Prepare for an exciting ride as Appaloosa enthusiasts from all over the world take part in the 2006 World Championship Appaloosa Show coming to the Will Rogers Memorial Center for nine days of thrilling excitement and fun in Fort Worth, TX, October 27-November 4.

For more than 40 years, the World Championship Appaloosa Show has united outstanding Appaloosas in the competitive arena. This year will only continue that tradition as more than a thousand Appaloosas and contestants demonstrate their skills and abilities. Riders and handlers will showcase the Appaloosa's bold color, athleticism, sound temperament and versatility in a variety of classes, including reining, cutting, jumping, pleasure riding, trail, halter and games. Contestants will compete for trophies, prizes and cash awards as well as for the World's Best Appaloosa and Leading Breeder titles.

Special events and performances will take place throughout the week. This year the World Championship Appaloosa Sale will be held on Wednesday, November 1, with a preview beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the sale at 7:00 p.m. The sale will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in the W.R. Watt Arena. Sale catalogs will be available at the show, or can be downloaded at www.appaloosa.com.

The sale will present numerous World Show champions and qualifiers, as well as other show horses, broodmares, stallions and prospects chosen for their present and future contributions to the Appaloosa horse industry. The sale will also feature the finest Appaloosa yearlings from around the country. Yearlings entered in this sale will be eligible for $33,000 in guaranteed payouts for three futurity classes to be held at the 2007 World Championship Appaloosa Show.

Head to the W.R. Watt Arena for the always-exciting team penning event, taking place on Sunday, October 29, with a $1,000 award donated by Twin Cities Featherlite. Don't miss out on other unique classes the Appaloosa breed offers such as Horse-Against-Horse Games, Native American Heritage, and Men's and Ladies' Western Pleasure.

The Toys For Tots Benefit Performance takes place on Saturday, November 4, at 5:00 p.m. This special event, held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps, provides under-privileged children in the Fort Worth area with a better holiday season. Both contestants and spectators are encouraged to provide a toy or cash donation as admission to the event. The evening will kick off with the Most Colorful at Halter class where a variety of vividly colored Appaloosas will compete for the World Championship title and the SR Gold Open Rope Race with a $5,000 payout for the winners donated by SR Gold. Following will be the freestyle reining performances. The top five exhibitors in this event will receive a divided payout of $5,000, donated by Sergeant's Western World. Twin Cities Featherlite will also award a $1,000 purse to the top two non-pro exhibitors. The final evening of the show will also feature presentation of the $10,000 Nutrena Iron Horse Award. Horses will compete through out the show in halter, English, Western, gaming and cattle events to see who is this year's versatile Iron Horse.

Other must-see events scheduled throughout the week include the unique Camas Prairie Stump Race and Camas Stakes Race, as well as classes and futurities offered by the Appaloosa Reining Horse Association (ApRHA), the Appaloosa Cutting Horse Association (ApCHA), the Appaloosa Games Horse Association (AGHA) and the Appaloosa Pleasure Horse Association (ApPHA).

Exhibitors and spectators can also shop at the Best of the West Gift Expo, where vendors will be displaying a variety of merchandise from western apparel and jewelry to custom embroidery and horse trailers. Gift Expo admission and parking are always free. The Best of the West Gift Expo will be open October 27-November 4 daily from 9:00 a.m.