FORT WORTH, TX— The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently announced a new corporate partnership with J.W. Brooks Custom Hat Company. The company, owned by Western artist J.W. Brooks, chose to enter into a relationship with APHA as a result of the association’s member enthusiasm and the special place the American Paint Horse holds in the Western culture.
J.W. Brooks began making Western hats in 1991, when he was hired by legendary hat maker, Kevin O’Farrell, owner of O’Farrell Hat Company, on a hunch that Brooks’ artistic hand would lend itself naturally to the crafting of a cowboy hat. During his apprenticeship under Mr. O’Farrell, Brooks realized a sense of pride and accomplishment in producing pieces of wearable art that stemmed from his own Western heritage. He opened J.W. Brooks Custom Hat Company in Cave Creek, Arizona, and quickly became the custom hat maker of choice for many professional cowboys as well as actors and entertainers.
Each handcrafted custom hat is dedicated toward perfection of quality, style, and look with a concentration on the significance of true Western individualism. Craig Cameron, a frequent clinician at the APHA World Championship Show, has a signature line. The company also features a ladies’ line of embroidered hats and can customize any hat with special touches.
“Bringing a new sponsor on board such as the J.W. Brooks Custom Hat Company is a welcome addition to our growing list of corporate support,” said Billy Smith, APHA Executive Director. “J.W. Brooks is a natural fit for APHA because of the Western heritage of the American Paint Horse. We plan for this to be a long and mutually-beneficial partnership.”
To see the line of hats, visit www.jwbrookscustomhats.com/hats.html.
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), the international breed registry for the American Paint Horse, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses. APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves over 58,000 active youth and adult members around the world.