FORT WORTH—Nine young artists won awards and earned recognition recently through the American Junior Paint Horse Association’s (AjPHA) 2005 Great Paint Brush-Off Art Contest. These, and other talented members of AjPHA submitted original works of art portraying American Paint Horses to be considered for the contest. Winners were selected from three age categories: 9-and-under, ages 10–14 and ages 15–18.

9 and Under Age Division winners
In the 9-and-under age division, first place was awarded to 9-year-old Morgan Taylor, of The Woodlands, Texas. Taylor improved upon last year’s efforts, when she received third.

Taylor’s brother, Matthew, took second in the class. The 7-year-old also participated in the contest last year, winning first place with his entry.

Third place was won this year by 4-year-old Madelyn Friedlander, also of The Woodlands, Texas.

10–14 Age Division winners
Scottsdale, Arizona native, Sara Gushgari, won first place in the art contest’s 10–14 age division. The win extended the 13-year-old’s title a second year.

Carley Cunningham, 14, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was awarded second place in the division.

For the second year in a row, third place went to Cayley Lee Burleson. The 12-year-old is from Burkburnett, Texas.

15–18 Age Division winners
In the oldest aged class of the contest, the 15–18-age division, Kassandra Bethke won first place. The 18-year-old class champion is from New Richland, Minnesota.

Second place went to Madison Becker, 16, of Douglas, Wyoming. This year marks a consecutive second place win for Becker in the division.

Sara Sharkey, 16, of Esko, Minnesota, was the third place recipient in the age category.

Prizes Awarded
First place winners in the art contest received a $100 APHA General Store gift certificate and AjPHA computer mouse pad. Second place winners received a $50 General Store gift certificate and mouse pad and third place winners received a $25 gift certificate and mouse pad.

More about AjPHA
AjPHA is an organization for youth members, ages 18 and under, of the American Paint Horse Association. Through AjPHA, members build friendships, volunteer in their community and develop leadership skills while sharing their enthusiasm for the American Paint Horse through a variety of activities. There are currently over 7,000 youth members of AjPHA.

For more information on AjPHA, please contact Betsy Francis, at (817) 834-2742, extension 248, e-mail youth@ajpha.com or visit the association’s Web site at www.ajpha.com.