Page 148 - April 2016

Legends
in tHeir time
Three honorees with Paint racing connections are among 10 joining APHA’s fourth Hall of Fame class.
by Jessica Hein • Originally printed in the February 2016 Paint Horse Journal Reprinted with permission of APHA/Paint Horse Journal
The American Paint Horse Association has come a long way since its humble begin- nings in 1962. From a wooden kitchen table and a handful of registrations to becoming the world’s second-largest equine breed associa- tion, APHA and the Paint Horse breed enjoys its current position of prominence thanks to the visionary efforts of those great horsemen and Paint Horses who came before us.
It is with great honor that APHA wel- comed the fourth class into its esteemed
Hall of Fame on February 28 in Richmond, Virginia. Composed of five horsemen or couples and five great Paint Horses, these inductees worked in their own ways to champion the Paint breed and made a lasting impact for future generations.
“Part of our calling as APHA members is to remember the past and honor those who have made today’s APHA possible,” Executive Director Billy Smith said. “The honorees of the 2015 Hall of Fame class have certainly helped make APHA the world-class associa- tion it is today.”
Henry & Linda Bowlan
Tecumseh, Oklahoma
They say everything happens for a reason, and as such, Henry and Linda Bowlan’s foray into the world of racehorses was no misstep. Originally involved in halter-bred Quarter Horses, Henry made the switch to racehorses
in the early 1970s, when Mike Levis sent Henry one—then all—of his horses to fit. When Shawne Bug (QH) was born on their property in 1974, he helped lay the foundation for Bowlan Farms’ ascent into racing royalty.
Purchased outright in 1979, Shawne Bug went on to sire earners of more than $4.4 million on the track, but he wasn’t the only top stallion to call Bowlan Farms home. The Bowlans
added a bit of color to their pastures by standing Treasured, a 1985 bay tobiano stallion who became one of APHA’s first Million Dollar Sires. Their most notable resident, however, might
be Judys Lineage. Bred by son Chuck, Judys Lineage was a star on the track but shone even brighter in the breeding barn; he is an APHA
$5 Million Sire and No. 2 on APHA’s Lifetime Leading Sires of Money-Earning Racehorses list.
Now in their fifth decade of racing involvement and 25 years in the Paint racing business, Henry and Linda are still regarded
as top breeders of running horses. The couple has bred 139 registered Paints of their own
to date, along with more than 50 others in partnership; among their most notable horses are Champion runners Awesome Fling, I Kick, Reckless Cat and Respectully Judy. In addi- tion to being named APHA Leading Racing Breeders in 2008 and 2009, the Bowlans were honored in 2013 with the Paul Harbor Racing Distinguished Service Award for their contri- butions to Paint racing.
Henry & Linda Bowlan
146 SPEEDHORSE, April 2016
paint horse bulletin
courtesy APHA courtesy APHA