Incentive programs...what do you think?

[spotsinabox]

I’m so glad they’ve started a ‘western’ section

I was curious to how many people participate in the different incentive programs? APHA Breeders Trust, AQHA Incentive Fund, NSBA SIF and BCF, Pinto Pays?

And, does anyone have any experiences or input on some of the futurity programs like The Southern Belle, or Reicherts, or Tom Powers??

When looking for prospects, or stallions to breed to, do you consider these as important, or just added ‘frosting’??

[bellboots]

I participate in the AQHA Incentive Fund. It’s my first year doing the AQHA shows, so I’m not very educated on the program. I participate to hopefully recover some of my show costs and creat a show record for my horse.

I’m sure my reasons are basic, so I’m interested to hear why others participate.

[wonderhorseguy]

We participate in the APHA Breeders Trust and the AQHA Incentive Fund. We have shown primarily at APHA shows. With the Breeders Trust this usually covers the cost of entries and sometimes the stall. AQHA Incentive Fund in the past has been a money maker but I am unsure if the current iteration of the program will be.

When we are looking to buy a show horse if it is not in one of these programs we will not look at the horse unless it is dirt cheap. With the opportunity to make money back why would we show a horse who is not enrolled?

[spotsinabox]

Exactly … with the cost of showing, I think most people agree every little bit helps:) So I think the BT and INF are just givens …

But I was wondering if anyone looked past those to the NSBA or Futurity programs?

Especially since the NSBA program earns points at dual-approved shows,(AQHA,APHA,PtHA) so you are already paying for your stall, gas, etc. The last few years, the NSBA has been paying out between $75-$100 per point earned, and has been adding different classes … not to mention they also have a youth program that turns points into $$ for college.

The other futurity programs, SB, TP, I was wondering how many people actually utilized them …or if it was a case of just a select few that benefit from them?

[sahqueen]

I have two that are eligible for the AQHA IF, but I have not licensed them for this year. I didn’t feel that I would be showing enough to justify the $100 per horse ($50 open, $50 amateur). I have a hard time with the fact that the program has changes so drastically from what we all agreed to when we enrolled horses…not really into the ‘pay to play’ thing they have going on now. Showing is too expensive as it is, so not sure if I want to gamble more $$ at the start of the season.

I have one eligible for the NSBA program…since he normally does pattern type classes and they are new for NSBA I’m watching to see if there are enough entries in my area this year to make the $200 one time enrollment fee worth it. I have a feeling it will be and figure I’ll end up enrolling him before the 2013 season.

I used to say that I would never buy anything unless AQHA IF enrolled, but with the current system in place changing my plan to a good horse is a good horse…in my mind the NSBA program is going to play into my buying decision more than AQHA IF.

[gaitedincali]

Every arab or HA I’ve owned has been sweepstakes nominated. It just happened, I didn’t go looking for that when horse shopping.

I’ve never seen a dime from the program. Only select classes count for the program - always the ones you aren’t in :lol: -, and the money is ‘meh’ at best. Not enough to offset the insane cost of showing at any rate.

[propspony]

is there anyone who can explain the NSBA thing to me? I have an AQHA foal that I’m considering it for, especially since the over fences counts as well… What’s the difference between the breeders championship and just regular nominating? How much does it cost, what do you get back from it and those kinds of things. I nominated her incentive fund when I registered her, but NSBA seems to be a pretty good way to go too…

I’ve been on the website, but somehow I’m still a bit in the dark…

[spotsinabox]

Well that’s just it … there are so many programs that ‘sound good’ but sometimes I think the only one benefiting is the association.

We have Paints , so I haven’t kept up with the AQHA changes, but I think they’re just nickle and dimining everyone. The BT, I think pays out about $13 per pt… and I have heard people say the Arabian Sweepstakes doesn’t pay enough to justify the expense.

I do think the NSBA is a good opportunity. Not sure I understand it entirely --but will take a stab at explaining it.

The Stallion Incentive Fund – you donate a breeding to your stallion, and if it sells all your foals for that year are eligible for ‘a license’ which costs $100 as a weanling.

The licensed horse can show at the dual approved classes as long as the rider and owner are NSBA memebers. (AQHA, APHA, PtHA, PHBA, etc) This is were they can pick up points -

The SIF is beneficial if you have a strong base of competitors in your area …otherwise, it’s difficult to have a ‘point’ class.

The BCF or Breeders Championship Futurity takes place at their World Show in Tulsa in August. Of the stallions nominated to the SIF, they can particpate in the BCF for an added enrollment fee. The weanlings can then pay an extra $100 to be eligible for that program. It is a futurity program that goes up to 4 year olds. They can show in longe line, western pleasure and hunter under saddle classes and they have several levels – green horse, non pro, color classes, etc. They add an extra $400,000 to the winnings – and I understand the paybacks are pretty good. This program many people choose if they don’t have a big NSBA base in their local area – they can make a trip once a year and earn some $$ .

The NSBA also has a youth program where the SIF licensed horse can earn points … and then when the youth turns 18 the points can be turned into $$ for college.

There’s also an NSBA in Europe, but I’m not sure if it’s all the same, or different.

Hope that helps?