John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colorado,
re-elected to APHA executive committee

John Corbin Hirez TIFF (4.40 mb) Hirez JPEG (827 kb)

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colo., 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.

Corbin, who is serving his second 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. Corbin has been an integral part of the committee as it oversees the growth and development of APHA and the American Paint Horse breed.

Corbin has held many leadership positions with APHA throughout the years, and has been involved with both the Hi-Plains Paint Horse Club and the Rocky Mountain Paint Horse Association. Both are Colorado regional club affiliates of APHA, which maintains more than 100 regional clubs around the world.

In addition to his many duties at the regional club level, Corbin served as president of the Hi-Plains Paint Horse Club and was on the organization’s board of directors.

Among his many tasks with APHA, Corbin works hard to support the association’s youth organization—the American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA). Established in 1974, AjPHA is an organization for youth aged 18 and younger that fosters leadership, citizenship and friendship. Today, the association includes more than 7,000 active youth members.

Corbin’s three daughters, now adults, competed actively as AjPHA members. During that time, Corbin learned the benefits of forging a solid foundation for the future of the association.

“The implementation of the Novice Youth program has really helped increase our youth numbers,” Corbin said. “It’s a great part of the program and caters to youth competing in 4-H who would like to show in APHA-approved shows.”

The Novice Youth program, which caters to beginning competitors who have earned less than 20 points at an APHA-approved show, was first offered in 2004 and had 717 youth members involved that year. In 2005, the program has grown to more than 1,000 participants.

Corbin owns and operates Spruce Hill Paints in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he and his family breed, show and sell American Paint Horses.

Since his first involvement in 1985, Corbin has seen many changes in the Paint Horse industry. Membership climbed from nearly 20,000 members that year to more than 105,000 active members today. In 1985, about 120,000 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 Corbin’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.

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.

Corbin 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.; Senior Committee Member Carl Thurow of Wichita, Kan., Sixth Committee Member Linda Vance of Winlock, Wash.; and Immediate Past Presdident 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.