Hall of Fame & Distinguished Service Award nominations due December 1
Nominations are being accepted for two premier honors: the APHA Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Service Award. Any APHA member may submit a nomination for either award; all nomination materials are due by December 1, 2025.
Hall of Fame Nominations
The revered honor of being inducted into the APHA Hall of Fame is one dreamt of by many but achieved by few. Now is your chance to nominate deserving horses and horsemen/women you deem worthy of this distinction. Nominations for consideration into the Hall of Fame are due to APHA by December 1. Nominations must contain a completed nomination form highlighting a compilation of achievements, a biography, related honors and supporting documentation to illustrate the nominee’s contributions to APHA and the Paint Horse breed.
In addition to a completed nomination form, a minimum of two and a maximum of four unique letters of recommendation from different sources are required, as well as a photograph of the nominee.
Nominees may be living or deceased people or horses that have made outstanding and significant contributions to APHA or the Paint Horse breed. Human nominees must have been a member of APHA in good standing. Horse nominees (mare, stallion or gelding) must be a registered Paint Horse or contemporary.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will review applicants and select inductees. The Class of 2026 will be honored at the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Awards Banquet in June 2026. Submit your nominations online at apha.com/foundation/hall-of-fame.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors an outstanding APHA member each year. Recipients are selected to recognize their long-term commitment and contributions to the association and the breed at the regional, state or national level.
Nominations for this honor are now being accepted from all APHA members. To nominate a candidate, provide a written description of their work, along with verification that they meet the award’s eligibility requirements.
These requirements include:
- Is an APHA member in good standing for at least 15 years
- Own, or have previously owned, a Paint Horse
- Involved in regional association leadership
- Serve or have served as a regional officer, director or committee member
- Made a major contribution to a regional, state or national activity
- Not an APHA past president
Nominations must be received in the APHA office by December 1, 2025. Verbal nominations are not accepted. The APHA Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee comprises the three most recent past presidents.
Submission
Submit Hall of Fame Nominations online at apha.com/foundation/hall-of-fame.
Hall of Fame and/or Distinguished Service Award nominations may be submitted to Jennifer Crites via:
Email: jcrites@apha.com
Mail: Distinguished Service Award Committee
C/o Jennifer Crites, APHA
122 E Exchange Ave, Suite 420
Fort Worth, TX 76164
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.