Page 58 - Speedhorse February 2018

Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award
DR. JANIS SPENCER MURRAY
Courtesy AQHA
New Mexico horsewoman and veterinarian Dr. Janis Spencer Murray is honored with
the Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award. This award is given to a woman in the industry to recognize her achievement within the industry during the past year.
Dr. Murray is part of the legendary breeding operation MJ Farms of Veguita, New Mexico, one of the top-10 all-time
breeders by money earned. There she and her husband, Mac, have bred many leading runners and champions.
“Janis has an outstanding Quarter Horse breeding operation,” her nominator said. “She also helps educate people on equine reproduction to help keep the Quarter Horse racing industry alive. She is a great teacher.”
PREVIOUS MILDRED N. VESSELS SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS:
2016–Loretta Brasher 2015–Val Clark 2014–Jamie Zamora 2013–Susan Hadley 2012–Debbie Schauf 2011–Dawn & Rhonda List 2010–Vel Evans 2009–Mary Kyler
2008–Ann McGovern
2007–Carol Cooper
2006–Ginny Harding
2005–Joan Dale Hubbard
2004–Jean Dillard
2003–Tomey Swan
2002–Sandy Erwin & Janet VanBebber 2001–Debbie Schauf
2000–Amy L. Owens
1999–Mrs. Gwendolyn Eaves 1998–Vessels/Knorpp et al “The Girls” 1997–Donna McArthur
1996–Tami Ann Purcell
1995–Shirley Schvaneveldt 1994–Connie Hall
AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award
LAURA JOINER & MINDY MCARTHUR
Joiner and McArthur have teamed up to lift up the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation, which honors the beloved man and jockey and helps the industry in many ways.
Thompson was well liked and highly respected both on and off the racetrack, and was an industry leader. He died
in 2008 due to injuries suffered in a
riding accident. Joiner and McArthur spearhead the efforts of the foundation, which gives assistance to disabled jockeys and also offers a scholarship to youth in the racing industry.
Earlier this year, the foundation gave out $38,000 in scholarship money to 10 youth, all of whom have family involved in the racing industry.
PREVIOUS AQHA RACING COUNCIL SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS:
2016–Denny Ekins & Russell Harris 2015–Heritage Place
2014–Keith Babb 2013–Joann Adams 2012–Ben Hudson 2011–Dr. Glenn Blodgett 2010–Spencer Childers 2009–Oklahoma QHRA 2008–Jerry Windham 2007–Butch Wise 2006–Dutch Masters III 2005–Frank “Scoop”
Vessels III 2004–John T.L. Jones
2003–Robert Gentry 2002–Jay Pumphrey
2001–Mrs. Anne B. Windfohr Marion
2000–Walter Merrick 1999–Henry E. Brown 1998–Blane Schvaneveldt 1997–James Barton 1996–Taylor Powell 1995–James E. Helzer 1994–Lloyd Shelhamer 1993–Clarence
Scharbauer, Jr. 1992–Vessels Stallion
Farm LLC 1991–Edward C. Allred
1990–Ralph W. Shebester 1989–R.D. Hubbard
56 SPEEDHORSE, February 2018