This year’s Palomino Horse Breeder’s of America (PHBA) is celebrating their 75th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the mayor of Tulsa, Dewey Bartlett, and Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Falon, recognized them with Proclamations. Their annual convention was held in Tulsa, OK, March 9-12.
Delegates attended committee meetings to go over rule proposals and discuss ideas. Then, they enjoyed the planned evening activities with music and dancing, a benefit auction, and ending the four day convention with the year end awards banquet. Tioga Territory was also there with items for purchase, displaying the 75th anniversary logo.
A panel of five Association heads, Louis Hufnagel (PHBA), Haley Eberle (NRHA), David Dellin (APHA), Darrell Bilke (PtHA), and Terri Green (PHBA), spoke to the Long Range Committee meeting on how we all have the same goal of drawing in new members. They shared their ideas on how to entice beginner riders to join and programs offered.
The PHBA Heritage Foundation sponsored an evening with live music from award winner Cliff Shelder of Bella Vista, AK. Attire was vintage or cowboy casual. Four PHBA-Youth associations were honored with 50 year certificates, TX, IN, MN, and OK. Dancing and fun was the agenda for the night.
Friday night was the evening for inducting the Hall of Fame Recipients and the Benefit auction. This year’s inductees were Mr Yella Fella (pictured right) 1995 stallion; Peter De Oro (aka Nautical) 1944 gelding; the Humanitarian category was Dr. Bonnie Beaver of TX, and Exhibitor category was Dr. Ed North of MS.
To start off the evening, the Amateur Association selected a few members in attendance to play “How well do you know your partner?” Contestants sat back to back. They took their boots off and shared one with the other partner. They were then asked questions to see how well they knew the partner by raising the boot of the person that best answered the question. Questions consisted of who had more hair under their hats, who went to bed the earliest, or who likes to party more.
The Benefit Auction raised over $16,000. Some of the items that were sold in the auction were three signed Orren Mixer prints, a vintage lunch box with Roy Rogers, Dale Evens, Trigger and Bullet displayed on it, crystal wear with 75th anniversary frosted on it, trophy statues made by Cowboy Bronze, and much more.
Saturday was the general membership meeting, where the new Executive Board was elected, judges committee members were appointed, and committees made their reports. The new Executive Board consists of President Ann Jones (pictured right) from GA, President Elect Don Coats from VA, Vice President Vicki Parker from OH, Vice President Tom Craun from KS, Secretary/Treasurer Lowanda McDowell from NC, assisting secretary Lynn Rohwedder from IL , immediate past president Louis Hufnagel from OK, appointees are Mimsi Coon, TX, Tony Burris, NC, and Howard Rea, KY.
Topics and news from the committees included a new division Walk/Trot for amateurs and youth 10-18, 8 new judges were appointed; registrations were up, both palomino and palomino bred; The Palomino Incentive Program pay out and point value were both up; the World show has added the new amateur and youth 10-18 walk/trot classes and the Yellow Rose futurity added yearling classes.
The Year End Awards Banquet is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of their members as awards are handed out. Trophies from Cowboy Bronze, saddles from Elite Custom Saddles, Crystal Vases by Trophy and Plaques Plus, and halters and headstalls from Dale Chevez Company Inc.
The 2015 High Point Award winners were;
Amateur High Point went to Susan Kirts with Expensive Teacup, from IN.
Amateur Select High Point went to Debbie Wall with To Nights Hot Date, from AL.
Novice Amateur High Point went to Brittany Ullrich with PS Call Me Maybe, from MN.
High Point Horse, High Point Performance Horse and High Point Gelding went to JD Gold owned by Jennifer Beth Patridge, and shown by Daeleigh Patridge, from TX
High Point Mare went to Good Zippin Asset owned by Darrel/Amanda Hersom, from SD. High Point Stallion went to Hetakesmybreathaway, owned by Scott/Shelley Rystrom, from NE.
Congratulations to all the award winners, the Hall of Fame inductees, new board members, open and amateur.
PHBA wishes to thank all their members who took the time and money to attend this year’s convention.
Happy 75th PHBA!
Check out the slideshow of pictures from the convention below!
