26th & 27th Releases - Design Meanings and Style - 2013 Winter & Spring

Painted Harmony Artist: Janee Hughes The public voted this pony as the winner of the 2012 American Paint Horse Association design competition. First Place went to Janee Hughes for her design titled “Harmony.” This talented artist lives in Oregon where she was a middle school art teacher for over 30 years. She has always loved horses and she has shown, raised and trained foals that became great trail riding horses. "When I was designing Harmony, I thought about the very close relationship between a mare and her foal, and how remarkable it is that the foal can keep up with its mother shortly after birth. Bringing the two together in color and markings was my way of emphasizing this very close relationship." Known for its distinctive markings the American Paint Horse is a colorful naturally intelligent and a versatile Western breed. Characterized by a broad chest well-muscled hindquarters and refined head Paint Horses come in a variety of coat patterns. Painted Harmony was inspired by the close relationship between mare and foal, exemplified here by the seamless blending of this mare's coat pattern into her foal's. Painted Harmony was the winning design in a national competition marking the 50th anniversary of the American Paint Horse Association.

The Guardian Artist: Lauren Reeser & Rod Barker "Of all the animals, the horse is the best friend of the Indian, for without it he could not go on long journeys. A horse is the Indian's most valuable piece of property. If an Indian wishes to gain something he promises his horse that if the horse will help him he will paint it with native dyes that all may see that help and protection have come to him through the aid of his horse.

Black Jack Artist: Regan Lee & Karlynn Keyes Did you know that Blackjack is the most popular card game in the world? Gambling houses offered a bonus to player's whose hands contained the ace of spades and a black jack. Blackjack became the official name of the most exciting card game in America! This fast-paced game of skill, also known as "21," arrived in America in the late 1700s, from Europe. Ambitious gambling houses offered a bonus payout to players whose hands contained the ace of spades and a black jack. Soon, "Blackjack" became the official name of the most exciting card game in America! We invite you to discover the thrill of the game with Black Jack.

Crossroads Artist: Vickie Knepper-Adrian Expressing one's faith in the positive power of a cross is the belief it will protect home is a tradition practiced round the world. With "Crossroads," the artist pays tribute to those ornamental crosses often found in farm houses, prairie barns and Western churches that are designed with cowboy flair, and are forged by hand out of unique materials: cowhide and conchos, tooled leather and sterling silver stars, wood and nailheads.

Freedom Reigns Artist: Marilyn Sunderland What better way of showing the Spirit of America than to remember our heritage through our nation's symbols from the Statue of Liberty which was given to us in honor of our ideals of freedom and liberty for all... to the Declaration of Independence, a document that provided us with a democratic government, ensuring individual freedoms, equality and independence for all citizens... to the White House and Capitol Building, where our leaders work to improve and secure our national heritage and principles... all wrapped up in the Stars and Stripes that we display and wave proudly in times of war, grief and celebration..

27th Release - Due in June, 2013

Cheyenne Warrior Artist: Vickie Knepper-Adrian "Dog Soldiers" were the military elite within the Cheyenne culture on the Northern Plains during the mid-1850s, when their homelands were besieged by fortune seekers and homesteaders. Respected as well as feared, these warriors were sworn to protect their people at all costs. To cover the retreat of a companion or village under attack, the bravest among them would stay behind and stake themselves to the ground with a "dog sash" secured to a lance, remaining there until death if necessary.

Tribal Rose Artist: Lynn Bean For centuries, tattooing with ink or dyes, also known as "skin art," has been practiced within different tribal cultures by both men and women as a way of indicating social position. Since the 1990s, as modern techniques allowed for a range of elaborate designs and colors, tattoos have become a mainstream part of Western fashion for decorative and cosmetic reasons. Popular among both sexes is the image of a flower, in particular a red rose.

First Comes Freedom Artist: Janet Snyder In defense of freedom, I have been part of this country's military operations since the birth of America in 1776. I have carried soldiers and supplies and ammunition millions of miles through many tough conflicts – from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to World War I and World War II, all the way through to Operation Enduring Freedom. I wear the traditional camouflage colors of the United States Military proudly, and will continue to serve whenever I am called to duty.

Old Country Store Artist: Denise F Brown Old Country Store was inspired by memories of a store in New Hampshire. It had a hitching post out front and old-fashioned rocking chairs on the porch. Country stores were a community's stagecoach stops as well as findings of flour, sugar, pots and pans.

My other Painted Ponies | Ride over to my Retired Painted Pony Page