World Championship Paint Horse Show Features More Classes Than Ever for 2005

Fort Worth, TX - January 22, 2005 - The 2005 World Championship Paint Horse Show, set for June 26–July 9 in Fort Worth, Texas, will feature more action than ever before, with the debut of two Breeding Stock Performance classes, an Open Stake Race class and several more Amateur age division classes.

The two new Breeding Stock Performance Classes include Breeding Stock Western Pleasure and Breeding Stock Hunter Under Saddle.

APHA President Paul Reinbolt said the addition of the two Breeding Stock classes is a move in the right direction for showcasing the talents of APHA’s Breeding Stock Registry Horses, which constitute about a third of the more than 811,000 American Paint Horses registered to date.

“For a long time, we’ve talked about giving our Breeding Stock Horses an opportunity to compete in performance classes at World Show,” said Reinbolt. “For 2005, our Breeding Stock Registry Horses will have the opportunity to earn World Championship titles in Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle. By sponsoring these classes at our World Show, APHA is making a statement that we are moving forward with programs that allow these horses a chance to compete and demonstrate their outstanding talents in the show ring.”

In addition to the Breeding Stock Classes, APHA has added classes for horses in its Regular Registry. These include an Open Stake Race class added to the speed events line-up and several more Amateur age division classes, split between 19-44 and 45-and-over age groups.

A complete list of classes and schedules is available on the APHA World Show Web site at aphaworldshow.com.

A Reputation for Excellence
An annual non-qualifying event for registered American Paint Horses, the World Show will include 175 classes, five challenge series classes, three sweepstakes events, a select sale, a trade show and many other special activities. Exhibitors will demonstrate their skills in halter, Western, English, cattle, driving and speed classes.

All World Show activities take place in the sprawling 85-acre Will Rogers Memorial Center, which includes three major air-conditioned arenas. The equine complex is located in the heart of Fort Worth's cultural district.

Approximately 2,000 horses are expected to compete for more than $250,000 in total payouts at this year's show.

The World Show has experienced steady and sustained growth throughout the years. The 1,809 horses shown last year represented a 44-percent increase over the 1,259 horses exhibited a decade earlier. Also, the 4,540 entries logged last year was a 42-percent rise over the 3,192 entries at the World Show 10 years earlier.

American Paint Horses competing in the show last year represented owners from 46 states in the United States, several provinces in Canada, as well as locations in Australia, Belgium, Germany and Italy.

Two Weeks of Exciting Activities
Youth classes are held the first week of the World Show, with other exciting activities that include the world's largest comprehensive judging contest for youngsters, sponsored by Hart Trailers. Approximately 400 youth are expected to participate in the judging. Other activities include a youth team tournament, during which American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) members compete both on and off their horses. The Team Tournament will feature four team-oriented events: Hippology, Parade of Teams, Performance Classes, and a knowledge relay event.

During the second week of the show, competitors mount up for non-stop Open, Novice Amateur and Amateur classes.

APHA will continue the Bank One Challenge Series. The Series will include the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge, 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Challenge, 3-Year-Old Reining Challenge. It will also include a 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge as well as a 5- and-6-Year-Old Cutting Challenge. Exhibitors will compete for cash prizes in these events.

The Team Penning Sweepstakes will also take place. In addition, the 2005 World Show will feature a Freestyle Reining Sweepstakes, as well as the Bridleless Western Pleasure Sweepstakes.

Also during the show, APHA will sponsor a World Showcase Sale, featuring some of the best yearlings, mares, geldings and stallions on the market.

Colors of the West Trade Show, Awards Room and Show Office
The Colors of the West Trade Show will again be held in the Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall. APHA General Store merchandise, including 2005 World Show collector apparel, will also be available in the trade show area.

Shoppers will find a wide selection of Western and English apparel, as well as tack, art, equine supplies, furniture, barns, trucks, trailers and a wide variety of other products.

The Horse Show Office and Awards Room will also be located in the Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall.

APHA Partners Add Value and Support
APHA will partner this year with a select group of companies who offered World Show contestants a total cash and product package valued at more than $400,000. Those sponsoring partners included the following.

Corporate sponsors: Barnmaster, Inc.; Bank One; Gist Silversmiths; Hart Trailer Manufacturing; Markel Insurance Company, PRO Orthopedic and The Kent Group.
World Show sponsors: Boulet Western Boots, Metro Golf Cars, Pro Stepps, Paint Horse Journal magazine, Top Hand Tack and Zimecterin Gold.
Associate sponsors: Hodges Badge Company, Inc., National Reining Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting Returns
In addition to all the fun and excitement, APHA has invited the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) back for another year. Last year CMSA ended World Show with a bang with their brand of high-caliber entertainment. They performed before a standing-room only crowd with their beautiful, talented and athletic American Paint Horses. Their return is sure to be a hit again this year.

For more information: For more information about the World Show, including a complete schedule, list of accommodations, entry details and visitor information, visit aphaworldshow.com. Be sure to check the site regularly for World Show updates. You may also call APHA at (817) 834-2742.