The Spirit of Collaboration – How Working Together Is Shaping The Future Of Equine Events
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72 – September/October, 2025
By Taylor Fabus
Strength in Numbers
Across the country, affiliate breed organizations are embracing the spirit of collaboration to host more successful horse shows. By sharing goals, resources, and exhibitors, these partnerships have led to stronger, more sustainable events. For many smaller or financially strained clubs, working together may not only be beneficial; it could be essential. Could this model represent the future for breed organizations? Only time will tell, but the results–so far–are promising.
Building Partnerships
The Equine Chronicle recently caught up with Kory Kumar of the Southwest Washington Paint Horse Club (SWWPHC), which was recently awarded the Silver APHA Club of Distinction for overall show growth. Their success is in large part due to a groundbreaking partnership with the Washington State Quarter Horse Association (WSQHA) to host their first joint event in 2022–The Northwest Emerald. This event marked the Pacific Northwest’s first successful collaborative AQHA/APHA show. Both clubs benefited financially, and they’re now preparing to celebrate the event’s fourth year in 2025. “Southwest Washington Paint Horse Club was very negatively affected by COVID-19,” Kumar explains. “In March 2020, we held our last APHA show–where we were solely financially responsible–and we lost a large amount of money. This put us in a very bad financial position. We couldn’t afford to put on another breed show, and we have been rebuilding our treasury ever since.”
Out of that challenge came a new opportunity. In early 2022, Kumar and Lisa Gardner, show manager for WSQHA, began discussing the idea of partnering on a joint event. “WSQHA was considering adding APHA-approved classes to grow their attendance,” Kumar says. “I asked Lisa if she’d consider partnering with an APHA regional club instead of going it alone.”
The idea quickly gained traction. “We wanted to create events that allowed trainers to avoid choosing between AQHA and APHA shows–especially since many have horses in both registries,” Kumar adds. “SWWPHC President Nikki Abilla agreed to the partnership.”
Abilla notes, “This type of collaboration takes innovation, open-minded leadership, and a genuine love for the breed and our members. The club has to want to help itself, but mentorship from a more established organization is invaluable. Seeing how a well-run show operates helps smaller clubs raise their standards. I’m extremely grateful for what Lisa and WSQHA have done, and the mentorship that came with it. It’s been a wonderful experience for both exhibitors and members.”
But that’s not all. WSQHA continues to be a model of collaboration in the area. They have also teamed up with Mt. Rainier Appaloosa Club to host the No Silver No Sequin show, and most recently the Pacific Northwest Paint Horse Club (PNPHC), to host the Trophy Circuit. The Trophy Circuit celebrated huge successes, selling more than 200 stalls, and awarding 13 Harris saddles to exhibitors.
From Coast to Coast: Michigan’s Model of Success
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72 – September/October, 2025
