The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) will become a partner in NTRA Advantage, the NTRA’s group purchasing program. Some 50,000 APHA members will now have access to substantial cost savings on John Deere products through local dealers. Other NTRA Advantage products and services are being evaluated and could be added soon.
“Adding the APHA to our roster of participating equine organizations is just the latest example of how NTRA Advantage strives to make economic conditions better for all horsemen,” said NTRA Senior Vice President Bryan Pettigrew. “The participation of APHA will significantly strengthen the collective buying power of NTRA Advantage and allow us to generate even more savings for our members and partners.”
“We’re proud to partner with NTRA Advantage and give American Paint Horse Association breeders access to important new membership benefits,” said APHA Executive Director Billy Smith. “We’re particularly excited to add John Deere to our growing list of sponsors. Our members can now save up to 28% on John Deere products, and we look forward to having this iconic American brand participating in our two world championship shows and some of our Regional shows as well.”
APHA members who can realize savings through the newly created APHA Xtras program include owners, breeders and trainers. Equine organizations utilizing the NTRA Advantage program extend well beyond the realm of Thoroughbred racing. In addition to APHA, participating organizations include the American Quarter Horse Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the U.S. Trotting Association, Harness Tracks of America and the U.S. Polo Association.
In 2012, the NTRA Advantage program topped the $100 million mark in savings to the horse industry since the inception of the NTRA’s group purchasing arm in 2002. In all, NTRA Advantage sales of goods and services since 2002 exceed $600 million.
APHA is an international association with a mission to collect, record and preserve the pedigrees of American Paint Horses, and to stimulate and regulate all matters pertaining to the promotion, history, breeding and exhibition of the breed. The association has registered more than a million horses since its founding in 1962. The APHA world headquarters are in Ft. Worth, Tex. More information can be found at www.APHA.com.
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading Thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.