On February 16, the American Paint Horse Association unveiled and dedicated an official Texas Historical Marker at Chili’s Grill & Bar in Gainesville, Texas. The marker honors the site of APHA’s founding meeting, which took place on February 16, 1962, at the Curtwood Motel. Rebecca Tyler met with a group of North Texas and Oklahoma horsemen and formally organized the American Paint Stock Horse Association; now known as APHA and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization is the world’s second-largest equine breed association.
Recognized with official Texas historical marker #17745, the sign was installed on the Chilis’ property, which sits on the original site of the Curtwood Motel coffee shop where the like-minded horsemen and -women worked to legitimize the American Paint Horse as a breed with defining standards.
In 1965, APSHA merged with the American Paint Quarter Horse Association and became simply the American Paint Horse Association. With a new name, the organization moved to Fort Worth, where it now has more than 50,000 members and has registered more than 1 million horses.
Founding members and their descendants, as well as APHA past presidents, former executive directors, the Cooke County Historical Society, members of the American Paint Horse Foundation and other guests were present for the unveiling and dedication. Pictured above (left to right) is APHA Executive Director Billy Smith, former Executive Secretary Ed Roberts, first full-time Executive Secretary Sam Ed Spence, founding member Junior Robertson, breeder Floyd Moore and APHA President Ron Shelly.
APHA member and Creative Director Art Vasquez atop his Paint gelding, Top Deck Champagne Jr, unveiled the marker to the delight of the assembled guests.
Cooke County Historical Society member Ron Melugin described the detailed and lengthy process required to apply for and receive an official Texas Historic Marker. Michael Weeks, Chilis’ Grill and Bar Area Director accepted the marker, installed at the front of the restaurant, on behalf of Chilis’ and parent corporation Brinker International.
APHA Founder Rebecca Tyler Lockhart did not live to see the installation of the marker; the Paint Horse world said goodbye to this legendary horsewoman May 31, 2015. Rebecca’s legacy lives on in the barns of Paint Horse enthusiasts everywhere, stamped indelibly on their hearts through the shared love of stock horses that stand out from the crowd with the perfect amount of chrome and celebrated forever in an official Texas Historic Marker.
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.
