Our APHA members are unique, just like the Paint Horses we love, and Chrome magazine is proud to showcase this individuality in our magazine … especially when we feature real APHA members starring in our annual Western fashion showcase.
Once again, we’re excited to ask for your help picking the stars of our Winter 2021 Chrome fashion issue from the ranks of talented APHA members. A team of Chrome photographers and art directors sifted through heaps of entries this year to narrow the field to our Top 12 cowgirls and cowboys. Check out their bios below, vote for your favorites at apha.com/publications/chromemagazine/model-search and make sure your membership is current so you don’t miss an issue of Chrome, an amazing APHA member benefit and official magazine of Mule Alley in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Voting is open through June 6 (11:45 pm, CST) and limited to 1 vote per device. An APHA membership is not required to vote.
Vote Here
Amanda Nelson, 21, Utah
My name is Amanda Nelson, and I am a student at Utah State University. I will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and am getting married in June. I grew up showing at local Paint Horse shows but my passion led me to move up to more competitive levels. I have since earned multiple APHA world champion titles with various horses. I have also competed at the APHA European Championship as a member of Team USA in the Youth World Games. My intense love of horses and agriculture has become not only my hobby but my lifestyle.
Blake Murray, 19, Idaho
My uniqueness stems from not any special talent or hidden ability, but simply the amount of reunited desire I have for the equestrian community. After numerous moves and academic changes throughout my life, the one thing that made me stand out above the crowd (besides my height) is my love for horses—although it took me to my late teens for me to acknowledge the impact it had on my personality. This realization has also allowed me to branch and become the person I am today. The community as a whole has added my ability to grow into the personal identity that I associate with myself.
Brady Walker, 24, Idaho
Brady Walker grew up riding horses as a young child. Brady’s grandmother mentored him from the beginning, knowing he had a connection with horses that was unique, especially for a young boy. His first show horse was named Ziggy, a black pleasure horse by Zips Chocolate Chip. Under the guidance of his trainer, Jeffery Gibbs, Brady was fortunate enough to win the 2-year-old Amateur pleasure on his horse Sittin Sideways last year. Brady also works for an equine veterinarian as a vet tech, specializing in reproduction. When not working with horses, Brady enjoys spending time with his family and partner.
Brittany Weckman, 38, Tennessee
I have been showing on the APHA circuit since I was a teenager in Minnesota. Owning and showing horses has been amazing! I’ve met so many wonderful people over the past two decades both in the Midwest and now in Tennessee where I reside with my husband and three kids. After a break to enjoy our babies, I am enjoying getting back in to the show pen along with my middle daughter, who is participating in lead line classes this year.
Jennifer King, 53, Idaho
Going through this thing called life, we all strive to be our best in what we are meant to be. I am a mother of five children and have always strived to be the best mother showing them kindness, setting goals and achieving what they want. This past year, my career as a nurse practitioner took me out of state working among the COVID pandemic and away from my family. This brought home the value of family, empathy and compassion to others as my patients and those in need. Keeping me grounded along the way are my Paint Horses.
Joan Mast, 63, Arizona
Knowing nothing about horses, I decided to take a riding lesson several years ago. That lesson led to adopting a rescued horse and attempting to learn to ride but ending up injured. Fearful of my horse, I decided I wasn’t capable. Fast forward to 2019. Through a series of circumstances, I wanted to try to learn to ride … again. Taking lessons to get past my fear, I was hooked. Last year, at 62, I purchased my beautiful Paint and now participating in local shows, PAC and love every minute. Is it ever too late to learn to ride? I say, Never!
Kate Fleming, 33, Texas
I own four Paint Horses, show in Amateur Walk-Trot Western events, and also enjoy wake surfing and wakeboarding with my husband, making show clothes and spending time with friends and family.
Katie Daniells, 18, Texas
I am very diverse when it comes to sense of style. I am comfortable with dark aesthetic clothing, or even fresh and airy styles. I have taken many pictures with horses and am comfortable posing with and around them. I have a passion for portraying their beauty through photography.
Lindsey Burleson, 21, Texas
I am an assistant trainer at Leier Performance Horses in Gordonville, Texas, and originally from the beautiful state of Colorado. As a youth, I showed horses and was a rodeo queen, alongside my favorite Paint mare; now I get the honor of working with some of the best yearling prospects in the pleasure industry. When I am not working or at a horse show, I like to spend my free time with friends, searching for my next fashion treasure and playing with my two spoiled and rowdy dogs, “Murphy” and “Dallas.”
Madison Randall, 25, Idaho
For the past 25 years I have lived and breathed the Western way of life. I am a co-owner of a local Western consignment store and am currently the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo Queen. When I am not working or advocating for rodeos, I am showing smaller-scale shows local to home. I am unique in the sense that I am outgoing, always willing to help people, and share my knowledge of horses. I am also a proud owner of 5 American Paint Horses and would be ecstatic to be featured as an APHA model.
Melinda Dann, 52, New York
I am a hairdresser in a small country town. I may be petite in stature, but I possess a larger-than-life heart, dreams and endless ambition. I love people, their stories, their experiences and what makes them tick. My goal with clients is to listen, encourage and inspire. Therefore, I am always searching for inspiration myself. Chrome did exactly that, in more ways than one. My love for horses began when I was 6. My family owned a Paint Horse named “Squirt;” he was my pal. After a long hiatus and yearning inside, I climbed back into the saddle.
Taylor Hankins, 22, Illinois
I have been riding horses my whole life and I love to be around them. I grew up riding Western and English pleasure, however, now I ride in the hunters/jumpers. I’m not the typical hunter rider though on a fancy warmblood or OTTB … you’ll always see me on a Paint. Paints are my absolute favorite horses. I have two Paint mares right now that I’m training to jump and they are loving it! Another fun fact is that I’m a crazy cat lady with 6 cats in the house!