Jean Fell, a member of APHA’s Hall of Fame from Franktown, Colorado, died May 3.
A longtime APHA fixture, Jean and her husband Dale were APHA members since the 1960s and instrumental in the foundation of the Rocky Mountain Paint Horse Association and the Zone 3 Coordinating Committee. Jean was the first female RMPHA president and a longstanding Zone 3 volunteer, and she also established the RMPHA Youth Development Foundation in 1985, a program that has since provided more than 40 Youth scholarships to date.
The couple bred 68 Paints and campaigned several talented mounts, including APHA Champions Gallant Hug. Fans of Paint racing, Jean and Dale helped establish and promote the sport at Colorado’s Arapahoe Park, and they raced their own stock at tracks in Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho and beyond. Jean and Dale were dedicated Paint supporters, helping the breed flourish in their region, serving as Paint promoters during their work with the Western Stock Show Association, the National Western Stock Show and Arapahoe Park racetrack.
Beginning in the mid-1970s, both Jean and Dale stepped into larger APHA leadership roles that included service as APHA directors and committee members. Jean was a director for 38 years and served on the Queen, Judges and Rules committees, including terms as chairwoman of the Rules Committee, and was part of the American Paint Horse Foundation Board. In 2007, Jean received the APHA Distinguished Service Award for her years of leadership.
The couple was inducted into the APHA Hall of Fame in 2019. Condolences to the Fell family and friends.