Passing the presidential reins

For many AjPHA members, the culminating point throughout their Youth showing years is winning a prestigious APHA World Championship title. For Sammi Jo Stone and Banks Ready, however, serving as the AjPHA president is among their list of highest achievements.

AjPHA President Sammi Jo Stone presented incoming President Banks Ready with his honorary buckle during the recent AjPHA banquet. Both presidents have exhibited strong leadership qualities, a love for Paint Horses and a driving passion to improve our communities.

Serving the Youth members for 2007-2008 was Sammi Jo of Springville, Calif., who passes the presidency on to Banks of Hernando, Miss., during the presentation of Youth awards this evening. Along with outstanding leadership abilities, both have a passion for American Paint Horses and a strong interest in continuously helping to advance the breed. And through it all, they both actively serve their communities through both horse and non-horse related activities.

Part of each AjPHA president’s term involves developing a service project in which the regional Youth clubs are encouraged to participate. Last year, Stone challenged AjPHA Youth across the country to “Be a Lifesaver,” as part of her project dedicated to assisting victims of natural disasters through the American Red Cross. That project was not focused on how much money each club could raise, but instead on how actively involved AjPHA members got with their communities and the amount of service they provided.

“I know my project was a success because I realized how much character and ‘give’ the AjPHA members have,” said 18-year-old Sammi Jo. “The Youth donated so much of their time doing things like raising money for tornado victims, hosting CPR and first-aid trainings and donating blankets to the American Red Cross.

“As president, you want people to recognize your idea, but seeing it is totally different. It was very impressive to see the Youth respond so strongly to the idea I threw at them.”

Sammi Jo began showing Paints when she was about 8 years old and plans to continue in the future with her 6-year-old sorrel overo gelding, Ina New York Minute. The duo, who compete in showmanship at halter and english events, have one year of Youth eligibility left. Beyond competing at APHA events, the recent high school graduate will be attending the University of California-Fresno to compete on the school’s NCAA Equestrian Team in the fall.

Although passing on the reins of president can be hard, Sammi Jo has no concerns about the abilities of Banks.

“I know he will do a great job,” said Sammi Jo. “He is an exceptional leader and I have been lucky enough to serve on the Executive Committee with him for several years. I have no doubt that his project will be both fun and engaging.”

Banks plans for just that with his project, “Painting Dreams,” with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After getting involved with Make-A-Wish through the service-oriented Key Club in high school, Banks immediately knew that would be his presidential service project.

“The Key Club I am involved with was able to grant two wishes,” said Banks. “Seeing the look on the kids’ and parents’ faces is one of the most rewarding experiences—it is life changing—and I want each AjPHA member to experience that.”

Incoming AjPHA President Banks Ready has a busy year ahead, balancing his love of horses and competition with his "Make-A-Wish" Presidential Service Project.

As Banks takes office this evening, he will challenge each regional AjPHA club to work with its local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant at least one wish for a child in their area. Each wish takes $5,000.

Banks isn’t wasting any time promoting and looking to raise as much money as possible for Make-A-Wish. The 17-year-old avid Paint Horse competitor will have donation boxes available at various locations around the show, including the Tabor Ranch stalls in the Burnett-Tandy building, as well as the AjPHA Booth and the Publication Booth—both located in the Colors of the West Gift Show in the Amon Carter building. Along with the donation boxes, Banks will be broadcasting a video overview of his project at the same places. The video will also play on the scoreboard in the John Justin arena.

Outside of working to promote his presidential project, Banks is excited about strengthening the AjPHA program and getting more Youth to become actively involved. A personable young man, Banks is looking forward to mingling with the Youth and getting the opportunity to meet those he has not yet met, while strengthening the relationships he has already formed.

Getting involved with AjPHA around nine years ago, Banks is now showing two horses. He currently competes in Western pleasure with his 4-year-old bay overo mare, Always Look At Me, and Youth 3-Year-Old Geldings with his sorrel overo gelding, Hez Extraordinary.

Both Sammi Jo and Banks encourage AjPHA members to get involved with the programs. Sammi Jo summed it up well by saying, “Go for it and be brave. Don’t think about having to stand in front of people and give a speech because that’s not what serving on the AjPHA Executive Committee is about. Instead, think about the difference you will be making, the skills you will gain and experiences you will gather along the way.”