Page 66 - January 2021

F.E. “Butch” Wise became the president of the American Quarter Horse Association.
MARCH
MARCH 4
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino announced the most money ever in the 24-year history of pari- mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state, with Quarter Horse purses reaching $1.75 million during the 120-day race meet.
MARCH 4
The American Quarter Horse Association opened their first satellite office at Heritage Place Sales Company in Oklahoma City. Horseman can transfer, register, complete leases, embryo enrollments and more at this permanent service center..
MARCH 7
Grants Pass Downs named Randy Evers as their new President. Evers previously served as executive director of the Oregon Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (OHBPA), as executive director of the Oregon Racing Commission (ORC) and spent over 30 years with Oregon’s Department of Revenue.
MARCH 8
RFD-TV’s The American paid out over $2.4 million in prizes, including prize money awarded to Stevi Hillman in Barrel Racing.
MARCH 12
The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) cancelled its 2020 Annual Racing Integrity and Equine Welfare Convention due to concerns associated with the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.
MARCH 15
The 2019-2020 World Chariot Racing Championship was determined in Ogden, Utah, with the Jess and Grant racing team scoring the honors. Owned and conditioned by Jess Udy, who also drives the team with co-driver Jess Sandberg, the team included SP Four Square (Favorite Cartel- Fountain Blue, Jess Louisiana Blue) and Train Story (Freighttrain B-Perry Story, Mr Jess Perry).
MARCH 16
MAY
Due to COVID-19, Louisiana Downs canceled the last two days of the 2020 Quarter Horse meet. Juan J. Bazaldua and Jesus E. Del Bosque’s J & J Stables LLC was the leading owner, winning nine races, including three stakes wins by Fantasticazoom Jr and one by SS Classyjess. With 23 wins from 102 starts and earnings of $172,862, Jose Carrizales was named leading trainer. Ricardo Hernandez Jr. earned the leading rider award with 33 wins, 29 seconds and 20 third place finishes. His mounts earned over $300,000.
MARCH 17
F.E. “Butch” Wise of El Reno, Oklahoma, became the president of the AQHA, the world’s largest equine breed registry, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He did so without the usual ceremony associated with taking the office. Wise is quite familiar with the governance of
the organization. He has served as the Executive Committee representative on the AQHA Racing Council; on the studbook and registration; nominations and credentials; racing committees; and the racing council and graded stakes subcommittee. His AQHA leadership resume also lists him being chairman of the Hall of Fame selection committee from 2013 to 2015 and serving as chairman of the Racing Council and graded stakes subcommittee. In 2014, he was a member of the AQHA Governance Task Force.
MARCH 18
The Texas Quarter Horse Association announced the cancellation of the 2020 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet due to COVID-19.
MARCH 18
The Hipodromo de las Americas suspended activities due to COVID-19.
MARCH 28
The world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, was cancelled due to COVID-19.
APRIL
APRIL 3
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association honored the 2019 Hall of Fame inductees: 50-year Quarter Horse breeder/ owner Dale Rogers; and 2-time Champion Vals Fortune, who won 20 races from 23 starts with $1,111,591 in earnings and set six New Track Records during his career.
MAY 7
Dr. Glenn Blodgett was selected to be
inducted into the 2021 American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame class and
will be inducted along with the 2020 Hall of Fame Class, which was postponed due to the cancellation of the 2020 AQHA Convention because of COVID-19. Blodgett is an industry leader in equine embryo transfer and artificial insemination, served as chairman of the AQHA Stud Book Registration Committee, received
the AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition award, served as AQHA president in 2015, and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2020, among many more achievements.
MAY 16
Danny Joe Miller was honored by the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives, which acknowledged Miller’s success in horseracing dating back to 1990.
MAY 19
The AQHA registered their 6 millionth horse.
Danny Joe Miller
64 SPEEDHORSE January 2021