Horses from four separate breed associations united and vied for Congress Champion titles at the Color Breed Congress, held Nov. 4 - 9, 2014, in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Horses of many colors
Presented by the Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc., the Color Breed Congress encompasses four separate breed shows running simultaneously including Pintos, Palominos, Appaloosas and Buckskins.
The Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex in Tulsa, Okla. hosted over 1,290 exhibitors, 814 horses and 3,611 class entries.
Presented by the Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc., the Color Breed Congress encompasses four separate breed shows running simultaneously. Participating breed associations included the Pinto Horse Association, the Palomino Horse Breeders of America, the Appaloosa Horse Club and the American Buckskin Registry Association.
In addition to the breed shows, PtHA was proud to host the Western Dressage World Show. This show was held in conjunction with the Color Breed Congress, Nov. 1-2. Exhibitors from all over helped make both of these events a success.
With over $50,000 in awards, items included medallions for 1st-6th place exhibitors in each class and jackets from Tioga Territory to class winners in classes with five or more entries. Trophies were presented to winners of National Snaffle Bit Association dual-approved classes.
Jackets were presented to grand and reserve champions in addition to Kensington saddle/halter bags and Gist Silversmith belt buckles for high points and reserves. In addition to the buckles, the overall high point youth in each breed received a scholarship. The scholarships, in addition to Cash Challenge classes and NSBA classes, brought the total payouts from the show to $14,000.
"The amount of awards brings the most amazing color breed horses from across the country to one spot," said Darrell Bilke, PtHA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We strive to ensure our exhibitors leave with great memories and have fun while competing."
Keeping with the Color Breed Congress tradition, classes were chosen each day to compete in the Equine Chronicle Hula Hoop Hoe Down. Prize packs were given to the exhibitor who could hula hoop the longest.
"It is fun to watch exhibitors compete," Bilke said. "However it is great to see fun and friendship develop, as well."
The Champion of Champion classes are one of the unique aspects of the show. Exhibitors who place in the top three of select classes in each breed are invited back to compete against each other for Champion of Champion.
"The Champion of Champion classes are a great way for exhibitors to showcase their skills in front of the entire audience," Bilke said. "You never know which one will take home the title."
The Color Breed Congress will return in 2015. Tentative dates are set for November 7-15, 2015, at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex in Tulsa, Okla. The Western Dressage World Show will be held in conjunction, as well.
Incorporated in 1956, the Pinto Horse Association of America was formed to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies and miniatures with color and to establish a registry for maintaining their show records and pedigrees. Currently, the association serves approximately 12,000 members and boasts more than 147,000 registered Pintos.
For more information about the 2014 Color Breed Congress and for complete results, please visit www.colorbreedcongress.com. To learn more about the Association, visit www.pinto.org or call the PtHA headquarters (405) 491-0111.