American Paint Horse Association elects new Executive Committee

FORT WORTH, Texas-An Executive Committee that will help lead more than 85,000 members of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) into the year 2001 was elected recently at the association's 30th annual convention in Seattle, Washington.

Jerry Boomhower of Russell, Kansas, was elected president of the rapidly growing association, while six others were named to 2000-2001 Executive Committee positions. Joining Boomhower on the committee are:

Bill Hittle of Hugoton, Kan., president-elect; Forrest Nelson of Meeker, Colo., vice president; Tom Elliott of Benson, Ariz., senior committee member; Harvey Jones of Turlock, Calif., fifth committee member; Paul Reinbolt of Woodburn, Ky., sixth committee member; and Terrianne Larson of Stratford, Iowa, immediate past president. Ed Roberts serves as APHA executive secretary.

In his acceptance speech, Boomhower discussed how much he and his family enjoyed raising, showing and selling Paint Horses. Boomhower recalled purchasing a Paint for his family in 1973, then noted, "Over the years we just had to get more Paints." He said the experiences he and his wife had with their children and the Paints proved to be priceless.

Boomhower said he planned to carry on the success of APHA with the help of his well-respected colleagues. "I have been blessed with an excellent Executive Committee. I couldn't have done better if I had hand-picked them myself."

The incoming president stressed that he will strive to keep APHA's growth strong and said he would like to see more market outlets develop for Paint Horses.

"Whatever we do in the following year, you can bet we're going to do it for the betterment of the Paint Horse Association," said Boomhower.

The APHA was founded in 1962. By that year's end, founder Rebecca Lockhart had registered 150 members and 250 horses. Today, APHA has more than 85,000 members. Based on the current growth rate of the association, membership is expected to exceed 100,000 Paint enthusiasts by 2001. To date, more than 579,000 Paint Horses have been registered by the association. More than 160 people are employed by the APHA at its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Ed Roberts serves as executive secretary of the APHA.