Starting in 2021, qualifying for the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship Show is no longer required for horses exhibiting at the premier Paint show. The change comes as a result of a vote at the June 24 meeting of the association’s Board of Directors, following input from APHA members and committees.
Qualifying was already waived for the 2020 APHA World Show—which will feature Youth, Amateur and Open events in September 2020—due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected cancellations of many APHA-approved events. It was one of several such moves by associations in the Western performance horse industry in response to the cancellation of shows due to coronavirus-related restrictions on large gatherings and events.
Now, the World Show’s “qualification by participation” requirement has been permanently waived, resulting in greater ability for all APHA members to participate in the APHA World Championship Show with their beloved Paint Horses.
The APHA said the main benefit of removing the qualifying requirement is that horses being exhibited in Youth classes can now easily cross-enter Open and Amateur classes as well, as Youth World Show has not required qualifying in several years. This helps reinforce the family atmosphere that APHA members will enjoy as part of the now-combined World Show events.
“This gives everyone an equal opportunity to come and participate at the largest Paint Horse event in the world,” APHA President Casey West said. “With the combined show format of Youth, Amateur and Open classes in 2020 and 2021, this allows all horses enter whatever classes they would like.”
The 2020 APHA World Show will take place Sept. 18–Oct 4. The 2021 edition will takes place June 28–July 11. Both events are scheduled to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
More information can be found online at apha.com/worldshow.