The PtHA started from a grassroots movement to selectively breed horses for good color and conformation. Several horsemen in the 1930s formed the Pinto Horse Society with the purpose of breeding superior colored horses. The registry they created shifted to the PtHA, which was formed in 1956 by Kay Heikens, Helen Hammond and other Pinto supporters.

The equine industry small-business workshop, brought to you by the Certified Horsemanship Association, Merial and the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Council, is from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 11. All horsemen and small-business owners are encouraged to attend. Later that day, a town hall meeting focusing on industry issues will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Convention attendees are invited to weigh in on hard-hitting issues in the equine industry.

Beginning with the 2016 AjPHA Youth World Show, the Top 10 Youth exhibitors in all world championship classes will take home personalized halters and lead ropes courtesy of Perri’s. Additionally, Top Five exhibitors at the 2016 APHA World Championship Show will also receive award halters and leads.

The entry forms for all three 2016 American Quarter Horse Association Level 1 Championships can now be found online. Unlike past years, the entry forms will not be sent individually and instead can be accessed by visiting www.aqha.com/level1championships.

Based on the 4D system, the winner in each division will take home an Elite Custom Saddle from APHA’s new official performance saddle partner. First and second place in each “D” also earned their share of $2,500 year-end money provided by APHA.

Cindy Butler, Charles Cannizzaro, Timothy Jedra, Valerie Kearns, Keith McDonough, Carla McMullen, Carmen Mayabb, Eric Petersen, Mark Shaffer, and Christina White

The PtHA Wrangler of the Month for January is Kathy Hood of Olsburg, Kansas. Hood is an Elite Amateur exhibitor who has been showing Pinto horses for two years. Hood shows her 5-year old, tobiano gelding, Target To Ride, also known as Target. Together they compete in Pinto, Paint, and Open shows in Kansas.

“The Paint Horse Championships are APHA’s way of encouraging the grassroots exhibitor and rewarding our Paint Horse exhibitors and horses who might not participate at the world level or have not had success at the World Shows.”