FEBRUARY 1996 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 2/1/96; 10:00:00 AM.

The American Junior Paint Horse Association

The American Junior Paint Horse Association was organized especially for American Paint Horse enthusiasts under the age of 19. Operating as a division of the American Paint Horse Association, the AJPHA offers young horsepeople an opportunity to compete with their peers in breeding, training and exhibiting American Paints. Through their involvement in AJPHA, the members develop the valued qualities of leadership, good sportsmanship and community interest.

In 1987, the AJPHA had 29 regional clubs and more than 1,600 members. AJPHA membership is limited to individuals 19 years old and younger, who have never been married.

The Association is governed by an annually elected body of youth officers, directors and an executive board, who are elected at the annual AJPHA Convention usually held in conjunction with the National Youth World Show. These governing bodies work in conjunction with an adult advisory board designed by the American Paint Horse Association. Members of the advisory board include the APHA President, APHA Youth Activities Director, APHA Youth Committee Chairperson, AJPHA Immediate Past President and APHA Executive Secretary.

The AJPHA works closely with all regional youth clubs and with individual youth memebers in the eight regional zones of the APHA. The officers work to represent the best interests of all members.

The majority of APHA-approved shows include a wide range of Youth classes. These classes, divided into categories of 13 and under and 14 through 18, permit exhibitors to compete within their own age group. Many of these shows also have a High Point Youth Award which goes to the youth/ horse team that accumulates the largest number of points in both halter and performance classes.

At the AJPHA National Youth World Show titles are awarded in each of the halter and performance divisions to youth exhibitors. This show, held in conjunction with the APHA National Championship Show, provides young riders the opportunity to participate with individuals from throughout the nation.

Exhibitors in the AJPHA earn points for themselves and their horses at shows in which they compete. These points apply, in various classifications, toward national awards and recognition. All of these awards are based on the effort of a one horse/ one rider team.

AJPHA Titles and Awards

Top Twenty- awarded annually to the top 20 youth exhibitors who earn the most points with one horse in halter and performance events (maximum of 20 APHA-approved shows).

APHA Youth Champion- awarded to the horse/rider team that accumulates a total of 40 points- 16 in halter competition, 16 in performance, and the additional eight coming from specified classes.

Youth Honor Roll- awarded to the individual in each age group who earns the most points with one horse in each of the different classes, providing that a minimum of six points per class has been accumulated.

Youth Register of Merit- awarded to the horse/rider team that accumulates 10 or more points in a specific class event (performance).

Youth Versatility Performance- awarded to the youth/horse team that has earned five Register of Merits (ROMs) including Showmanship at halter, plus a Superior rating in one of the ROM classes.

Youth Superior (Event) Horse- awarded to the youth/horse team earning a mimimum of 50 points in one specific youth event.

Zone Award- recognizes the top five youth (one horse/one rider) living in each of the eight regional zones, based on total cumulative points earned within each zone.

APHA Youth Superior Champion- awarded to any youth/horse team that wins at least 270 points in approved halter or performance classes. At least 30 of these points must be won in halter classes and 240 won in performance classes. Superior Champions must also earn a Superior reanking in four of the five categories and an ROM in four of the five categories in different events.

High Point Award- recognizes the one horse/one rider team based upon performance records in at least three Youth performance classes.