Alice Singleton of Mount Vernon, Arkansas, elected
vice president of American Paint Horse Association

Alice Singleton Hirez TIFF (4.39 mb) Hirez JPEG (824 kb)

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Alice Singleton of Mount Vernon, Ark., was elected vice president of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) at the organization’s 2005 Annual Convention, held recently in Atlanta, Ga.

Singleton, who is serving her fourth year on the executive committee, joins a group of six others who set APHA policy and are responsible for the association’s activities and fiscal integrity.

Singleton said she looks forward to seeing continued growth for the association’s recreational riding opportunities, which include APHA-sponsored trail rides and the Ride America® saddle-log program.

“As an association, we have really spread our wings with our recreational programs,” Singleton said. “We have set a world standard. Recreational riding is where we are going and where we want to go.”

During Singleton’s time on the executive committee, she has seen the number of members enrolled in Ride America grow from about 3,600 in 2002 to more than 5,200 today. Singleton enjoys participating in this program, as well, and has logged nearly 8,000 riding hours with 10 horses since 1995.

While Singleton is an avid recreational rider, she has a deep appreciation for all of APHA’s many programs and activities. She especially enjoys the camaraderie associated with the organization.

“I stay involved with APHA because of the people,” Singleton said. “I have developed so many great friendships through the years. These friends have become a part of my life and have influenced me so much.

Singleton said she often recalls a comment made about Paint Horses by Ed Roberts, a former APHA executive secretary. “He said, ‘The color attracts you, and the people keep you.’ This is such an accurate statement.”

While she never rode horses as a child, Singleton did take up the activity when she met Jerry Singleton, now her husband. Even though she missed out on horses in her childhood, she continues to make up for the lost time by riding every chance she gets now.

“Every child should have the opportunity to learn to ride,” Singleton said. “It is truly something that touches your soul. I refer to my life before horses as ‘my other life.’ ”

Since her first involvement with APHA in 1990, Singleton has seen many changes in the Paint Horse industry. Membership climbed from about 31,000 members that year to more than 105,000 active members today. In 1990, about 195,000 Paint Horses were registered. Today, that number has grown to more than 847,000 horses in more than 40 nations and territories around the world.

Participation in many APHA activities and programs also continues to grow in popularity, including the World Championship Paint Horse Show, held annually in Fort Worth, Texas. During Singleton’s service on the executive committee, more than 1,800 horses have been exhibited each year at the World Show and entries have continued to increase. In 2005, APHA logged a record 4,848 entries at the show, representing a 7-percent increase over the previous year. There were 1,838 American Paint Horses exhibited during the 14-day show in 2005.

New in 2006 will be an exciting show and event, Paint Vegas, which will be held Dec. 6–10 in Las Vegas, Nev. Far more than your typical horse show, Paint Vegas promises five fun-filled days of futurity, jackpot and slot classes in true Las Vegas style.

Singleton joins an executive committee that includes President Carl Parker of Marriott-Slaterville, Utah; President-elect Richard Cox of Knightstown, Ind.; Senior Committee Member Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan.; Fifth Committee Member John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sixth Committee Member Linda Vance of Winlock, Wash.; and Immediate Past President Paul Reinbolt of Woodburn, Ky.

For more information about APHA and the American Paint Horse breed, visit www.apha.com, or call (817) 834-2742.