Richard Cox of Knightstown, Indiana, named
president-elect of American Paint Horse Association

Richard Cox Hirez TIFF (4.40 mb) Hirez JPEG (944 kb)

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Richard Cox of Knightstown, Ind., advanced to president-elect of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) at the organization’s 2005 Annual Convention, held recently in Atlanta, Ga.

Cox, who has been re-elected to his position five times, joins an executive committee team of six others who set APHA policy and are responsible for the association’s activities and fiscal integrity. Cox was selected for his strengths he brings from both a business and a horse background.

Cox attributes his early involvement with the breed to his daughter, Melanie Cox Dayhuff, who was active as a youth and now competes as an amateur.

“Our amateur and youth programs mean a lot to me,” Cox said. “Participation in those shows is growing tremendously and that’s the direction our association is headed. These people are our future. I will do all I can, in working with my colleagues, to continue to improve all of the many programs offered by APHA, with special attention to our amateur and youth competitors.”

During the past 25 years, Cox has seen many changes in the Paint Horse industry. Membership climbed more than tenfold from about 10,000 members in 1980, when he first became involved, to more than 105,000 active members today. In 1985, about 60,000 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 Cox’s service on the Executive Committee, more than 1,800 horses have been exhibited each year 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.

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

“I feel privileged to work on a seven-member executive committee, where people are volunteering their time and energy to improve the American Horse breed and our dynamic association,” Cox said.

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