Horse Illustrated Magazine

Fort Worth, Texas — The 2024 APHA World Championship Show boasted growth in both APHA-event entries and participating horse numbers this year during its 17-day competition in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. That growth helped fuel an energized world championship that featured talented exhibitors and Paint Horses vying for more than $1.5 million in cash and prizes.

A truly global event, the 2024 World Show featured exhibitors from 13 countries, thanks to the return of the Youth World Games competition. APHA exhibitors enjoyed expanded recognition opportunities, with championship titles awarded through third place, an expanded Intermediate division, more Junior horse recognition opportunities, and more. The premier Paint show also hosted the National Reining Horse Association-approved Cowtown Classic & All-Breed Slide reining event, the American Rope Horse Futurity Association’s Cowtown Classic roping futurity, an all-breed barrel race and a moving Heroes on Horses parade and competition in partnership with the National Snaffle Bit Association. The championship took place June 21-July 7 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

2024 APHA World Championship Show Facts & Figures

◆ 1,469 total horses (2% increase over 2023)
◆ 5,618 total entries (1% increase over 2023)
◆ Participants from 45 U.S. states, 4 Canadian provinces and 10 other countries: Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden & United Kingdom
◆ 372 total classes/events offered
◆ 247 APHA world championship classes
◆ 95 Intermediate classes with 186 Intermediate buckles awarded
◆ 108 added-money events (sweepstakes, challenges, stakes, futurities)
◆ $100,000 in Youth scholarships
◆ 250 Paints recognized as champions in APHA events
◆ 432 Paints recognized as champions or reserve champions in APHA events
◆ 551 Paints recognized as champions, reserve champions or bronze champions in APHA events

The 2024 APHA World Championship Show figures don’t yet include numbers and payouts from most halter events—those take place at the APHA/WCHA Halter Million September 21-29, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Learn more about that event at apha.com/haltermillion.

Put the 2025 World Show dates on your calendar now, so you can get a piece of the action:

◆ World Show: June 20-July 6, 2025
◆ Halter Million: September 20-28, 2025

About APHA

The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.

— Edited Press Release | Source: American Paint Horse Association

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.