Young Paint Horse exhibitors compete in Fort Worth, Texas

Marcus Banister took home the largest sum of jackpot money at the Youth World Championship Show. Photo courtesy APHA.

The dust has settled on the 2011 American Junior Paint Horse Association’s (AjPHA) Youth World Championship Paint Horse Show, which was held June 24 – July 2, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas at Will Rogers Memorial Center.

The AjPHA Youth World Show showcased the talent of both the Paint Horse breed and the young people who exhibit them with 73 world-title classes in a full array of disciplines, in addition to a handful of assorted other classes specifically for the youth competitors. Youth are classified as competitors ages 18 and under showing a horse they own personally or owned by a family member.

In all, both the breed and the upcoming generation were well represented by 326 horses and 1,150 entries during the course of the nine days’ worth of activities where the Association presented over $100,000 in cash and prizes. World and Reserve World Champions received Gist trophy buckles, and top ten finishers received a variety of other valuable prizes from sponsors and APHA. Total payout in the six jackpot classes offered (barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, heading, heeling, and steer stopping) reached $1,525, with the largest total sum of $333.75 going to Marcus Banister of Brighton, Colorado.

Top Finishers
The top youth were recognized for their culminated efforts at the completion of the show with the Youth Awards Presentation on July 2 that followed the Stickhorse Class, Parents’ Western Pleasure, and the Youth Versatility Challenge.

The overall division high-point and all-around standouts from the 2011 AjPHA Youth World Show are:

All-Around 14-18
Taylor Prince, Las Vegas, Nevada showing One Flashy Sensation
Western trophy saddle from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; Saddle pad from Purina; Embroidered horse blanket from Big D; 16”x20” photograph courtesy from Montgomery Photographics; Insulated carryall from Paint Horse Journal (PHJ).

All-Around 13 & Under
Drew Rogers Bakersfield, California showing Shez Eye Candy
Western trophy saddle from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; Saddle pad from Purina; Embroidered horse blanket from Big D; 16”x20” photograph courtesy from Montgomery Photographics; Insulated carryall from Paint Horse Journal (PHJ).

All-Around Novice Youth and Reserve All-Around 13 & Under
Alexandra Marlow Victoria, Texas showing Glowin Easy
Embroidered horse blanket and arena bag from Big D; Bronze statue from Cowboy Bronze; Splint boots from Purina; 11”x14” photograph from Montgomery Photographics. AND Western trophy saddle from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; Saddle pad from Purina; Embroidered arena bag from Big D; 16”x20” photograph from Montgomery Photographics; Insulated carryall from PHJ.

High-Point Walk-Trot
Morgan Deuschle Bishop, California showing One Hot Machine
Western trophy saddle from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; Saddle pad from Purina; Embroidered arena bag from Big D; 11”x14” photograph from Montgomery Photographics; Insulated carryall from PHJ.

High-Point Western
Marcus Banister Brighton, Colorado showing Sacreds Barbie Doll
Western trophy saddle from Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; Saddle pad from Purina; Embroidered arena bag from Big D; 11”x14” photograph from Montgomery Photography; Insulated carryall from PHJ.

High-Point English
Halley Armstrong Breckenridge, Colorado showing Brother Jack Daniels
English saddle package from Alliance by Lynn Palm; Embroidered arena bag from Big D; 11”x14” photograph by Montgomery Photographics; Insulated carryall from PHJ.

Lauren Spivey and her horse A Son Of A Zip, demonstrated excellence in the Youth Working Hunter 14-18 class by winning the World Championship. Photo courtesy APHA.

Elegant April Award
Lauren Spivey The Woodlands, Texas showing A Son Of A Zip
Trophy and $200 U.S. Savings Bond from Jennifer & Margie Chan.

Fun Activities
Although the intense competition in the arena was top priority, second on the list for show organizers was providing opportunities for fun interaction among the visiting youngsters and their families. In addition to shopping the vendors in the Colors of the West Gift Show, and a dedicated room set up with couches, a Wii and television called the “Youth Lounge,” AjPHA members, exhibitors and their families had 21 separate events in which they could participate.

The new Youth Boot Camp gave novices and first-timers a full day of hands-on instruction from three of the top trainers in the industry: Mason Lyons, Carly Veldman and Andrea Simons. The AjPHA Year-End Awards Banquet provided an opportunity for the Association to honor the top competitors from 2010. The third annual Paint For A Day youth open all-breed horse show gave local youth the chance to check out the Youth World Show with their own horses, while the Hart Youth Horse Judging Contest drew nearly 200 up-and-coming judgers. Event sponsor Hart Trailers awarded $500 scholarships to the top junior individual (Jayni Garrison—Gulf Coast Paint Horse Club) and top senior individual (Kelsey Ritchie—Tulsa County 4-H).

Other highlights of the 2011 AjPHA Youth World Show were the AjPHA National Convention, the new clue of the day contest, the ever-popular Youth Team Tournament, a boot scramble, youth welcome party with live band sponsored by Double C Acres-Jeffrey Gibbs-John Simon, horseless arena games and activities night, Metro Golf Car decorating contest, coloring contest, youth exhibitor social sponsored by The Fortenberry Family & Gillespie Show Horses, championship dog races, and an ice cream social sponsored by Purina.

About the AjPHA Youth World Show
The World Championship Paint Horse Shows feature the finest gathering of Paint Horses from around the globe. APHA hosts two annual World Shows to showcase the talents of American Paint Horses and their owners; the AjPHA Youth World Championship Show in the summer; and the Open/Amateur World Championship Show scheduled November 2-12, 2011.

The APHA, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the international breed registry for the American Paint Horse. In fulfillment of its mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches the members’ experiences with their horses.

APHA has registered over one million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves approximately 64,000 active members around the world.

For more information about APHA and the AjPHA World Championship Show, including entry details, results and a list of competitors visit aphaworldshow.com or call APHA at (817) 834-2742.