CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD STALLION

WAYNE BELL TRANSITIONS INTO SELECT COMPETITION WITH ACQUISITIONS.

BY CANDACE DOBSON, FIELD EDITOR

Wayne Bell of Burleson, Texas, turned in his AQHA judges card in 1987 and retired as an AQHA Professional Horseman to try his hand at amateur competition. He scored his first Bayer Select World Championship with his sorrel stallion Acquisitions.

Acquisitions nailed his first world championship at the 2005 AQHA World Championship Show as a 2-year-old stallion, and according to Wayne, he keeps getting better with age.

“He’s home-raised and hand-spanked,” Wayne said laughing. “I tried not to put too much pressure on myself after his win in Oklahoma City, but it was hard not to because I’m competitive by nature.”

The 67-year-old retired AQHA Professional Horseman got his start in AQHA on the racetrack and ended up in the halter arena by chance. He happened to have a horse in the barn at one time that someone told him would be a good fit in a halter class.

“I just wanted him to run down the track, but I thought I’d give it a shot,” he said. “I went to the show, and I placed third or fourth. After that I went home and fitted my horse and went back until I started winning.”

Wayne was an AQHA for 17 years but said he enjoys being an amateur competitor better than anything.

“This is my first year to be at the Bayer Select and it’s been great to compete in such a laidback show atmosphere. The championship is a bonus.”

Wayne and Acquisitions accept their first Bayer Select World Championship.