Paints That Dominate

Paint Horses are rising in popularity in the rodeo and Western performance arenas thanks to added incentives and riders enjoying what the breed has to offer. Here are five top-performing Paint Horses competing in various Western events.

Paint Horses aren’t new to the rodeo scene, but they are starting to take arenas by storm. From barrel racing to roping and cutting to reining, an American Paint Horse Association horse competes in nearly every event in almost every state. But a few Paint Horses have simply dominated against fellow paint and quarter horses. These horses have put their money where their genetics are and ranked among the best in their respective sports, earning big titles and big checks.

With the Chrome Cash program launch in 2020, the Paint Horse presence in the Western performance horse industry has substantially increased. This incentive runs as a class-within-a-class at select events, and both Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry horses can participate. Jackpotted entry fees supplement added money to provide payouts for top-placing Paint Horses.

The Chrome Cash sister program, the Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program, or PBRIP, works similarly for barrel racing. It offers added money and jackpotted entry fees in a paint-only sidepot.

“I am incredibly proud of these top-performing APHA horses,” said David Dellin, APHA CEO. “Paints represent some of the top performers in every discipline and organization, and their success proves the Paint Horse's talent, athleticism and versatility. APHA’s Chrome Cash Incentive has been instrumental in showcasing our Paints and growing the breed. I appreciate the support of our affiliate partners, breeders, owners and exhibitors who participate in our Chrome Cash events and choose Paints.” 

Here are a few Paint Horses that have taken advantage of these incentives—and have won major outside of APHA programs—to be a paint that dominates in the arena.

Big Time Movie Star

Big Time Movie Star is owned by Solo Select Horses and Relentless Remunda. The 2018 bay tobiano mare, rightfully known as Queen, is shown by Trevor Brazile and Miles Baker. Although young in her career, Queen has managed to be a record-breaker in the roping arena. Still competing, Queen is the current number one all-time leading rope horse mare in the world—passing all the quarter horses on her way to the top. Queen’s genetics are available through Solo Select’s one-of-a-kind program, Select Genes.

Shady Lil Starlight x A Masters Hobby x A Master Plan

• LTE $110,231
• No. 1 All-Time Leading Rope Horse Mare
• 2022 APHA World Champion Open Heeling Horse
• 2022 APHA Reserve World Champion Heading Horse
• 2022 Badlands Bit & Spur 4-Year-Old Open Heading Futurity Champion
• 2023 Arizona Sun Circuit ARHFA Int. Open & Limited Open Heeling Finals’ Champion
• 2023 3rd Arizona Sun Circuit ARHFA Open Heeling Finals
• 2023 3rd Royal Crown Breeders Buckeye Round 3 Int. Open Heeling
• + MORE

Vince Von

Vince Von is owned by Wendy Buehler and ridden by Sarah Dawson. The 2019 gelding has been a force to be reckoned with in the cow horse arena. By the number five top reined cow horse stallion, Stevie Rey Von, Vince Von is living up to his father’s legacy. Although this APHA gelding is disguised as a quarter horse with his solid coat, Vince Von is a registered Paint Horse that has found his way to the winner’s circle more than once.

Stevie Rey Von x Hottness x Spots Hott

• LTE $208,223
• 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Reserve Champion
• 2023 1st NRCHA Celebration Of Champions Derby Herd Work Open
• 2023 1st NRCHA Stallion Stakes Preliminary Fence Work Open
• + MORE

Chicks Keen O Pocopoo

Chicks Keen O Pocopoo is owned and ridden by Brittany (Barnett) Sporer. After leasing the mare for several years from a family friend, Sporer purchased the mare in 2019 before making their NFR debut in 2020. This powerhouse mare is small but mighty and has proven her mettle in the arena against the barrel-racing-bred quarter horses that dominate the sport. Paint, as the mare is often called, is straightforward to compete on—the type that doesn’t need extra work and can be pointed at the barrel and hustled through a run. Paint proves that cow-bred APHA horses can keep up with the best in the barrel racing business.

Mr. Dominator x Stylish Chick Olena x Dix Chic Olena

• LTE $250,000 +
• 2020 National Finals Rodeo Qualifier
• 2020 APHA World Champion
• 2021 Calgary Stampede Reserve Champion
• 2021 Circuit Finals — winning all three rounds, the average and the year-end champion.
• 2023 Colorado vs. World Champion
• + MORE

Down Right Amazing

Down Right Amazing is owned by DAG Ventures, LLC, and ridden by Casey Deary. The 2017 stallion’s name says it all—he truly is downright amazing. With win after win on the largest stages in reining, including two consecutive $100,000 wins, there seems to be no end in sight for this paint stallion. Sired by the number one reining sire of all time and out of a legendary mare, Down Right Amazing has proven genetics and has proven himself. Down Right Amazing does stand to the public at Oswood Stallion Station and will continue to produce the next generation of great APHA horses.

Colonels Smoking Gun x Shesouttayourleague x Walla Walla Whiz

• LTE $608,843
• 2022 The Run For A Million Open Shootout Champion
• 2023 The American Performance Horseman Individual Reining Champion
• 2023 NRBC L4 Open Classic Champion
• 2023 NRHA Derby L4 Open Champion
• + MORE

Third Edge

Third Edge is currently owned by Teton Ridge. However, the stallion was previously owned by SMF Cutting Horses and was competed on by NCHA's $4.6 million rider, Wesley Galean. Third Edge is a 2018 red roan—solid paint-bred registered—stallion that had a successful cutting career before heading to the breeding barn. Showcasing what APHA horses can do in the cutting pen, Third Edge is in the NCHA Hall of Fame and was the 2022 NCHA Horse of the Year. Proving APHA horses can be successful in such a tough, competitive space, Third Edge will continue to shape the industry and help pave the way for registered paints.

Metallic Rebel x Lil Rattler x Dual Rey

• LTE $342,528
• NCHA Hall of Famer
• 2022 NCHA Horse of the Year
• 2022 NCHA Open Super Stakes Derby Co-Champion
• 2023 Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes Classix
• 2023 Cattlemen’s Open Classic Champion
• + MORE

Paint horses used to be somewhat overlooked in the competitive arena, but that is no longer the case. As these top-performing paints prove, paints can, in fact, dominate. Whether the horse is solid-registered, double-registered, or regularly registered, each Paint Horse is marked for greatness.