the stakes races, and that generally drives breeding decisions. Of course, you’re not going to see it on the track because that takes three years. But it does appear that fewer Quarter Horse mares are being bred to the double-registered stallions. It gives opportunities for some of these tobiano stallions that are entering the market to make an impact because of all these Quarter Horse mares.” Steve says he’ll be giving his breeding decisions careful thought in light of the cropout and color rule changes. “It’s going to be positive for Paint racing, no doubt,” he said. “The solid Paint-bred stallions and mares will have more opportunities for outcross breeding because of this rule change. Just look at the foundation of the stock we have. It started with Quarter Horses. “I am limited on where I go now to
breed since the last rule change requiring the stakes eligibility, and I appreciate this new avenue for opportunity,” Steve said. “I hope all other members are in favor of this as well. If you look at the Regular Registry horses competing this year alone, there are more Regular Registry earners that are higher than I’ve seen since SM Country Snowman. I think it’s going to have a huge impact on the colored horses.”
The Bottom Line Will the new cropout rule impact
Paint racing? “In the short term, no,” Pancho said, “because the cropouts will not be able to run in the stakes races. In the long term, it could because they’ll be injected into the breeding pool. “I remember going to Racing Com- mittee meetings with my dad, and whenever cropouts were discussed, Paul Harber reminded the committee that that’s how our association was founded. He always reminded us of Paint racing’s beginnings. The beginnings started with cropouts. It’s important to make sure we have rules in place that accept cropouts but encourage breeding decisions so we’ll continue to have color on our track.”
Irene Stamatelakys is a special contributor for Paint Horse Racing. To comment on this article, email feedback@apha.com.
Is your 2013 foal eligible to run in stakes races? Use this fl ow chart to fi nd out.
Does the foal qualify for the Regular or Solid Paint-Bred Registry?
Regular Registry
Solid
Paint-Bred Registry
Does the foal have an APHA Regular Registry parent?
Does the foal have an APHA Regular Registry parent?
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NO
YES
NO
Does the foal have an APHA Regular Registry grandparent?