California Born, Texas Raised
At the suggestion of Chester R. Upham, a group of interested Palomino owners and enthusiasts met at his Mandeville Canyon Ranch, Santa Monica, CA, for the purpose of forming a Palomino registry and association. After the election of officers, it was decided to find a more formal office for PHBA. Dr. Zappe, Mineral Wells, TX, Secretary of PHBA, was able to negotiate a lease with the Baker Hotel. From there the office moved to the First National Bank Building and subsequently, to their office in Mineral Wells, TX.
Oklahoma Bound
In 1984, the PHBA office was moved from Mineral Wells, TX to Tulsa, OK. Temporary offices were at the Expo Square Complex at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. February of 1986, a building at 15253 E. Skelly Drive was purchased by PHBA to use as its headquarters. With a lot of support from the leadership of PHBA and its members, the building was paid for in 1990, a goal, 1989-1990 PHBA President, Dr. Bonnie Beaver, had when entering her year of leadership.
The year of 2015, saw another noticeable change to the PHBA office building. After many years of having a high statue of a Palomino horse on the grounds of the building, the Zoning Commission forced the removal of the signature horse. At the present time, a sign on the front entrance welcomes staff, members and visitors to the PHBA office.
PHBA General Managers
- H. Arthur Zappe, Mineral Wells, TX
- Melba Lee Spivey, Mineral Wells, TX
- Robert Shiflet, Mineral Wells, TX
- Bill Davis, Broken Arrow, OK
- Earl Harper, Tulsa, OK
- Cindy Chilton-Moore, Broken Arrow, OK
- Brent Harnish, South Bend, IN
- Trigg Rentfro, Denton, TX
- Terri Green, Bixby, OK (current)
PHBA Today
Palomino horses registered with American Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse Association, American Holsteiner Horse Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, Appaloosa Horse Club, Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds) American Saddle Horses, Arabians, Half Arabs, Morgans, Mountain Pleasure Horses, Morabs, Quarabs, Missouri Fox Trotters and Rocky Mountain Horse are eligible for registration with PHBA provided the horse meet color and white rules. Learn more about registering Palominos.
PHBA maintains records on more than 88,000 horses and owners, more than 250,000 horse show entries, and over five hundred horse shows. PHBA provides recreational, financial, and competitive rewards for every age group, extending more than 900 approved classes for amateurs, novice/amateur, youth, and open programs. Classes range from halter to jumping, horsemanship to driving, cutting to saddle seat, pole bending to reining, and barrel racing.
The PHBA Amateur Program began in 1982 after recognizing that the open competition may be too specialized and professional. Today, the Amateur program is the fastest growing segment of PHBA, offering access to competition with exhibitors of matched skill levels, while building confidence and experience for Amateurs, Novice Amateurs and Amateur Select (50 years and older).
Realizing the youth are the future of the organization, PHBA continues to promote family unity and participation through its Youth Program, which was founded in 1963. Formation of the PHBA-Y satisfied the need of youth to hold a leadership role in the future of PHBA. The Youth members elect officers, are actively involved in youth program rules and policies and learn about leadership and group participation.
The Golden Palomino horse has historically been synonymous with popular parades of the day. Palominos are always an expected crowd pleaser at local, state and national parades such as The Rose Bowl Parade, held in Pasadena, CA.
