The APHA World Championship Show is well under way. It is the world’s premier Paint Horse competition at the Will Rogers Memorial Center annually in Fort Worth, Texas running June 20th and through July 6th of this year. The event celebrates Open, Amateur, and Youth competitors.
More than $1.5 million in awards and money is paid annually. The World Championship Show also features the World of Color Gift Show and family activities like the Youth Team Tournament, dog races, and exhibitor parties.
If a World Championship were awarded for the best part of the APHA World Show, it would be the camaraderie and friendship that exhibitors, trainers, and spectators feel while at the show. We asked other long-time competitors about their favorite parts of the show.
Marylyn Caliendo – Meeting new people is a pleasure, and I’m excited about the Foundation events, including Heroes on Horses, which honors Veterans, and the Hall of Fame event, which showcases the diversity of interests within our community, from showing to other areas.
Stephanie Mohindra – The atmosphere – the combination of high-level competition, the sense of tradition, and being surrounded by passionate, like-minded people who love the paint horse industry as much as I do. It’s also probably a favorite because it’s where hard work pays off, memories are made, and where you get to watch all that time and dedication in the barn come to life in the arena.
Jenna Tolson – For me, it’s the nostalgia more than anything. As a wide-eyed, horse-crazy kid, I first saw the APHA World Show in 1997 and knew instantly that I wanted to compete someday. It didn’t happen until 2008, but the goosebumps I felt back then still come back every time I walk into the John Justin Arena. There’s just something about the energy during the World Show…it’s electric and never leaves you.
Tim Gillespie – There are many amazing things to look forward to at the APHA World Show. One of my favorite things is to watch my customers trot down the middle in the beautiful John Justin Arena. My team and I have worked all year to prepare for this. Then, there is the thrill of running down the spiral staircase between the cuts to give them one last bit of advice. That is something you really can’t recreate. Another fantastic thing is being fortunate to have gotten to watch many victory laps after they win a World Title. The announcer & the music they pick are always spot on. Another one of my favorite things to do is have a cinnamon roll or breakfast burrito at the concession stand. I like the Jake breakfast sandwich the best. My dog Jake always loves them, too.
Jessi Lueth – I love the paint world… I don’t even know how to pick one thing. This show is so much fun. The grand prizes and programs like the Gold Futurity are a massive draw for us. It seems like APHA is always trying to improve itself and the industry. Supporting that is one of my favorite parts of the world show. I also love seeing all the amazing horses and my friends.
Guiia Koplin – This is my second time attending. My favorite thing has been seeing people in person whom I admire online. These are primarily hard-working women who have dedicated their lives to their horses and have paved the way for others.
Megan Rechberg – There are so many wonderful things about the APHA World Show, from the local bars and shopping to catching up with horse friends across the country. I’m so inspired by the great horses and exhibitors that show up. But if I had to pick just one thing, it would be the expanding intermediate division. It is an excellent way to reward new exhibitors for great results against tough competition.
Megan Caliendo – It’s the party everyone wants to be at, whether they admit it or not. And I love my horses.
Mike Hachtel – With the way the breed has gone…showing a horse with color is old school, but cool.
Ceralena Gray – I love the dog races! They are a lot of fun, and all the pups have a blast.
Clint Fullerton – The atmosphere. The scheduling is fantastic, with no late nights. Incredible management and staff. Great horses and exhibitors.
Michael Ochetto – Judging the best APHA offers in all disciplines is always an honor and privilege. I look forward to seeing the bar raised to new heights for both the horse and the rider.
Amber Duckett – The staff is always invaluable. I love that they try to keep the show organized and running on time.
Sara Simons – Since APHA is where I grew up, I probably made all the fantastic memories I had with my family there. Fort Worth is an excellent facility and a wonderful city.
Alyse Roberts – The morning practice classes you can enter. Wish more big shows offered those.
Erin Bradshaw – I would say for me, it’s seeing all of the hard work we put in over the last 10 years building a breeding program that has been successful, not only for me, but also for those who have bred to John and purchased babies from our breeding program. We have been very blessed to have raised some great APHA world champions, all still showing and doing well, and are excited to continue John’s legacy through our breeding program and what we produce for us and the public.
Kevin George – Probably the opportunity to showcase the American Paint in many different disciplines. We are everything from longe liners to roping horses and all in between. So it’s nice to show them all in one place.
Blake Carney – The APHA World Show was the first World Show I ever attended as a very young and naive horse trainer, and every time I am at the show, I can remember those feelings of walking around that first time, just soaking it all in and loving every minute. From living in the southeast, I always love seeing people from the west coast that we don’t get to see very often, and competing against horses and exhibitors we don’t see throughout the year, it’s a great experience.
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