American Paint Horse Association puts
more than 300 in the saddle for Kids Day

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—More than 300 North Texas children interested in horses and the Western lifestyle took advantage of the American Paint Horse
Association’s (APHA) recent Kids Day on March 29 by riding colorful American Paint Horses. More than 1,000 visitors participated in the activities offered.

APHA’s recent Kids Day featured horseback rides and entertainment that included trick roper Bryan Schronk (seen here), the Kamikaze Kowgirls trick riding duo, the Fort Worth-based Cowtown Opry and Buckaroos musical group and APHA mascot Paint Horse Pete. Photo Courtesy APHA/Jim West © 2008 Hirez JPEG (1.74 mb)

In addition to horseback rides on American Paint Horses, children and their families experienced many other hands-on activities, including instruction about grooming and caring for a horse, an animal petting area, a stick horse barrel race, beginner roping lessons and much more. Entertainment acts throughout the day included a team of trick riders—the Kamikaze Kowgirls, trick roper Bryan Schronk, the local Cowtown Opry and Buckaroos musical group and APHA mascot Paint Horse Pete. Kids of all ages also enjoyed lunch from an authentic chuck wagon.

Through the hard work and cooperation of local volunteers and businesses, this special event was free and open to the public.

The event, which is a day of entertainment and fun for the whole family, brought the program’s total number of horseback riders to nearly 1,000 since its inception in 2006. It has also been held at the last two World Championship Paint Horse Shows and at APHA Headquarters in March 2007.

APHA President Carl Thurow gave several children roping tips during APHA’s recent Kids Day. Photo Courtesy APHA/Abigail Wilder © 2008 Hirez TIFF (6.18 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.01 mb)

More than 300 children got the opportunity to ride a horse at APHA’s recent Kids Day, many for the first time. Photo Courtesy APHA/Megan Larson © 2008 Hirez TIFF (6.18 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.57 mb)

To learn more
For more information about the next APHA Kids Day, set for June 28 during APHA’s World Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, visit aphaworldshow.com. Or call the association for details at (817) 834-2742.