Midwest Paint Horse Championships Celebrate in the Heartland

As fall weather began blowing across the central states, the Midwest Paint Horse Championship was just starting to heat up. The inaugural Midwest Paint Horse Championship took place September 26–27 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in conjunction with the Zone 5 Show.

Midwest Paint Horse Champions were crowned in 15 classes restricted to those residing within Zone 5, which consists of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Additionally, horses and exhibitors could not have placed in the Top Five in halter or Top 10 in performance of the same discipline at the APHA or AjPHA World Championship Shows in the past three years. For more information on eligibility requirements, click here.  

The goal of the Paint Horse Championship series is to celebrate the success of more individuals who might not have the opportunity to travel to the World Shows and to increase local show participation. APHA provides the awards for the Paint Horse Championship classes, along with up to $3,500 for additional awards for Zone classes. Paint Horse Championship class winners receive a custom Gist Silversmiths belt buckle, and second- through tenth-place exhibitors receive medallions.

“The Zone 5 Committee was very pleased to host the Midwest Championship classes at our Zone Show in September,” Show Manager Cindy McGinnis said. ​”The participation at this inaugural event was better than we expected, and the exhibitors who participated in these classes exemplified the spirit of the program. Their enthusiasm was evident, and they really appreciated the ceremony of the awards presentation by APHA President Ron Shelly and Executive Director Billy Smith. We look forward to continued participation in this program.”

To read the full recap on APHA.com, click here.