Color Breed Congress Attendance on the Rise

The Pinto Horse Association of America Inc. is proud to welcome the largest color breed horse show in the world. Colored horses from four different associations will gather for the 2020 Color Breed Congress, Nov. 6 to Nov. 14, 2020, at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at the Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Color Breed Congress encompasses four separate breed shows. The participating breeds include: The Pinto Horse Association of America, Palomino Horse Breeders of America, American Miniature Horse Registry and the Appaloosa Horse Club.

Attendance at the 2019 Congress was up 27 percent in exhibitor attendance from the previous year with 1,513 exhibitors, 884 horses and more than 4,000 entries. Darrell Bilke, the association’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, says he was pleased with the rise in numbers. “We were astounded by the increase in attendance at our nine-day Congress and are truly appreciative of all our exhibitors who traveled so far to participate,” Bilke said. This year exhibitors came from 29 states in the U.S., Canada and Sweden to compete in 849 classes. 

Bilke noted a growing interest in the ranch horse class at the 2019 Congress. A total of 142 ranch horse entries with 40 horses and 64 exhibitors competed in the ranch horse class. “The ranch horse classes have definitely grown in popularity over the years,” Bilke said. “Exhibitors can watch for more ranch horse classes at the 2020 Congress.” 

More than $200,000 in prizes were awarded during the 2019 show. Awards include jackets from Tioga Territory for class champions and nylon halters for Reserve Champion (with three or more shown entries); medallions for 1st-10th place in each class; and Gist Silversmith custom belt buckles, folding chairs and Kensington Protective Products for high point winners. Scholarships will be given this year to high point overall youth winners within each breed (awarded only if 20 or more units in the division). The scholarships will be redeemable upon enrollment in college.

“The association would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors; we would not be able to have such a fantastic show without their support,” said Bilke. 

The Color Breed Congress has more than just horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Over 30 vendors will be in the CBC Marketplace selling clothing, decorations, and equipment for showing horses. 

The Cash Challenge classes have an estimated purse of $15,000 and are open to all breeds. The pre-entry deadline for all shows is October 5, 2020. 

National Snaffle Bit Association
National Snaffle Bit Association dual approved classes are offered in the Pinto, Palomino, and Appaloosa breed show, including solid classes. 

Long Ear Congress Show
The Long Ear Congress Show will be held in conjunction with the Color Breed Congress. The Long Ear Congress will consist of an array of classes ranging from Donkey Pleasure Driving to Mule Barrels. Exhibitors will vie for high point and reserve high point buckles. Tioga Territory jackets will be awarded to first place winners of each class (with three or more shown entries), and nylon halters to second place winners (with three or more shown entries) and medallions for first-tenth place entry on the average card for each class. The youth high point overall winner between the Mule and Donkey division will receive a scholarship (awarded only if 20 or more units in the division).

All Breed Ranch Horse Congress Show 
The All Breed Ranch Horse Congress Show will be held in conjunction with the Color Breed Congress, consisting of All Breed Ranch classes as well as PtHA, ApHC, and PHBA Ranch classes. The All Breed Ranch Horse Congress Show will consist of an array of classes such as All Breed–Youth Ranch Rail Pleasure, Open–Ranch Reining and Amateur Ranch Confirmation. Exhibitors will vie for high point and reserve high point buckles.

Youth Equestrian Development Association Show
The Youth Equestrian Development Association Show will be held during the Color Breed Congress.