Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kansas,
re-elected to APHA executive committee

Carl Thurow Hirez TIFF (4.40 mb) Hirez JPEG (727 kb)

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan., was re-elected to the executive committee of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) at the organization’s 2005 Annual Convention, held recently in Atlanta, Ga.

Thurow, who is serving his third 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. Thurow said he is proud to be a part of the association’s leadership team.

“We have a board that is working in the best interests of the association,” he said. “I will always feel honored to be part of the executive committee.”

Thurow plans to continue to work hard to ensure that APHA remains a friendly and family-oriented organization. He said his involvement with the breed and the association during the past 25 years has prepared him for his role on the executive committee.

“My love for the American Paint Horse has gotten me to this point,” Thurow said. “I now have the chance in my life to give something back.”

Thurow is no stranger to leadership positions within the association. He served as an APHA national director from Kansas and has also held many positions with the Kansas Paint Horse Club.

As a horseman, Thurow said he had always wanted to raise a top-notch working cow horse. He got that chance in 1988 when Ratchetts Parr, a sorrel overo stallion, was born at his ranch. The stellar horse became an APHA World Champion Halter Stallion, APHA Reserve World Champion in Western Riding and an APHA Reserve World Champion in Working Cow Horse. The stallion was also named an APHA Champion in 1991 and an APHA Superior All-around champion in 1998.

During the past 25 years, Thurow has seen many changes in the Paint Horse industry. Membership climbed from about 10,000 members in 1980, when he first became involved, to more than 105,000 active members today. By 1980, APHA had registered a total of about 60,000 Paint Horses. Today, that number has increased dramatically 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 Thurow’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.

Thurow joins an executive committee that includes President Carl Parker of Marriott-Slaterville, Utah; President-elect Richard Cox of Knightstown, Ind.; Vice President Alice Singleton of Mount Vernon, Ark.; 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.