Special team roping highlights Youth fund-raiser at premier event

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—The American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) will debut a special team roping competition for the first time ever at the 2007 World Championship Paint Horse Show, taking place June 24- July 7, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Benefit Team Roping Competition

At the team roping competition, which will be held June 26, team  members will be on foot and attempt to rope a goat. Teams can register the day of the competition and begin roping at 3 p.m. for only $10 per team. All proceeds will benefit the association’s youth and scholarships programs.

Since 1983, more than 170 students have been awarded with 450  American Paint Horse Foundation scholarships, worth more than $448,500.

The charitable roping will consist of separate divisions for Youth,  Amateur and Open competitors. Everyone who wishes to compete is  welcome, regardless of experience. The roping will be a timed event, with three progressive go-rounds— meaning teams must make a legal catch in order to move on to the next round. Each roper is eligible
to rope with the same partner in the same position twice. After roping with the same partner twice, competitors are then welcome to switch positions or partners to continue roping.

“We are excited to include this new fund-raising event at the World  Show,” said AjPHA Director of Youth Activities Betsy Francis. “It is  a creative way to get all ages involved and it benefits a good cause.”

Getting the Week Started

World Show Youth classes begin June 24 and continue through June 28, offering a variety of individual and team-oriented contests. Youth of all ages are sure to take an interest in the largest display of Paint Horses in the world. However, youngsters can start getting in the action as early as June 22 when the AjPHA Year-End Banquet kicks off the week’s festivities.

Youth will be recognized at the banquet for their outstanding  achievements on their horses and in their local communities during  the 2006 show season. Following the presentation, AjPHA members can relax with their friends from near and far at the AjPHA Party and Dance. Admission is $1 to benefit the AjPHA Leadership Conference, which is held annually in October.

All Youth are invited to attend the AjPHA National Convention and Ice Cream Social on June 23, before any performance classes begin. This important meeting addresses issues directly affecting AjPHA members, and the 2007 AjPHA Executive Committee will be elected at the annual meeting. This year, a motivational speaker will present an exciting, short seminar on the topic of leadership.

Youth Team Tournament
The Youth Team Tournament provides all AjPHA members with a fun way to get involved with or without Paint Horses. The Team Tournament features four team-oriented events such as hippology, parade of teams and knowledge relay, along with several performance classes.

The Team Tournament starts June 23, beginning with the hippology contest. Youth teams from across the country will participate in several competitions over the course of two days in hopes of being named the 2007 Youth Team Tournament Champions. Each registered team selects four team members to represent their state in the hippology contest, where youth are tested on their comprehensive equine knowledge.

Another portion of the Team Tournament, the knowledge relay, will entertain all who attend, beginning at 7 p.m. Teams of four are tied together and required to complete obstacles often seen on a trail course while answering horse-related questions. The team with the fastest time wins.

The Team Tournament wraps up June 24 with the performance classes, parade of teams and presentation of awards. Team members compete in showmanship, horsemanship, walk-trot, barrel racing and hunt seat equitation while trying to garner the most points for their respective teams.

At the conclusion of the performance classes, teams will change costume and represent their state in the annual parade of teams. Each team is given two minutes to prove to a panel of judges why it should be the parade of teams champion, in a themed parade-style competition.

Directly following the parade of teams, the Youth Team Tournament champions will be announced at the awards presentation. Results for each Team Tournament category will be presented and prizes will be awarded at this time.

For the Young in Age
Activities abound for those short in stature, including a stick horse contest and belt buckle coloring contest. The stick horse contest, sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, is open to all youth under the age of seven. Entrants demonstrate how well they can show their stick horse at a walk, trot and lope. Judges also consider the exhibitors’ show attire.

Youngsters also have the opportunity to show off their artistic skills in a belt buckle coloring contest. All entries are due by noon on June 28.

Judging Contest

The annual AjPHA Judging Contest is scheduled to take place June 29,  with an awards breakfast on June 30. The well-known contest, sponsored by Hart Trailers of Chickasha, Okla., is expected to draw 100 teams. Contestants evaluate four horses in several halter and performance classes, followed by a presentation of oral reasons to a panel of judges. Entry forms and full details are available online.

For more information about any of the AjPHA activities slated for the 2007 World Championship Paint Horse Show, contact the Director of  Youth Activities at (817) 834-2742, extension 248.

More about the largest Paint Horse show on Earth
An annual non-qualifying event for registered American Paint Horses,
the World Show feature 183 classes, including five challenge series
classes and four sweepstakes events. A select sale, a gift show and
many other special activities will also be offered.

All World Show activities take place at the Will Rogers Memorial
Center, an 85-acre equine complex with three air-conditioned arenas,
located in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district.

The World Show has experience steady and sustained growth throughout the years. Last year 4,524 entries, 1,400 of which were youth competitors, competed at the world’s largest Paint Horse event. More than 1,800 horses are expected to compete at the 2007 World Show.

Early class entries, as well as stall and RV reservations are due May 1, 2007. The World Show Premium Book will be available in March with a complete schedule, forms and other pertinent information regarding the show. A complete version can be downloaded in PDF format at aphaworldshow.com.

For more information about the World Show, including a complete schedule, list of accommodations, entry details and visitor information, please visit aphaworldshow.com or call APHA at (817) 834-2742.