Fred Tabor is APHA’s 2017 APHA Distinguished Service Award Winner

APHA is pleased to recognize longtime APHA member, breeder and national director Fred Tabor of Aubrey, Texas, as the association’s newest Distinguished Service Award winner. Fred will be honored during the APHA Hall of Fame Banquet on February 26 at the Westin DFW Airport hotel in Irving, Texas. The event takes place in conjunction with the 2017 APHA Convention, February 24–27.

After establishing a prosperous real estate business in California, Fred acquired his first show horse in 1969. His interest piqued by the Paint Horse industry in 1979, Fred purchased Dixie’s War Drum, a 1969 bay tobiano stallion that went on to establish himself as a prominent sire and APHA Hall of Fame horse.

Sensing the industry trend toward specialization in the 1980s, Fred made the decision to focus on top-quality halter horses, and he soon acquired Obsesed To Impress, a 1989 sorrel overo stallion. Today, Tabor Ranch—based in Aubrey, Texas, since 2001—continues that legacy of success, focusing on breeding, training, showing and sales. Fred, his clients and the horses he’s raised have earned numerous world championship titles across APHA and other organizations.

A national director for more than 20 years, Fred has served on the Breed Improvement, Professional Horseman, World Show and Long-Range Planning committees. Long involved with the Texas Paint Horse Club, Fred has served as its president since 2015; he’s also involved in the American Paint Horse Foundation, Denton County Convention Bureau’s farm tours, and local FFA and 4-H clubs.

Established in 1983, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions in service to both the Paint Horse and APHA. Criteria for consideration include being an APHA member in good standing for 15 years; has owned a Paint Horse; has been involved in regional association leadership; has served as a regional officer, director or committee member; and has made a major contribution to a regional, state or national activity.

A Distinguished Service Award Committee, which is comprised of the three most current past-presidents, chooses the recipient. This award is presented during the annual Hall of Fame awards banquet, taking place in conjunction with the APHA Convention.

To nominate a deserving individual for this award or to learn more, contact APHA Director of LeaderCare Theresa Brown at tbrown@apha.com.