Garden State Paint Horse Club
receives prestigious APHA award FORT WORTH, Texas—Local members of the Garden State Paint Horse Club were recently awarded with the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) prestigious President’s Club of Distinction Award in San Antonio, Texas, for their outstanding dedication to the community and horse industry. Only five regional clubs from APHA’s 111 affiliated clubs received the honors. Every year, APHA recognizes outstanding regional clubs for their contributions to the breed by honoring them with Gold Star Club status. APHA selects the President’s Club of Distinction award winners from the Gold Star Clubs. The winning clubs exemplify the qualities of a premier regional club through services to their members, community and APHA. “APHA is honored to recognize the efforts of these outstanding regional clubs each year,” said Linda Foreman, APHA’s regional club manager. “The valuable time these clubs dedicate to APHA and their communities does not go unnoticed, and helps the association continue to make new strides.” Garden State Paint Horse Club members continue to stay involved with their local community every year by hosting fundraising projects throughout the show season. Each Garden State Paint Horse Club horse show holds a Green Horse and a Green Rider class, donating all funds raised to a local charitable cause. This past year, the club’s donation was well received by the American Horse Council for its Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund for horses. Along with monetary donations, club members collected canned goods and purchased a turkey to fill a food basket for a local family in need during the holiday season. Garden State Paint Horse Club members stay active in the local equine industry as well. The club is an active member of the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, which is an advisory board to the New Jersey Board of Agriculture. The Paint Horse delegate holds a position on several of the Equine Advisory Board committees, and works hard to ensure the future of horses and agriculture in the area. Along with the several avenues of community involvement, club members work hard to stay active and communicate with one another. The Garden State Paint Horse Club hosts and maintains a website, www.gsphc.com, sends out a quarterly newsletter, and compiles an informational packet for each club member in March. The local equine club also has an active youth association with more than 50 members who participate in community projects and the youth events at the World Championship Paint Horse Show. More about APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 40,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 870,000 horses in 49 nations and territories since it was founded 44 years ago, and now serves more than 100,000 active members around the world. Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of the American Paint Horse breed. For more information about APHA, contact the association at (817) 834-2742, or visit apha.com. | 