Running Colors Equine

05/15/2026

Kurt Crawford has been named as CEO for APHA’s family of brands 🎉

After an extensive candidate search and careful consideration, Kurt Crawford was selected as the American Paint Horse Association’s chief executive officer, effective immediately. Taking the reins of the world’s second-largest equine breed association, Kurt will lead the non-profit American Paint Horse Association, its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary Marked For Greatness Properties LLC, and the charitable American Paint Horse Foundation.

Kurt has a lifetime of experience in the equine industry, both personally and professionally. He joined the APHA team in 2017 as director of business development. Under his guidance, Kurt more than doubled the association’s presence among corporate partners and sponsors, with sponsorship revenue now exceeding over $1 million annually. Among other duties, Kurt was instrumental in developing Marked For Greatness Properties’ privately owned events, which include the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and The Cowgirl Gathering. Previously, Kurt served as executive director of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association, senior sales executive at the National Cutting Horse Association and in other executive leadership roles.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Kurt Crawford as CEO of APHA. His leadership, industry insight and collaborative approach make him exceptionally well-suited to guide the association as we continue to refine our strategic priorities and deliver meaningful value to our members,” APHA President Mike Holloway said. “We look forward to working closely with Kurt as we shape an innovative and sustainable future for APHA.”

A multimillion-dollar international organization, APHA is headquartered in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. There, more than 10 million annual visitors from around the world experience Western culture and gain firsthand exposure to Paint Horse via the association and its larger-than-life “Legacy of Color” bronze statues on Mule Alley. Kurt will continue driving APHA’s mission of promoting, preserving and providing meaningful experiences with Paint Horses, while expanding the association’s global influence and presence.

“I am truly honored to serve as CEO of the American Paint Horse Association and to work alongside such a talented and passionate team,” Kurt said. “I would like to thank the APHA Board of Directors for providing me with the opportunity to lead such an innovative organization. APHA has built an incredible foundation, and I look forward to refining our strategic direction while introducing new, innovative opportunities that strengthen engagement and deliver lasting value for our members.”

View the official release 🔗 https://bit.ly/KurtCrawfordAPHACEO

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04/28/2026

MW B Cause Im Alive put in a huge effort to finish 2nd in the Grade 2 Victoria Ennis Memorial. 💪

Sired by B Cause Im a Hero and out of our mare Pistol Grippin Gal — this gelding keeps showing heart every time. Excited for what’s ahead! 🐎✨

04/04/2026

Watched him on the track and followed him to stud. Plenty of reasons to breed to him—dam side was a big one for us. He’ll cross on a lot of mares. Dang sure did on ours. To be continued……..

B Cause Im A Hero is beginning to make his mark at stud, siring multiple stakes horses from limited starters. He stands at Anderson Ranch, LLC in Tularosa, New Mexico, for a $3,500 fee.

His first foals of racing age are now beginning to reach the track, and the early results have been encouraging. From only six starters, five are already winners, including recent trial winner MW Bcause Im Alive.

READ MORE: https://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&area=5&story=39374

B Cause Im A Hero Twisted M Ranch

03/10/2026

Glad to see one of the colts we raised tearing up the track! 🐎🔥

This one is by B Cause Im A Hero and out of our mare Pistol Grippin Gal (CRM Livewire), and he clocked the 2nd fastest time going into the finals at the Oklahoma Paint & Appaloosa Futurity.

Proud to see this young horse doing his job and representing the program well. Congrats to Twisted M Ranch and everyone involved with him — excited to watch the finals! 💪🏁

02/17/2026

🏇Year of the Fire Horse: Then & Now 🔥🏇

The Year of the Fire Horse only comes around every 60 years— and the last time it sprinted past was 1966.

That same year marked a historic moment for Paint Horse racing. 1966 was when Paint racing was officially recognized, with just nine races offering a total of $1,290 in purse money. It was also the year of the very first recognized Oklahoma Paint Horse Club Futurity trials in Stroud, Oklahoma — where Painted Jewel, a 1964 chestnut tobiano stallion, sprinted 250 yards in 13.79 seconds to earn the first Register of Merit.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas!

12/02/2025

Saddle up Kansas - horse racing is coming back!

Eureka Downs Revival — Horse Racing Returns to Kansas! 🔴 LIVE BREAKING NEWSHorse racing is making a thrilling comeback in Kansas as Eureka Downs plans a 16-...

10/16/2025

STAYIN HIP GRIP is a 3-year-old son of The Marfa Lights out of a proven APHA race mare. Started right with plenty of miles under saddle at the base of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. Paid up and current in Ruby Buckle and Future Fortunes. Pedigree in comments. Ready to start on barrels - your way…..

Contact for price.

08/29/2025

SM COUNTRY SNOWMAN LAID TO REST
Sparky Mullins’ world champion and champion sire SM Country Snowman, affectionately known as “The Snowman,” was laid to rest on Monday, August 25, 2025, at his home on Rafter SM Ranch.

Mullins recounted the heartbreaking moment. “Monday morning about 10 a.m. I noticed some of my mares staring toward the barn. When I went out, I found SM Country Snowman lying down, obviously hurt. He got up when he saw me, but it was clear something was seriously wrong. After checking him over, I discovered he had broken his shoulder. I buried him beside his sire, Country Quick Dash.”

Bred by Ronald Yates and James Skimbo, SM Country Snowman was purchased by Mullins within days of his birth. “I first saw Snowman as an eight-day-old foal, and I liked him so much that, since it was my wife’s birthday, I made the breeder an offer on the spot. I bought him for her as a birthday present. I took him and his mother home, weaned him at the ranch, and then sent his dam back,” Mullins said.

READ MORE: https://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&area=5&story=38343

Official American Paint Horse Association

07/27/2025

Voodoo Grip last weekend in Tulsa.

07/06/2025