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APHA names 2010 Running Champions

Michigan-Bred horse named World Champion, Historic First Canadian Champion Award

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Michigan-bred I Do One Two Three and Louisiana-bred Rio Rojo Jessie were named the American Paint Horse Association’s Running World Champions for 2010. The Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred world champions, respectively, and 21 other Running Champions were announced January 15 at the Heritage Place Sale in Oklahoma City.

Running Champion awards, presented annually, are given to Paint Horses that demonstrate outstanding athleticism on the racetrack. Selection is based on their level of competition, location, races won and earnings for the year. These awards are given in three age categories in both the Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry with winners selected by APHA’s Racing Committee. For the first time in APHA history, a Canadian Champion was also selected based on a decision made by the Racing Committee in 2010.

During the same time, APHA names the year’s Honor Roll Champions. These standings are based on points accumulated by speed index for the current racing year.

2010 World Champions
Taking Oklahoma’s tough racing lineup by storm was a Michigan-bred gelding named I Do One Two Three. Sired by Judys Lineage and out of Hot Cash 123 AQHA, the flashy sorrel tobiano gelding was bred and is owned by T-Bill Stables (Walter and Carolyn Bay) of Clare, Mich. While Walter is mainly involved with Quarter Horses, Carolyn loves her Paint racehorses and is a member of the APHA Racing Committee and very involved with the racing program in Michigan. Last year he made his presence known in Oklahoma by finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Graham Futurity against some of Oklahoma’s best. He also finished second in the Grade 3 GLQHA Michigan Paint Futurity and second in the GLQHA Stallion Sale Quarter Horse Futurity and was named the 2009 APHA Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding. This year, he won the Grade 3 Lorelei Derby, finished fourth in the Grade 1 Graham Derby, finished fourth in the Grade 1 PSBA Derby and fifth in the Grade 3 TPHBA Derby. His lifetime earnings are now $74,375 with a top speed index of 102.

Race Photo
I Do One Two Three was named the 2010 Paint Racing World Champion Regular Registry racehorse. Shown here winning the Grade 3 Lorelei Derby at Will Rogers Downs. Photo by: Sandra Beck/Coady Photography.
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I Do One Two Three

Pedigree Bracket

Judys Lineage

2nd Gen Bracket

Special Lineage 3rd Gen Bracket Alydar
Champagne Woman
Judys Chick 3rd Gen Bracket Walters Chick
The Lady Sadie
Hot Cash 123

2nd Gen Bracket

Takin On The Cash 3rd Gen Bracket Dash For Cash
Take You On
To Hot To Hug 3rd Gen Bracket Six Fols
Tiny Lou Etta

Rio Jojo Jessie has proven herself and the legacy that her brother made as a 2-year-old. Sired by Feature Mr Jess AQHA and out of Call Me Silking, Rio Rojo Jessie is and a full-sister to Rio Rojo Jess, who was the 2006 Champion 2-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred. She has shown the same grit and determination he did, winning against tough competition and in tight situations including the Grade 1 Oklahoma Paint Futurity and the R-Grade 1 Speedhorse Futurity. She has earned $94,153 with a top speed index of 96. The filly is owned and was bred by Donald Kelly of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Race Photo
Rio Rojo Jessie was named the 2010 Paint Racing World Champion Solid Paint-Bred racehorse. She won two Grade 1 races, including the R-G1 Oklahoma Paint Futurity and the R-G1 Speedhorse Futurity. Shown winning the Speedhorse Futurity at Fair Meadows. Photo by: Gene Wilson & Assoc..
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Rio Rojo Jessie

Pedigree Bracket

Feature Mr Jess

2nd Gen Bracket

Mr Jess Perry 3rd Gen Bracket Streakin La Jolla
Scoopie Fein
Brenda Feature 3rd Gen Bracket Truckle Feature
Brenda Beauty
Call Me Silking

2nd Gen Bracket

Call Me Together 3rd Gen Bracket Call Me Dash
Together At Last
Streakin Silk 3rd Gen Bracket Streakin Six
Shelly Leo Bar

The first Canadian/International Champion was awarded to Paint Me A Bono, a 3-year-old sorrel solid Paint-bred gelding. In his six outs this year, he won one, and finished with two seconds and two thirds. Last year he won the Grade 3 GLQHA Michigan Paint Futurity and placed second in the Grade 1 Lone Star Paint and Appaloosa Futurity. This year he finished third in the Grade 1 Graham Paint and Appaloosa Derby. Paint Me A Bono is sired by Bono Jazz AQHA and out of Elite Cash. He is owned by Ivy Lane Racing in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, and was bred by Theresa and Alan Reese of Orange, Calif. His lifetime earnings are $44,550 with a top speed index of 103.

Race Photo
APHA’s first Canadian Champion, Paint Me A Bono, is shown winning the 2009 Grade 3 GLQHA Paint Futurity at Mt Pleasant Meadows. Photo by: Dana Bonnell.
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Paint Me A Bono

Pedigree Bracket

Bono Jazz

2nd Gen Bracket

Jazzing Hi 3rd Gen Bracket Merridoc
Anna Hi
Pro Bono 3rd Gen Bracket Summum Bonum
Rare Clover
Elite Cash

2nd Gen Bracket

Real EAsy Cash 3rd Gen Bracket Easy Jet Too
Keep The Cash
Elite Chick 3rd Gen Bracket Chicks Beduino
Elite Empress

The people behind the champions
Along with recognizing the top runners, APHA also honors the individuals who contribute to the success of the running champions. Each year the association names the leading racing breeder, owner, trainer and jockey. Linda Fox of Maud, Okla., was named the 2010 Leading Breeder for the third time. She also won the award in 2006 and 2007. Several of the top runners this year came out of Fox’s breeding program including the top earning racehorse for 2010, Girls Got Grip, along with Dodacious, White Legged Cowboy and Got Country Grip. Their total earnings for 2010 were $203,311.

Racehorse partners, Charles Trochta and Sammy Hester of Tulsa, Okla., were honored with the 2010 Leading Owner title for the second time in a row. Trochta and Hester own Chicks Lacerta, the 2009 and 2010 Champion Aged Solid Paint-Bred Mare, along with the 2009 Champion 3-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Filly, Make No Shadows. Some of their other top runners this year include Rare Guerdon and San Mateo Chick. Their 2010 earnings were $127,538.

The 2010 Leading Trainer title this year goes to Eddie Willis of Caney, Okla. Willis’ horses earned $220,482 and included top runners Rio Rojo Jessie, Cutrock, A Real Surprise, Willy Awesome and Barney Ofield. Willis has been training Paint racehorses for many years and his sons Kevin, Kasey and Eddie Jr. "Bubba" Willis also train racehorses.

APHA’s Leading Jockey for 2010 is a big name in the racing industry. G. R. Carter, Jr. of Oklahoma City, has won this honor seven other times prior to 2010. This year he rode Got Country Grip, Flashem Larry, Valdarama and Sayonara to victory, with total mount earnings of $237,560.

"The 2010 Champions were unique because they not only raced against one set of horses. They traveled the country and sought out the best to race against and demonstrated their toughness to all comers," said APHA Director of Racing Karen Utecht. "We are also pleased to give the Canadian Champion award for the first time and recognize this segment of our Paint racehorses. We thank the owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys for a great 2010 and look forward to an exciting year in 2011, and hope to see you at the track."

 APHA would like to congratulate all of its 2010 champions.

Regular Registry Running Champions:
2-Year-Old Colt—Eyem Showin Off
(Mr Eye Opener AQHA x Shez Showin Off)
Owner: Dean and Tonya Lester, Skiatook, Okla.
Breeder: Tonya Lester, Skiatook, Okla.
2010 earnings: $7,639

2-Year-Old Filly
2-Year-Old Champion —Shawne Wind
(Country Quick Dash x Shawne Chick)
Owner: Alexia Mehrle, Nowata, Okla.
Breeder: Henry and Linda Bowlan, Tecumseh, Okla.
2010 earnings: $61,579

2-Year-Old Gelding—Streakin Seven
(Texas Six x Royal Quick Deal)
Owner: Ronald Davis, Sapulpa, Okla.
Breeder: Kay Churchwell, Okmulgee, Okla.
2010 earnings: $31,360

3-Year-Old Colt— None eligible

3-Year-Old Filly—Ooh Shez Special
(Special Contender x Ooh La Petite AQHA)
Owner: Bob Brumble, Fort Gibson, Okla.
Breeder: Steele Farms, Fort Gibson, Okla.
2010 earnings: $34,059 Lifetime earnings: $60,896

3-Year-Old Gelding
3-Year-Old Champion
Regular Registry World Champion —I Do One Two Three
(Judys Lineage x Hot Cash 123 AQHA)
Owner: T-Bill Stables of Clare, Mich. (Walter and Carolyn Bay)
Breeder: T-Bill Stables of Clare, Mich. (Walter and Carolyn Bay)
2010 earnings: $32,627 Lifetime earnings: $74,375

Aged Stallion—Hidden Miracle
(Rebel Style x Sanibel Sweetheart TB)
Owner: Philip Chandler, Sr., Cement, Okla.
Breeder: Philip Chandler, Sr., Cement, Okla.
2010 earnings: $8,956 Lifetime earnings: $27,332

Aged Mare
Aged Champion —TH Agouti
(Agouti AQHA x Little Sara)
Owner: Leland and Dee Parnell, Glenpool, Okla.
Breeder: Sammy and Nadine Hester, Tulsa, Okla.
2010 earnings: $9,724 Lifetime earnings: $32,595

Aged Gelding—Ausual Jet
(Ausual Suspect AQHA x Fabulous Angel)
Owner: Buddy Albin, Denton, Texas
Breeder: Herbert Graham, Gardendale, Texas
2010 earnings: $8,320 Lifetime earnings: $14,874

Canadian Champion – Paint Me A Bono
(Bono Jazz AQHA x Elite Cash)
Owner: Ivy Lane Racing, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada
Breeder: Theresa and Alan Reese, Orange, Calif.
2010 earnings: $24,167 Lifetime earnings: $44,550

Regular Registry Honor Roll
No. 1 Stallion: Hidden Miracle, owner: Philip Chandler, Sr.
No. 1 Mare: Shawne Wind, owner: Alexia Mehrle
No. 1 Gelding: Flashin Bye, owner: Dean and Tonya Lester

Solid Paint-Bred Running Champions:
2-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Colt—Memory Keeper
(Streakin La Jolla AQHA x Three Ohs Dondi)
Owner: Linda and James Whitener, Cleveland, Texas
Breeder: Linda and James Whitener, Cleveland, Texas
2010 earnings: $41,568

2-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Filly
2-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Champion
Solid Paint-Bred World Champion—Rio Rojo Jessie
(Feature Mr Jess AQHA x Call Me Silking)
Owner: Donald Kelly of Natchitoches, La.
Breeder: Donald Kelly of Natchitoches, La.
2010 earnings: $94,153

2-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Gelding—The Cock Of The Walk
(Royal Quick Flash x Corona Lace)
Owner: Wade Leggett, Muskogee, Okla.
Breeder: Wade Leggett, Muskogee, Okla.
2010 earnings: $33,784

3-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Colt—None eligible.

3-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Filly
3-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Champion—Sayonara
(Judys Lineage x Kiss This Goodbye)
Owner: Dee Keener, Inola, Okla.
Breeder: Shari Burger, Jay, Okla.
2010 earnings: $47,946 Lifetime earnings: $96,058

3-Year-Old Solid Paint-Bred Gelding—Cutrock
(Judys Lineage x Teresas Partner AQHA)
Owner: Jose Luis Granados, Amarillo, Texas
Breeder: Clayton Gibbs, Amarillo, Texas
2010 earnings: $43,416 Lifetime earnings: $114,647

Aged Solid Paint-Bred Stallion—None eligible.

Aged Solid Paint-Bred Mare Aged Solid Paint-Bred Champion—Chicks Lacerta
(First Smart Money AQHA x Treasured Chick)
Owner: Charles Trochta and Sammy Hester of Tulsa, Okla.
Breeder: Sammy and Nadine Hester of Tulsa, Okla.
2010 earnings: $46,341 Lifetime earnings: $155,101

Aged Solid Paint-Bred Gelding—Flash N B Gone
(Royal Quick Flash x All I Can Bee)
Owner: Desiree Buck, Ringling, Okla.
Breeder: Kay Churchwell, Okmulgee, Okla.
2010 earnings: $22,149 Lifetime earnings: $170,824

Solid Paint-Bred Honor Roll
No.1 Stallion: Memory Keeper, owner: Linda and James Whitener
No.1 Mare: Valdarama, owner: Larry Spurlock
No.1 Gelding: Bailout, owner: Marion Hoskin

2010 Leading Breeder——Linda Fox of Maud, Okla. (Earnings: $203,311)
2010 Leading Owner—Charles Trochta and Sammy Hester of Tulsa, Okla. (Earnings: $127,538)
2010 Leading Trainer—Eddie Willis of Caney, Okla. (Earnings: $220,482)
2010 Leading Jockey—G. R. Carter, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Okla. (Earnings: $237,560)

More about Paint Horse racing
Horse racing has long been one of America’s favorite spectator sports. With the growth of the Paint Horse breed, it’s no wonder that Paints have become one of the hottest tickets in the horse racing industry. Since 1966, when APHA officially recognized the sport, Paint racing has made major strides forward. In that inaugural year, 17 starters ran for $1,290 in just two states—Texas and Oklahoma.

A total of 17 states now feature Paint racing, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Paint Horses also race in Canada.

 "With a wealth of top performing Paint racehorses, dedicated owners and talented trainers and jockeys, Paint Racing continues to remain a strong program in the horse industry," said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. "Paint Racing enthusiasts recognized the amount of purse money available and have jumped in to take advantage of the lucrative payouts."

For more information on Paint Horse racing, contact APHA’s racing department at (817) 222-6444, email racing@apha.com, or visit paintracing.com.