Participation up 123 percent over 10 years
American Paint Horse Association
membership reaches new record levels

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) set three consecutive membership highs before the end of the second quarter of 2004, with 107,286 active participants now a part of the organization.

Since it began in 1962 with 23 Paint Horse breeders forming the organization, APHA has evolved into one of the fastest growing and most popular horse breed registries in the world. Members are now located in every U.S. state, throughout Canada and in 39 other nations and territories around the world.

The new membership total represents a 3 percent rise over the 2003 mid-year point total and a 123 percent increase over 10 years ago, when membership stood at 48,089.

The totals include youngsters involved in the growing American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA). This youth group, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, comprises 6,746 members, a 7 percent rise over the same time last year.

Registration of American Paint Horses also continues at a strong and steady pace, with 780,000 horses registered since APHA was formed 42 years ago.
Approximately 66 percent of the horses in that total have been registered in the past 10 years alone, validating the fact that APHA is one of the fastest growing registries in the world. In addition, new horses are being registered at rate of approximately 50,000 every year.

“American Paint Horses and the people who breed, ride and own them, continue to be trend-setters in the equine world,” said Jim Kelley, APHA executive secretary. “Every day, our dedicated members are proving that for intelligence, disposition, performance and athletic ability, American Paint Horses are second to none. And as far as beauty, the American Paint stands out with true distinction.

“We look forward to continued success for the remainder of the year and welcome people to be a part of our bright future.”

APHA is on a mission
APHA’s mission has remained the same today as it did when its founders set the original long-term goals of the organization.

That mission is to:

• Collect, record and preserve pedigrees of American Paint Horses
• Oversee matters related to breeding and exhibition
• Create and maintain innovative programs that:
  • increase the value of American Paint Horses
  • enrich members’ experiences with their horses
• promote American Paint Horses and preserve their history