APEX $10,000 and $40,000 incentives

The Appaloosa Horse Club boosts APEX payouts for Appaloosas with an identifiable Appaloosa coat pattern.
By Diane Rice:

It’s been a dozen years since the movie “Jerry McGuire” hit the silver screen, but the catch phrase, “Show me the money!” is as powerful an impetus today as it was then.

With that in mind, to generate interest and growth in the Appaloosa breed, the ApHC’s board of directors passed a motion at its summer 2005 meeting to resurrect the APEX (Appaloosa Excellence) program that was originally introduced in the 1980s.

And at the March 2008 board meeting, directors upped the ante by voting—effective immediately—to add $40,000 to the previously approved $10,000 cash award for the APEX winner with an identifiable Appaloosa coat pattern.

With a small initial investment—$25 for members and $50 for nonmembers to enroll in the Appaloosa Competitive All-breed Activities Program (ACAAP), or $15 to enroll in the ApHC Distance Program when competing for the Haggin Cup—any owner can qualify their Appaloosa for these lucrative payouts.

Join us for a look at the details of the eight APEX-eligible events, which represent the top-rated specialized shows in the United States and—in most cases—the entire world. For APEX Color Program details, see Board Motion #41-03-08 in the June 2008 issue of Appaloosa Journal, or on the ApHC web site at www.appaloosa.com (From the Home Page, click on Association, then Board of Directors, then on Summary of Motions, March 12, 2008).

1. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association National Finals Rodeo

APEX payout to the Appaloosa that wins the tie-down roping world championship

The top 15 money earners in each event for the current year are invited to the PRCA World Championship playoff.

The 1977 Appaloosa mare Meter Maid (Front Street x Lively Lassie, AQHA), ridden by Paul Tierney, won a $5,000 APEX payout for her top 10 calf roping title at the 1986 National Finals Rodeo.

• Location: Thomas & Mack Center—Las Vegas, Nevada
• 2008 dates: December 4–13
• For event information, contact: Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80919-2301; phone (719) 593-8840. Visit www.prorodeo.org.

2. Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of this event

At this time, this annual premier event is the only four-star event in the United States, and is one of only four international events offering the highest level of competition in three-day eventing. The Rolex also serves as a qualifying venue for horses and riders to the United States Olympic Equestrian Team.

The event’s traditional schedule: Day one: Dressage; Day two: Cross-country; Day three: Stadium jumping

• Location: Kentucky Horse Park—Lexington, Kentucky
• 2008 dates: April 24–27
• For event information, contact: Equestrian Events, Inc., P.O. Box 12110, Lexington KY 40580; (859) 233-2362; e-mail information@rk3de.org. Visit www.rk3de.org/index.php.

3. Just For Pleasure—Open Pleasure Futurities
APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 2-year-old open English futurity

Venue of the top western and English pleasure futurities in the United States, Just For Pleasure also offers color and open classes for amateur, youth and novice exhibitors of older horses.

• Location: Georgia Agricultural Exposition—Perry, Georgia
• 2008 dates: (to be announced)
• For event information, contact: Just for Pleasure, PO Box 265, Mt. Summit IN 47361; (765) 836-5290. Visit www.justforpleasure.com.

4. National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open Futurity
APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-year-old open futurity

The United States’ premier open cutting event also includes non-pro, amateur and limited competitions, a series of Western Bloodstock Sales, a celebrity cutting and the Charles Goodnight Gala.

The 1980 Appaloosa stallion SEF What’s Up Doc (Doc’s Patron x SEF Showy Ruffles)—bred, owned and ridden by Ralph Adkinson—won a $15,000 APEX payout for placing in the NCHA’s top 10 in 1988.

• Location: Will Rogers Equestrian Center—Fort Worth, Texas
• 2008 dates: November 21–December 14 (tentative)
• For event information, contact: National Cutting Horse Association, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth TX 76107; (817) 244-6188. Visit www.nchacutting.com.

5. National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-year-old open futurity

This premier annual event is a showcase for working cow horse enthusiasts. Three distinct competitions make up the event: herd work, rein work and cow work. The event also includes the NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales.

The 1986 Appaloosa mare Ima Jo’s Doll (Ima Doc O’Lena x Quanah’s Leo Girl), ridden by Carl Gould, won this event in 1989.

• Location: Reno Livestock Events Center—Reno, Nevada
• 2008 dates: September 21-–October 5
• For event information, contact: National Reined Cow Horse Association, 13181 U.S. Hwy 177, Byars OK 74831; (580) 759-4949. Visit www.nrcha.com.

6. National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the 3-year-old open futurity

The top reining futurity in the world for 3-year-olds offers purses and prizes totaling more than $1 million. The event also includes three special reining horse sales and an intercollegiate judging contest.

The 1983 Appaloosa mare Gunsmokes Skeeter (Boss’ Nowata Star, AQHA x Mr Gunsmoke’s Doll), ridden by Terry Thompson, won a $5,000 APEX payout for finishing among the top 10 in the 1986 NRHA 3-year-old futurity.

• Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• 2008 dates: November 27–December 6
• For event information, contact: National Reining Horse Association, 3000 NW 10th St., Oklahoma City OK 73107; (405) 946-7400. Visit www.nrha.com.

7. Western States Trail Ride

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winner of the Haggin Cup; APEX Color Program payout to the winner of the Western States Trail Ride

Sanctioned by the National Endurance Ride Conference, the Western States Trail Ride—popularly called the Tevis Cup Ride—is the oldest modern-day endurance ride, having been held annually since 1955. As such, it has been the inspiration and model for the most challenging endurance rides worldwide.

Riders whose horses complete the 100-mile Tahoe-to-Auburn course within 24 hours in fit condition to continue on at the end of the ride receive the coveted silver Completion Award buckle. Of these, the person whose horse finishes in the shortest time receives the Tevis Cup. The Haggin Cup is awarded to the rider among the first 10 finishers whose horse is in the most superior physical condition.

From 1955 through 2003, an average of 54.8 percent of starting riders finished the Western States Trail Ride.

The Appaloosa gelding Ruff Spot’s Banner (Ruff Spot x Siri Girl), ridden by Walter Tibbitts, won the Haggin Cup in 1969 at age 10.

• Location: Auburn, California
• 2008 date: July 19
• For event information, contact: Western States Trail Foundation, 1216-C High St., Auburn CA 95603; (530) 823-7282. Visit www.foothill.net/tevis/index.html.

8. World Championship Barrel Futurity

APEX payout to the Appaloosa winning the open 5-and-under futurity

The top barrel horse futurity in the world, offering more than $100,000 in added money in its 21st year

The event’s traditional schedule: Tuesday—Open 4-D Sweepstakes first go-round. Wednesday—Futurity first go-round; Elite Juvenile Futurity first go-round. Thursday—Open 4-D Sweepstakes second go-round; Derby first go-round; Pro-tour Futurity $100,000 barrel race. Friday—Futurity second go-round; Elite Juvenile Futurity second go-round. Saturday—Barrel horse sale; 3-D Junior Barrel Race; Futurity finals; Derby finals

• Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds—Oklahoma City
• 2008 dates: December 3–8
• For event information, contact: Ross Wright, 5650 N. Broadway, Norman OK 73069; (405) 364-0274. Visit www.barrelfuturitiesofamerica.com.

For qualifying requirements to enter each event, contact that specialty association directly. The 2005-approved version of APEX took effect January 1, 2006, to remain in place for five years, at which time the ApHC Board of Directors will evaluate its effectiveness and determine the future of the program.