Extreme Trail Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association have joined forces as affiliate partners. The Extreme Trail Horse Association (ETHA) is a growing international organization of trail and obstacle enthusiasts with beautiful riding trails and obstacle parks all over north America. Their mission is to provide safe, yet challenging, obstacle courses and events for individuals or family recreation. 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 in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves, and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.
With this alliance, ETHA and APHA will cross-promote across both organizations in a variety of methods and venues beginning in 2020, including recognizing Paint Horses competing at ETHA events.
“We are pleased to partner with ETHA and be a part of one of North America’s fastest growing equine sports,” APHA Senior Director of Judges, Shows & Education Dave Dellin said. “We are committed to working together to achieve shared goals and promote Paints competing at extreme trail events.”
One of the top things that ETHA and APHA agree on is equine and horsemanship education. Finding ‘on-ramps’ for people to start riding horses will be one of our aspirations,” said Dellin. Start somewhere, and you can choose the level of horsemanship that you are comfortable with. Whether it’s recreational or learning how to compete, there is opportunities for everyone. ETHA will have that same focus and start with the basics to help encourage people that have wanted to start riding to give it a try. The ETHA Parks are so varied that you can choose one just to enjoy a relaxing trail ride or try challenging yourself to different obstacle rides that are available as well. Lots of great changes will be coming in 2020 for both ETHA and APHA and this partnership was a wonderful way to start the New Year.
Along with joining forces with ETHA, APHA’s international headquarters has just opened in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The new APHA headquarters features a retail store full of Paint Horse merchandise, a grain-bin theater designed to immerse visitors in Paint Horse experiences, historical Paint Horse artifacts, The Rebecca Baker Legacy Loft, which honors APHA’s Hall of Fame and history, and a full office space for APHA staff. The new address of APHA is 122 East Exchange Ave., Suite 420, in Fort Worth, Texas. The official grand opening will take place February 28, 2020 as they kick off the 2020 APHA Convention.
To become an official ETHA park, trainer, or member visit etha.horse to learn more. To become a member of the American Paint Horse Association or learn more about APHA and the many educational tools they offer, check out their website at APHA.com.
Lynda Haynes
