The artists drew, you voted and the results are in! The Top Three winners of the APHA/Trail of Painted Ponies Art Contest are:
First Place: Cloud Hunter by Janee Hughes
Janee Hughes of Aumsville, Oregon, was a middle school art teacher for more than 30 years. She has always loved horses and she has shown, raised and trained foals that became great trail-riding mounts.
“I remembered hearing this old term about a horse that’s rearing being called a cloud hunter,” Janee said. “So when I came up with the design, I thought it might be neat to have clouds be part of the horse’s coat pattern.”
Janee is also the artist behind the last collaboration between APHA and the Trail of Painted Ponies, titled “Painted Harmony.” Figurines and ornaments are available for purchase in the APHA General Store.
A longtime horse lover, Janee says the beauty and remarkable character of horses helps inspire her equine work.
“Horses are just so beautiful,” she said. “To think they’re such big, powerful animals, and yet they work for people like they do; that’s always been amazing to me.”
For her win, Janee receives a $1,000 cash prize.
Second Place: Guarded Angel by Lorna Matsuda
Third Place: Beautiful Dreamer by Adeline Halvorson
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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.
About The Trail of Painted Ponies
The Trail of Painted Ponies is one of the premier fine art and collectibles companies in the world, crafting one of the most treasured collectibles in America, Painted Ponies figurines. Born and bred in Santa Fe, The Trail of Painted Ponies stampeded into the artistic landscape as a public art project that dazzled spectators throughout New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. The Trail of Painted Ponies is celebrating 13 years of horses in art and this extraordinary brand is synonymous with artistry, quality, craftsmanship and its philanthropic commitment.