Page 12 - 0413PHC-Combined

and Carol received belt buckles by APHA Corporate Partner Gist Silversmiths to celebrate the association’s 50th anniversary.

Springtown, Texas, resident Tina Beck Rebel received a special sterling silver version of the 50th anniversary belt buckle. Tina’s purchase of a fve-year membership automatically enrolled her to win the one-of-a-kind Gist Silversmiths buckle valued at $1,950. Tina’s prize was an added bonus to an already eventful day—she married George Rebel on March 1, the same day she received the news.

An avid trail rider, Tina enjoys hitting the North Texas riding scene aboard her registered American Paint Horse Zunis King Sevenup.

“My Paint Horse, ‘Seven,’ is my soul sister,” Tina said. “To win this gorgeous buckle for being a part of an organization that allows me to enjoy her to the fullest is just thrilling. March 1 was quite a day for me!”

Longtime Paint owner and breeder Carol Palmer of Somerset, Ohio, won the silver-and-gold electroplated APHA 50th anniversary buckle No. 003 after renewing her membership for three years. Her prize is No. 3 in a series of only 500 buckles—a $150 retail value. “I have probably owned and bred Paints for 20-plus years,” Carol said. “Mostly I bred and trail rode, but as I’ve gotten older, I really enjoy showing. There is nothing better than to look in the stall and watch for spots to emerge as a new baby slips into this world. There is never a dull moment in a Paint Horse barn.”

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC has renewed its partnership as the Offcial Feed of APHA. Additionally, Purina will continue to offer a video contest to Paint Horse enthusiasts.

Channeled through APHA social media outlets, the video contest will again provide Paint Horse fans an opportunity to win a multitude of Purina products and special recognition from APHA. The fall 2012 contest, titled “A Difference You Can See,” united

Purina National Sponsorship, Events and

Ambassador Manager Kimberly James said Purina is proud to be part of the APHA family and is excited to be partnering again with APHA for 2013.

“The passion the APHA membership has for their horses is very familiar to us,” Kimberly said. “We work every day to put the best equine nutrition products in the market and are happy to be a part of so many Paint Horse success stories. This year we will be doing our video contest again to give APHA members a chance to share those stories and celebrate their horses.” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith echoed that sentiment.

“For years, APHA and Purina Horse Feeds have been committed to providing superior health care to Paint Horses as both believe that top-quality nutrition is the frst ingredient in creating a bond between horses and humans,” Billy said. “APHA is very appreciative of Purina’s continued support.”

To learn more about how Purina provides the best in horse health care to Paint Horse owners, please visit

Starting on page 28 is the 2012 APHA Annual Report, and in it is some very good news about APHA show entries.

• APHA entries for 2012 rose by 38,000, a 12 percent increase.

• International entries rose by 14 percent. • The total number of APHA-approved events was up from 2011 with 59 more APHA shows in 2012. • Number of APHA-approved events in Canada and International were both up with Canada by fve and International by 30.