Owners of Paints eligible for the Farnam Pleasure Stakes have a lot to crow about, thanks to APHA’s recent expansion of the program. Starting in 2014, the Farnam Pleasure Stakes will include classes for 2-, 3- and 4-year-old Paints, made eligible by their participation in the Farnam Breeders’ Trust Select Sale. The Farnam Pleasure Stakes takes place at the APHA World Championship Show, November 5-15 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Stakes classes will remain the premier events of the Farnam Pleasure Stakes, offering a combined $50,000 purse split between the classes based on the number of entries in each class. These are Open classes without rider restrictions; horses must have been sold through the Yearling Stakes Session in the 2013 Farnam Breeders’ Trust Select Sale.

New for 2014 is the addition of Non-Pro 3- and 4-Year-Old Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Stakes classes. Horses must have been sold in the Farnam Breeders’ Trust Select Sale’s Stakes Session in 2011 or 2012; the horse must be shown by a Youth or Amateur exhibitor, and must meet ownership eligibility requirements as outlined in the Official APHA Rule Book (Rules AM-020 and YP-015). APHA guarantees $7,000 in added money for these classes in 2014.

“The Farnam 2-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes have proven to be an exciting addition to the APHA World Show,” Executive Director Billy Smith said. “We realize, however, that all horses aren’t ready for competition as 2-year-olds, and we wanted to expand this already-popular program to give these horses a chance to shine as 3- and 4-year-olds. The Non-Pro 3- and 4-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes classes do just that, while also spotlighting our talented Youth and Amateur exhibitors.”

To enter a Farnam 2-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes class, a $125 office fee* must be received by September 15. Entry forms will be mailed to the recorded owner of each eligible horse by August 15.

To enter the Farnam Non-Pro 3- and 4-Year-Old Pleasure Stakes, an $800 entry fee* is required—the first $400 payment must be received by July 15, and the remainder is due September 15; 85 percent of the entry fees are jackpotted into the class’ purse. Entry forms will be mailed to the recorded owner of each eligible horse by June 15.

*Fees are per class; additional fees will be required if entering both the Western pleasure and hunter under saddle classes in a given year.

For more information, contact Director of Breeders’ Trust Steven Imhof at (817) 222-6441 or by email.