At the 2014 American Paint Horse Association Convention, held February 21-24 in Irving, Texas, Sharon Avery of Fallon, Nevada, was named the association’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Created in 1983 to honor the association’s 20th anniversary, the Distinguished Service Award annually recognizes an outstanding contributor to the breed and association.
A true ambassador for the Paint Horse breed, Sharon bought her first Paint at the age of 12 and has owned Paints every since. She joined the Nevada Paint Horse Club in 1976 and served over the years as the club’s president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, show secretary and show manager. An instrumental part of the Zone 2 show, Sharon was part of a group that made it one of the largest in the country.
“This has been a 35-year commitment for me, and I have been able to work with some of the greatest people in APHA,” Sharon said.
As a competitor, Sharon received 28 Registers of Merit. She topped the 1986 APHA Honor Roll and received an APHA Champion award in 1996.
In addition to her consistent involvement with APHA, Sharon also worked full-time as a school bus driver until her retirement in 2012. She continues to manage shows for the NHPC and serve as a Zone 2 committee member, rolls she intends to continue.
“The NPHC is more like a family of friends. We gather together, show our horses, hold meetings, agree to disagree, and eat!” Sharon said. “Life is the greatest gift, and as we pass life down from generation to generation, there are those who will be remembered for ‘just being themselves.’ That is how I hope to be remembered.”
From owning and showing exceptional Paints to promoting the breed through education and member outreach, Sharon’s years of dedication to APHA have been invaluable. APHA is proud to recognize Sharon as the worthy recipient of the APHA Distinguished Service Award.
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