This year’s Annual Convention was filled with excitement as the Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc., welcomed members, Executive Committee members, Board of Directors and Past Presidents at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Convention was filled with several meetings as Committees gathered to discuss ways to improve the association as a whole. This year, PtHA welcomed eight new Board members. New Board members include: Brianna Saucier, from Connecticut; Walter de la Brosse, from California; Nell Tekampe, from Illinois; Tanner Bauman, from Minnesota; Joni Osborn, from Washington; Gabriel Deters-Snider, from Michigan; Tracey Imbaro, from Massachusetts; and Kari Reeg, from Nebraska.
Not only did the PtHA welcome new Board of Directors, the association was pleased to introduce its newest European charter from Sweden. Marty Hedgren traveled all the way from Sweden to learn as much as he could to spread the word about PtHA to other areas in Sweden.
The 4-day event is just not filled with meetings. This year, PtHA was pleased to induct eight people into the Hall of Fame and one equine. The recipients were: Wendy Davidson, Past President; Charlie Sasser, Professional Horseman; Tina Langness, Professional Horsewoman; Bell Arrow, Equine; Walter de la Brosse, Judge; Debby Letham, Judge; Cathryn Jostad, Amateur Master; Marilyn Novat, Individual; and Doris Ann Hays, Individual. Congratulations to all recipients for their achievements and being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Every year, PtHA celebrates the achievements of members as awards are given out for Horse of the Year, ROM, Zone Invitations and High Points. Awards given out ranged from: trophies, Gist Silversmiths buckles, vests and jackets from Tioga Territory, and Burns Saddlery Saddles. This year’s Youth Saddle High Point Winner was Michelle Haveman. The Amateur Saddle went to Kari McKelvie and the Open Saddle went to Emily England. Reserve Saddle Race winners received a Burns Saddlery Halter and a Gist Silversmiths Buckle. Reserve winners include: Sena Jodoin, Lee McKenna and Kari McKelvie.
This year, Gist Silversmiths awarded the Superior Charter Award. Gist Silversmiths gives out a $1,500 certificate to first place, a $1,000 certificate to second place and a $500 certificate to third place. These certificates are used to purchase awards from Gist Silversmiths for charters to give out during their shows and awards banquets. First place went to Minnesota Pinto Horse Association; second place, went to Michigan State Pinto Breeders and Owners; and third place went to Ontario Pinto Horse Association.
The Pinto Heritage Foundation awarded seven scholarships. The Pinto Heritage Foundation Scholarship was awarded to: Julie Hill, Courtney Lynch and Caitlyn Myers. The Billie Cousins Scholarship was awarded to Samara Slocombe. The Orren Mixer Scholarship was awarded to Alexis Trumbower. The Phil Sandusky Scholarship was awarded to Morgan Vance. The Rick McMasters Scholarship was awarded to Matthew Winter. Congratulations scholarship winners!
To close the event, Roger Altman was inducted as the 2016-2017 PtHA President.
Congratulations to all Hall of Fame Inductees, Scholarship Recipients and Award Winners!
