Thank you so much to every club member that helped achieve for the 10th year in a row, the APHA's President's Club of Distinction Award! A special thanks to Shelley Bridges who works tirelessly in putting our Club of Distinction Book together to present to APHA every year!

President's Club of Distinction:

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011!

Regional Clubs Recognized
During the convention, APHA took time to recognize several exemplary APHA Regional Clubs, awarding “Gold Star” and “Clubs of Distinction” titles. Gold Star Clubs excel in their service to members by hosting fundraising activities, benefits, social gatherings, youth activities and special promotions. They are also involved in community service. This year’s award-winning Gold Star Club recipients included: Alberta Paint Horse Club, Central Virginia Paint Horse Club, France Paint Horse Association, Inland Northwest Paint Horse Club, New Mexico Paint Horse Club, Ohio Paint Horse Club, Pennsylvania Paint Horse Club, Rainier Paint Horse Club, San Joaquin Paint Horse Club and Southwest Washington Paint Horse Club.

Clubs of Distinction honors were awarded to five clubs selected from among new and existing Gold Star Clubs. Clubs of Distinction award-winners included: Arizona Paint Horse Club, Gulf Coast Paint Horse Club, Ohio Paint Horse Club, New Mexico Paint Horse Club and Washington State Paint Horse Club. Honorable mention clubs named were: Central Virginia Paint Horse Club, Inland Northwest Paint Horse Club and New England Paint Horse Club.

Washington State Paint Horse Club receives prestigious APHA award...Ft. Worth, TX - Members of the local American Paint Horse Association regional club, Washington State Paint Horse Club, were recently honored with the prestigious President’s Club of Distinction Award in San Antonio, TX, for their extensive contributions to their community and involvement with the humane society.

Only five regional clubs out of the 111 received the honor.

Every year APHA recognizes outstanding regional clubs for their contributions to the breed by honoring them with Gold Star Club status. APHA selects the President’s Club of Distinction award winners from the Gold Star Clubs. The winning clubs exemplify the qualities of a premier regional club through services to their members, their community and APHA.

“APHA is honored to recognize the efforts of these outstanding regional clubs each year,” said Linda Foreman, APHA’s regional club manager. “The valuable time these clubs dedicate to APHA and their communities does not go unnoticed, and helps the association continue to make new strides.”

The WSPHC is dedicated to giving back to the community every year through monetary and service donations. The club is very active in supporting the American Legion Food for the Elderly program, the Humane Society and Equus Sanctuary. Along with the service club members provide to these organizations, WSPHC members host clinics for local 4-H groups and an annual Paint Horse Show which raises money to be donated to worthy community organizations.

Members stay active within the club by attending monthly meetings, socials, barbeques, and trail rides. The club hosts and maintains a website, www.wsphc.net. The club also supports an active youth club, which sponsors its own activities including caroling at a home for Alzheimer patients.