Power of Paints raises $11,600 for St. Jude

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), based in Fort Worth, Texas, teamed up with Benbrook Stables June 9 for a “Saddle Up for St. Jude” trail ride, chuck wagon cookout and auction that brought in 98 riders and more than $11,600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It was the first time employees from APHA headquarters took on such an event, which will become an annual charitable activity for the association.

APHA employees, their families and friends solicited help and support from throughout the community and the association. Benbrook Stables donated use of their facility, which is located adjacent to a 10-mile equestrian trail along Lake Benbrook, southwest of Fort Worth. Each of the 98 riders from APHA, Benbrook Stables and the surrounding area obtained pledges for a symbolic ride along the lake trail to show their support for St. Jude’s work to treat and find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.

The Oklahoma Paint Horse Club, one of APHA’s 111 regional clubs, donated $2,000 to the cause, and a group of Paint Horse owners in Massachusetts donated nearly $1,000.

Also, APHA President-elect Carl Thurow traveled 400 miles from Wichita, Kansas, to Benbrook, Texas, to join in the ride and support the campaign.

“Horses have a lot of power to motivate people,” Thurow said, “and the American Paint Horse Association was honored to head up such a successful charitable venture.

“Our hats are off to the many riders and volunteers who turned out for the event, as well as the countless companies and individuals who participated. This is a cause that I really believe in, and it was great to see so many people and businesses come together for the children of St. Jude’s,” the APHA president-elect said.

Following a morning trail ride, APHA hosted a chuck wagon cookout, courtesy of Bobby Burleson and family, and the local Cowtown Opry entertained. Popular auctioneer Matt Blevins donated his time to call the auction for the event, which netted more than $2,000. Auction items included concert tickets, seats to professional sporting events, tickets to the NASCAR races, autographed sports memorabilia, power tools, hotel stays, restaurant dinners, amusement park passes, Western wear, horse tack and much more.

For details about this year’s outing and plans for the 2008 APHA Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride, visit www.apha.com/stjude . The site also lists 2007 riders and supporters, as well as photos from the recent ride.

More about APHA and American Paint Horses

APHA is one of the largest and most popular horse breed registries in the world. More than 40,000 horses are registered each year at APHA headquarters in Fort Worth, and the association sponsors a variety of fun activities for Paint Horse riders all over the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the American Paint Horse breed.

More About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the world’s largest pediatric cancer research center in terms of the number of patients enrolled and successfully treated.

Since 1962, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 nations. It is also interesting to note that in 1962 the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent. Today, the survival rate is 90 percent, thanks to research and treatment developed by St. Jude’s.

St. Jude is supported primarily by public contribution.

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