New classes, new awards await exhibitors at the European Paint Horse
Championships
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – The largest APHA-approved show outside North America could hit
a record high number of horses and entries as new classes and awards attract
exhibitors to the 2010 European Paint Horse Championships (EPHC).
In just a few short weeks, more than 225 Paint Horses from throughout Europe are
expected to converge in Kreuth, Germany. Held August 30 through September 4,
exhibitors will contend for the coveted title of European Champion in 124
classes.
In addition to the traditional gold medals, for the first time European
champions in Showmanship classes will go home with buckles made by Gist
Silversmiths. Sponsored by the France Paint Horse Association, five buckles will
be awarded to the overall winners in Amateur, Novice Amateur, Youth, Solid
Paint-bred (SPB)Amateur and Youth Showmanship classes.
Other prestigious awards await exhibitors, including Gist Silversmith buckles
sponsored by EquitaLyon for the All-Around winners in the Open, Amateur, Novice
Amateur and Youth divisions. Once again, the APHA will offer Gelding Plus
Awards, giving $1,000 U.S. to the highest point-earning geldings in performance
classes in the Open, Amateur and Youth divisions. The APHA will also award
special Zone high-point trophies to winners in four divisions: Open, Amateur,
Youth and Solid Paint-bred.
With 136 Solid Paint-bred entries last year, the EPHC has more entries in this
division than any other show in the world. As a result, four new classes have
been added to the schedule: SPB Weanling Stallions, SPB Yearling and 2-Year-Old
Stallions and SPB 3-Year-Old and Older Stallions.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events of the week is the Nations Cup. The
excitement of both spectators and participants fills the air during the event’s
opening ceremony, featuring a colorful and stirring parade of teams. In the
competition that follows, a rider from each team will compete in one of four
events--trail, reining, horsemanship and showmanship--to earn bragging rights,
the coveted cup and Gist Silversmiths buckles, sponsored by the APHA.
Judging the European Championships will be Karen Banister of Brighton, Colorado;
Sandy Jirkovsky of Kearney, Nebraska; Bonnie Miller of Morrisville, New York;
Lisa Moden of Whitesboro, Texas; and Kendra Weis of Moberly, Missouri.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Paint Horse Club Germany’s futurity, and
everyone is invited to attend the party to celebrate the occasion. Exhibitors,
their siblings and friends under the age of 21 are invited to attend their own
social event--the first annual EuroPaint Youth Night, featuring games, line
dancing, pizza and ice cream.
For more information about the European Paint Horse Championships, visit the
event’s official web site at
www.euro-paint.info.
More About APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth,
Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 30,000 horses each year. APHA has
registered more than 981,000 horses in 59 nations and territories since it was
founded 48 years ago, and now serves approximately 85,000 active members around
the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community
involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the breed.
Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the
outstanding characteristics of Paint Horses. For more information, visit the
Association’s Web site at apha.com or call
(817) 834-2742.