Washington State Paint Horse Club earns
top APHA honors for community service

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—The Washington State Paint Horse Club was recently honored with the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) President’s Club of Distinction Award for its outstanding contributions to the worldwide breed organization. The award was presented to the club, one of more than 100 affiliated with the association, during APHA’s recent annual convention in Louisville, Ky. Only four other clubs received APHA’s highest club honor for their accomplishments last year.

The Washington State Paint Horse Club was recently named an APHA Club of Distinction. Present at the awards ceremony were (from left) APHA President Carl Thurow and club members Joy Bearden, Edie Hill and APHA Vice-President Linda Vance. Courtesy APHA/Jerry Circelli © 2007. Hirez JPEG (5.81 mb)

Annually, APHA recognizes outstanding clubs for their contributions to the Paint Horse industry and their communities by honoring them with Gold Star Club status. From among these clubs, the President’s Club of Distinction award winners are chosen. The selected clubs exemplify the qualities of a premier regional club through services to their members, their community and APHA. The Washington State Paint Horse Club has been a Gold Star Club for a notable six consecutive years.

To earn the honor, the Washington State Paint Horse Club submitted materials that detailed community service and other worthwhile activities taken on by the APHA local affiliate during the previous year to a panel of three judges. For example, the club held drives to benefit Operation Christmas Child and the Ronald McDonald House, among many other activities.

Washington State Paint Horse club members Joy Bearden, Edie Hill and Linda Vance accepted an awards package for the club that featured a Gist Silversmiths gift certificate and APHA General Store gift certificates.

More about APHA
Since its founding 46 years ago, APHA has registered more than 928,000 horses. It currently serves more than 93,000 members, who are located in nations and territories around the world.

Among the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable are their sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns.

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