APHA Horseman Bill Maher Dies
William “Bill” Maher of El Dorado, Kansas, died August 18 at the age of 68. Survivors include Bill’s longtime companion Betty Reed, as well as many friends.
New to the fledgling Paint Horse association in the late 1960s, Bill knew a quality horse when he saw one. While attending the 1967 APHA National Show in Oklahoma City, Bill’s attention was caught by a young sorrel overo stallion named Snip Bar, who went on to win the show’s Yearling Stallion national championship title. Bill purchased Snip Bar on February 22, 1968.
With the support of his owner and a top team of trainers and exhibitors, Snip Bar was campaigned throughout his 2- and 3-year-old years, gaining notoriety around the country and adding three more major awards to his resume: 1968 National Champion 2-Year-Old Stallion, 1969 National Champion 3-Year-Old Stallion and 1968 National Champion Junior Calf Roping Horse. In July 1969, Snip Bar earned his APHA Champion title.When the association created its pinnacle performance award—the APHA Supreme Championship—Bill set his sights on achieving the title for his promising young stallion. In June 1970, his dream became a reality when Snip Bar became the first Paint Horse to earn a Supreme Championship. In October 2012, Snip Bar will be inducted into the APHA Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.
As well as having owned several other Paints during his lifetime, Bill is listed as the breeder of 40 foals, many of which were by Snip Bar. Among them were multiple APHA Champion Snip’s Miss Kitty; APHA Champion Miss Danger Ship; two-time national champion She’s Jester Lady; multiple APHA Champion and Youth Versatility titleholder Snip’s Nettie Bar; and Sunshine Snip, an APHA Champion and four-time APHA national and reserve national champion.
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About the American Paint Horse Association
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 64,000 active youth and adult members around the world.