Page 247 - Speedhorse April 2019

. . . the AQHA was represented by several members of its Board of Directors, including AQHA President Dr. Jim Heird
On Feb. 9, the Mexican Association of Quarter Horse Breeders and Horsemen (AMCCCCM) held the annual ceremony
to recognize and reward 19 horses and 6 individuals or farms that stood out in the race season of 2018
at the Hipodromo de las Americas. The event was
led by Mr. Antonio Lobeto Tamez, President of the Association, a subsidiary of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), which was represented by several members of its Board of Directors, includ- ing AQHA President Dr. Jim Heird, First AQHA Vice President Stan Weaver and his wife Nancy Weaver, Second AQHA Vice President Butch Wise, Chief International Officer/Chief Foundation Officer Anna Morrison, Manager of International Activities Sierra Kane, and Manager of Shows Justin Billings.
It also had the presence of managers of the subsidiaries of AQHA in various countries of Latin America: Nacho de Mendiguren of Argentina; Marcos Sa from Brazil; Iliana Quintero, Patricia Kayahtt and Jairo Peralta from Colombia; Carlos Rodríguez, Lely Monge, Hannia and Victor Wolf from Costa Rica; Lic. Dayra E. Rivera P., Armando Batista and Cinthya Coriat of Panama; Julianna Wagner from Paraguay; Alvaro Martinicorena from Uruguay; and John Taylor from Venezuela.
Their presence at the award ceremony was part of various activities that took place in the capital of the country, after a working meeting between AQHA executives and representatives of their subsidiary asso- ciations in various Latin American countries, with the City of Mexico as its headquarters. Invited as special guests to the awarding of the winners on Feb. 10 were representatives from: Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.
RECOGNITION OF HORSEMAN FÉLIX BAÑUELOS JIMÉNEZ
At the beginning of the ceremony, Mr. Félix Bañuelos Jiménez, owner of Cuadra Hacienda Vieja located in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco State, was widely recognized for his long and successful career as a breeder and owner of racehorses. He was repre- sented by his son Félix Bañuelos Ramírez, his wife Sandra Casillas, and their children.
In the video prepared to present a biographical summary of Don Felix, it was mentioned that in
his early days he was a breeder and competitor of Thoroughbred horses, from which he moved to focus on the Quarter Horse for racing.
Felix Bañuelos Ramírez
Famous fast specimens have passed through the stables of his ranch, with the stallion Jodys Glory laying the foundations of the breeding, which over the years has distinguished the family and the State of Jalisco.
Its most outstanding product was the runner Chirina Glorys, who in 1994 won the Selecta Auction Futurity and was named Horse of the Year and Best Mexican Runner. In honor of both, the respective classics were instituted, as well as the Felix Bañuelos Jiménez Classic.
Another outstanding runner was Amanda In Red, who in 1993 set a world speed record at 350 yards in the Beduino Classic at the Hipódromo de las Américas. Glory Six and Guadalupe First are also part of the history of the Banuelos Family, having won the Selecta Auction Futurity in 1999 and 2001, respectively.
Ze Dancer was another of his specimens, first as a runner and then as a stallion, filling Don Felix and family with pride. His achievements led him to be awarded the 2009 AQHA Mexican Champion, Mexican Champion 3 Year Old and Best Mexican Runner. He died on
Jan. 6, 2017, and he left a legacy, highlighted by Ze Dancer Arandas, who is now known as Champion Mexican Three-Year-Old Colt, after an extraordinary campaign that included winning three derbies in addition to the Anselmo Aguilar Payán Classic. These results at the track were the main focus of this ceremony that also recognized Ze Dancer as Champion Stallion for Points, a prize that for six consecutive years was held by Sea Horse Corona.
Don Felix was named Leading Breeder in 1995, 2000 and 2001. A dedicated racing horseman and a tequila business owner, he is the founder of the Tonalá Lanes, Jalisco, which remains in operation.
Luis Prieto Zamudio
MEXICO CHAMPIONS
Mexican Quarter Horse Association 2018 Champions
Story by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
Photography by Luis Prieto Zamudio & Miguel A. Espinoza, Hipodromo de las Americas
SPEEDHORSE, April 2019 245
AROUND THE GLOBE