Lex Smurthwaite leads American Paint Horse Association

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Executive Committee voted unanimously to appoint Lex Smurthwaite of Decatur, Texas, as Executive Director of the 108,000-member horse breed
organization. The appointment is effective immediately.

APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. Hirez JPEG (5.59 mb)

The APHA Executive Committee’s confirmation of Smurthwaite followed an
announcement only four weeks earlier that the seven-member group had
named him interim leader of the organization.

“We acted swiftly in naming Smurthwaite as executive director, because
we knew he was the right person for the job,” said APHA President Paul
Reinbolt of Woodburn, Ky.

“Smurthwaite has a proven track record of success at APHA,” Reinbolt
added. “Speaking on behalf of our Executive Committee, I can say we are
looking forward to working with Lex, the entire team of 150 APHA
employees, and all of our members to continue to advance our
outstanding breed.”

For the past 12 years, Smurthwaite has served as manager of the
association’s performance, racing and recreational riding departments,
as well as international programs.

Smurthwaite oversees worldwide projects related to horse shows, racing,
trail rides and many other activities. The new executive director
brings a total of 35 years of experience in the horse industry—12 with
APHA, five with the Appaloosa Horse Club and 18 in various roles at
horse race tracks around the nation.

Smurthwaite takes the reins of the dynamic association at a period of
rapid growth and popularity for the American Paint Horse breed.

The association has registered more than 830,000 horses since it was
formed in 1962, and approximately two thirds of those registrations
have taken place in the last decade. In addition, APHA is registering
new horses at a rate of 50,000 per year.

Under Smurthwaite’s leadership, the 2005 World Championship Paint Horse
Show recorded the largest number of entries ever for its premier event
held annually in Fort Worth, Texas. A record 4,848 entries were
logged—a 7-percent increase over the previous year. In addition, 1,838
horses were exhibited.

“We’re happy with the success we enjoyed at World Show this year,”
said Smurthwaite, “and we will continue moving ahead with that momentum
on all of our programs. APHA is a great organization, full of great
people, outstanding horses and a talented staff. Working together, we
will continue to carry out the mission established by our founders.
And, we’ll do it in global proportions as we extend the enjoyment of
the American Paint Horse breed worldwide.”

More about American Paint Horses and APHA
Combine an ideal horse’s best qualities – sound conformation, versatile
athletic ability, intelligence, a calm temperament and willing
disposition—mix in some color and you have the ingredients for one of
the most popular breeds in the world, the American Paint Horse.

These desirable qualities were first and foremost on the minds of the
APHA founders when they established the breed registry 43 years ago. As
a result of their efforts and mission, the American Paint Horse has
become one of the most treasured horses in the world.

APHA’s mission
While APHA has grown tremendously over its 43-year history, it
continues to follow the original mission established by its early
founders. That mission is to:

* Collect, record and preserve the pedigrees of American Paint Horses
* Oversee matters related to the breeding and exhibition of those horses
* Create and maintain innovative programs that:
* Increase the value of Paints
* Enrich members’ experiences with their horses
* Promote Paints and preserve their history