In 1962, Rebecca Tyler Lockhart began a quest to elevate the status of the beautifully colored horses of Western stock horse conformation she loved so much. She learned about horses from the cowboys she grew up around. Often called a “natural-born horseperson,” she spent more time with horses than at school.

Rebecca gained an excellent reputation as a breeder of fine horses. Founder of the American Paint Stock Horse Association, precursor to the American Paint Horse Association, she began a movement that made the Paint Horse into one of the fastest growing equine breeds in the world.

As the association’s first secretary, Rebecca used her promotional skills and considerable contacts to open doors to Paints at show venues throughout the country. A master horse breeder, she contributed many top show and breeding horses to the Paint horse breed. Cherokee Maiden—Rebecca’s first registered Paint—was a cornerstone matron whose descendants can still be found in the working arenas.

Today, APHA is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since its founding.