Atwood Hat joins APHA sponsor group of World Championship Paint Horse Show

FORT WORTH, Texas-The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) announced the selection of Atwood Hat Company, Inc., as the official hat company of the 2002 World Championship Paint Horse Show.

Formed nearly six years ago, the company was originally housed in a 12-by-16-foot portable building on Dick and Sharon Atwood's ranch. The company has since grown to become a leader in the Western hat industry.

Born of necessity, Atwood Hat Company sprang forth because of Dick's constant search for a hat that would work as hard as he did and still look good enough to wear to town after the workday was done.

During a trip to Mexico in 1987, Dick purchased a palm leaf hat. After seeing how well the hat lasted in the hay fields and branding pens, Dick's friends soon wanted a palm leaf hat of their own.

After retiring from the family business, Dick made another trip to Mexico and came back with several hats to sell to people he knew in the livestock industry.

Within a single month, Dick's small-time hat business outgrew the portable building. Moved to a bigger building in Frankston, Texas, the business was christened Atwood Hat Company. Three months later, the Atwoods again relocated to accommodate their business's rapid growth. They eventually rented three buildings to store their inventory.

Further expanding their line in mid-2001, Atwood Hat Company began producing a superior-quality Shantung straw hat-the ultimate dress hat.

Today, Atwood Hat Company has moved back to the ranch. Located in a 12,000-square-foot warehouse and office complex, the company continues to grow, furnishing its customers with the finest palm leaf and shantung hats available.

"We at Atwood Hat Company feel privileged to have been chosen the official hat company of the 2002 World Championship Paint Horse Show," Dick said. "We are happy to be a sponsor, and in some small way hope to help make the 2002 Paint Horse show a great success."