California Professional Horsemen’s Association celebrates accomplishments and contributions. photos by Mike Keener & Kim F. Miller The California Professional Horsemen’s Association’s annual awards banquet was even more special than usual this year. Held in San Diego on Jan. 3, the evening drew one of the largest attendances in recent memory, thanks in part to 37 friends coming out to honor Mike Nielsen, the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Super slide shows, personalized presentations and acceptances speeches that were emotional and entertaining highlighted the evening. CPHA’s beautiful awards and a silent fundraising auction full of unique items and opportunities complimented the festivities.
The CPHA is a non-profit organization comprised of professional horsemen and other individuals who make at least 50 percent of their income from equestrian related activities. The CPHA is committed to providing educational, developmental and other beneficial programs supporting its professional members. It strives to foster amateur equestrian sports and improve show participation and the show horse’s well-being.
The CPHA Foundation is a benevolent association serving professional horsemen in need. The Foundation also provides scholarships and educational opportunities. The 2020 awards gathering was held concurrent with the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association’s annual meeting and awards banquet, which took place Saturday, Jan. 4. During his acceptance speech, Mike Nielsen described the CPHA and PCHA as the strongest and most successful regional horsemens’ associations he’s come across in travel throughout the U.S. as a USEF judge and course designer. Similarly, Hall of Fame inductee DiAnn Langer expressed confidence in members’ ability to rise to the many challenges faced by equestrian sport today.
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Written by photos by Mike Keener & Kim F. Miller
Saturday, 01 February 2020 19:41
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