The People Behind the Foundation

A journalist and social worker by training, Alda has been with the Palomino Heritage Foundation since before its inception, attending the very first meeting in May 2009. A past PHBA president who has owned and exhibited many registered Palominos, she sees the Foundation as a way to thank the predecessors who paved the way for her and so many others. As Foundation President, she presides over meetings, makes sure the Board’s decisions are carried out, and leads the Foundation’s outreach across the equine industry.

A retired educator with a master’s degree in education, Ginny spent her career in special education and as a K–6 school librarian. Her path into PHBA began when she and her husband, Les, showed their first two fillies and were invited to register and join. Ginny went on to serve on the Amateur Board and was elected amateur president in 2011. An associate since 2010, she now serves as a vice president, working alongside Foundation president Alda Buresh to advance the Foundation’s goals and to preserve items of historical significance for the public to view.

One of the four original members who formed the organization, Helen brings a deep background in both education and horses — including 25 years of teaching algebra, work with youth court, and a stint as Mississippi’s State Horse Specialist. An antique dealer who has bred horses since 1975, she helps with museum acquisitions, fundraising, and the general promotion of PHBA history. Three generations of her family have shown, ridden, and helped with their Palomino breeding operation.

Alecia spent ten years in an accounting office handling bookkeeping and tax work, and today runs half of her family farm with row crops, hay, and cattle. Palominos have been a focus of her entire life — her family has shown them since 1997, with her son now the third generation involved in PHBA. As treasurer, she manages the books and disbursements and builds out a yearly budget plan to support the Foundation’s continued success.

A medical geneticist with 35 years of clinical practice and a former medical school professor, Dr. North is also the author of nine books on equine coat color genetics. An owner, breeder, and exhibitor of Palominos for 51 years, he is a longtime PHBA leader — judge, inspector, affiliate leader, board member, and Hall of Fame inductee. As curator of the Palomino Heritage Museum, he devotes a significant part of every day to its development.

With a background in education and business and decades in the horse world — including running the Horse N Hound tack and feed store and co-managing Hersom Quarter Horses — Amanda is now in her fourth year on the board. The Hersom family has been part of PHBA since its early days, with four generations now having shown horses, and she bought her first registered Palomino in 1992. As secretary, she records and preserves the Foundation’s minutes, helps prepare the annual Hall of Fame, and joins work days at the Museum.

A retired administrator and professor at Purdue University, Dr. Branson is a charter member of the Foundation who served as its first vice president from inception until 2022. A breeder and exhibitor for more than 40 years and a two-term president of both PHEI and OPEA, Palomino horses are an important part of his family’s legacy. As historian, he is responsible for the accurate depiction of the Palomino horse and the historical evolution of the associations and people behind it.

A horse show judge and past PHBA president, Mary Ann has been involved with PHBA for more than 60 years, serving in countless roles over a lifetime with the breed she calls her second love and life’s mission. For six years, she has led the Foundation’s S.T.E.P. Scholarship program as representative and chairman, leading the program that supports the next generation of the equine industry.

A retired administrative chief in the United States military with further service in civil service and state government, Tootsie has shown Palominos since 1975 and loves promoting the breed. Involved with the Foundation for a decade, she takes on whatever work she’s assigned and especially enjoys putting together items for the Convention Auction to raise money for the Foundation, which she sees as one of the best ways to advocate for Palomino horses.

A professor of animal and dairy sciences at Mississippi State University, Molly advises several student programs and founded the school’s equestrian team. Her sons’ first horses were PHBA-registered, and their first shows were PHBA events, where they grew up building lifelong friendships. Molly was drawn to the Foundation by Dr. Ed North’s museum work, and today, she works with the Museum on research projects documenting the breed’s origins, including the study of coat color genetics.

With a background in sales and self-employment, Thomas and his wife, Mimsi, have raised and shown multiple world champion Palominos. A board member for ten years, he takes on assignments wherever needed and is driven to protect the breed’s history while continuing to learn about the great horses of the past and the people who showed them. Thomas is also a past President of the World Conformation Horse Association.

A contractor by trade, Tom grew up as one of the “Rural Route kids” of the OPEA in the Tulsa area, and his family still shows today. A past President of PHBA, he has been involved for four years and is known around the Foundation as President Alda Buresh’s “go-to person.” Tom also serves as a liaison to the PHBA Executive Board. He’s driven to preserve PHBA history for younger generations who weren’t around in its earlier decades and treasures the friendships he’s made across the country through Palomino horses.

A consultant and past president of the PHBA, Bill brings his leadership experience to the Foundation, where he’s motivated to preserve PHBA history and connect with members. He values the Palomino Heritage Museum as a place where members and the public can discover the association’s story, and is especially passionate about its work providing scholarships and supporting youth in the equine industry.

Retired from a career in telephony with experience in sales, customer service, and budgeting, Mimsi has owned, bred, and raised Palominos with success in rodeo and halter competition, and served as the 80th president of PHBA. Involved with the Foundation for a decade, she assists wherever needed, whether through publications, fundraising, or other projects. Mimsi is drawn to this work by a desire to learn and share the history of the golden horse, so it isn’t lost.

After 30 years at the University of Arkansas as an administrative specialist, Dianna now serves the equine industry as a show manager, secretary, and scribe. Her Palomino connection goes back to a horse her son showed as a youth; she became more involved through PHBA conventions after he earned his PHBA judge’s card, and now works the PHBA World Show as Awards Secretary. As a newer member of the Foundation, Dianna pitches in wherever needed, including clean-up days at the Museum and PHBA office.

A director of health economics and reimbursement in the biotechnology industry, Dawn also serves as secretary and treasurer on the PHBA Executive Board. Her family has been involved with Palominos for over 40 years — her brother, Dr. Ed North, is curator of the Heritage Museum, which houses much of their family’s PHBA history. Involved since 2022 and a youth exhibitor who credits the association with helping shape who she became, Dawn advocates for the Palomino horse and supports the educational work that helps perpetuate the breed.

With a background in agriculture, David is a past PHBA president and a breeder, trainer, and owner of Palomino horses. Involved for more than five years, he serves as the Foundation’s liaison to the PHBA Executive Board and sees the role as an opportunity to give back — preserving history and supporting education, surrounded by great people and great horses.

A retired educator and manager of Cedar Grove Quarter Horses, Amanda has been part of the PHBA since the 1970s and was the first Mississippi youth to hold a national office. Her first western show horse was a Palomino, and she still breeds and exhibits horses descended from that first mare, earning her the nickname “the Palomino girl” at local AQHA shows. With her family involved in breeding and showing Palominos for decades, she contributes her experience and long history to the Foundation’s ongoing work.

A high school biology teacher for 28 years, a carded judge in six breeds, and a professional horse trainer for 50 years, Darrel co-owned Hersom Quarter Horses. His family has been part of PHBA since its inception, with four generations now having shown Palominos — his father was a past PHBA president and Hall of Fame breeder — and a photo in the Heritage Museum commemorates Darrel and his grandson on a third-generation mare from the family’s program. Darrel attends Foundation meetings and calls and works to promote and preserve the PHBA’s past, present, and future.

A special education director, Amberly has shown and promoted Palominos since she was little. As a newer member, she helps advance the Foundation and represents the breed, viewing the PHBA as family and dedicating herself to promoting the Palomino horse and preserving its history.

A horse trainer and judge for many associations, Tony joined at the most recent convention and lends a hand wherever the Foundation needs him. Drawn to the people and the history the Foundation represents, he considers it an honor to help preserve that legacy and hopes to see the organization continue to expand.

A horsewoman and real estate investor, Joslyn’s love for the “yellow horse” began in college, when she bought her first Palomino and took it to her first PHBA World Show in 2003. She has loved the breed ever since, and her children now ride Palominos in rodeos and shows. Joslyn serves on the Foundation board to preserve the breed’s history and teach the next generation, believing you have to know where you came from to know where you’re headed.