Carl Parker of Marriott-Slaterville, Utah,
completes successful year as APHA President

Carl Parker Hirez JPEG (4.85 mb)

FORT WORTH, Texas— Carl Parker of Marriott-Slaterville, Utah, recently finished a successful term as president of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). He passed the leadership position on to Richard Cox this past fall at the association’s Annual Convention and Membership meeting in San Antonio, Texas, and will now serve as the immediate past president after his six years on the executive committee.

APHA is one of the largest and fastest-growing horse breed organizations in the world, registering new horses at a rate of 40,000 per year. The association, currently includes 100,000 members and total registrations of nearly 900,000 horses. Paint Horses are recognized around the world for their colorful coat patterns, athleticism, disposition, and intelligence.

Parker will continue to work with six other longtime APHA members to make up the newly-elected committee. This governing body sets APHA policy and is responsible for the association’s activities and fiscal integrity.

Over the last year, Parker 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.

Although Parker’s service on the APHA Executive Committee will culminate next October, he plans to stay active in the association. He brings more than 20 years of experience to APHA and has held several leadership positions in the horse industry. He served on the Utah Paint Horse Club board of directors for 14 years, eight of which he was president. Parker was also extensively involved with the Utah Horse Council and served on the committee for six years.

“I’ll always remain committed to seeing that APHA is rooted in family and a place where people feel it’s fun and worthwhile to belong,” Parker said.

The strong family ties APHA offers is one reason Parker was drawn to the association in 1985, and the main reason he remains active. Parker was involved with horses prior to his introduction to Paint Horses. It wasn’t until he met his wife, Maurine, that he realized the beauty and athleticism the Paint Horse had to offer. Maurine’s father, Milton Kidman, was an avid Paint Horse breeder and encouraged Parker to purchase his first Paint Horse, which led to a lifetime of involvement. Throughout his years, Parker and Maurine have raised and shown several championship Paint Horses and look forward to watching the association continue to succeed at both the local and national level.

“Being involved with APHA is fun,” he said. “Families enjoy it, and I know the association will continue to grow and be successful through the years.”

Parker’s achievements on the executive council and throughout APHA can be attributed to his skill in working with people and getting jobs done.

“Demanding work to be done isn’t always the right approach,” said Parker. “You have to get people to buy into a project and make it their own. When it becomes their project, their work, their challenge, they often come up with the solution.”

Parker joins an executive committee that includes President Richard Cox of Knightstown, Ind.; President-elect Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan.; Vice President John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Senior Committee Member Linda Vance of Winlock, Wash.; Fifth Committee Member Dr. Travis Titlow of Lincoln, Calif.; and Sixth Committee Member Scot Jackson of Stephenville, Texas.