Washington Paint Horse Club earns top APHA honors

FORT WORTH, Texas—The Washington State Paint Horse Club was honored recently with the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) President’s Club of Distinction Award for its outstanding contributions to the worldwide breed organization. The award was presented to the club, one of 111 affiliated with the association, during APHA’s recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga. Only four other clubs received APHA’s highest club honor in 2005.

For its President's Club of Distinction Award, the Washington State Paint Horse Club earned an awards package featuring a $200 Gist Silversmiths gift certificate and four APHA General Store gift certificates valued at $750. Joy Bearden, of Winlock, Wash., accepted the award on behalf of her club from APHA President Carl Parker.. Hirez JPEG (1.29 mb)

APHA annually recognizes outstanding clubs for their contributions to the Paint Horse industry and their communities by honoring them with Gold Star Club status. From among these clubs, the President’s Club of Distinction award winners are chosen. The selected clubs exemplify the qualities of a premier regional club through services to their members, their community and APHA.

Among the many worthwhile activities undertaken by the Washington State Paint Horse Club were a Paint Horse 101 educational seminar; a trail ride and the donation of money and supplies to charitable organizations such as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, the Red Cross and a local animal shelter.

Washington Paint Horse club member, Joy Bearden, accepted an awards package for her club featuring a $200 Gist Silversmiths gift certificate and four APHA General Store gift certificates valued at $750.

More about APHA
Since its founding 43 years ago, APHA has registered more than 842,000 horses. Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of approximately 40,000 horses each year. The association serves nearly 106,000 members, who are located in every U.S. state, throughout Canada and in 38 other nations and territories around the world.

APHA employs 155 people and has an annual operating budget of $15 million for activities worldwide.

Among the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable are their sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns.

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