APHA enhances on-line services with innovative database

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—In its continuing effort to deliver valuable services to its members, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) has created a new Web-based application to track and organize a multitude of equine-related activities. This easy-to-use, comprehensive on-line subscription program, known as My APHA Plus, is a major innovation in the equine industry and offers significant advantages for those who use it.

“This service provides easy access to our database and offers a valuable tool for research, marketing horses, studying pedigrees and planning for breedings,” said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite.

By logging on to aphaonline.com and clicking on “APHA Plus Features tour,” Web site visitors can take a virtual tour of this unique service.

Following is a brief description of the main features offered by My APHA Plus:
• My APHA Information—allows visitors to check their membership status, as well as their subscription status to the Paint Horse Journal and Paint Racing News. Subscribing to either of these publications or renewing an existing subscription can be done with the click of the mouse. Member contact information can also be updated.
• My Barns—includes a list of all the horses currently owned under the corresponding member ID number, with an extensive amount of information on each horse, including name, foaling year, color, pattern, gender and performance points. Each horse listed in this section has a clickable link that displays additional information on the specific horse, including a registration photo, if available. Pedigree information, progeny, performance records, awards and titles, ownership history and sibling information can also be accessed.
There are also links in this section to track horses previously owned and horses bred. A “Virtual Barn” allows members to store and quickly access information on any horses they are interested in.
• My Show Records—lists all horses with show records registered under the member’s APHA ID number. By clicking on each horse’s name, members can view enhanced performance records that are neatly organized on a single screen. Every competitor who has scored points on that horse is listed, with lifetime points broken down by halter, performance and racing. You can also view a rider’s show record by clicking on his or her name.
• My Extras—allows members to download Paint Horse “wallpaper” for their computer, or watch highlights from the 2005 World Championship Paint Horse Show. A variety of interesting items will continually be added to this section.
• My Color Calculator—allows breeders to see coat color probability in several ways. The Color Calculator is based on genetics probability tables developed by Dr. Ed North, associate professor at the University of Mississippi. Select the foal color you want and the Color Calculator will show you what sire and dam colors offer the highest probability of achieving the desired color. Or, you can select the color of each parent to determine the probability of the resulting foal’s coat colors.

To learn more about what APHA’s new subscription-based service has to offer, visit aphaonline.com and click on the My APHA Plus icon on the right side of the page. From there, you can either log in with your current membership information, join APHA or renew your membership. Subscription rates for My APHA Plus range from $14.95 for a one-month subscription to $99 for a one-year subscription.

More about APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 40,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 845,000 horses in 49 nations and territories since it was founded 44 years ago, and now serves more than 100,000 active members around the world.

Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of the American Paint Horse breed. For more information about APHA, contact the association at (817) 834-2742, or visit apha.com.

American Paint Horse Association
(817) 834-2742, extension 320
kstarnes@apha.com • www.apha.com