Page 82 - September 2019

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In Loving Memory
Debbie Schauf
Speedhorse is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend and respected horsewoman Debbie Schauf, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association.
From very early on in life, Debbie knew she would be involved in some capacity with horses and she did so in a very large way. Debbie got her first horse at the age of eight. As a youth, she filled in as a timer at the local rodeos. For more than 15 years, she worked as the rodeo secretary for the largest open rodeo in Kansas.
Debbie worked as a real estate broker and owned and managed a residential construction and real estate company for more than 20 years, and she was recognized with many awards for her work in real estate and continuing education.
In 1986, Debbie was elected and served
two terms in the Kansas Legislature, and was instrumental in setting up the structure for
the Kansas Bred Program. She then embarked on a new career, providing representation
for Quarter Horse racing, and became the Director of the Kansas Horsemen’s Association.
During this time, she also helped the OQHRA develop a new computer program to assist
in administering the Oklahoma Breeding Development program.
In 1991, Debbie became the General Manager of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association, where she helped pass legislation to move the administration of the Cal-Bred program to the PCQHRA.
Between 1994 and 1996, she served as the Director of Racing and the Executive Director of the Texas Quarter Horse Association.
Debbie in 1996 became the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, a position she held until the time of her passing. During this time, she also served as a consultant in Quarter Horse racing issues for Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Wyoming and other racing jurisdictions.
Debbie spent countless hours promoting and supporting racing in the state of Oklahoma.
She worked closely with the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, the Oklahoma Legislature and the state racetracks with regard to racing
laws, development of rules and regulations, medication issues, and promotion efforts for the horse racing industry. She was instrumental in drafting the language that authorized full card simulcasting in the state. In 2004, she was involved in crafting the language for the State Tribal Gaming Act. She also worked to produce a comprehensive economic impact study for the entire horse industry in Oklahoma.
Debbie is the only individual to be recognized twice by the American Quarter Horse Association with the Mildred Vessels Award for outstanding achievement in the industry – in 2001 and 2012. She accepted the John Andreini Special Recognition Award on behalf of the OQHRA in 2009. Debbie was
a lifetime AQHA member and served as the chair of the AQHA Racing Council. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in 2014.
Debbie held a deep love for her family and respect for the horse and horse industry. She was a force and our hearts are heavy with the void she has left.
80 SPEEDHORSE, September 2019