Wrangler® Women of Influence
Wrangler® Women of Influence, Presented by The American Quarter Horse Journal
Recognizing women who have changed the landscape of AQHA.
Influence is defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone or something. The American Quarter Horse Association is rich with trailblazing women who have not only broken traditional barriers, overcome challenges and achieved goals, but have inspired and empowered others to do the same.
“Innovation, courageous individuality and a pioneering spirit are core values of Wrangler that are mirrored in the American Quarter Horse Association,” said Robin Rich, senior brand marketing manager of Wrangler. “We could not be more proud to lead the effort to celebrate the women who embody these characteristics and whose actions have helped to shape the American Quarter Horse industry.”
A Wrangler Woman of Influence could be a woman who works at a lesson barn, manages a 4-H horse program or a regional AQHA racing experience and encourages young people to join the American Quarter Horse Youth Association; a ranch manager or ranch woman who makes sure all of their American Quarter Horses are registered and that the horses she breeds are enjoyed by the industry; a woman who is a cheerleader for AQHA, its mission and programs; or a researcher who has received American Quarter Horse Foundation scholarships and/or grant money to focus her research on equine-related diseases, conditions or therapies.
Wrangler® Women of Influence, presented by The American Quarter Horse Journal, seeks to recognize game-changing women who have invested their lifetime making significant contributions to the American Quarter Horse Association through their career and day-to-day life, and whose vision and creativity have altered the landscape of the industry.
“These women aren’t always visible, as they are too busy connecting kids with horses; marketing horses to just the right audience; and sharing the benefits of owning and riding American Quarter Horses and being a part of the larger AQHA family,” said Becky Newell, editor-in-chief of the Journal. “In alignment with Wrangler’s values, we see the Wrangler Women of Influence winners as fun, courageous and committed. They persevere in the face of obstacles, and they respect everyone. These are the women who are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to making sure that anyone and everyone appreciates the world’s most versatile horse – the American Quarter Horse – and our western heritage.”
A panel of judges will select six winners, who will each be highlighted in an issue of the Journal throughout 2026, on aqha.com and on AQHA social media platforms. The winners will also receive prize packages from AQHA’s generous corporate partners.
Dr. Eleanor Green
Dr. Eleanor Green of Milsap, Texas, is a veterinarian and an AQHA director emeritus. She also serves on the board of directors of many related organizations, including the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, and co-founded Lead Changes, an organization that helps underserved youth with horses. She is also focused on getting more women interested in becoming equine veterinarians.
Cynthia Cantleberry
Longtime AQHA Professional Horsewoman Cynthia Cantleberry of Paso Robles, California, has provided support to exhibitors in all divisions, owners and other professionals in countless ways during her career. At 68, Cynthia had a horse flip on her, crushing her femoral artery. As soon as she could, she was back in the saddle, competing and working with her students. At 83, she will be showing at her 50th AQHA World Championship Show in November.
Holly Hover
Holly Hover of Cave Creek, Arizona, is also an AQHA director, Professional Horsewoman and judge whose career has been focused on exhibitors of all levels. Her passion is to teach youth about horsemanship, which led her to coach middle and high school riders, and she was also the coach for Arizona State University's western equestrian team. Holly has also assisted in the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, providing mentorship and guidance to young equestrians on an international stage.
Laurel Denton
AQHA Director-at-Large, Professional Horsewoman and judge Laurel Denton of Skull Valley, Arizona, got involved in AQHA in the early 1970s. She trains and coaches exhibitors from her Bar U Bar Ranch, which received its 50-year AQHA breeder award in 2008.
Rebecca Halvorson
AQHA Director, Professional Horsewoman and judge Rebecca Halvorson of Guthrie, Oklahoma, has been a leader in the equine world for decades in all capacities and across all age groups. She has spent a lot of time training youth, coaching Interscholastic Equestrian Association teams and serving as the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association adviser.
Roberta “Bobbie” Walton
Roberta “Bobbie” Walton of Bluff Dale, Texas, has taught at Redlands Community College, Clarendon College, Colorado State University and Tarleton State University, leading hands-on equine programs such as colt starting, equine evaluation, horse handling and equine sales preparation. She also coaches intercollegiate horse judging and ranch horse teams and founded the Equine Bloodstock Club, providing both undergraduate and graduate students with professional development opportunities.
Anne Brzezicki
Anne Brzezicki’s dedication to the American Quarter Horse embodies the true spirit of the ultimate Wrangler® Woman of Influence. She has served countless roles in the American Quarter Horse industry, including trainer, stallion owner, breeder, barn owner, exhibitor, teacher, coach and mentor. With over 50 years of involvement with the American Quarter Horse Association, she has demonstrated endless enthusiasm, encouragement and kindness, always striving for riders and students to reach their best. During her teaching career, Anne was deeply involved in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, leading many college teams to success. In 1978, Anne was among the IHSA coaches who convinced IHSA to include western horsemanship in the class lineup, ultimately introducing thousands of college students to AQHA. Anne is an AQHA Director Emeritus, the current AQHA Marketing Committee chair, and has served on many projects and initiatives. She is also a master instructor within the Certified Horsemanship Association, an AQHA alliance partner. She has spent countless hours with horses and students and has truly invested her lifetime in perpetuating the equestrian experience for all. We congratulate her on this honor!
Patti Colbert
Patti Colbert’s overflowing love of the horse and the people in this industry shows that she’s a true Wrangler® Woman of Influence, as she has made it her life's work. She has been at the front of many successful initiatives across the equine spectrum, thanks to her passion for the horse and her extraordinary leadership skills. Patti served as the senior director of development for the American Quarter Horse Foundation and managed the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, is a life member of AQHA, and has served on the AQHA Board of Directors and as the executive director of the Texas Quarter Horse Association, among numerous other notable equine organizations. She is a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and received the Fern Sawyer Award from the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Patti’s ingenuity and love for the horse led to the creation and production of the Extreme Mustang Makeover events that led to the adoption of thousands of wild horses. Today, with her many years of empowering others in the equine industry, Patti supports businesswomen in all areas of the agriculture industry through her partnership in Boss Mares Inc. and continues to influence and inspire young women every minute of her life. Congratulations, Patti!
Suzy Jeane
Suzy Jeane has been involved with American Quarter Horses since she was a little girl. Today she is a professional horse trainer, an equestrian coach at Texas A&M University, and a judge. A true cheerleader for her athletes, her family and the American Quarter Horse, Suzy has shown dedication, leadership and mentorship, profoundly impacting countless lives and young women. She is an AQHA life member, currently serves as an AQHA director-at-large and has previously served as manager of Team USA for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, has or is presently involved with AQHA Judges Committee AQHA Show Committee, AQHA Youth Activities Committee, AQHA Nomination and Credentials Committee, American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup Selection Committee, AQHA Blue-Ribbon Task Force, AQHA Western Pleasure Task Force and AQHA Amateur Eligibility Task Force. She is an inaugural member of the AQHA Professional Horseman’s Committee. In 2004, she earned AQHA Most Valuable Horsewoman award. In 2016, she earned Arizona Quarter Horse Association’s Most Valuable Professional award; in 2021, she was named the AQHA Most Valuable Professional in Texas; and in 2022, she was named the AQHA Most Valuable Professional. She has had her AQHA judges card since 1995. Suzy and her husband, Joe, operate Down the Rail Performance Prospects, a successful breeding farm standing top American Quarter Horse sires and multiple American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame members. A wearer of many hats in the equine industry, Suzy proudly became the first female president for the National Snaffle Bit Association. Her positive attitude and commitment to empowering and inspiring others extends far beyond the arena. We are honored to recognize Suzy Jeane as a Wrangler® Woman of Influence.
Debbie Schauf
All of her life, Debbie Schauf loved horses. In 1986, Debbie served two terms in the Kansas legislature followed by a position as director of the Kansas Horsemen’s Association. She worked with the Pacific Coast Quarter Racing Association, and served as director of racing of the Texas and Oklahoma Horse Racing associations. An AQHA director, she was a member of the AQHA Racing Committee and the AQHA Affiliate Council, and as a champion for fair rules and regulations in Quarter Horse racing across the United States. Debbie also served as the executive director of the Texas Quarter Horse Association and then served in the same capacity for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. She is a two-time recipient (2001, 2012) of the AQHA Mildred N. Vessels Special Recognition Award for outstanding achievement in the Quarter Horse racing industry and, on behalf of OQHRA, she accepted the John Andreini AQHA Special Recognition Award in 2009 to honor a lifetime of outstanding service and dedication to the development, promotion and enhancement of American Quarter Horse Racing. An AQHA life member, Debbie passed away in 2019.
Carol Rose
Carol Rose is the epitome of a Wrangler Woman of Influence. She has shown a lifelong dedication to molding the American Quarter Horse industry in profound ways. A member of AQHA for over 60 years, Carol is not simply a member of this organization. She is an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductee, is an AQHA leading breeder of performance horses and has owned and bred a multitude of AQHA world champions, among other innumerable accomplishments. Her enthusiasm for – and unwavering commitment to – the breeding aspect of the industry has led to the production of phenomenal horses. Carol Rose is a trailblazer and is synonymous with a Wrangler Woman of Influence.
Nancy Cahill
Nancy Cahill’s example of honesty and integrity to the horse and her students embodies the true spirit of a Wrangler Woman of Influence. With more than 50 years in the equine industry, Nancy began training horses in her youth and continues to do so at her training facilities in Madisonville, Texas. She has trained and shown multiple AQHA world and All American Quarter Horse Congress champions. She has volunteered for more than 25 years at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup and is a member of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission. Nancy was honored as AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year in 1996, the Most Valuable Professional in 2015 and was recognized with AQHA’s Merle Wood Humanitarian Award. A founding member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association, she has championed youth programs within TQHA and AQHA. Her impactful efforts to support youth and the Quarter Horse industry are widely recognized across the globe. Nancy Cahill is a tremendous example of a Wrangler Woman of Influence.
Robin Merrill
Robin Merrill has spent her life dedicated to her family, American Quarter Horses, AQHA and the American Quarter Horse Foundation. She exemplifies a true trailblazer and Wrangler Woman of Influence. Her lifelong friendship and endless encouragement to the equine community has made her a role model for many. Robin was influential in developing Windward Stud, one of AQHA’s largest breeding farms for champions in the show arena. Robin has worked tirelessly to increase American Quarter Horse Foundation awareness, funding and programs. She served on the AQHA Youth Activities Committee and Foundation Council and became the first appointed member to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. She is now an AQHA honorary vice president. Robin continues to give time, energy, vision and support to numerous aspects of AQHA.
Georga Sutton
Georga Sutton has dedicated her life to the western lifestyle and American Quarter Horse arena. She truly embodies the spirit of a Wrangler Woman of Influence. A member of AQHA since 1968, Georga has an extraordinary list of accomplishments and accolades as a horsewoman, leader, breeder and competitor. Georga has always been a proud supporter of the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, is an inductee to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, serves as an AQHA honorary vice president and director, and was named the first woman president of the South Dakota Quarter Horse Association, in addition to her service on numerous AQHA committees. She actively runs the Raymond Sutton Ranch, home to the oldest production sale in the world. We honor Georga Sutton as a true and deserving Wrangler Woman of Influence!