APHA’s Gelding Plus program makes its way down under

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) expanded the Gelding Plus program internationally, as the global horse breed organization recently honored two aged Paint geldings for their success in the show arena.

The international debut took place at the 2007 Australian National Show, held in New South Wales, Australia, and APHA awarded $3,000 to the owners of the top geldings.

New in 2007, APHA changed the Gelding Plus program from a futurity incentive, to an incentive for aged geldings. All registered Paint geldings aged 4 years old and older are eligible for the cash prizes awarded in APHA’s 11 approved zones, along with three international Paint Horse shows. In this case, both geldings were APHA International Appendix-Registered Paint horses.

Blaze Of Thunder, owned by Bridget Connelly of Gympie, Australia, earned $2,500 as the Paint Horse show’s high-point performance gelding.

“I feel very honored to have earned one of the first international awards,” said Connelly. “It was one of the most exciting times I have had with my horse. The award is a great incentive to promote geldings and show how versatile they are.”

Also taking home a paycheck was Royal Heart Throb and Jill Wagner of Armidale, Australia. The duo was awarded the high-point performance Paint gelding award for solid Paint horses and earned $500.

“APHA is excited to be able to offer the Gelding Plus program at international shows,” said APHA’s Paint Program Coordinator Jessica McDaniel. “The expansion internationally not only allows Paint Horses to strengthen their worldwide appeal, but also helps create a bond between APHA and breed associations around the world. We hope to see Paints continue to flourish across the globe.”

More about Gelding Plus
Gelding Plus payouts are awarded through APHA’s high-point performance calculation system, and provides owners of these horses an opportunity to compete for bonus incentives through one of three options designated by each individual Zone Show committee. The program will payout $42,000 in 2007 to some of the associations top aged geldings.

In order to be eligible for the award, the owner must be a current member of APHA and reside in the zone in which the award is presented. Horses are only eligible to win one division per three years.

To learn more about APHA’s Gelding Plus program, please visit apha.com/geldingplus or by contacting McDaniel at (817) 834-2742, extension 249, or e-mail jmcdaniel@apha.com.