Largest Paint Horse show on earth finishes successful 14-day run
FORT WORTH, TEXAS— With 1,738 horses competing, the World Championship Paint Horse Show maintained its status as the largest Paint Horse show on earth after a successful 14-day run June 25 through July 8 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. The show is an annual non-qualifying event open to APHA Regular Registry horses and Solid Paint-Bred Registry horses, with separate classes for the two registries.
There were 4,524 total entries at the World Show, including 1,400 Youth, 1,467 Open, 1,438 Amateur and Novice Amateur, 177 Futurity and 42 special entries. Competitors from the United States, Canada and several other nations and territories around the globe participated in the annual event, making the show truly a world-class competition.
The first week of the show was dedicated to youth events, while the second week included exciting amateur, open and special challenge action.
Horsemen and –women of all ages exhibited their horses during the
two-week show and demonstrated their skills in halter, Western, English, cattle, driving and speed classes. They competed for more than $235,000 in prize money and prestigious World Championship titles.
New activities taking place outside the show ring provided even more
opportunities for Paint enthusiasts to enjoy this year’s World Show. Highlights included special Youth social events and special entertainment in the Colors of the West Arena, located inside the trade and gift show shopping area.
Youth Events
The Youth portion of the show included the Paint World Games competition in which young Paint entusiasts from six teams—United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia and France—competed in four divisions. Those divisions included trail, showmanship, horsemanship and reining.
Team Canada repeated its win of the inaugural Games two years ago, taking home the gold medal with a total of 38 points. Silver was awarded to Team U.S.A., which earned 33 points, and bronze went to Team Germany, with 32 points.
The Youth show also included a comprehensive horse judging competition. Approximately 350 young judges entered the event.
Youth riders and their horses were honored at the end of the show and
2006–2007 American Junior Paint Horse Association officers were
announced.
New classes offered
The World Show offered four new classes and divided two others this year. Three of the new classes were added to the events offered for solid Paint-Bred horses—trail, barrel racing and cutting. Youth cutting was also offered at this year’s World Show.
Youth working hunter was separated into 13-and-under and 14–18 age groups. Amateur trail was split into 19–44 and 45-and-over age groups.
Colors of the West Arena
The Colors of the West Trade and Gift Show featured a daily array of family activities including horseback rides, training clinics, educational seminars and a variety of entertainment. These activities were presented in the new Colors of the West Arena, located inside the trade show area of the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall.
Special Kids Days on June 30 and July 4 offered a variety of activities to keep horse-loving children of all ages entertained.
Children from the local community made and raced their own stick horses, had their faces painted and received free balloons and special prizes. They also had the opportunity to ride real American Paint Horses, many for the first time in their lives.
Other action
A variety of other exciting entertainment acts began evening performances in the John Justin arena, featuring everything from cowboy mounted shooting demonstrations and horse-training seminars to a patriotic drill team
performance. Well-known trainer Chris Cox also presented a special
seminar, sponsored by Horsecity.com.
The always popular World Showcase Sale offered Paint enthusiasts the
perfect place to find a great horse or support the American Paint Horse Foundation’s Youth scholarship and historical preservation programs through the purchase of several special fund-raising lots offered. Mr Black Norfleet, a 9-year-old black overo stallion, was the top-selling horse of the day, bringing former owners, the Stalwart Ranch, $34,000. That figure is $10,000 higher than the top bid of the previous year.
The average selling price for horses in this year’s sale was $7,104, up substantially from last year’s average of $4,612.
With exciting action and entertainment options, the APHA World Show had something for everyone throughout each day.
More about the World Championship Paint Horse Show
For a complete list of World Champions, as well as other results and
highlights from the World Championship Paint Horse Show, visit
aphaworldshow.com.