American Paint Horse Foundation
adds initiatives, launches new Web site

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Foundation (APHF), which is dedicated to preserving the heritage of American Paints and improving lives through interaction with horses, has launched a dynamic new Web site aimed at generating greater involvement and funding.

Visit the new site at: http://www.aphfoundation.org

On-line donation pages highlight the site and make it easy for individuals to support their favorite Foundation programs.

The Foundation’s special initiatives, all outlined on the new Web site, include:

Youth Leadership and Scholarships
The Foundation has a long history of establishing scholarship funds for deserving children to continue their education and develop strong leadership skills. Over the past 25 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $530,000 in scholarships to students. A youth development program also helps fund American Junior Paint Horse Association leadership symposiums every year. Donations can now be made on-line.

Find A Trainer Program
Through this program, the American Paint Horse Foundation works with horse trainers who allow fees, normally charged for their services, to be donated directly to the Foundation. Interested horse owners donate $500 to the American Paint Horse Foundation for a trainer to work with their horse for one month. The funds are donated to the Foundation and used for youth scholarships. Since its inception in 1999, the trainer program has raised $91,000 for youth, averaging about $10,000 per year. Those who need schooling for their horses can find a full list of participating trainers on-line.

Therapeutic Riding
The medical community has discovered what horse people have known all along – horseback riding is good for body, mind and soul. Children and adults facing physical and mental challenges are making major strides forward in recovery, thanks to the healing power of horses. The Foundation will make grants to children and adults who need help and has been conducting therapeutic riding classes at the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Shows. The Foundation also supports programs to help our injured troops to rehabilitate on horseback. Easy ways to donate to the program can be found on the new Foundation Web site.

“Back in the Saddle” Program
Through the Foundation, people can help an injured rider to mount up once again and enjoy the world on horseback. The Foundation has teamed with Randy Bird Therapy Saddles to provide an injured rider with a new, custom saddle and other tack needed to get back in the saddle and back on with life. Details and giving information are all located on-line.

Preserving Paint Horse Heritage
The American Paint Horse breed, as we know it today, can trace its survival to Rebecca Lockhart of Ryan, Okla. This steadfast woman, with true grit and determination, stood up to the prevailing horse establishment in the middle half of the last century. Did you know that many people considered the Paint Horse to be inferior, simply because of its colorful pattern, and some even destroyed foals? Lockhart put an end to that by proving that Paints could excel in multiple fields and events. She registered the first Paint at her kitchen table. Today, APHA, the association she formed, is close to reaching 1 million registrations. The story of the Paint Horse is one of triumph over adversity, victory over discrimination, and proof that hard work can lead to success. The Foundation is working to preserve the legacy of the American Paint Horse and people may help through online donations.

Heritage Tree Recognition
The American Paint Horse Foundation Heritage Tree, located in the reception area of the APHA world headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, commemorates people with vision and horses with heart. Each leaf on the tree is available with a $500 donation to the Foundation. It can be inscribed with the name of a person, horse, farm or ranch. The Foundation Web site offers easy ways to give and make scheduled payments.

Bronze Sculpture Recognition Plaques
The Legacy of Color bronze masterpiece that now graces the front of APHA’s headquarters is a fitting tribute to an association that has given rise to one of the most popular horse breed registries in the world. That tribute was supported by the efforts of the American Paint Horse Foundation, which spearheaded the drive to commission, design and erect the bronze. The bronze horses stand 20 hands (nearly seven feet) at the withers. Each horse in the display weighs about 1,500 pounds and is cast in bronze. The entire collection of four horses spans 36 feet. They stand on a concrete base nearly three feet high. Supporters can have their name placed on this bronze and receive a replica miniature. Details are all contained on the new Foundation Web site.

Paint Horse Wellness and Genetics Research
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the American Paint Horse, which inspires so much goodness in our world today, remains a healthy, vibrant part of our culture. Future plans call for the Foundation to fund research related to health and wellness issues, as well as genetic research to preserve the attributes of the remarkable American Paint Horse breed. Visit the Web site for details on how you can help.

Visit the American Paint Horse Foundation at http://www.aphfoundation.org
The new Foundation Web site also includes a “Virtual Press Room,” containing press releases; “Foundation Reports,” where the latest developments will be discussed; overviews of recent work and activities; a calendar of events; improved graphics; a search engine; and much more.

The American Paint Horse Foundation needs your help to preserve the heritage of the American Paint Horse breed and improve lives through interaction with horses.