Top 10 Finalists Announced in APHA Model Search
Image courtesy of APHA.
PHJ press release by: Jessica Hein
Chrome is pleased to announce the Top Five finalists for our 2015 APHA member model search. After careful consideration, the field of more than 100 entries was narrowed to our Top Five Cowgirls and Top Five Cowboys. Two lucky grand-prize winners will star in Chrome’s 2015 fashion shoot in Texas this summer.
All of our Top Five finalists are APHA members, as unique as the Paint Horses they love. Meet our Top Five Cowgirls and Top Five Cowboys below, and vote for your favorite guy and girl by May 25 (one vote per computer). Grand-prize winners will be announced June 1 on Facebook.
Meet our 2015 APHA Member Model Search finalists:
Top 5 Men
Brian Brady
North Little Rock, Arkansas
“My sense of humor makes me unique. I’m always looking to laugh and to make others laugh! My love for horses and horse shows is fairly common, but I want to make the horse shows a fun place and for people to enjoy them as much as I do! APHA is the best place to do that!”
Bobby Fowler Jr.
Decatur, Texas
“My love for the Paint Horse is as deep as my roots. From the saddle I ride to the ranch I live on, those things have made me the man I am today. I ride my horses in the Fort Worth Stockyards, rodeo grand entries and on beautiful trails. Wherever I go, people know me by the Paints I ride. I raise Paints and longhorns and enjoy sharing them with everyone I meet. I have tried to instill my affection for them in my family, hoping they will enjoy them as much as I have—a tradition carried on through years to come.”
Justin Lee
Fayetteville, North Carolina
“I’m currently serving our country as an airborne infantryman in the 82nd Airborne division. While stationed here, I was lucky enough to meet some folks who have allowed me to ride and show their horses, as well as a friend who I have helped work with rescue horses. I am originally from Ohio, where I attended Wilmington College for agronomy and was a member of Greek society as well as an active member of our school’s equestrian team.”
Bradley Ost
Aubrey, Texas
“I grew up with eight other brothers and sisters in Northern Idaho. I moved to Texas when I was 20 years old with very little horse experience to becoming a horse trainer. Four years later, I won an Open world title at the APHA World Show, and one year after that became an AQHA world champion! Horses really have made my dreams a reality.”
Scott Weiss
Aubrey, Texas
“I trained Quarter Horses for Jay Starnes and Rusty Green before starting to train Paint Horses last year. I am originally from Iowa and currently finishing my degree at the University of North Texas.”
Top 5 Women
Erin Bradshaw
Aubrey, Texas
“I show and own APHA stallion John Simon and have being showing Paints since I was 5 years old. My personality is what makes me unique. My mother is a successful family law attorney, my sister is in a band in Nashville, and my dad is NFL sports broadcaster Terry Bradshaw.”
Alissa Burson
Marshall, Texas
“Barrel racing is my passion. When you look into the arena, you will see I stand out amongst the crowd: I am aboard a large Paint Horse covered in chrome, and my choice in attire is meant to turn heads. When it comes to life, I am full of ambition. I love to encourage and help others anyway I can. I believe in chasing my wildest dreams. I set high goals and give it my all to achieve them. No matter the challenge, I will never give up.”
Lauren Crivelli
Visalia, California
“Horses are my passion, but it’s about more than just the horse—it’s meeting lifelong friends, making memories and laughing so hard it hurts. It’s working day in and day out for those three minutes in the ring and having it all be worth it. It’s finding that silence communicates so much. It’s being a gracious winner and loser. It’s knowing that being successful doesn’t always mean you’re on top and being on top doesn’t always mean you’re successful. It’s finding your passion and sharing it with the world.”
Rita Hankins
Bartlett, Illinois
“As a child, I was always drawn to ‘colored’ horses, but it wasn’t until I was 17 that I actually owned my first Paint Horse. I was hooked! I now have two beautiful APHA geldings and own a 40-stall boarding facility. We have recently added a large flock of chickens, too. Life is very busy with horses and family, but I still find time to ride and show.”
Ansley Tipton
Shreveport, Louisiana
“My family refers to me as a Louisiana girl with a Texas heart. I spent most of my childhood at our family ranch in the small town of Carthage, Texas. My grandmother bought me my first horse, Roscoe, when I was 6 years old. I was always known as the ‘horse girl.’ While most kids ran, I galloped. Instead of wearing bows, I would have my mom place a feather at the end of my long braid like an Indian pony. I will be attending the University of Arkansas in the fall to pursue a biology degree.”
