FORT WORTH—The American Paint Horse Association is celebrating the successful conclusion of its 2014 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show, which was took place June 27–July 5 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, in conjunction with the NSBA Color of Money Show June 23–26.
In addition to naming 80 world champions over the course of nine days, the Youth World Show featured a total of 97 classes and paid out more than $138,000 in cash and prizes.
Preliminary numbers indicate an increase in entries over the 2013 Youth World Show. When the dust settled and the final champion was named, the show had 330 horses entered, a 15 percent increase over 2013. Entries also grew, with with a total of 1,560 paid entries, a 10 percent increase over 2013. Forty-five states and international countries were represented.
A new show—the NSBA Color of Money— was held June 24–26 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, as a precursor to the AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. The Color of Money, a National Snaffle Bit Association-approved show open to color breeds only, had 241 paid entries and 97 horses. Entry fees were jackpotted with a minimum 90 percent payback. Fifty-three classes were offered for a wide range of disciplines and divisions, including those for Open, Amateur and Youth exhibitors.
APHA hosted a pre-show boot camp for the third year to help Youth exhibitors polish their skills. A “Ride The Pattern” seminar gave exhibitors first-hand insight into what the World Show judges would be looking for in pattern classes like showmanship, horsemanship and equitation.
Ranch Horse Pleasure is sweeping the nation as a popular new addition to APHA horse shows, and it was added to the 2014 Youth World Show lineup. Joshua Briggs and Chex By Wrangler won the inaugural Ranch Horse Pleasure world championship, topping the 15-entry class.
Now in its second year, Youth halter exhibitors had the opportunity to win a share of $30,000 in scholarships across 10 classes. In a new twist, scholarships were awarded through sixth place, giving more exhibitors a chance at the cash. In fact, 54 halter-event scholarships were awarded at this year’s show. Overall halter class entries grew by about 20 percent in 2014 over last year’s numbers.
Riders represented six countries in the Youth World Games and rode horses donated from various owners who were traveling to the Youth World Show. Team USA took their second consecutive win, appropriately timed on Independence Day, while Germany captured second place, followed by Canada, Australia, Holland, Team United and France.
While Youth from around the country took home ribbons and prizes, six young equestriennes earned the Youth World Show’s much-coveted all-around and high-point titles. Though some were new competitors and others veteran exhibitors, all were surprised to find themselves leading their respective title races and are grateful for those who helped them reach the top. More information on these winners.
“It was the perfect showcase for the best Paint Horses and the best young riders and halter exhibitors in the world,” said APHA Executive Director Billy Smith.
