The Creation of a Heritage Foundation to Celebrate the Palomino Horse

The Palomino Horse Breeders Heritage Foundation (PHBHF) was formed to safeguard the history of the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) through historic preservation, public education scholarship opportunities and educational research.

On September 24, 2008, the initial paperwork for the Foundation was finished largely due to the efforts of Bill Miller and was sent in for approval bearing the signatures of Stephen Hale, Brent W. Harnish, Wm. (Dutch) Guthrie, and Louis W. (Bud) Missel. In September of 2008, the Foundation was granted the 501 (c) (3) statuses. The first donation to the Foundation was from Bill Miller, OK; with the second one being from Dale C. Thiry, Louisville, KY.

The organizational meeting of the Board of Directors for the Foundation was held on May 11, 2009. Elected as President, Alda Buresh, IA, Vice Presidents were Dr. Floyd Branson, IN, and Helen Fleming, MS. Secretary-Treasurer was Bill Miller, OK. On April 10th, the cleaning, clearing, repairing and organizing began in one on the back spaces of the PHBA office building, Tulsa, OK, and continued until 2010. The PHBA Executive Board asked the Foundation to oversee the PHBA Executive Board Room with all the plaques and photographs to keep them up to date, as all of the room contents are part of PHBA’s history.

In May, 2011, Bill Miller, OK, resigned as the Foundation’s Secretary-Treasurer due to being appointed to the PHBA Executive Board and Lester Baskerville, IA, was elected to fill the position. New board members joining were Lynn Branson, IN, and Carolyn Henderson, OK. Plans to house the PHBHF Museum space were made with work to begin in 2012. Ginny Baskerville, IA, was added to the Board during 2012. The Foundation was helped immensely in its financial outlay for the Museum with a gift from The Swanson Foundation, NE.

On March 13, 2013, the Museum had its official opening during the PHBA Convention, as well as, the inaugural of the Palomino Horse Breeders Heritage Night event, which consisted of dinner and an educational program. Two Heritage classes were added to the PHBA World Show, Open Halter and Open Western Pleasure. Judges were Wm. (Buddy) Brown and Brad Gibby. Due to the efforts of Dr. Floyd Branson, collaboration was made with OSU, Stillwater, OK, to have three of their students do their internships in marketing with the PHBHF. This proved to be highly successful.

During 2014, all the Foundation officers were re-elected and the Secretary-Treasurer’s office was separated. Carolyn Henderson, OK, was elected to the Secretary position. The First Anniversary Celebration of the opening of the Museum was held with a Heritage Foundation dinner, with a Western Art and Musical Educational Program, presented by Craig Clemons from the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Art Museum, Oklahoma City, OK.

The year of 2015 was a continuation of the Heritage Night program with the addition of a reception for the Hall of Fame honorees, co-hosted by PHBA and the Foundation. Added to the Heritage Board were Darrell Bilke, OK, Mimsi Coon and Thomas Coon, TX.

New acquisitions, the presentation of PHBA’s archives, the continuing education offered to the public about PHBA’s history and the displaying of exhibits in the Museum are constantly ongoing. None of this would be possible without the support of those who made monetary gifts, donated items and worked tirelessly to make the PHBHF Museum an outstanding presentation of PHBA’s history and the role of the Palomino horse. The PHBHF is grateful to all who have believed in our mission of preserving PHBA’s heritage, for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations. The Foundation looks forward to your support in the coming years.

Sincerely,

Alda Buresh
President, Palomino Horse Breeders Heritage Foundation.