Programm-Internet
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Welcome<br />
TO THE 18TH EUROPEAN PAINT HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS<br />
craig wood, APHA President<br />
I’ve looked forward to attending the 2017 European Paint Horse Championship show for<br />
many years. Each year, returning APHA Presidents rave about the hospitality they experienced<br />
in Germany as well as the rapidly-improving quality of both exhibitors and Paint Horses.<br />
So I’ve been looking forward to it for some time.<br />
To help you better understand how much APHA values this event, look at the numbers: it’s<br />
the largest single expenditure in our United States Livestock Genetics Export appropriation,<br />
and we’re happy to keep it that way. Another reason for our investment in the prosperity<br />
of Europe and its Paint Horse breeders and owners is that more than 10 percent of APHA’s<br />
total membership and about one-fifth of the worldwide Paint Horse registrations come<br />
from European members. Perhaps more importantly, EuroPaint represents the largest<br />
APHA-approved show in the world. When we presented this to the APHA Board of Directors<br />
in February, it received resounding applause and approval from our directors. They<br />
too understand the importance of a growing Paint Horse population in Europe: EuroPaint<br />
represents the growth and vitality of APHA.<br />
Speaking of growth and vitality, as many of you know, APHA is moving its headquarters<br />
from their current location to the historically-important Fort Worth Stockyards. One of the<br />
reasons APHA’s leadership made this decision is the new location will maximize our ability<br />
to tell our story around the world. So many of the 2.5 million visitors each year travel from<br />
each corner of the globe with the expressed purpose of walking the hallowed brick streets<br />
of the Stockyards. We believe this new location presents a rare opportunity to tell our story<br />
to the world. The majestic bronzes by Marrita Black will also make the move so that people<br />
from all over the world will experience the Paint Horse in a way that inspires them to get<br />
more involved with our great horses and our enthusiastic<br />
European Paint Horse affiliates. We hope to welcome<br />
many of you at the Stockyards in the coming years as<br />
we continue to celebrate with you the successes you’ve<br />
already experienced at the European Paint Horse Championship.<br />
I hope you’ll take some time to introduce yourself. I’ll be<br />
working hard to meet as many of you as I can as we celebrate<br />
the Paint Horse in Europe.
Change language