Created in Fall 2012 to promote excellence in the Paint Horse industry, the Paint Horse Journal Elite Team is comprised of world champion trainers dedicated to improving the breed and upholding a standard among professional horsemen. Additionally, these talented trainers believe in the power of a consistent presence in the Paint Horse Journal, the American Paint Horse Association’s official publication for Paint Horse lovers everywhere.
Recently, John Yarnelle of Fort Wayne, Indiana, joined the team. A lifelong Paint Horse enthusiast, John started showing at age 7 and trained his first horse at age 16. John’s credentials include winning the 1991 Junior Western Pleasure world championship with the great Paint Me Zippo; in recent years, he has focused on breeding top Western pleasure and all-around performance Paint Horses at Yarnelle Farms—champions bred by the farm include John Simon, Seems Like Heaven and Agent Dinozzo. An APHA member for more than 20 years, John and his family have been Paint Horse Journal advertisers since the 1980s.
Other current Paint Horse Journal Elite Team members include:
Jerm Christensen of West Point, Utah—An APHA Professional Horseman and multiple world champion halter trainer, Jerm has been an APHA member since 1989.
Jeffery Gibbs of Sanger, Texas—Jeffery has trained professionally since 2002, coaching or showing more than 20 world champions.
Tim Gillespie of Whitesboro, Texas—The winner of APHA’s No. 1 Youth title in 1981, Tim became a professional trainer in 2007 and is credited with multiple world champions.
Brian Henry of Grand Junction, Colorado—An APHA Professional Horseman, Brian has coached his Youth and Amateur clients to several APHA world championships and all-around titles.
Olin Parker of Independence, Missouri—An APHA judge, National Director and Professional Horseman, Olin and his clients have won more than 40 world and reserve championships.
Wade Spell of Saint Louis, Missouri—Having trained or shown more than 50 world champions, Wade specializes in developing Western futurity horses and Youth and Amateur clients.
“I’m so thrilled with the strong start of our PHJ Elite Team,” Director of Advertising Jackie McGinnis said. “These horsemen are dedicated to the Paint Horse Journal, and we know they’ll be a driving force in the Paint Horse industry.”
For more information on the Paint Horse Journal Elite Team, or to read the team members’ complete biographies, visit phj.apha.com/phj-elite-team. To learn more about becoming a member of the Paint Horse Journal Elite Team, contact Director of Advertising Jackie McGinnis at jmcginnis@apha.com.
