LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chariot Cheers

I just pulled up online the neat article you wrote about the chariot racing championships this year.

I wanted to say “thank you” for the comments you wrote about our team. You always do such a great job, and we really appreciate all you have done for us.

See ya’ next year – we’ll be back!!  Thanks again for everything.

JIM, JIMMY & LOUISE PADGETT
PADGETT RACING
South Jordan, Utah

This is a note of appreciation for what your organization has done for the sport of chariot racing. My husband and I own half of the 2005 world champion team – Elison & Hanson Racing. The team is not only world champion, they are the current world record holders – 440 yards in :21.55.

Our sport has gained more recognition due to the combined efforts of John Ward, AQHA Racing Field Representative, and your immediate past president, Scoop Vessels. One of the great things about chariot racing is that it appeals to the entire family. Our team is a prime example of that. The Elison side: Ken’s dad won the national chariot championships in 1961, ’62 and ’63. The Hanson side: Bud, the grandfather, won the world championship in 1969; Jimmy, the dad, won the world championship in 1986 and now Ryan, the grandson, won in 2005. I rode with the team every day, on a pony horse, and on the other side rode Jeannie, the grandmother.

We love the sport and we love that it extends the lives of lots of racehorses. Senor El Nino, who was on our third division team, won the American Airlines California Challenge (G3) and ran second in the American Airlines Challenge Championship (G1) in 1999. “Senor” has been injured and can no longer run on the flat track, but excels as a chariot horse.

The support of AQHA and Bayer Legend is just tremendous. Your combined support will encourage more people to become involved.

We are proud to say the 2005 world champion team of Menlo and Chiriaco both were running with the help of Bayer Legend.

Again, thank you so much for your support.

The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal invites letters to the editor that pertain to Quarter Horse racing and the magazine's coverage of the industry. Letters may be e-mailed to jhancock@aqha.org. Unsigned letters will not be considered.