Washington State Paint Horse Club
receives prestigious APHA award

FORT WORTH, Texas— Members of the local American Paint Horse Association (APHA) regional club, Washington State Paint Horse Club (WSPHC), were recently honored with the prestigious President’s Club of Distinction Award in San Antonio, Texas, for their extensive contributions to their community and involvement with the humane society. Only five regional clubs out of the 111 received the honors.

Joy Bearden, of the Washington State Paint Horse Club, accepted the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA’s) President’s Club of Distinction Award recently from APHA President Richard Cox. The entire Washington State Paint Horse Club was awarded for its dedication to serving the community and the American Paint Horse breed. Hirez JPEG (4.63 mb)

Every year, APHA recognizes outstanding regional clubs for their contributions to the breed by honoring them with Gold Star Club status. APHA selects the President’s Club of Distinction award winners from the Gold Star Clubs. The winning clubs exemplify the qualities of a premier regional club through services to their members, community and APHA.

“APHA is honored to recognize the efforts of these outstanding regional clubs each year,” said Linda Foreman, APHA’s regional club manager. “The valuable time these clubs dedicate to APHA and their communities does not go unnoticed, and helps the association continue to make new strides.”

The WSPHC is dedicated to giving back to the community every year through monetary and service donations. The club is very active in supporting the American Legion Food for the Elderly program, the Humane Society and Equus Sanctuary. Along with the service club members provide to these organizations, WSPHC members host clinics for local 4-H groups and an annual Paint Horse Show which raises money to be donated to worthy community causes.

Members stay active within the club by attending monthly meetings, socials, barbeques and trail rides. The club hosts and maintains a website, www.wsphc.com. The club also supports and active youth club, which sponsors its own activities including caroling at a home for Alzheimer patients.

More about APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 40,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 870,000 horses in 49 nations and territories since it was founded 44 years ago, and now serves more than 100,000 active members around the world. Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of the American Paint Horse breed.