes.
Four high-point awards were presented to top-placing Youth: Alexis also earned the High-Point English Youth award; Meredith Scroggs of Kelly, Louisiana, took home both the High-Point Western Youth and Power Performance High-Point titles; Hallie Horsman of Shelbyville, Illinois, won the inaugural All-Around Youth Solid Paint-Bred award; and Cara Christensen of Pilot Point, Texas, won the High-Point Walk-Trot award. Read more about these winners on apha.com/ywcs.
The 2016 AjPHA Youth World Championship provided opportunities to shine outside of the show pen as well. The Robyn Hanna Sportsmanship Award honors an exhibitor selected by an anonymous panel of judges as someone who exemplifies what it means to be a role model in and out of the arena. Amanda Nelson of North Logan, Utah, received this year’s award, which included a $1,000 scholarship and custom Gist Silversmiths trophy buckle.
The 2016 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show crowned 82 world champions during the 13-day show, which is the largest competition in the world for Youth riding American Paint Horses.
Several additional events took place during the show, including a horsemanship clinic featuring Road to the Horse’s Barbara Cox and Extreme Mustang Makeover’s Stormy Mullins, as well as the ASHA/APHA Cowtown Ranch Classic and the ACHA/APHA Cowtown Cutting.
The ASHA/APHA Cowtown Ranch Classic, sanctioned by the American Stock Horse Association and APHA, took place July 7 and featured ranch horse classes, ranch pleasure, ranch trail, ranch reining and ranch cow work, for all breeds of horses and all ages of exhibitors.
Also new to this year’s slate of events, the ACHA/APHA Cowtown Cutting, approved by the American Cutting Horse Association and APHA, took place July 8–9. The all-breed event attracted 207 entries and paid out $28,471.
For more information and news from the 2016 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show, visit apha.com/ywcs
