Start practicing you’re loping and leading—the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show is just around the corner. Make plans to attend this year’s fun-filled event by first checking out the tentative Youth World Show schedule available online at ywcs.apha.com/schedule.

The Youth World Show takes place June 23–July 4 in Fort Worth, Texas. Concurrently with the APHA show are two other events: the APHA/NSBA Color of Money, a National Snaffle Bit Association-approved show just for color breeds with classes for Youth, Amateur and Open exhibitors that takes place June 23–25, and the Appaloosa Horse Club’s National Show and Youth World Show. World championship AjPHA classes begin June 26 and conclude July 4. 

Entries, stall reservations and RV reservations are due May 15—the Youth World Show premium book and forms will be available online soon. Here are a few reasons you’ll definitely want to put the Youth World Show on your show schedule:

–       Scholarships galore—The Youth World Show features more than $50,000 in scholarships for exhibitors, including first- through sixth-place scholarships awarded in halter classes and scholarships awarded for special awards.

–       Intermediate exhibitor recognition—Twice the recognition for one ride? Yes, please! Fourteen select classes will honor top-placing exhibitors who have never before placed in the Top Five in a specific class at the Youth World Show. 

–       Dual-approved events—Tons of classes at the Youth World Show are dual-approved with NSBA, too. Top-placing nominated horses who pay the NSBA fee take home beautiful bronzes for their effort. Reining classes are dual-approved with the National Reining Horse Association, as well.

–       Fun classes—World championship classes are serious, but exhibitors can let their hair down for fun classes, too. Discipline rail, ideal Paint, ride-a-buck bareback Western equitation, versatility challenge and freestyle shankless showmanship are a few of the fun classes in which you’ll want to partake. And if horse judging is more your style, make plans to compete in the AjPHA/ApHC Youth Horse Judging Contest on June 28.

–       Barrel racing bonus—In addition to world championship classes, barrel racing exhibitors can compete for a $1,000 Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program sidepot for the fastest Paints in the Hopes & Dreams Barrel Racing Sweepstakes.

–       Champion of Champions—Paint and Appaloosa champions in select events are invited to craft a unique freestyle equitation performance in a battle for the Champion of Champions title, which takes place July 4 at the conclusion of the Youth World Show.

–       Inaugural CHAMPs classes—The Youth World Show’s inaugural CHAMPS classes for challenged riders take place June 29, in conjunction with ApHC’s CHAPS program. Walk-Jog Western Pleasure classes for supported and independent riders will be offered. Learn more about CHAMPs here.

–       Special Awards—Help us honor outstanding individuals and clubs during the AjPHA Youth Member of the Year and Youth Regional Club of the Year award presentations July 2. And you’ll definitely want to be there for the Youth Awards ceremony, which takes place the afternoon of July 4.

The 2015 Youth World Show premium book and forms will be available online in mid-March. For more information, contact the APHA Performance Department at (817) 222-8455.

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 visit www.APHA.com.