Tag Archives: American Paint Horse Association

IHSA Western Riders Shine at APHA World Championships

Nigel Lancaster aboard Tinselena Spark during the run-off round. Photo by EQ Media.

Fairfield, Conn. – Oct. 01, 2020 – Twelve Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Western High-Point Open riders took to the world stage in the IHSA Invitational Class held Sept. 29, during the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship Horse Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Nigel Lancaster from Hilliard, Ohio came away as champion after showcasing his skills in both the reining and horsemanship phases.

“The IHSA High Point Rider Versatility Championship was a huge success today just because it gave us a chance to highlight the best of the best that were shortchanged during the 2020 season,” said Amanda Ellis, IHSA Western Committee chair. “Not only did we have great horses given to us by the exhibitors at the World Show, but the caliber of riding was phenomenal.”

Ellis explained that with many member schools in the country not able to compete now due to COVID-19, she hopes they were able to watch the live stream and are excited and inspired for spring.

The class began with each of the 12 riders performing the reining pattern. The judges rewarded consistent riding on two different mounts and scores were tight after the initial round of competition, with the top three spots bringing in scores above 145.00 points. Lancaster and Ashton Knerr from Plain City, Ohio secured the top two spots with a tied score.

Lancaster rode to duplicate scores of 73.5, aboard Gunnataxya, owned by Deb Oneguard, for a total first-round score of 147.00 points. Knerr piloted Tinselena Spark to scores of 75.5 and 71.5, tying Lancaster’s score of 147.00. Hart Daniels, hailing from Vaughan, Mississippi, took third place on Starlight Driver (Hydrive Cat x Starlights Lynn), owned by Kelsey Delaplaine, just one point behind with 146.00 points.

Then it was time to switch mounts for the horsemanship phase. Riders showcased their abilities on the flat at the walk, jog, and lope both with and without stirrups. Competitors then piloted their mounts through a pattern demonstrating a smooth, effortless ride.

Grand Island, Nebraska native Matthew ‘Matt’ Graves rode to the win in the horsemanship phase. His consistent and polished riding aboard the 17-year-old paint gelding He Thinks He’s Special or “Eddy,” (Special Invitation x Zippos Gold Model), owned by Ryan Urech, stood out among the field. Travis Fortune from Booneville, Indiana took the second spot with A Krymsun Legacy (One Hot Krymsun x Zippos Satin N Lace), owned by Darcie Winiewicz, and Lancaster on Sensational Effects, owned by Amanda Bennet, rounding out the top three.

Knerr and Lancaster, who grew up riding together at Ollie and Debbie Griffith’s Autumn Rose Farm in Delaware, Ohio, rode the reining pattern once more to determine the overall class champion.

“Those two riders have been riding reining horses since they were 7 years old and they’re best of friends, they live within 15 minutes of each other,” said Ollie Griffith, IHSA National Associate Steward. “They’re just amazing. One went to the University of Findlay. One went to Ohio State. And it just couldn’t be better for us.”

Aboard Tinselena Spark (Tin Tin), Lancaster rode the final pattern in beautiful style earning the high score of 148.50. Lancaster’s third-place performance in the horsemanship phase helped secure the championship title.

Lancaster’s winning mount Tin Tin, an 11-year-old Quarter Horse mare (Tinsel Nic x Smart Sparkalena) owned by John McDaniel and handled by Cathy Luse, was awarded the High Point Horse title.

“I love how the two organizations came together and collaborated on this,” said Lancaster. “It’s really nice because we had to cancel the fall season and it was a great way to come and show together.”

Knerr rode the 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Gunnataxya (Gunnatrashya x Sannie Shine) for her run-off round. Her consistency in the saddle earned her a run-off score of 146.5 and a fourth place in horsemanship aboard Original Barbie, owned by Chris Russell, taking home the overall reserve call.

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

IHSA Congratulates Western Riders Competing in APHA World Championship IHSA Invitational Class

Photo APHA/Paint Horse Journal.

Fairfield, Conn. – Sept. 15, 2020 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) congratulates the 12 Western Regional high-point open riders competing in the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship IHSA Invitational Class to be held at the World Championship Show Sept. 29, 2020. The premier all-age breed show will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 21 – Oct. 4.

“We are so proud of our Western riders competing in the APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “These determined student-athletes have worked hard throughout a season cut short due to coronavirus and it will be great to see them shine on the world stage.”

The IHSA 2020 Western Regional high-point riders were invited to participate in the two-phase competition consisting of a horsemanship and reining phase. This event is the first time the IHSA will participate in the APHA event and kicks off an exciting partnership between the two organizations.

“Our association with IHSA is an honor for us,” said Billy Smith, EdD, APHA executive director. “These are opportunities that deliver benefits for the entire horse community far into the future.”

The 12 riders participating in the APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class range from sophomores to seniors representing member colleges and universities from coast to coast.

The IHSA congratulates our 2020 APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class participants:

  • Matthew (Matt) Graves
  • Travis Fortune
  • Mathew (Matt) Winter
  • Kendall Viel
  • Nathan Sparren
  • Ashton Kerr
  • Nigel Lancaster
  • Hart Daniels
  • Teah (Teah Mae) Taylor
  • Chloe Alhaig
  • Anna Woolsey
  • Sarah Thomson

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

APHA World Championship Show to Offer Invitational Class for IHSA Western Open Riders

Photo APHA/Paint Horse Journal.

Fairfield, Conn. – June 3, 2020 – The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) will offer an invitational class for the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) 2020 Western Regional Open division high-point riders at their APHA World Championship Show. The premier all-age breed show will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 21 – Oct. 4, 2020. The APHA will announce the schedule details when they are confirmed.

“APHA is very excited about the opportunity to host this event,” said Dave Dellin, American Paint Horse Association’s senior director of judges, shows, and education. “This will be an awesome opportunity for lots of young equestrians to experience the Paint horse and the APHA World Show.”

This year, the APHA World Championship Show will offer Open, Amateur, and Youth Divisions. This event is the first time IHSA will participate in the APHA event and kicks off a new partnership between the two organizations.

“We are thrilled that the APHA has offered this class to our Western high-point riders,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our members and our organization at a major event. We look forward to working with the APHA.”

IHSA 2020 Western Regional high-point riders are invited to participate and horses will be provided. Though the show is produced by the APHA, the riders will draw for horses and the division will be run much like the IHSA classes. The invitational class will be a two-phase competition with a horsemanship and a reining phase.

The IHSA has showcased their Open level hunter seat riders at events like the Longines Masters New York and the National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky. The APHA World Championship Show will be the first-ever standalone feature class for IHSA Western Open riders at a world-class competition.

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

Jacksonville Equestrian Center Gets Splash of Paint during APHA Zone 9 Championship

Photo courtesy of Eric Hardesty.

Jacksonville, FL (February 26, 2018) — The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Zone 9 Championship show tallied more than five hundred entries at its annual winter show at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.  With horses coming in from as far west as Washington and as far north as New Jersey, it’s safe to say that Jacksonville was covered in paints for the weekend.

“We had people from all over the country. We had exhibitors from as far west as Washington state and as far north as New Jersey,” said Maggie Nipper, the Zone 9 Committee Chairman and Florida Paint Horse Club President. “It really was a great turnout.”  The competition was held February 16-18, 2018 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville for the fourth consecutive year.

“The facility has gone through some management changes but overall it’s a nice place to be and work out of,” she said. “We hope to continue working with the facility moving forward.”

The three-day show offered classes in a wide variety of disciplines and multiple divisions. Exhibitors had an opportunity to earn points under six judges during the weekend long event with additional select special event classes that featured double judged classes.  “We offered a full slate of English and Western classes, including Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, Halter, Ranch Riding, Showmanship, and much more,” she said.

In addition to offering good competition, the show organizers strive to provide of plenty opportunities to enjoy down time. Exhibitors were treated to complimentary breakfasts each day, a pizza party and a refreshment table, which were supported by loyal sponsors.  At the end of the show competitors walked away with smiles and lots of ribbons; some of the more notable awards were the APHA 2018 Zone 9 Florida Highpoint Horse, which went to Wicked Roses, ridden by Kayla Martin, and the APHA 2018 Zone 9 Florida Reserve Highpoint Horse, which went to Unchippable Investment, ridden by Rachael Doern.  Overall, ten highpoint and reserve highpoint titles were awarded to riders in the Youth (13-U and 18-U), Novice (Youth and Amateur), Amateur, Masters Amateur, and Open.

Official APHA affiliate clubs are assigned to one of 14 zones based on geographic location. Zone 9 is made up of affiliate clubs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Caribbean Islands. The annual Zone 9 Championship is held in February of each year. Visit http://aphazone9.weebly.com/ or email APHAZone9@gmail.com to learn more.

For more information and to learn more about upcoming events, please visit www.jaxequestriancenter.com.

Jacksonville Equestrian Center
Tim Jones
904-255-4215
tjones@coj.net
13611 Normandy Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32221

Gunner Shoots Past Another National Reining Horse Association Milestone

Colonels Smokingun (aka Gunner) is the first registered American Paint Horse to join the exclusive list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sires. Photo Courtesy APHA/Abigail Wilder Boatwright (2007)
Colonels Smokingun (aka Gunner) is the first registered American Paint Horse to join the exclusive list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sires. Photo Courtesy APHA/Abigail Wilder Boatwright (2007)

March 31, 2010 – Colonels Smokingun, better known as Gunner in the reining world, has recently been named the unofficial eighth National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Two Million Dollar Sire. He accomplished this only three years after being named a NRHA One Million Dollar Sire. This was, in part, due to the recent successes of his offspring at the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity, the 2010 NRHA European Futurity and the 2010 Cactus Reining Classic, which brought his unofficial total NRHA offspring earnings to $2,000,453. Gunner was the first American Paint Horse to achieve the NRHA million-dollar mark, and is now the first Paint to reach the two million dollar mark.

Sired by Colonelfourfreckle (AQHA son of Colonel Freckles) and out of Katie Gun (AQHA), the bald-faced stallion, which is registered with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), has an impressive lifetime record with the association. He won back-to-back World Championship Paint Horse Show Open reining titles in both 1996 and 1997, in addition to the other reining honors he earned throughout his career with APHA.

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