In a formal ceremony at the Westin DFW Hotel on February 23 as part of the American Paint Horse Association’s annual Convention, two association administrative legends were inducted into the APHA 2013 Hall of Fame.
As the fledging association began gaining a foothold in the equine landscape, two leaders took a firm hold on APHA’s reins, ready to guide the registry into a place of prominence.
Hired in 1963, Wanda Williams originally worked for APHA as a part-time pedigree painter—illustrating horses’ markings by hand on their registration papers. Moving to a full-time position in 1969, there weren’t many APHA tasks that Wanda didn’t do at one point or another. Her dream job, however, was that as Executive Secretary Ed Roberts’ administrative assistant. Wanda flourished in that role, and she served as an ambassador and friendly conductor of information between the association and its membership until her retirement.
Taking charge as APHA’s Executive Secretary in 1975, Ed Roberts approached the post with quiet leadership and big dreams. With a multifaceted approach that included expanding the scope of APHA’s youth, recreational riding and showing programs, Ed helped the Paint Horse industry ride a wave of unprecedented popularity and success. Under his quarter-century tenure, APHA became the world’s second-largest equine breed association—a position it still enjoys today.
Each inductee received a beautiful bronze statue created by sculptor Clay Gant of Cowboy Bronze in Cross Timbers, Missouri.