APHA World Show participants show their generosity

American Paint Horse Foundation raises funds, awareness for equine programs to support troops

Military veterans from Rocky Top Ranch in Keller, Texas, raised awareness for the “Horses for Heroes” program during the World Championship Paint Horse Show in Fort Worth recently.   Hirez JPEG (1.64 mb)

With the American Paint Horse Association's (APHA) Fall World Show spanning Veteran’s Day, the Foundation dedicated commemorative T-shirts, as well as two special silent auction items to support horseback riding therapy programs for our nation’s fighting men and women. These equine programs have been gaining popularity for helping soldiers and veterans to rehabilitate through the healing power of horses.

Country music legend Charlie Daniels donated an autographed, golden fiddle to the Foundation earlier this year for the organization to further its work to help those in need. The Foundation, in turn, put the fiddle up for bid during the APHA Fall World Show. A final bid of $3,000 was made on the fiddle by Mary and Robert Parrott of Ruston, La.

Clay Gant of Cowboy Bronze in Cross Timbers, Mo., donated a beautiful bronze sculpture to the cause as well, and his creation earned $850 from high bidder Tommy Ford of Ford Farms in Whitesboro, Texas. The commemorative tT-shirt sales brought in an additional $4,300.

As a further tribute to those who serve our country, the Foundation spotlighted veterans from Rocky Top Ranch’s “Horses for Heroes” program. The ranch, located in Keller, Texas, assists people of all ages, including veterans, through its many therapeutic riding programs. The American Paint Horse Foundation awarded a special check to Rocky Top Ranch to continue its work for veterans. The check was presented by American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) members, who are also involved in serving veterans, and U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Val Baker, a dedicated APHA member who has a long and distinguished career in serving the nation.

The American Paint Horse Foundation offered a $500 check to Rocky Top Ranch for the equine therapy center to continue its work on the Horses for Heroes program.   Hirez JPEG (1.64 mb)

The Foundation raised an additional $8,000 through warm-up classes and the generosity of World Show participants who used the opportunity to practice in simulated show ring environments.

The American Paint Horse Foundation also said farewell to its prized “Foundation Filly,” Heavenly Cat. The filly was offered in a raffle to benefit youth scholarships and brought in $4,600.

The filly was one of several donated over the past six years by Floyd and Maryann Moore of 6J Paint Horses in Huntsville, Texas. In all, the Moores’ contributions have helped raise over $100,000 for the American Paint Horse Foundation scholarship and youth development programs. Amy Andresen, from the Barn at Cedar Hill, generously donated her training services for the filly this year. As a result, raffle winner Glenn Schoen of Kaufman, Texas, received a well-trained, beautiful Paint filly with impeccable bloodlines.

Through the generosity of show participants and special donors, the Foundation World Show income from both the APHA summer and fall shows amounted to nearly $28,000.

This follows a year in which the Foundation made major strides to increase its scholarship payouts and establish a fund to help support therapeutic riding programs.

For more information on the American Paint Horse Foundation, call (817) 834-2742 or visit aphfoundation.org.

The American Paint Horse Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.