Showing & Riding

Getting Started

If it's competition you crave, the APHA has developed programs for every level of interest and skill. Whether you are a youth, amateur, or professional, team up with a natural athlete and compete with your Paint in events ranging from regional shows to World Championships. If your goal is to reach new levels of performance, a Paint Horse can take you there.

Are you new to showing with APHA? Follow these steps to ensure a successful first show experience.

Step 1—Determine Which Show Division Best Suits You
Youth Division—Unmarried individuals aged 18 & under as of January 1. Married individuals may apply for the Amateur or Novice Amateur Division.

Novice Youth Division— A Youth that has limited show experience in a particular category of classes. Novice Youth eligibility is based on a per category basis, with 15 different categories available. To be eligible for Novice status in a category, at the time of application, an individual cannot have earned any of the following in a recognized equine association:

  •  20 performance points (Open and/or Youth combined) in that category;
  •  50 Novice Youth points in that category;
  •  $2500 or greater in prize money in that category;
  •  A World or Reserve World Title in that category.

Step 2—Meet the Ownership Requirements to Show
Upon acquiring your American Paint Horse, you will need to transfer your horse’s ownership. A transfer report can usually be found on the back of your horse’s original registration papers, or you can download a transfer report online. Exhibitors attending an upcoming event may need to submit a rush fee and have their transfer paperwork rushed. The recorded owner on the official APHA registration papers of a horse at the time of the show can affect the divisions in which the horse is eligible to show.

Youth or Novice Youth Division—The horse may be owned by any person or group of people. However, to be eligible for APHA points, titles, awards, and to compete at the World Show, the horse must be owned by the Youth exhibitor or the Youth exhibitor’s family. For a list of approved family relationships, please see rule YP-015 in the Official APHA Rulebook.

Step 3—Acquire Your Membership and Program Enrollment Cards
All exhibitors at an APHA-approved show must possess a current membership. Memberships may be purchased online, by phone, or using a membership application form.

The type of membership allowed for show purposes varies by division, and some divisions require additional enrollment cards. Enrollment cards for the Amateur, Novice Amateur, and Novice Youth must be applied for using an official application, and may not be purchased online or over the phone.

Youth Division

  •  Exhibitors must possess an individual AjPHA membership.

Novice Youth Division

  • Exhibitors must possess an individual AjPHA membership and Novice Youth Card.
  •  Novice Youth Cards must be applied for using a Novice Youth Application. A Temporary Novice Youth Card may be obtained at an APHA-approved show, however, an additional $25 rush fee will be incurred.

Step 4—Find an APHA-Approved Show
Each year, APHA approves over 1,200 shows in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Chances are there’s a show near you. For a list of upcoming events in your area, please refer to our Calendar of Events or contact your local APHA Regional Club.

Step 5—Don’t Forget Your Paperwork!
Its time to load the trailer and head out to your first show. Here are some essential items that you need to pack:

  1.  Health and/or Coggins Papers—Check with show management and your State Veterinarian’s office to determine exactly what paperwork is required to transport your horse to the show facility.
  2.  Membership and Enrollments Cards—Your membership card and/or enrollment card, or a legible photocopy, must be presented at the show.
  3.  Registration Papers—A copy of your horse’s registration papers must be presented at the show. Amateur and Youth exhibitors must be able to prove ownership by presenting the APHA registration certificate or a legible photocopy with the correct owner’s name printed on the certificate by the APHA office.