$10,000 APEX payouts for Appaloosas in open competition

If you’re an ApHC member in good standing, you can qualify your Appaloosa for lucrative Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) APEX payouts!

In 2008, Honkin Hunter took first place in the Open 2-Year-Old Hunt Seat class at Just For Pleasure, earning a $10,000 award for owner Jennifer Carter thanks to the Appaloosa Excellence Program (APEX) that was originally introduced in the 1980s. (Click on the following link to learn more about Honkin Hunter’s win: www.appaloosa.com/news/2009/03_17_09.htm)

Honkin Hunter’s victory shined a light on money-winning opportunities that more Appaloosa owners and riders should take advantage of. And, ApHC directors revised the program during the July 2009 board meeting to include the NSBA World Championship 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Class—effective immediately!

So get your Appaloosa ready to compete in the following eight events throughout the nation for your chance to win $10,000!

To be eligible for APEX payouts, participating ApHC-registered horses must be enrolled in the Appaloosa Competitive All-breed Activities Program (ACAAP), or enrolled in the ApHC Distance Program when competing for the Haggin Cup. The rider/exhibitor and the owner must be ApHC members in good standing.

1. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association National Finals Rodeo

APEX payout to the Appaloosa that wins the tie-down roping world championship

The top 15 money earners in each event for the current year are invited to the PRCA World Championship playoff.

The 1977 Appaloosa mare Meter Maid (Front Street x Lively Lassie, AQHA), ridden by Paul Tierney, won a $5,000 APEX payout for her top 10 calf roping title at the 1986 National Finals Rodeo.

• Location: Thomas & Mack Center—Las Vegas, Nevada
• 2009 dates: December 3–12
• For event information, contact: Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80919-2301; phone (719) 593-8840. Visit www.prorodeo.org.

2. Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of this event
At this time, this annual premier event is the only four-star event in the United States, and is one of only four international events offering the highest level of competition in three-day eventing. The Rolex also serves as a qualifying venue for horses and riders to the United States Olympic Equestrian Team.

The event’s traditional schedule: Day one: Dressage; Day two: Cross-country; Day three: Stadium jumping

• Location: Kentucky Horse Park—Lexington, Kentucky
• 2010 dates: April 22¬–25
• For event information, contact: Equestrian Events, Inc., P.O. Box 12110, Lexington KY 40580; (859) 233-2362; e-mail information@rk3de.org. Visit www.rk3de.org/index.php.

3. NSBA World Championship

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure class

The NSBA World Championship is one of the most prestigious events in the pleasure horse industry. In addition to the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure class, the NSBA World Championship will offer 127 all-breed classes over the five days of August 19–23,and payout in excess of $400,000 in cash and prizes.

• Location: Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex- Tulsa OK
• 2009 dates: August 19–23
• For event information, contact: Just NSBA, 4203 Grove Ave, Gurnee, IL 6001; (847) 623-6722; e-mail nsbaoffice@nsba.com. Visit www.nsba.com

4. National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-Year-Old Open Futurity

The United States’ premier open cutting event also includes non-pro, amateur and limited competitions, a series of Western Bloodstock Sales, a celebrity cutting and the Charles Goodnight Gala.

The 1980 Appaloosa stallion SEF What’s Up Doc (Doc’s Patron x SEF Showy Ruffles)—bred, owned and ridden by Ralph Adkinson—won a $15,000 APEX payout for placing in the NCHA’s top 10 in 1988.

• Location: Will Rogers Equestrian Center—Fort Worth, Texas
• 2009 dates: November 21–December 13
• For event information, contact: National Cutting Horse Association, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth TX 76107; (817) 244-6188. Visit www.nchacutting.com.

5. National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-Year-Old Open Futurity

This premier annual event is a showcase for working cow horse enthusiasts. Three distinct competitions make up the event: herd work, rein work and cow work. The event also includes the NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales.

The 1986 Appaloosa mare Ima Jo’s Doll (Ima Doc O’Lena x Quanah’s Leo Girl), ridden by Carl Gould, won this event in 1989.

• Location: Reno Livestock Events Center—Reno, Nevada
• 2009 dates: September 20-–October 4
• For event information, contact: National Reined Cow Horse Association, 13181 U.S. Hwy 177, Byars OK 74831; (580) 759-4949. Visit www.nrcha.com.

6. National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-Year-Old Open Futurity

The top reining futurity in the world for 3 year olds offers purses and prizes totaling more than $1 million. The event also includes three special reining horse sales and an intercollegiate judging contest.

The 1983 Appaloosa mare Gunsmokes Skeeter (Boss’ Nowata Star, AQHA x Mr Gunsmoke’s Doll), ridden by Terry Thompson, won a $5,000 APEX payout for finishing among the top 10 in the 1986 NRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity.

• Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• 2009 dates: November 26–December 5
• For event information, contact: National Reining Horse Association, 3000 NW 10th St., Oklahoma City OK 73107; (405) 946-7400. Visit www.nrcha.com.

7. Western States Trail Ride

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the Haggin Cup

Sanctioned by the National Endurance Ride Conference, the Western States Trail Ride—popularly called the Tevis Cup Ride—is the oldest modern-day endurance ride, having been held annually since 1955. As such, it has been the inspiration and model for the most challenging endurance rides worldwide.

Riders whose horses complete the 100-mile Tahoe-to-Auburn course within 24 hours in fit condition to continue on at the end of the ride receive the coveted silver Completion Award buckle. Of these, the person whose horse finishes in the shortest time receives the Tevis Cup. The Haggin Cup is awarded to the rider among the first 10 finishers whose horse is in the most superior physical condition.

From 1955 through 2003, an average of 54.8 percent of starting riders finished the Western States Trail Ride.

The Appaloosa gelding Ruff Spot’s Banner (Ruff Spot x Siri Girl), ridden by Walter Tibbitts, won the Haggin Cup in 1969 at age 10.

• Location: Auburn, California
• 2009 date: August 1
• For event information, contact: Western States Trail Foundation, 1216-C High St., Auburn CA 95603; (530) 823-7282. Visit www.foothill.net/tevis/index.html.

8. World Championship Barrel Futurity

AAPEX payout to the Appaloosa winning the Open 4-And-Under Futurity

The top barrel horse futurity in the world, offering more than $100,000 in added money in its 21st year

The event’s traditional schedule: Tuesday—Open 4-D Sweepstakes first go-round. Wednesday—Futurity first go-round; Elite Juvenile Futurity first go-round. Thursday—Open 4-D Sweepstakes second go-round; Derby first go-round; Pro-tour Futurity $100,000 barrel race. Friday—Futurity second go-round; Elite Juvenile Futurity second go-round. Saturday—Barrel horse sale; 3-D Junior Barrel Race; Futurity finals; Derby finals

• Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds—Oklahoma City
• 2009 dates: December 7–12
• For event information, contact: Ross Wright, 5650 N. Broadway, Norman OK 73069; (405) 364-0274. Visit www.barrelfuturitiesofamerica.com.

For qualifying requirements to enter each event, contact that specialty association directly. The 2005-approved version of APEX took effect January 1, 2006, the recent July 2009 update to the program allows for the ApHC Board of Directors will evaluate its effectiveness and determine the future of the program in December 2009.