FORT WORTH--An American Paint Horse named Smokin' Custom Crome, owned by Chele Murrell and Marlan Spence of Zachary, captured a World Show Challenge Championship title recently at the 2012 APHA World Championship Paint Horse Show.

The show, held Nov. 7–17 in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA’s) premier events.

Smokin' Custom Crome, a 2008 stallion shown by Murrell, dominated the 4- & 5-year-old Reining Challenge, earning the judges top scores - which ranged from 72.5 to 74 - to easily win the championship with a 220.5.

In reining classes, competitors and their horses are judged on correctly performing a selected pattern including lead changes, transitions in speed, sliding stops, backing, roll-backs and multiple spins. In challenge classes, exhibitors compete for cash prizes.

Way to go, Smokin' Custom Chrome from Zachary!

About APHA and the World Championship Show

The World Championship Paint Horse Show features the finest gathering of Paint Horses from around the globe. APHA hosts two annual world-class competitions to showcase the talents of American Paint Horses and their owners. The second in the 2012 series, the Open and Amateur World Championship Show was held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth’s cultural district. With over 900 talented Paint Horses and more than 2,500 entries, exhibitors competed for prizes and cash payouts totaling $500,000.

The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second largest equine breed association. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its global mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members' experiences with their horses.

APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves more than 55,000 active youth and adult members around the world.

For more information, visit apha.com or connect with Paint Horse fans globally at facebook.com/americanpainthorse.