The Palomino Horse Breeders of America is mourning the passing of the association’s President Elect, Howard Rea, of Shelbyville, Kentucky on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

“Howard was an immediate friend to all he met,” said PHBA General Manager Terri Green. “He was an avid supporter of PHBA and the youth of the association.” 

Rea was a professional horse trainer and held judging cards form the American Quarter Horse Association, the Pinto Horse Association of America, the American Buckskin Registry Association, the North American Saddle Mule Association and the American Roan Horse Association in addition to the PHBA.

The news of Rea’s passing comes just weeks before the PHBA’s World Championship Show in Springfield, Illinois, where Rea served for years as tri-chair, managing the arena and handling the set-up. 

“He helped with everything from planning to tear-down,” Green said. “He always made it his mission to be sure the women didn’t do too much. He was the quintessential gentleman.”

In 2017 Rea was honored with the PHBA’s President’s Special Service Award.

“He was PHBA through and through,” Green said. “This loss will be felt by many, a tremendous loss not only for PHBA but the horse industry as a whole. The world has lost a great man and the horse world has lost a mentor to many.”