Lifetime awards at top levels include $2,500 cash to owners of notable Paint Horses

 

One facet of the American Paint Horse Association’s mission is to record achievements of registered Paint Horses. In 2013, the association proudly recognized three outstanding breed representatives with four notable lifetime achievement awards for their success in the show arena.  

APHA rewards these successes with certificates, specialized trophy items and significant cash prizes after horses have met the requirements of each award. While some titles are more easily attained, the awards detailed here are a result of extensive work and consistent success in multiple events at APHA-approved shows. Superior Champion and Superior All-Around titles require progressive lower-level awards across multiple event categories. As you will read below, the APHA Superior Amateur Champion title has only been earned five times previously in the association, which has registered more than one million horses. 

The following horses exude the best qualities of the American Paint Horse––athleticism, intelligence and versatility­­––each wrapped in a truly unique package as no two Paint Horses carry the same markings. 

APHA SUPERIOR AMATEUR CHAMPION:
THEULTIMATE ADVANTAGE, exhibited by LAUREN BORK

Owner:           Lauren Bork of Westminster, Maryland

Breeder:         Sharon Wiles of Westminster, Maryland

Horse Details:          2009 chestnut overo gelding (The Ultimate Fancy x Impacts Amazing Grace)

Earned:          09-21-2013––#6 in APHA history    

Elements:      Registers of Merit (ROMs) – Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Showmanship at Halter, Halter, Western Horsemanship, Pole Bending, Trail, Barrel Racing, Stake Race, Hunter Hack, Reining, Western Riding, Working Hunter, Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences // Superiors – Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship, Trail, Halter, Showmanship at Halter, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Western Pleasure

Awarded:       $2,500 cash from APHA and a Cowboy Bronze crystal ice trophy

 

APHA SUPERIOR ALL-AROUND AWARD:
THEULTIMATE ADVANTAGE, owned by LAUREN BORK

Owner:           Lauren Bork of Westminster, Maryland

Breeder:         Sharon Wiles of Westminster, Maryland

Horse Details:          2009 chestnut overo gelding (The Ultimate Fancy x Impacts Amazing Grace)

Earned:          07-18-2013––#156 in APHA history

Elements:      ROMs – Halter, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Stake Race, Western Riding, Hunter Hack, Reining, Working Hunter // Superiors – Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Trail, Halter, Stake Race

Awarded:       $2,500 cash from APHA and a custom John Ivy leather binder

 

APHA SUPERIOR YOUTH CHAMPION:
EXOTIC INTERLUDE, exhibited by KARA LAY

Owners:         Carmen & Kara Lay of McCool, Mississippi

Breeder:         Tina Houston of Prattville, Alabama

Horse Details:          2004 palomino overo gelding (Exotic Fantasy Too x Mojave Sandy Amber)

Earned:          01-01-2013––#63 in APHA history

Elements:      ROMs – Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship, Halter, Trail, Barrel Racing, Stake Race, Reining // Superiors ­– Showmanship at Halter, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Barrel Racing, Halter, Trail

Awarded:       $2,500 cash from APHA and a custom John Ivy leather binder

 

APHA SUPERIOR YOUTH CHAMPION:
YOURS TRULY ODYSSEY, exhibited by DESTINY CLAGG

Owner:           Laura Difrancesco of Fredericktown, Ohio

Breeder:         Laura Difrancesco of Fredericktown, Ohio

Horse Details:          2004 black tobiano gelding

Earned:          05-03-2013––#64 in APHA history

Elements:      ROMs – Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Trail, Halter, Showmanship at Halter, Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Stake Race, Reining // Superiors – Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Showmanship at Halter, Trail

Awarded:       $2,500 cash from APHA and a custom John Ivy leather binder

 

APHA approves more than 1,000 shows around the globe annually, with divisions for youth, non-professionals and professionals to fully enjoy the time with their Paint Horses. Regional clubs form communities of Paint Horse enthusiasts, and APHA rewards the efforts of top horses and exhibitors with year-end and lifetime awards like the ones detailed here. Programs for trail riders and those who are not inclined to show at breed shows are also popular options offered by APHA. Learn more about how you can become involved by visiting www.apha.com/programs. 

About APHA

The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.  

For more information about the American Paint Horse Association, visit apha.com or connect with Paint Horse fans globally at facebook.com/americanpainthorse or on Twitter @APHANews and @WorldShow.