Karen Banister named 2022 Markel

Professional Horseman of the Year

Esteemed horsewoman Karen Banister of Brighton, Colorado, is APHA’s 2022 Professional Horseman of the Year.

Active with APHA since her youth, Karen continues to be a tireless promoter of the Paint Horse breed. She has served as a state director since 1999, leading several committees and task force groups. She has been an APHA Professional Horseman since 2018. Karen and her family operate White Harvest Farms. Her passion is raising and training exceptional equine athletes and developing her riders’ skills. She a carded judge with APHA, NSBA, AQHA, ApHC and PtHA.

Start making plans now to join APHA on June 30, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, to celebrate Karen and other 2022 year-end award winners as well as the latest class of the APHA Hall of Fame: Lynn Simons, Fred Tabor, Pat Trebesch, Craig Wood, RH Mr Imprint and Un Zip Me

The 2023 Hall of Fame & Awards Ceremony takes place June 30 at 6 p.m. in the Round Up Inn in the Amon Carter Building at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, in conjunction with the APHA World Championship Show.

Other year-end award winners to be honored at the event include: High-Point Open Exhibitor: Karen Qualls, Judge Emeritus: Mike Baker, Cindy Rucker, Maryanne Willoughby, Scot Jackson, Debby Letham, John Letham, Rick McLain, Bonnie Miller, Mike Short and Don Manuello Ring Steward Award: Carla McMullen

Stay tuned as we continue to announce recipients for the Top Five Stallion Owners, President’s Gold Star Award, President’s Clubs of Distinction and the Distinguished Service Award. It’s sure to be a night to remember! Come celebrate these trailblazers with your APHA family.

Cash in on Color: Tobiano bonuses in 4 performance categories at the 2023 APHA World Shows

By Jessica Hein

Calling all tobianos and toveros! For the third year, high-scoring tobiano and tovero horses in select cutting, reining, working cow horse and ranch classes are automatically eligible for a $2,000 bonus check at the 2023 APHA World Championship Show, which takes place June 23-July 9 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tobiano Incentive Bonuses are courtesy of generous sponsors: Clark Bloodstock/Jay Clark, Secret Hills Ranch/Peter & Missy Benker, and Heartbreak Ridge Performance Horses/Kelly Pinkston, D.V.M., & Skip Rulen. The high-scoring eligible horse in the following classes will earn the $2,000 Tobiano Incentive for that discipline. No additional entry fee or form required. Online entries are open at apha.com/worldshow. Entries are accepted until 5 p.m. the day before classes take place, but get the best rates by preentering by May 15.

More than $1.4 million in cash and prizes will be awarded throughout the 2023 APHA World Championship Show. That includes added money of $22,000 for cow horses, $26,000 for cutters, $98,000 for ranch horses and $102,000 for reiners, along with more than $115,000 in Youth scholarship prizes.