Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kansas,
completes successful year as APHA President

FORT WORTH, Texas—Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan., recently finished a successful term as president of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). He passed the leadership position on to John Corbin this past fall at the Association’s Annual Convention and Membership meeting in San Diego, Calif., and will now serve as the immediate past president in his sixth year on the Executive Committee.

Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan., recently finished a successful term as president of the American Paint Horse Association’s Executive Committee. Courtesy Lee Angle Hirez JPEG (1.98 mb)

APHA is one of the largest and fastest-growing horse breed organizations in the world, registering new horses at a rate of 35,000 per year. The association currently includes 93,000 members and total registrations of more than 928,000 horses. Paint Horses are recognized around the world for their colorful coat patterns, athleticism, disposition, and intelligence.

Thurow will continue to work with six other longtime APHA members to make up the 2009 Executive Committee. This governing body sets APHA policy and is responsible for the Association’s activities and fiscal integrity.

Over the last year, Thurow worked on several projects, including extensive promotion of the American Paint Horse. He traveled around the world educating horse enthusiasts about the opportunities awaiting them with a Paint Horse. He also participated in several APHA community relations projects, including Kids Days, St. Jude trail rides and other charitable activities.

Although Thurow’s service on the APHA Executive Committee will culminate next October, he plans to stay active in the Association. Thurow has served APHA for more than 25 years and has remained involved in many aspects of the organization. In addition to his executive committee responsibilities, he enjoys participating in APHA trail rides. He is also an integral part of the Association’s growing working ranch horse competition, which spotlights the practical skills of Paint Horses on ranches across America.

Thurow is no stranger to competition. He raised the 1988 stallion, Ratchetts Parr, who ranks among the top horses in the breed. Over the years, Thurow’s prized stallion became an APHA World Champion Halter Stallion, APHA Reserve World Champion in Western Riding and an APHA Reserve World Champion in Working Cow Horse. Thurow’s talented stallion also earned APHA Champion and APHA Superior All-Around Champion titles.

Thurow joins an executive committee that includes President John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; President-Elect Linda Vance of Winlock, Wash.; Senior Committee Member Dr. Travis Titlow of Lincoln, Calif.; Fifth Committee Member Scot Jackson of Stephenville, Texas and Sixth Committee Member Mary Parrott of Ruston, La.