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NEWS BRIEFS
AQHA Past President James F. Barton Passes Away
AQHA Past President and Hall of Famer, James “Jim” Barton passed away on March 13
at the age of 89 in New York. Barton graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Russian Studies. He joined the Air Force and became Captain, then worked in intelligence for the Pentagon. Jim began his leadership role in the Quarter Horse industry when he became president of the Empire State Quarter Horse Association
in the late 1970s. In 1979, he was named AQHA director and chairman of the public information and education committees. He was elected to the AQHA Executive Committee in 1987 and became president in 1991. During his presidency, he was instrumental in introducing the AQHA Racing Challenge as well as the opening of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum. Barton was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2002. Burton is survived by his wife Doris of 66 years, several children & grand children and a great grandson.
Jud Little Passes Away
Chickasaw citizen Jud Quintin Little passed away on March. 25 following a short illness. Little founded the Jud Little “Bar Nothin’” Ranch in 1976, and produced countless rodeo, racing and roping competitors. No other horse operation has sent more timed event horses to the National Finals Rodeo than Jud Little’s Bar Nothin’ Ranch. He began breeding Champion barrel horses in the late 90’s, including AQHA World Champion, NFR Qualifier and Barrel
Ronald Briley Passes Away
Long-time Louisiana Quarter Horse trainer Ronald Briley passed away March 21 at the age
of 82. A trainer in the 60’s, Briley witnessed the establishment of organized Quarter Horse racing in Louisiana, with Evangeline Downs, as well as Delta Downs in the 70’s. Some of his top trainees include LQHBA Hall of Fame horse Go Vicky Meyers and 1970 LQHBA Breeders’ Futurity win- ner Their He Goes among many others. Briley is survived by many family members and friends.
Eyesa Country Miss Dies
Eyesa Country Miss (Mr Eye Opener- Country Zevi, Zevi TB) died on Jan. 27 after foaling a colt in earlier in the day. During her racing career, Eyesa Country Miss won 17 races from 53 starts with earnings of $312,810. Bred, owned & trained by Sparky Mullins, she won eight stakes races including the Speedhorse Gold & Silver Derby-G3, Golden Driller Stakes-G3, Fair Meadows Belles Stakes-G3 and Juno’s Request Stakes-G3. Eyesa Country Miss was named Oklahoma Hi-Point Aged Mare in 2006. She is the dam of eight money earners from as many starters.
Report Champion 4-Year-Old Stallion JL Dash Ta Heaven; NFR Qualifier Chicados Cash; and NFR Qualifier and American Finals Qualifier Shebe Firin For Cash. His daughter, Mattie, carries on his legacy as a barrel racing competitor. Jud Little was a member of the AQHA, OQHRA, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Barrel Futurities of America, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Jud is survived by his wife, Benette, daughter, Mattie, along with many other family members and friends.
Kevin Comeaux Passes Away
Quarter Horse owner Kevin Comeaux passed away on March 16 at the age of 48
from a heart attack. Comeaux owned and raced many horses, including BF Last Date, a 6-time winner who was a finalist in the AQHA East Derby Challenge-G3 and Bluebonnet Handicap. Comeaux is survived by many fam- ily members and friends.
190 SPEEDHORSE April 2020
Warren Garrels Passes Away
Warren Garrels of Iowa passed away
on March 13 at the age of 83. Garrels bred 34 Quarter Horse starters with earnings of more than $725,000. His top earner is Iris Cartelsbadnews, who earned $193,502 on the track. Garrels is survived by many family members and friends.
PYC Paint Your Wagon Dies
PYC Paint Your Wagon (Corona Cartel- Dashin Follies, Strawfly Special) was laid to
rest at Lazy E Ranch on March 11 at the age
of 17 following a cancer diagnosis. Bred and
raced by Michael Pohl, the 2003 stallion won seven races with earnings of $889,581, including the Texas Classic Futurity-G1, Heritage Place Derby-G1, Texas Classic Derby-G1 and Lazy E Futurity-RG2. PYC Paint Your Wagon was retired in 2007 to begin his stud career, and he moved
to Lazy E Ranch in 2014 when Gary and Micah McKinney of Reliance Ranches LLC became partners with Michael Pohl in the stallion. PYC Paint Your Wagon is the sire of 116 stakes winners