Australian baby is organization’s youngest on record
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—It seems that talented equestrians are getting younger every year, as evidenced by American Paint Junior Horse Association (AjPHA) records showing seven members 1 year of age or less. There are actually 70 members that are 4 years old or younger, and six of those are already showing in APHA-approved competition.
The youngest on the APHA membership roll is Noah Burton Williams of Mackay, Queensland, Australia, born February 25, 2008. Noah is the first-born of Richard and Cynthia Williams, and a third-generation member of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA).
His maternal grandfather, Fred Burton of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, bought the membership for the baby. When the lifetime APHA member heard that his first grandchild was due, he decided to invest in Noah’s future in the unique fashion.
“I decided that an AjPHA life membership would last a lot longer than a first pair of jeans or a hat, and proceeded to set the ball rolling in the right direction,” said Burton.
Noah is sure to have a great introduction to the Paint Horse world. Burton is a past president of the Paint Horse Association of Australia (PHAA), which is APHA’s Australian affiliate, and has been a PHAA board director for the past 15 years.
According to the proud grandfather, his family began its association with Paint Horses in the 1970s, when his Quarter Horse mare produced a colorful Paint. The surprised breeder never looked back and created a well-known Australian Paint Horse dynasty. One of the most notable Paints to come out of his program was The Artist, a sorrel overo stallion that was by Scenic Bailey Bars (USA) and out of Ledgworth Princess.
According to Burton, when The Artist was passed on to the Williams’ to help start their Paint breeding program, CC Loots Image (USA) was imported as his replacement. Since he transferred ownership to the family in 1997, CC Loots Image has become the first APHA and PHAA champion and Australia’s leading sire of halter and performance horses.
Burton has hopes that the newest member of his family in the land “down under” will soon become a part of the tradition of raising world-class Paint Horses.
More about AjPHA
The American Junior Paint Horse Association is home to more than 7,000 Paint Horse enthusiasts aged 18 and younger. The youth organization is part of the American Paint Horse Association, which registers and promotes the American Paint Horse.
To learn more about AjPHA and the member benefits it offers children and teens, visit ajpha.com. Or, contact the Director of Youth Activities by e-mail at coordinator@ajpha.com or phone (817) 834-2742, extension 248.
Discover more from Ebarrelracing.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
