Going the Extra Mile- How APHA Helped Fulfill My Friend’s Final Wish

EC Blog by: Lisa Cherry

We often take the time to complain about various problems in the horse industry, but remember, our various associations are filled with can-do people. The American Paint Horse Association is one of those can-do organizations.

APHA exhibitor Jane Brantley spent her Novice Amateur 2014 show year under the guidance of trainers Jim and Teresa Pelton. Jane had goals and expectations for a long show career with her horse Zip Is It. Her goals were cut short in 2014 with a diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer.

Jane and her horse, Zip Is It, were able to have earned enough points in the first six months of 2014 to qualify for a Top Twenty award buckle from APHA. The association normally sends out awards in late April or May of the following award year.

Unfortunately, Jane was succumbing to her illness far too quickly. A call to Christine Henry at APHA in January was made to ask if Jane could receive her buckle early. The call was met with a can-do attitude. The ultimate goal of Jane Brantley and her husband Steve was to win a buckle on Jane’s horse Zip Is It. So, the APHA staff went to work on behalf of Jane.

APHA contacted buckle maker Gist Silversmith and jacket award company Tioga Territory. Calculating Jane’s points at a frenzied rate, APHA found out that not only was Jane #10 on the Novice Top Twenty, she was the Zone 9 Novice Amateur High Point winner. Her horse, Zip Is It, also made the open Top Twenty Award list. Therefore, Jane was due two award buckles and a jacket.

The awards were shipped and received in late January to a very surprised Jane, who had no idea they were coming. These were cherished items to her. She brought the buckles out to all her visitors to shown them off. This continued until her recent passing this week. Jane was a fighter and outlived the doctors’ diagnosis by months.

When you think about what makes up a successful association, at APHA, it’s a can-do attitude along with caring people striving to make one person’s dream come true. A heartfelt thanks from all of Jane’s horse show friends to all the staff members at APHA, Gist Silversmith, and Tioga Territory.