Page 87 - February 2021

The Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award
MATT VANCE
As the vice president of racing operations
at Remington Park, Matt Vance was instrumental in helping the Oklahoma City racetrack operate during the earliest months of the COVID-19 pan- demic. For that, Vance earns the Gordon Crone
Special Achievement Award. The racetrack not only operated through its season, it also shattered records with a 271.8% increase in pari-mutuel handle and helped introduce people all over the world to American Quarter Horse racing.
Courtesy AQHA
PREVIOUS GORDON CRONE
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
2019 –Dr. Leonard Blach
2018–C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath 2017–Scott Wells & Paul Blanchard 2016–Dr. Steve Burns
2015–Johnny Trotter
2014–Will Fisch
2013–Matt Witman
2012–Tom Lepic
2011–Leverne Perry
2010–Dr. Steve Fisch
2009–Paul C. Jones
2008–John Andreini
2007–Dee Raper
2006–Russell Harris
2005–Jerry Windham
2004–Duayne Didericksen
2003–R.D. Hubbard
2002–Edward Allred, Jim Helzer & Ben Hudson 2001–Joe B. Turner, Jr.
2000–Frank “Scoop” Vessels III 1999–John Bassett
1998–Jack Brooks
1997–Blane Schvaneveldt 1996–Edward C. Allred 1995–Joe Kirk Fulton 1994–Spencer Childers
John Andreini Special Recognition Award
DR. CHARLES GRAHAM
Courtesy AQHA
PREVIOUS AQHA RACING COUNCIL SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS:
2019 –Ed Burgart
2018 –Mauro Eli Zaborowsky 2017–Laura Joiner & Mindy McArthur 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
Dr. Charles Graham is a member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. The respected Texas horseman is known as a veterinarian, a horseman and an influential voice in governance and political matters that benefit the horse industry. He founded
the Elgin Veterinary Clinic and Southwest Stallion Station, is a co-owner of Heritage Place Sale Co. and has numerous other busi- nesses, including a 30,000-head feedyard. He was influential in getting Texas pari- mutuel legislation passed, and in 2019 was
instrumental in assisting with the passage of Texas legislation that boosted purses and sig- nificantly benefitted Quarter Horse racing in the state. Dr. Graham is an AQHA director- at-large and has served on the AQHA Equine Research Committee.
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