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AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE FOUNDATION HISTORICAL MARKERS The American Quarter Horse Historical Marker Program provides official acknowledgment of horses, people and events significant to American Quarter Horse history. Markers perpetuate the history of the American Quarter Horse, helping current and future generations understand and experience the rich history of the American Quarter Horse. The program is administered by the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum and is a project of the American Quarter Horse Foundation. HISTORICAL MARKER SELECTION CRITERIA: HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE For a marker topic to be deemed historically significant, there must be evidence that the horse, person or event had a pivotal role in the development of the American Quarter Horse or the American Quarter Horse Association. AGE To determine if a proposed marker meets the age requirement, it must commemorate either:
Dedicated June 1995 The first American Quarter Horse Association-approved show was held here on July 2-4, 1940, in conjunction with the Texas Cowboy Reunion. AQHA had just been organized and incorporated in March of the same year in Fort Worth. DEL RIO JOE, a 1936 grandson of HARMON BAKER by PETER McCUE won the Stallions Foaled Prior to May 1, 1938 class and was named Grand Champion of the show. DEL RIO JOE was owned by Bob Denhardt and shown by Tinker Allbright. Winning the Geldings Foaled Prior to May 1, 1938 class was PUNKIN, owned by Jess Slaughter. Ramon Wood's BREEZY D was the best of the Mares Foaled Prior to May 1, 1938. JIGGS II won first in the class of Stallions and Mares Foaled On or After May 1, 1938, for his owner, George A. Clegg. Jim Minnick, first AQHA inspector, judged the show. American Quarter Horses are now competing in horse shows around the world and are in demand for racing, ranch work, rodeo, recreational riding and many other activities. AQHA is the world's largest equine breed registry, with its international headquarters located in Amarillo, Texas. Dedicated September 1995 The first World's Championship Quarter Horse Speed Trials were held just north of this site in 1941 at the newly-constructed Hacienda Moltacqua Racetrack. Bob Locke, owner of the track, was a member of the Southern Arizona Horse Breeders Association. He, along with other SAHBA members J. Rukin Jelks, Jake Meyer, Clancy Wollard and Joe Flieger, hosted the trials in conjunction with the Tucson Horse Show. As a five-year-old, CLABBER, owned by A.A. (Ab) Nichols of Gilbert, Arizona, defeated LITTLE JOE JR and WAR CHIEF to become the first horse ever to be named World Champion Quarter Running Horse. World famous sprinters such as SHUE FLY, JOE REED II and NOBODIES FRIEND ran at Hacienda Moltacqua before Locke sold the property in 1943. This building was Locke's guest home and was used by those attending the races at the track.
The world's richest American Quarter Horse race, the All American Futurity, was first run here in 1959. The brainchild of several horsemen, including Ruidoso Downs' then-owner Gene Hensley, the race featured an exclusive field of American Quarter Horses competing for a purse of $129,000. GALOBAR, a filly by THREE BARS (TB) out of JOSEPHINE R, ran the 400 yards in 20.5 seconds winning by a half a length over TONTO LASS and PANAMA ACE. First place honors went to GALOBAR'S owner and breeder, Hugh Huntley, trainer Newt Keck and jockey Cliff Lambert. In 1978, the futurity became the world's first horse race to offer a purse of $1 million, becoming the most sought-after prize in American Quarter Horse racing. The success of the All American Futurity spawned other events such as the All American Yearling Sale, the All American Derby and the All American Gold Cup. Dedicated October 1995 PETER McCUE was one of the greatest sires of the American Quarter Horse breed. Sired by DAN TUCKER out of NORA M, he was foaled at Samuel Watkins' Little Grove Stock Farm on February 23, 1895. The 16-hand bay horse had tremendous speed. Watkins often raced him at the track located on this fairgrounds. As a sire, PETER McCUE was legendary, stamping offspring with his speed and the physical characteristics of the early American Quarter Horse breed. His influence as a sire spread west when he was purchased by breeders in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. PETER McCUE sired CHIEF and SHEIK, American Quarter Horse Association foundation sires, as well as HARMON BAKER, BADGER and HICKORY BILL, the great grand sire of WIMPY, awarded AQHA's registration number 1. PETER McCUE died in 1923 at age 28. In 1991 he was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
Prior to 1940, Quarter Horses, also called Steeldusts or Billys, did not have and official breed name. However, there were shows where horsemen brought their Quarter Horses to be judged. William Anson of Christoval, TX, sponsored and judged this type of show in 1908 at the Northside Coliseum. It was held in conjunction with the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. Men such as Anson, Dan Casement, and Robert Denhardt wanted to form a breed registry to preserve the bloodlines of these horses. Coinciding with the 1940 Exposition, Denhardt held a meeting at which the American Quarter Horse Association was organized. In 1941 Exposition's American Quarter Horse Show at Northside Coliseum was a monumental show for AQHA. WIMPY, from the King Ranch, was named Grand Champion Stallion. By virtue of this award, he was given AQHA's registration number 1. In 1944, the Exposition was moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Dedicated December 1995 On August 3, 1947, Frank Vessels hosted the first public races on a half-mile-oval training track on his ranch near the small town of Los Alamitos. The training track would grow beyond anyone's expectations and become the center of American Quarter Horse Racing on the Pacific Coast. In 1951, Vessels' racetrack hosted its first pari-mutuel season, a successful 11-day meet for American Quarter Horses that drew some of the finest sprinters in the nation and set the tone for the future. Purses, handle and attendance grew as the track hosted races such as the Kindergarten Futurity, Los Alamitos Derby and Champion of Champions. American Quarter Horses such as GO MAN GO, JET DECK and DASH FOR CASH created history at this track. Dedicated January 1996 Prior to 1940, Quarter Horses, also called Steeldusts or Billys, did not have an official breed name. Men such as William Anson, Dan Casement, and Robert Denhardt recognized that these horses, famous for their quarter-mile sprints, had specific physical characteristics that set them apart from other horses. Denhardt wanted to form a breed registry to preserve the bloodlines of theses horses whose ancestry traced back to the English colonies. Coinciding with the 1940 Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show, Denhardt held a meeting at the Fort Worth Club, at which 75 men and women established the American Quarter Horse Association. The 1941 Exposition was a monumental show for AQHA. WIMPY, from the King Ranch, was named Grand Champion Stallion, and by virtue of the award, was given AQHA's registration number 1. Dedicated January 1996 This famous track on the banks of the Rillito River was the birthplace of many racing innovations still in use today. The Southern Arizona Horse Breeders Association, the organization that pioneered Quarter Horse Racing in Tucson, had been hosting races at the Hacienda Moltacqua track since 1941. When Moltacqua was sold in 1943, J. Rukin Jelks volunteered to use the training track on his ranch. Under the direction of Melville Haskell, an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductee, and Van Smelker, who later became head of the AQHA Performance Department, SAHBA experimented with grading races, weighted handicaps, futurities, derbies and stake races, and photo-electric timers. World famous sprinters such as SHUE FLY, JOE REED II, PIGGIN STRING, HARD TWIST, QUEENIE, and MISS PANAMA all ran at Rillito. Dedicated January 1996 Initiated in 1906, the National Western Stock Show has hosted horse shows since 1909. The first American Quarter Horse show held at the National Western was in 1944, largely due to the efforts of men such as Jack Casement, Hugh Bennett and Marshall Peavy. Albert Mitchell, who later would serve four terms as president of the American Quarter Horse Association, judged the historic show. GOLD HEELS, owned by Peavy, stood Grand Champion Stallion, while Hank Wiescamp's FLAMETTE was named Grand Champion Mare. Both Peavy and Wiescamp have been inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in honor of their horse-breeding efforts. Other famous horses who later competed here include SKIPPER W, POCO BUENO and TWO EYED JACK. Dedicated July 1996 Founded by Alexander Picov, Picov Downs has held American Quarter Horse races since its beginning in 1969. Picov, who emigrated from Russia in 1921, built the track on his family's land. The track's placement between a highway and a creek dictates it unique shape, a straightaway with a right-hand turn. Picov imported many American Quarter Horses into Ontario and built the track to promote Quarter Horse racing. Under the direction of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc., which manages the track's meets, Picov Downs held its first AQHA recognized meet in 1971, and in 1984 hosted the first Rags to Riches Futurity. During the 10th running of this race, OCEANS TEN, the 1993 Canada Champion Racing Quarter Horse, set a track record for 400 yards in a time of :19.91. Dedicated June 1996 In the early 1900s, Richard M. Kleberg Sr., Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Caesar Kleberg entered into an intensive effort to develop a superior ranch horse that had speed, athletic ability, intelligence and cow sense. In 1916, they purchased a yearling colt from famed Quarter Horse breeder George Clegg that not only possessed all of these traits, but more importantly, could pass them on to future generations. This stallion, later named OLD SORREL, became the foundation sire for King Ranch Quarter Horses. OLD SORREL, foaled in 1915, was by HICKORY BILL, by PETER McCUE. He sired many great stallions, including SOLIS, MACANUDO and HIRED HAND. SOLIS went on to sire WIMPY, a stallion that was named Grand Champion at the 1941 Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. By virtue of this award, WIMPY was given the registration number 1 in the stud book of the recently formed American Quarter Horse Association. WIMPY proved his worth by siring stallions such as SHOWDOWN, who sired PANDARITA HILL; BILL CODY, who in turn sired JOE CODY; and SILVER WIMPY, who sired MARION'S GIRL. A statue of WIMPY, donated by the King Ranch, stands at the entrance to the AQHA headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. LITTLE RICHARD and TOMATE LAURELES, sons of OLD SORREL, were designated AQHA Foundation Sires based on desirable American Quarter Horse qualities. Other accomplished horses of King Ranch include breeding stallions PEPPY, CARDINAL, BABE GRANDE, LITTLE MAN, HIRED HAND'S CARDINAL and REY DEL RANCHO; running champions NOBODY'S FRIEND and MISS PRINCESS; and champion show horses CATARINA and ANITA CHICA. After 1940, the King Ranch Quarter Horse breeding program continued under the supervision of Richard M. Kleberg Jr., who oversaw the selection process of the breeding stock until his death in 1979. Both Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Richard M. Kleberg Jr. have been inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in honor of their involvement with the breed, as having two King Ranch Quarter Horses, WIMPY and OLD SORREL. In 1985, Richard M. Kleberg Jr.'s son, Stephen J. "Tio" Kleberg, was elected president of AQHA. Under his direction, King Ranch has continued as a leader in the American Quarter Horse industry. Through a combination of strategic horse purchases and the application of its successful breeding techniques, King Ranch has established a dynasty of champion cutting horses led by its stallions MR SAN PEPPY and PEPPY SAN BADGER ("LITTLE PEPPY"). Dedicated September 1996 LEO, a 1940 stallion sired by JOE REED II out of LITTLE FANNY, was bred by John W. House of Cameron, TX. While LEO displayed considerable speed, reportedly winning 20 of his 22 starts, it was his reputation as a sire that made him famous. In 1947, Bud Warren of Perry, OK, purchased LEO after achieving success with two of his daughters, FLIT and LEOTA W. Champions PALLEO PETE, MISS MEYERS, MONA LETA and BOBBIE LEO proved LEO's ability to sire speed. An all-time leading sire of broodmares, LEO's daughters produced 14 Champions including LITTLE BLUE SHEEP, KID MEYERS and All American Futurity winner GOETTA. His most famous daughter, GARRETT'S MISS PAWUSKA, produced Champions VANETTA DEE, VANNEVAR and VANDY'S FLASH. In addition to speed, LEO's foals displayed excellent conformation, athletic ability, quiet dispositions and cow sense. Famous LEO-bred cutting horses include PEPPY SAN, MR SAN PEPPY and KING'S PISTOL. LEO stayed in Perry until his death in 1967. Both Warren and LEO were inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1989. ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS Dedicated October 1996 In November 1967, the Ohio Quarter Horse Association hosted the three-day American Quarter Horse show at the Ohio State Fairgrounds that drew more than 5,000 people. They could not have known this horse show would grow to become the largest American Quarter Horse show and the largest single-breed show in the world. The All American Quarter Horse Congress was founded by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Board of Directors. The first congress incorporated elements new to the horse show circuit, including an area for commercial exhibits, a stallion avenue and educational lectures and demonstrations. Later innovations included an American Quarter Horse auction, a Queen contest and youth horse judging competitions. At the time of dedication, Congresses typically lasted for 14 days and boasted attendance of more than 425,000 people, as the riders of 7,000 horses competed for purse money and prizes totaling more than $1.4 million. Dedicated July 1997 Three Bars, the most influential Thoroughbred in American Quarter Horse history, was foaled April 8, 1940 near Lexington. Despite severe circulatory problems in a hind leg, Three Bars won races as a three-, four-, and five-year-old. As a six-year-old in 1946, he set a :57 3/5 track record over five furlongs at the Phoenix Fairgrounds in Arizona. The chestnut stallion possessed not only speed, but excellent conformation and disposition, which he conveyed to 558 American Quarter Horse offspring. A legendary sire of almost transcendental genetics, Three Bars sired champions in all facets of the American Quarter Horse breed, with four AQHA Supreme Champions, 29 AQHA Champions, 14 Racing Champions, and 64 Racing Stakes Winners. His impact still weighing heavily on the breed, Three Bars figures prominently in the pedigree of virtually every champion from racing to cutting to showing. Three Bars died in 1968, at the age of 28. NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR FUTURITY Dedicated September 1997 The New Mexico State Fair Futurity is the oldest continuously run American Quarter Horse stakes race. This historic contest between New Mexico-bred American Quarter Horses has been run at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds track since 1946. It was split into divisions and renamed the New Mexico State Fair Senor Futurity and the Senorita Futurity in 1991. The fair was a major American Quarter Horse meet during the 1940s and 50s, the formative years of the American Quarter Horse Association, when performance, as well as bloodlines and conformation, were the criteria for gaining a horse admittance into the breed registry. Many great American Quarter Horses of that period ran in the New Mexico State Fair Futurity. Pelican, 1946 winner, became the 1947 world champion and sire of the 1949 Futurity winner, Penguin. Maddon's Bright Eyes won the Futurity in 1948 and went on to become world champion in 1949, and again in 1951, sharing the title that year with Monita. In 1959, Me Bright, a filly out of Maddon's Bright Eyes, won the race. World champion Black Easter Bunny, noted for her many outstanding descendants, won the race in 1951. Sparkling Moolah, a leading sire for many years in New Mexico, won the Futurity in 1980. Other great American Quarter Horses have raced at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds track, though not in the Futurity. World champion Go Man Go established his supremacy here in 1955. Shue Fly, another world champion, also won here in the 1940s. AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS Dedicated October 1997 During the early and formative years of the American Quarter Horse Association, business was routinely conducted from personal offices of elected Executive Secretaries, and for a period of time business was even conducted from a garage in a small Texas border town. Facing challenging times in 1946, newly elected AQHA President Albert Mitchell of New Mexico focused on achieving unity among several different groups of people involved with the registration of the Quarter Horse. Mitchell, preferring to hire a full-time employee rather than have elected people responsible for the Association's business, hired young Raymond Hollingsworth of Amarillo, Texas to help build a solid organization. Hollingsworth set up a permanent headquarters to oversee the daily business of AQHA in one end of a small building in Amarillo. The diligent work of Hollingsworth, the methodical approach of Mitchell and the commitment of industry leaders resulted in the growth of AQHA, requiring successive moves to larger facilities. The headquarters for all business activities of what is today the world's largest equine breed registry has remained in Amarillo, serving its members and the industry at its current location since July 1984. American Quarter Horses are now competing in races around the world and are in demand for showing, ranch work, rodeo, recreational riding and many other activities.
Because of its moderate climate, Florida has continually attracted American Quarter Horse owners to exhibit in the state. In the late 1960's, individual shows held during the winter months in West Palm Beach, Miami, Stuart, Boca Raton, Davie and Coral Springs evolved into one of the first circuits for American Quarter Horses in the country. Those shows became known as the Florida Gold Coast Circuit, named after the golden Atlantic coastline where the original host cities are located. The circuit ultimately moved to Tampa and other cities along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Ralph Kettler managed many of the shows during the early years of the Florida Gold Coast Circuit, guaranteeing its success and the individuality of each show. Jon and Marge Riker played an instrumental role in introducing English events to the circuit, including Jon's personal favorite, pleasure driving. The Rikers also became renowned for hosting magnificent parties for exhibitors of the Gold Coast Circuit. On January 3, 1995, shows within the Gold Coast circuit became the first to implement the new split/combined rule, developed to ensure that horses traveling from show to show were not over worked.
In 1972, Ruth Adams proposed a circuit of shows in Arizona for American Quarter Horses. Ruth's enthusiasm and the support of Rick Johns, eventual AQHA President, compelled others to rally around the idea. Over lunch at Mag's Ham Bun in Scottsdale, Rick Johns, John Hoyt, and Jim Paul Sr. named the circuit. Jim drew the logo on a paper napkin. In 1973, exhibitors from 24 states and Canada, competed in six shows plus a youth show, with 461 horses. With more than 3,000 entries, the classes were so large that two shows ran more than 25 hours. The shows alternated between Paradise Park at McCormick Ranch and Yale Siminoff's Stables, in North Scottsdale. The location of the circuit has rotated between Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tucson through the years The Sun Country Circuit founders were class sponsors for the inaugural American Junior Quarter Horse Association Convention and National Finals in 1972. The Arizona Quarter Horse Breeder's Association has continued the tradition of sponsorship primarily with Sun Country Circuit proceeds. Performances during the circuit's early years raised expectations for future competitors. In 1974, spectators gathered three deep at the rail as MAGNOLIA GAY and OPIE'S PRIDE competed in the aged mare class. The two mares vied for the World Championship title later that year. In 1976, fans witnessed a duel of flawless reining between CORONA CODY and EXPENSIVE HOBBY. In 1984, Superhorse REPRISE BAR stunned audiences with his versatility. The gelding was named halter Grand Champion, and took first place honors in calf roping, heading, heeling and working cow horse competitions. Dedicated March 1998 In 1969 Don Nye, president of the Ontario Quarter Horse Association, and Walter Hellyer, president of the Canadian Quarter Horse Convention, joined forces to hold a spring extravaganza showcasing the American Quarter Horse in Ontario. The first program with the theme "Ride an American Quarter Horse," included lectures, clinics, a stallion parade, a horse sale and an information booth. Because of its success, the Ontario Quarter Horse Association members voted to continue the event in 1970 and named it Quarterama. Additions that year included an approved AQHA show and expanded commercial exhibits, with a Queen Contest added in 1971. The strong partnership between members of OQHA and organizers of Quarterama ensured the continuity of the show. This historic show has continually ranked among the top ten American Quarter Horse shows in terms of entries for most of its 30 years.
Wimpy P-1 became a legend in 1941 when he was selected to receive the "number one" in the new American Quarter Horse Association. When AQHA was established in 1940, the founders agreed to reserve that first registration number for the Grand Champion Stallion at the 1941 Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Foaled on the King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas, in 1937, Wimpy earned that title and with it AQHA's first registration number. Wimpy was the product of a solid breeding program in place at the King Ranch. He possessed excellent cow sense, good temperament, endurance and intelligence. He passed these traits on to 174 offspring. In 1959, at the age of 22, Wimpy's life ended and he was buried on the Cauble Ranch about 20 miles northwest of this location off FM 542 in Leon County. Wimpy is honored with a statue that stands at the entrance to AQHA's International Headquarters in Amarillo, Texas, and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1989. Also resting near Wimpy are legendary American Quarter Horses Hard Twist and Silver King. Since 1941, AQHA has grown into the world's largest equine breed association with more than 3.6 million registered horses. Dedicated August 1998 In 1960, cowboy and rancher Bill Hedge bought 102 acres of land near Sallisaw and named it Blue Ribbon Ranch. His training track eventually became a favorite site of match races for local horsemen. AQHA first recognized racing at Blue Ribbon Downs in 1963 and the $6,060 Blue Ribbon Futurity became the first recognized stakes race at the track two years later. Blue Ribbon Downs became known as a proving ground and grew to be one of the most successful nonpari-mutuel racetracks in the sport. World Champions Laico Bird, Easy Jet, Miss Thermolark, Gold Coast Express and See Me Do It are among some of the great horses which started their careers at Blue Ribbon Downs. All racetrack business was conducted from the Hedge's home until they sold the track to a group of investors in 1973. Seven years later, Ralph Shebester purchased the track and made many improvements to the property and to the racing itself. On December 3, 1983, Blue Ribbon Downs hosted the richest nonpari-mutuel race in history when the purse for the Black Gold Futurity reached $1 million. Shebester believed Oklahoma needed pari-mutuel wagering so he led the drive to raise money from Quarter Horse racing interests to finance lobbying efforts. The efforts paid off, but then only weeks before Blue Ribbon Downs was set to begin pari-mutuel racing, the grandstand burned to the ground. Through extraordinary teamwork, the grandstand was rebuilt and in August 1984 Blue Ribbon Downs opened for the only pari-mutuel horse racing in Oklahoma, Texas or Kansas. Dedicated November 1998 In 1974, the American Quarter Horse Association produced an invitational show destined to be the most celebrated event in the American Quarter Horse industry - the AQHA World Championship Show. The first show, held in Louisville, Kentucky lasted four days and offered $111,000 in prize money. In 1976, the AQHA World Championship Show moved to State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, where it has remained ever since. In 1978, the show expanded to include a Superhorse category honoring the best all-around American Quarter Horse entered in the show. In 1979, a judging contest was added, in 1982 a horse sale featuring many world champion prospects was introduced and in 1983 came the All-Around Amateur award, honoring the top exhibitor/horse combination. In 1992, the World Show reached another milestone, offering more than $1 million in prizes for the first time. In 1998, AQHA celebrated the 25th World Show. The show is the largest single-breed championship show in the world, spanning 14 days with 86 classes, more than 3,000 entries and nearly $2 million in prize money. The World Show annually welcomes people to Oklahoma City from dozens of countries and crowns world champions in each AQHA event. THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO HORSE SHOW Dedicated February 1999 The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo hosted its first American Quarter Horse Show in 1946 under the leadership of Lester Goodson. Some of the earliest registered American Quarter Horses competed here because many of the outstanding breeders of the time were located in the Houston area. In the early years an exhibitor was required to show in both halter and performance classes, allowing many spectators and volunteers to discover the versatility of the American Quarter Horse. Many of the officers in charge of the Houston horse show throughout its history have also served the equine industry on the American Quarter Horse Association Board of Directors. During the 1940s and '50s the Quarter Horse show, rodeo, livestock show and gaited horse show all shared limited space downtown at the Sam Houston Coliseum. In order to accommodate the increasing number of cattle in the expanding HLS&R, the Quarter Horse show was moved to Pin Oak Stables, a private outdoor facility. Even during the years when the show and sale were held outdoors in winter weather, the show ranked among the top 10 AQHA shows in number of entries. During one show in the early 1950s, an ice storm collapsed the stall tent on 60 sale horses. Show chairman Louis Pearce, along with one of his employees and a committee member, led every horse to safety with no harm done. Even as the number of horse show volunteers has expanded from dozens to hundreds, the people involved have shown profound commitment to excellence. Pearce and many of these people were instrumental in visualizing and securing support for the monumental expansion of the show. After the HLS&R built the Astrohall and Astroarena, the horse show was moved to the Astrodome. In 1970, P. Michael Wells initiated a "horspitality" committee to help horse show exhibitors move in and get settled. Spurred by the warm response, an official committee was created in 1971. Houston area people have continually welcomed exhibitors to their show, which has ranked among the five largest American Quarter Horse shows since 1967. Many outstanding AQHA World Champions have competed here.
The bayou country of southern Louisiana, in the opening decades of the 20th century, was the cradle of the modern racing American Quarter Horse. Stallions such as Old DJ and Dewey were the taproots of what came to be known as the Cajun-bred running horse and their influence still is felt today. The fabulous mare Della Moore - by Old DJ and out of a Dewey mare - produced American Quarter Horse foundation sires Joe Reed and Joe Moore. Through his dam, Lightfoot Sis, the legendary Go Man Go traced to both Old DJ and Dewey. Delta Downs is the keystone of today's sport and industry in Louisiana. From its founding on AQHA Past President Lee Berwick's farm at St. Joseph in 1965, through its move to Vinton in 1973 and continuing to the present, Delta Downs has been the stage for many of racing's finest horses and best horsemen. Among them are AQHA champions Mr Jess Perry, Develop A Plan, Johnny Vittoro, Kool Kue Baby, and I Hear A Symphony. The movie "Casey's Shadow" was based on the adventures of Rocket's Magic and the Romero family, who competed at Delta Downs and went on to finish third in the All American Futurity in 1975. QUARTER PATH RACING IN COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG Dedicated September 1999 In the late 17th century and early 18th century colonists developed horses that could sprint with remarkable speed over quarter mile paths, thus the name quarter horse. The most famous of these, known as Celebrated Quarter Running Horses, are the ancestors of the modern American Quarter Horse. Travelers in the colonies often commented on the match races between these powerful sprinters. Janus, Jolly Roger, and other legendary horses were fundamental to this developing equine breed. A quarter path was often laid out in abandoned fields near popular gathering places such as taverns or courthouses, where races were sometimes rough- and tumble- affairs. At times a jockey might even unseat his opponent as he tried for the advantage in these high-stakes contests. Quarter path contests gradually evolved from impromptu challenges into organized races where each contestant backed his horse with his purse, and spectators made side bets on the outcome of the race. Colonists were devoted fans of horse racing, and civic leaders such as the Reverend James Blair, founder of the College of William and Mary, acted as officials at races, which were held during festivals and holidays. As more land was cleared and longer courses became practical, races following in the English Fashion of oval track racing became more common. George Washington and other important members of the community supported subscription races on these tracks, such as the ones held at Williamsburg in the spring and the fall. Horse races were also popular in North Carolina and Maryland. Quarter path racing followed settlement westward where the development of the versatile quarter horse continued. THE EMPIRE STATE QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION FALL SHOW
The Empire State Fall Show is the longest continually-operated, and largest AQHA- approved show in New York. Its success is due to the dedication of exhibitors, breeders, trainers and leaders, many representing the second or third generation to support the show. The Empire State Quarter Horse Association sponsore its first show in 1962 at the Tompkins County Arena in Trumansburg. In 1963 the Empire State Fall Show moved to the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, accommodating a slate of 46 classes and sprints for registered horses. Events included halter, reining, roping, cutting and western riding, as well as pleasure and youth classes. English pleasure was the seed from which the current hunter under saddle class was born. As more exhibitors expressed an interest in showing their American Quarter Horses in an English saddle on the flat and over fences, the show added hunter classes to the program. Eventually, the show was expanded to four days of competition, and became the premiere show on the East Coast. Exhibitors from surrounding states and Canada viewed it as a gateway to the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Many outstanding horses passed through this gate, including two-time AQHA World Championship Show Superhorse, Itchin Easy, and five-time AQHA World Champion, Physical Ed. SONOITA QUARTER HORSE SHOW AND RACES Dedicated May 2000 Seeing whose horse was fastest or who had the best working ranch horse was a natural form of competition for early settlers in Arizona cattle country. So began the race and show tradition at Sonoita. The Sonoita Quarter Horse Show began at the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association fairgrounds in 1939. Many exhibitors isolated by distance viewed it as a good place to compete with horses from the region such as the versatile LIGHTNING BAR, sire of Doc Bar, one of the most influential cutting horse sires in history. By 1949, early issues of The Quarter Horse Journal brought results of the Sonoita show to a national audience. Unofficial race meets are recorded as far back as 1915, with race results first appearing in the AQHA Chart Books in 1954. Except for a short span of time during World War II, Sonoita has provided an opportunity early in the season for an owner to see how a particular horse will run. Many great horses have competed here, including: world champions, ED GRIMLEY, MARS BLACKMAN, and SIGN IT SUPER; MARK T BARS, all-time leading winner with a record 64 career wins out of 115 official starts; PIES ROYAL REQUEST, co-holder of the all-time record 14 consecutive wins and the former world record holder at 330 yards; and FAST COPY, dam of stakes winners including champion Heza Fast Man. Many notable horsemen and women have contributed to the distinctive Sonoita legacy in the arena and on the track.
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