PH - Paint Horse Association of Australia

PRESIDENTS REPORT - by Craig Dengate
I thank all the Paint Horse People that have engaged in the
breeding and production of Paint Horses, through your
efforts the Paint Horse in Australia has become what it is
today. Even though in recent years most areas of Australia
has been subject to drought conditions and I’m sure that
people who reside in these affected areas ask themselves
do they breed again. Still last financial year, registrations
and transfers are at an all time high.
In recent years there has been a surge
of PHAA members making the
commitment of importing stallions and
mares from America to enhance our
growing stud book, giving PHAA
members and potential PHAA
members greater choice for the
direction that they would like to
pursue with their breeding progeny.
Most Paint Horse breeders become
quite emotionally involved in the
process of breeding and I can
understand why, being part of the
process of creating new life nurturing
and bonding with a new foal, hoping
that this new creation may develop to
or beyond their expectations. Being a
paint horse breeder can be quite
challenging sometimes, being there at
foaling time to assist the birth of the
new foal and eagerly expecting to see
enough white on the foal to make it
into the Paint Horse regular registry.
Then if the foal didn’t have enough
white hair and pink skin hoping that it
would be a filly so that it could be
used in their breeding program at a
later date and knowing that solid
geldings make great riding horses
and companions.
To be involved with breeding Paint
Horses often takes a great deal
of commitment, the outlay of
considerable money to be involved
in the process of breeding. The
land to keep these horses, pasture
improvement and feeding, vehicles
and trailers to transport, vet fees
which may include the collection and
transportation of semen which can
sometimes reach extraordinary
amounts with complications. I’m sure
that there wouldn’t be a Paint Horse
breeder that hasn’t asked themselves
about the level of commitment that
they have put in to achieve their goal.
To the Paint Horse breeder who may
be doing it a little tough, Paint Horse
breeding is like a journey with no
end, starting from the time you decide
you would like to breed a Paint Horse,
through the experiences of ups and
downs sometimes the resultant foal
isn’t what you expected. This is a part
of the journey, so you head off down
the track where does it end? Most
Paint breeders I know are always
trying to breed a better horse
whether it be heading down the trail
or chasing a cow.
The trick is to enjoy the journey, the
people you meet, the experiences
you experience, the learning, the
lifestyle and the rewarding times with
your Paint Horse. To the Paint Horse
breeder the achiever.
The up and coming part of the year
has a lot in store for the Paint Horse
enthusiast. The PHAA National Show
is just around the corner with lots of
new ideas and activities to be
involved with. The PHAA National
Show is the biggest event that the
PHAA conducts each year and we aim
to make it a good one. With the
expectations of approximately
$25,000.00 in futurity prize money
payouts as well as PHAA buckles and
those popular horse bronzes that were
awarded last year, the introduction of
Jokers Trail and also a competition for
the best decorated stable or stable
block should add some more colour
to the whole event.
Alongside the National Show the
PHAA will be conducting 2007 Annual
General Meeting. This will provide
an easy opportunity for members
to attend and take advantage of
the gathering of many Paint Horse
members at the one time. Please take
this opportunity to be involved. Also
the election of new Board of Directors
will be announced and notices of
motion will be voted upon. Here is
your chance to have an input in the
direction of the PHAA, come and be
involved.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Craig Dengate
PHAA President
The Paint Horse Journal 7
February - March 2007