Paints are known for turning heads wherever they go, and the people who love them tend to do the same. Now, two lucky APHA members get the chance to stand out themselves as they grace the pages of Chrome as winners of the 2017 APHA Member Model Search.
Chrome, APHA’s Western lifestyle magazine, realized the star power of the association’s members and decided to select two equestrians to headline its popular Winter Fashion Issue. Nearly 70 members threw their hats into the ring for consideration, and after much deliberation, the field was narrowed to 10 finalists: five men and five women.The grand-prize winners of Chrome’s second annual APHA Member Model Search are Amanda May of Aubrey, Texas, and Michael Davis of Seattle, Washington. They rose to the top of their respective categories during a week of public online voting, which saw more than 3,300 unique votes cast for our 10 finalists.
Amanda May
A 30-year-old from Aubrey, Texas, Amanda is a longtime horse lover thanks to her grandfather, but she only recently realized her childhood dreams of equine ownership.
“Being able to ride consistently and own horses of my own has always felt like a far-off dream for me— something that I wished for but didn’t see as a real possibility,” Amanda said. “Fast-forward to 2015, and my sweet, hardworking husband and I were able to purchase a home, a little land and a barn. My grandfather gifted me a Paint mare he had owned since she was 2 and I had loved since I was 15. My little girl dream had finally come true!”
Amanda’s future goals include improving her horsemanship and eventually showing her 2017 colt, who is pictured in her submission photo (and to whom she credits at least a few of her votes).
“I want to say thank you to all those who voted for me and supported me,” Amanda said. “I am so excited and thankful to be able to experience this opportunity.”
Michael Davis
The 44-year-old horseman from Seattle, Washington, was excited to learn the results of the Chrome Model Search.
A professional horse trainer by trade, Michael was encouraged to enter the model search by one of his clients, 2016 winner Danielle Harp.
“I had a lot of support from my clients, and I’m so thankful for that,” Michael said. “I wasn’t going to enter, but Danielle told me I needed to do it, so I said OK. It was kind of last minute, but I’m glad I entered! It feels great to win.”
As the APHA Member Model Search grand-prize winners, Amanda and Michael are invited to star in Chrome’s winter fashion feature. Their prize includes travel and accommodations for the photo shoot, a Chrome gift bag and an exclusive online article.
Chrome also congratulates our 2017 Top 10 finalists (listed below), along with everyone who applied and voted in this contest. We’re always excited to meet our APHA members, who are truly beautiful inside and out. Watch for the 2017 fashion issue, arriving in November.
Chrome is mailed to all current APHA members in North America, and available digitally to all members worldwide, so make sure your membership is current to ensure you receive this special issue. JOIN Today.
Finalists:
Brian Henry, Colorado
Christopher Hull, North Carolina
Roman Dinn, Texas
Kevin Otterness, Colorado
Rayleigh Rowell, Oklahoma
Brittany Russell, Arizona
Kelly Cummins, Arizona
Jennifer King, Idaho
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About APHA
The 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. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.