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| Dedicated
riders reach APHA milestones
FORT WORTH, Texas-While trail
riding one day with her treasured Paint Horse,
Son Seeker Dowanza, Frankie French made a vow
to her late father, C.W. Blevins. She pledged
that she would honor his memory by reaching
a special riding program goal that would require
seemingly endless hours of dedication over the
next few years.
"My father was always so proud
of my accomplishments riding horses over the
years," said Frankie, of Graham, N.C. "He was
my mentor, and he always encouraged me to ride."
So ride she did, right into
the American Paint Horse Association (APHA)
record books as one of the few people to reach
the 3,000-hour level in the Ride America program.
Frankie's travels on her 7-year-old sorrel overo
stallion took her to four states-West Virginia,
Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
"I rode up in the mountains, down on the beach
and everywhere in between," recalled Frankie.
"I did it for my father."
Making a vow on horseback
and carrying it through is nothing new to Frankie,
who was married on horseback four years ago
in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "There were 600 horses
on the beach that day, even the preacher was
on horseback," recalled Frankie.
Next year, Frankie hopes to
head back to Myrtle Beach and log 2,000 more
hours on her Paint Horse-this time to honor
her mother.
Frankie, who said she rides between one and eight
hours per day, is a strong proponent of APHA Ride
America. "I think this is one of the greatest
programs an association can offer," said Frankie.
She said she has enjoyed setting and accomplishing
trail-riding goals and has developed a special
bond with her Paint Horse in the process. For
her accomplishments, Frankie will receive a patch
and BMB customized saddle pad. |
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Two receive 1,000-mile awards
Two Canadian residents also rode their way
to award-winning levels as part of the American Paint Horse
Association's Ride America program.
Colleen Coulthard, of Castor, Alberta, logged
1,000 miles of riding around her hometown on Cactus Dandy,
her 6-year-old sorrel overo gelding.
Heather Harrison, of Gagetown, New Brunswick,
reached her milestone atop Justa Nuisance, her 8-year-old
chestnut breeding stock mare.
The Ride America program recognizes participants
for reaching achievement levels ranging from 100 to 3,000
hours. Awards vary from Ride America patches for each level,
to water bottles, saddle bags, halters and lead ropes, and
customized saddle pads. Awards are provided by APHA and BMB
Tack.
For more information on Ride America, contact program coordinator
Sally Bridges at (817) 834-2742, extension 222, or send an e-mail
to her at sbridges@apha.com. |
