APHA’s new Las Vegas show features big
cash prizes and exciting entertainment

Cue the bright lights and bring in the money! The countdown to APHA’s electrifying new horse show—Paint Vegas—has officially begun.

Paint Horse enthusiasts from all over the country are invited to the highly-anticipated event, which will take place December 5–10 at the luxurious South Point Casino and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Offering cash instead of points to those winning and placing in the
show, Paint Vegas is expected to be second only to the APHA World Championship Show in Paint Horse attendance and participation.

Paint Vegas will feature three different categories of classes: futurity, jackpot and slot. Although classes in all categories offer money purses, for owners, the biggest gambles are the slot classes. Each person hoping to participate in these classes—which include yearling longe line, maiden yearling stallions and geldings, maiden yearling mares, 4-year-old and under Novice horse hunter under saddle and 4-year-old and under Novice horse Western pleasure events—has to buy a chance to compete. Only those who sent in an application on March 1–10, 2006, will be allowed into the class.

For the top placing horses in these events, the gamble could pay off in a big way. The yearling longe line class winner could receive as much as $15,000, depending on the number of entries. While the champions in the remaining slot events could win up to $25,000 each, depending on the number of entries.

Of course, the high-dollar purses aren’t the only aspect of Paint Vegas that is impressive. The South Point Casino is itself, a Las Vegas extravaganza.

The hotel’s equestrian center features a 4,400-seat arena, with an event floor, modern sound system, multi-functioning hospitality bar and cattle pens roomy enough to accommodate 2,000 head of cattle. The arena also houses a judge’s lounge, show offices and a second warm-up arena, as well as 1,200 climate-controlled horse stalls, a veterinary clinic, farrier center, feed store and washing bays.

Adjacent to the equestrian center, the hotel and casino offer a wide variety of dining and entertainment options. In addition to the 80,000 square-foot casino, there is a 16-screen movie theatre, a 600-seat bingo hall and a 64-lane bowling alley. The hotel boasts 1,350 rooms, a spa, fitness center and abundant convention, exhibit, banquet and trade show space.

Those attending Paint Vegas are eligible for special APHA room rates if staying at South Point. On December 3–7, APHA members pay $77 per night, while on December 8–9, they pay $110 per night and on December 10, the price goes back down to $77 per night.

The reservation deadline for APHA-member rooms is October 31 and a 9 percent county tax does apply.

Las Vegas’s entertainment scene is expected to be in full swing during Paint Vegas. Acts at strip hotels during the show include Ray Romano at the MGM Mirage, Blue Man Group at the Venetian, Penn & Teller at the Rio, Danny Gans at the MGM Mirage and Celine Dion at Caesar’s Palace.

Other sightseeing opportunities can be found at the Bellagio where a free fountain show occurs every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then every 15 minutes until midnight. For nine dollars, you can watch the fountains from the Eiffel Tower observation deck of the hotel Paris.

The MGM Mirage’s volcano fountain also erupts every 15 minutes after dark until midnight, and the Venetian offers gondola rides for those in a more romantic mood.

However, with respect to these Las Vegas staples, Paint Vegas promises to be just as memorable of an experience. Classes scheduled for the show include working cow horse, reining, yearling longe line, Western pleasure, halter, hunter under saddle, cutting, roping and barrel racing.

There will also be special Gamblers Choice trail, working hunter classic, bridleless Western pleasure and 3-year-old cutting challenge events.