Page 29 - October 2023

2023 AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE
CLASS OF 2023
Induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is the highest industry honor that can be bestowed upon a human or equine. Those chosen for induction
are recognized for their lifetime of accomplishments and service.
The three horses and four AQHA members that compromise the 2023 American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame induction class was honored on September 15-16 in Amarillo, Texas at the second annual American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Induction and Reunion Celebration.
OKIE LEO
AQHA Champion Okie Leo, a 1956 sorrel stallion by Leo and out of the King mare Sorrel Sue, was bred by Bud Warren. Okie Leo sired 531 registered American
Quarter Horses that went on to earn
more than 4,500 AQHA halter and performance
points, two AQHA Superhorse
titles, 64
performance Registers of Merit, four AQHA Champion titles and nine AQHA World Championships. Six of Okie Leo’s progeny also made 39 race starts. Okie Leo was one
of the great “using horse” sires. Breeders looked to Okie Leo’s genetics to develop programs that would further the ranch horse to be cowy, have good feet to work in outside conditions and a trainable mind that made the horse a partner with their rider. Okie Leo’s bloodlines can be seen in some of the great ranch horse stallions and broodmares of the West today, continuing to prove this all- around ability.
RALPH SEEKINS AQHA
Past President Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks, Alaska, served AQHA as its 67th president in 2017. Prior to serving
as AQHA president, Ralph served as an Alaska
state senator for four years. He used that celebrity status to educate Alaskans about American Quarter Horses and to help build the Quarter Horse industry in his state. Ralph, a self-described people person, used his outgoing personality to meet as many AQHA members as he could as president. His message? AQHA members need to own the Association, get involved and make
a difference.
Bios & Photos provided by AQHA
LEVERNE PERRY
As a 40-year breeder, Leverne Perry’s best-known accomplishment was being involved in the breeding of Mr Jess Perry, a Champion 3-Year-Old Colt, who became a leading sire. Mr Jess
Perry was named for Leverne’s father, who is listed as the horse’s breeder and who was buried the day the colt was foaled. Mr Jess Perry had 12 wins in 21 starts with earnings of more than $687,000. His offspring have earned more than $61.5 million on the track. As a leader in the racing industry, Leverne served on the AQHA Racing Committee and was the executive director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.
G.R. CARTER JR.
Jockey, AQHA Professional
Horseman and AQHA Director G.R. Carter Jr. remains atop
the AQHA lists for wins with 9,906 and mount earnings of more
than $75 million. Additionally, G.R. has the most wins in Paint racing and Appaloosa racing and even counts 335 victories aboard Thoroughbreds. G.R. has accumulated nearly 5,000 victories
(in all breeds) overall and was voted AQHA Champion Jockey 13 times.
SPEEDHORSE October 2023 27
Doug McElreath