The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) executive committee recently added seven exciting classes to its 2010 World Championship Show Series and made decisions that will continue to make the summer and fall events world-class competitions.

New classes at Summer World Show 2010 The Committee voted to add seven classes to the schedule at the Summer World Show, which will be held June 23 – July 3 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

A 3-Year-Old Cutting Challenge will return to the class list, after a 5-year hiatus. Its inclusion will bring the total count of cutting classes to nine, including the 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge and the 5 & 6-Year-Old Cutting Challenge. APHA adds $5,000 to each Challenge class.

A Youth Versatility Challenge will be added, with the same four classes and basic format as the Hart Non-Pro Versatility Challenge introduced at the 2009 Fall World Show. Each horse-and-rider team will compete in hunter under saddle, Western pleasure, reining and barrel racing.

Additionally, five new Youth Solid Paint-Bred classes will be offered during the Summer World Show: showmanship, horsemanship, Western pleasure, halter mares and halter geldings. The Association hopes that these classes will be a good introductory offering for youth showing Solid Paint-Breds.

Judges’ monitor The Association will continue its program to ensure judging is up to its highest standards by hiring a judges’ monitor who will oversee the judging at the World Show. Beginning this year, the judges’ monitor will be a separate position from the horse show manager position, allowing a greater focus on the judging throughout the show.

There will be an expanded focus on class preparation, increased video reviews and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the judging. The goal is to increase accountability and quality of judging overall.

World Show Qualifying Proposal decision After careful consideration, the executive committee decided against instituting a qualifying element to World Show competition at this time. According to APHA, the decision was made with the best interest of members given the current economic situation, in combination with recent changes that have already been made to the World Show format.

Fall World Show sale APHA also announced that a select Paint Horse sale will be held in conjunction with the Fall World Show on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.

The sale will be limited to 50 select head of show prospects, show horses and broodmares. All horses must be nominated to the APHA Breeders’ Trust incentive program (broodmares must be in foal to stallions subscribed to the Breeders’ Trust).

More details will become available as the show dates approach. The 2010 Summer World Championship Show is scheduled for June 23 through July 3. The Fall World Championship Show is scheduled for November 4-13. Both events will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

For the latest information, visit http://www.aphaworldshow.com or become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/americanpainthorse.

More about the American Paint Horse Association Since APHA was founded 47 years ago, it has registered nearly 1 million American Paint Horses at a rate of around 35,000 horses per year. The Association currently serves approximately 85,000 active members in 59 nations and territories. APHA works not only to record Paint Horse pedigrees, but also to preserve and promote the history, breeding, training, racing, showing, sales and enjoyment of American Paint Horses.

To learn more about APHA and becoming a member, contact the Association at (817) 834-2742, or visit www.apha.com.