FORT WORTH, Texas—The fact that all four living inductees to the National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame are closely involved with Paints in their daily lives has not gone unnoticed by the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). Dedicated to recognizing diverse individuals who have had profound influences in advancing Western lifestyles and activities, the National Cowboys of Color organization honors them with inclusion to its hall of fame.

Mel Blount, center, accepted a special award and was officially inducted into the National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. Presenting the honors to Blount were, from left, Cleo Hearns, a founder and distinguished member of the Hall of Fame; National Cowboys of Color Museum Director Gloria Austin; Founder of the National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame and Museum Jim Austin; and KTVT-TV (CBS 11) sports anchor Brian Custer, emcee of the event. Photo courtesy of APHA/ Jerry Circelli ©2005. (BlountInduct.jpg) Hirez JPEG (2.12 mb) more photos

This year’s living hall of fame members—all American Paint Horse owners—include National Football League (NFL) legend and cutting enthusiast Melvin “Mel” Blount, Indian horsewoman Vicki Adams, rodeo clown Luke “Leon” Coffee and charro Gerardo “Jerry” Diaz. By the inductees’ own accounts, American Paint Horses have played important roles in their lives.

Following is an overview of the new National Cowboys of Color Hall of Famers, their accomplishments and their close association with Paints.

Melvin “Mel” Blount
After a stellar 14-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Melvin “Mel” Blount gave back to his communities by founding two homes for troubled youth—one in Claysville, Pa., and the other in Vidalia, Ga. A 1989 NFL Hall of Fame recipient, Blount took an interest breeding and riding cutting horses after his playing career ended in the early 1980s. All cutting earnings, like his 1990 Open division championship at the Florida Cutting Horse Association show, are devoted to the two youth homes. Blount was selected for induction into the National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame for his many humanitarian activities and his contribution to Western lifestyles and culture.

"I think that this is such a rich part of our American Heritage," Blount said of the National Cowboys of Color organization. "This was a huge honor and tremendous recognition."

Blount said he hopes to continue his work by raising Paint Horses that can compete at premier cutting events and help teach children about responsibility at his youth homes. An active APHA member, Blount’s breeding program has produced quality horses that have done well at cutting competitions. One great example is High Brow Doll, a 4-year-old solid Paint-Bred bay gelding that carried him to third place in the Non-Pro finals at the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity last December in Fort Worth, Texas. The horse has more than $64,000 in lifetime earnings and received $10,000 in the APHA Gelding Plus incentive program, which offers financial rewards to qualified Paint geldings at special competitions. He also bred Jerrys Smart Doll, a 4-year-old sorrel tobiano stallion that he is prepping to campaign next year.

“I am still looking for that special [Paint Horse] athlete that I can go out and win the world on,” said Blount. “It's just incredible when you get an athletic Paint with lots of color."

Blount said he is looking forward to the Paint cutting prospects that may result after the upcoming foaling season. Mel lives in Claysville, Pa., with his wife TiAnda, and their three children Khalid, 6, Jibri, 8, and Akil, 10.

Vicki Adams
Performing live shows before audiences around the world, Vicki Adams has introduced countless people to Western culture and Paint Horses. Her shows involve Paint Horses executing choreographed movements to music, which she refers to as “dancing.” The acts have earned respect from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which has honored her with its Contract Act of the Year three times and Specialty Act of the Year four times. Several of the horses she has trained have also gained acclaim in motion pictures, such as Horse Crazy, and in several magazines.

Adams, an APHA member, regularly incorporates eye-catching Paint Horses into her acts, which focus on visual flair. Currently, she is working with Chared Summer, or “Butterfly,” an 8-year-old black tobiano stallion that excels in a Native American dance routine.

“I like Paints,” said Adams. “I have had six dancing horses, and all but one have been Paints.”

Raised on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington state, Vicki Adams was initially introduced to the Paint Horse breed as a child. At rodeo events, she earned champion barrel racer titles for several years from the Northwest Indian Rodeo Association. From there, she progressed to trick riding, which is similar to gymnastics atop a moving horse. This led to stunt riding and live specialty acts.

Today, when Vicki and her husband of 35 years, Leon, are not on the road with their Paints, they enjoy their home in Stuart, Okla., where she is passing along her unique talents to her grandson, Zayne Goode.

Leon “Luke” Coffee
With his painted red nose, tennis shoes, cowboy hat and baggy shorts, rodeo clown Leon “Luke” Coffee has a knack for getting the attention of people—and bulls.
Coffee has been a familiar face to National Final Rodeo (NFR) fans in four different decades. Bull rider, calf roper, 1983 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Clown of the Year and Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame recipient are all listed in his resume. He is also a lifetime gold card member of the PRCA.

During his career, Coffee has also been featured in such films as 8 Seconds and My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. He has appeared on television, in rodeo commentaries, in documentaries and commercials.

When Coffee arrives at a rodeo to perform, he always takes along his Paint Horse, Lenas Royaldynasty, a 1996 chestnut overo gelding that he is training for roping events. With limited showing by Coffee and top roping contestants like Fred Whitfield, the gelding has already proven his above-average talents.

“Everybody tells me he’s a lot better horse than I am a roper,” said a modest Coffee about the gelding. “I’ve had a lot of horses. This is undoubtedly the best one I’ve ever had.”

Leon, a grandfather of five, lives with his wife, Terri, in Blanco, Texas. He is training Lenas Royaldynasty there when he is not at rodeos entertaining crowds and helping contestants.

Gerardo “Jerry” Diaz
Gerardo “Jerry” Diaz, a fourth generation charro, or traditional Mexican cowboy, has carried on the culture’s style of precise horsemanship and elaborate roping skills in a big way. He has performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Ga., the 1990 Economic Summit for World Leaders and at large professional rodeos across the country.

In his acts, Diaz combines authentic charro attire and mariachi music with precision roping skills during horsemanship displays that include dressage and reining. His talents have earned him the Federation of Charros’ Golden Spur Award, Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Entertainer of the Year title and extensive print coverage, as well as numerous television appearances and commercial spots.

Diaz is currently training his next lead Paint Horse, The Super Outlaw, a 1999 palomino overo stallion. The training process Diaz uses usually requires a minimum of five years before the horse is ready to join the presentation.

“You want the horse out there performing on its own will and with passion,” said Diaz. “The horse will get to the point where, if he really enjoys performing, his natural beauty will come out.”

At his facilities based in San Antonio, Texas, Diaz is helping craft the public’s perception of his distinct culture, one highly-trained horse at a time.

Jerry and Staci, his wife of six years, live with their 22-month-old son, Nicolas Adrian, in San Antonio, where they are already teaching the youngest family member the family charro traditions.

More Information
For more information about the 2006 Hall of Fame recipients or the Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame, contact info@cowboysofcolor.org or call (817) 922-9999. You can also visit the organization’s Web site at www.cowboysofcolor.org.