| Oklahoma
equestrienne named AJPHA Youth of the Year
FORT WORTH, Texas-Intelligent,
kind-hearted, civic-minded and hard-working
are all words that have been used to describe
Meriruth Cohenour, of Claremore, Okla., who
was recently named the American Junior Paint
Horse Association (AJPHA) 2000 Youth Member
of the Year. The prestigious award is given
annually to AJPHA members for their outstanding
community involvement, volunteer work, scholarship
and proven leadership abilities.
Meriruth was officially honored
at an AJPHA banquet during the American Paint
Horse Association (APHA) World Championship
Paint Horse Show, held in Fort Worth, Texas,
June 26 through July 8. She received a custom-engraved
belt buckle and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.
An 18-year-old honors graduate
of Claremore Public High School, and valedictorian
of her class, Meriruth is president of the Green
Country Junior Paint Horse Club and was the
1999-2000 vice president of the AJPHA. She has
owned and shown Paint Horses for more than 10
years. Nominated for the award by the Green
Country Paint Horse Club, Meriruth has proven
to be a major asset to the AJPHA and the entire
equine industry.
"Meriruth has helped organize
and conduct riding camps for kids who did not
own horses, but wanted to learn to ride," said
Vernon Scogin, director of the Rogers County
Extension Office. "She has also helped provide
both horses and expertise for our county 'show-de-os.'
At these activities, she became a teacher for
the younger kids."
In addition to Meriruth's
commitment to the Paint Horse industry, she
is a dedicated student. Meriruth has already
received two scholarships totaling $2,500 from
Oklahoma State University, where she will attend
college this fall, majoring in agricultural
communications and animal science.
"I plan to stay involved
with Paint Horses," said Meriruth, who encourages
other youths to do the same. "There are many
ways to participate, other than the show ring,"
she said, adding that community service projects,
horse judging activities and talent contests
have all contributed to her enjoyment and understanding
of horses and the people associated with them.
"Receiving the AJPHA Youth Member of the Year
award is a wonderful honor for me," she said.
The APHA was formed in 1962 with approximately
3,800 horses in the registry. Today, more than
562,000 Paints are registered with the association,
making the Paint Horse the fifth-largest horse
breed in the world. The APHA has the distinction
of having the highest average growth rate of any
major breed for the past five years. In 1999 alone,
the association registered more than 62,000 foals.
Now more than 84,000 members strong, the APHA
strives to preserve and promote the history, breeding,
training, racing, showing, sales and enjoyment
of American Paints. For more information about
the APHA and its programs, call (817) 834-2742,
extension 788, or go online at www.apha.com.
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