Page 60 - February 2017

LORETTA BRASHER
Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award
Courtesy AQHA
Arizonan Loretta Brasher is recognized for her tireless efforts to help racing in her state, exemplifying the true spirit of Millie Vessels in doing whatever it takes to promote the industry.
As the executive director of the Arizona Quarter Racing Association, Brasher wears many hats.
The Arizona native helps to raise money and run programs, such as the AQRA Scholarship fund, stallion service auction, state-bred program and more. She keeps horsemen informed on important issues and represents them in industry meetings, promotes racing in press and social media, and, in many ways, is the face of Arizona racing.
Even while struggling with the loss of her
beloved husband, Wayne, who passed away in 2015, Brasher last year helped coordinate programs, worked with the chaplaincy program, worked to protect horses and horsemen when an EHV-1 outbreak occurred at Turf Paradise, helped organize rallies to support Rillito Park, and organized and conducted two youth days at Arizona tracks and fundraisers to help injured riders.
“Anyone close to Arizona Quarter Horse racing will tell you that Loretta Brasher is, without question, the backbone of the racing program in Arizona,” said her nominator. “Whether it is on the fairs, or at Turf Paradise – if the horses were racing, Loretta was there in 2016.”
Previous Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award winners:
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 AWARDS
DENNY EKINS
Trainer Denny Ekins retired at the close of 2016 with a legacy to be proud of.
Retiring among the top 25 all-time leading trainers by money earned, and the eighth all-time conditioner at Los Alamitos, the horseman trained horses that have
won 1,274 races and earned more than $13.8 million. Among the great horses he has trained are Champions
Tolltac, Ocean Runaway, Flying Fig and Sterling Sport. Ekins, 70, and his wife, Vandi, are moving to
Montana to be closer to their family.
RUSSELL HARRIS
58 SPEEDHORSE, February 2017
Russell Harris’ career as a trainer dates back
to 1972 and this year wraps up a stellar career. During his tenure, he conditioned earners of more than $17 million, including nearly 1,500 wins,
34 of which were stakes. His protégés included Champions Florentine and Calyx, among others. Russell enjoyed success in several jurisdictions, having saddled horses in California, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and other states.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Ruidoso Race Horse Hall of Fame. In addition to his success as a trainer, Russell has held an active role in AQHA by serving on the Race Committee, being a member of the racing council, and serving as an AQHA director. Like his good friend and hunting buddy Denny Ekins, Russell and his wife Brook look forward to spending more time with their grandchildren during his retirement.