Everett Salley never knew he could have such a love for the American Quarter Horse until his kids got him involved in the industry.
In 1961, Salley married Marilyn Breno of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They had two children, Lisa and Cas, who sparked the family’s interest in the horse industry.
The family’s first horses were two American Quarter Horse weanlings, one colt and one filly. The two weanlings eventually qualified and placed at the AQHYA and AQHA World Championship Shows. Salley proceeded to purchase 30 more horses within the next three years.
Lisa became the first female AJQHA president. Her involvement increased Salley’s enthusiasm for the industry and he became more involved in the business affairs of the industry’s associations. He served as president of the Palomino Horse Breeders of America; founded the Drysdale Tulsa Holiday Circuit in 1980, which is one of the longest-running AQHA-approved circuits in the United States; became an AQHA Director in 1974 and served on the AJQHA World Championship Show Committee, AQHA Youth Activities Committee, AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee, Racing Council and AQHA Executive Committee. He became president of AQHA in 1993.
During his year as president, Salley was instrumental in securing MBNA America as a corporate partner and developing the Association’s customer service department.
Salley was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2003, and died in 2008.
Biography updated as of December 2008.