APHA competitors enjoyed six days of sunny showing in Scottsdale, Arizona during the Arizona Paint Horse Club’s Copper Country Paint-O-Rama. The event began December 29-31 and continued after the New Year, January 1-3 at WestWorld. Judges for the December portion of the show were Jason Contreras, Garth Gooding, Sonnesa Gooding, Louis Hufnagle. Judges for the January portion of the show were David Boggs, Clay Cavinder, Jan Larsen, and Steve Lackey.
In addition to a full schedule of APHA classes with offerings like Performance Halter, Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding, and Ranch Pleasure, there were also plenty of NSBA approved classes that awarded those coveted bronze trophies and added money in disciplines like Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and Longe Line. There were also futurities in Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Longe Line, and Halter. Jeffery Gibbs rode Endless Potential, owned by Angela Finegan, to win The Gift Of Midas Western Pleasure Futurity.
There were even all breed classes available in multiple disciplines. During the December show, Ashlie Sayre rode Lopin To The Party to win the All Breed trail class for owner Katherine DeMeyer-Callaway. The All Breed Longe Line Champion was Kiptin Gooding with Shez By Design. The winner of the All Breed Western Pleasure class was Taylor Daniel with Who Sez for owner, Barbara Messinger. This team was also named the Overall All-Around High Point Champion and POR All-Around High Point Champion. Another High Point Champion was the Ultimate All Around Champion, Coin Machine with rider, Christine Weiser Zimerman. Joshua Harman led TNR Sheza Criminal to win the All Breed Weanling Mare Halter Futurity.
Some NSBA winners during the December portion of the show included Calli Rouse with All Fancy In Red in the Senior Hunter Under Saddle for Rebecca Heckel. The NSBA Champion in Masters Hunter Under Saddle was Linda Rice with Im Real Sensational. The Champion in Junior Hunter Under Saddle was Kelly Penrod with All Hot And Handsome.
When the ball dropped in New York City to mark the beginning of 2019, several new competitors rose to the top of the judges’ cards. Makayla McPherson rode Twenty Four to win Youth Trail 18 and Under. Hannah Heinbuch rode A Sudden Legacy to win Amateur Trail All Ages. Karen Qualls rode Sensational Cookie to win Senior Trail for Pam Heisinger. The winner of Green Western Pleasure All Ages was Tammy Mills with Simon Says Lope for Staryl Bolen. Sara Simons rode No Doubt Im Invited to win Western Riding All Ages for Pam Switzer.
Click on the links below for complete results from the show and scroll below for more fun photos.