Linda Vance of Winlock, Washington,
elected to APHA executive committee

Linda Vance Hirez TIFF (4.41 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.04 mb)

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Linda Vance of Winlock, Wash., was elected to the executive committee of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) at the organization’s 2005 Annual Convention, held recently in Atlanta, Ga.

As a member of this governing body, Vance joins an executive committee team of six others who set APHA policy and are responsible for the association’s activities and fiscal integrity.

For the past 20 years, Vance has served in various capacities at both the local and regional level of the organization. This year, she was awarded a prestigious regional award for her distinguished service and active role in promoting the American Paint Horse breed. She has also served as secretary and in various other capacities with APHA’s Northwest Coordinating Committee, which assists clubs in the Pacific Northwest in showing and promotion of the breed.

Vance has also been elected twice to the position of president of the Washington State Paint Horse Club. She is currently serving her second term.

Vance has long been involved with APHA, starting with the support of her daughter’s showing career, which spanned several years.

As an APHA Executive Committee member, Vance is now focused on ensuring continued success for the association and the breed.

“The association has a lot to offer in terms of friendship, family togetherness and great camaraderie,” said Vance, adding that these relationships have had a lasting impression on her. “The horses and the lifelong friendships have kept me involved.”

During the past 20 years, Vance has seen many changes in the Paint Horse industry. Membership climbed from nearly 20,000 members, when she first became involved in 1985, to more than 105,000 active members today. In 1985, about 120,000 Paint Horses were registered. Today, that number has grown to more than 847,000 horses in more than 40 nations and territories around the world.

Participation in many APHA activities and programs also continues to grow in popularity, including the World Championship Paint Horse Show, held annually in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2005, APHA logged a record 4,848 entries at the show, representing a 7-percent increase over the previous year. There were 1,838 American Paint Horses exhibited during the 14-day period.

New in 2006 will be an exciting show and event, Paint Vegas, which will be held Dec. 6–10 in Las Vegas, Nev. Far more than your typical horse show, Paint Vegas promises five fun-filled days of futurity, jackpot and slot classes in true Las Vegas style.

Vance joins an executive committee that includes President Carl Parker of Marriott-Slaterville, Utah; President-elect Richard Cox of Knightstown, Ind.; Vice President Alice Singleton of Mount Vernon, Ark.; Senior Committee Member Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan., Fifth Committee Member John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Immediate Past President Paul Reinbolt of Woodburn, Ky.

For more information about APHA and the American Paint Horse breed, visit www.apha.com, or call (817) 834-2742.