Get ready, Zone 5 Paint Horse exhibitors—the Midwest Paint Horse Championship is coming to Iowa in September. In addition to the Zone 5 Show’s regular slate of classes, the competition will also offer 15 designated Paint Horse Championship classes. The event takes place at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, September 26-27.

“We have been promoting it o nline ,and we have had a lot of good response—people are excited to participate and, so far, the interest is coming from a lot of people who aren’t otherwise able to go to big shows such as the World Show,” Show Manager Cindy McGinnis said. “This is the most important show they get to attend because they can participate at a higher level.”

The goal of the Paint Horse Championship series is to celebrate the success of more individuals who might not have the opportunity to travel to the World Shows and to increase local show participation. APHA provides the awards for the Paint Horse Championship classes, along with up to $3,500 for additional awards for Zone classes. Paint Horse Championship class winners receive a custom Gist Silversmiths belt buckle, and 2nd- through 10th-place exhibitors receive medallions.

“We expect it to be bigger for two reasons: we moved it from the usual date of Thanksgiving weekend to the middle of September, when the weather is typically better and people are still finishing up their show season. Secondly, the Midwest Championship is the icing on the cake—we think it will provide the incentive they need to make the trip to Cedar Rapids,” Cindy said.

In order to compete in Midwest Paint Horse Championship classes, exhibitors must reside within Zone 5, which consists of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. Additionally, exhibitors must not have placed in the Top Five in any halter class or Top 10 in any performance class at an APHA World Show in the last three years. For full eligibility requirements, click here.

The classes offered at the Midwest Paint Horse Championships are:

• Open Halter Mares
• Open Halter Geldings
• Open Trail
• Open Hunter Under Saddle
• Open Western Pleasure
• Youth Mares
• Youth Geldings
• Youth Showmanship
• Youth Hunter Under Saddle
• Youth Western Pleasure
• Amateur Mares
• Amateur Geldings
• Amateur Showmanship
• Amateur Hunter Under Saddle
• Amateur Western Pleasure

For more information about the Midwest Paint Horse Championship or Zone 5 show, contact Cindy at ckmcginnis@sbcglobal.net or 608-279-3848 or visit the Iowa Paint Horse Club website.

About APHA

The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international 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.