Cleve Wells Receives One Year Suspension and $10,000 Fine from AQHA

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Published 04/22/2009 - 8:08 p.m. CDT

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The AQHA Executive Committee met Wednesday, April 22 at its Amarillo, Texas headquarters. A hearing was called to determine whether or not the Executive Committee would pursue further action after upholding the recommendation made by the Professional Horsemen's Council to remove Cleve Wells from the Professional Horsemen Association. After a six hour hearing and deliberation, the Executive Committee’s decision was to suspend Wells for one year plus pay a $10,000 fine. At the end of the one year suspension, Wells must show cause for reinstatement. If cause is shown and he is reinstated, Wells will be placed on indefinite probation.

Wells was called before the Executive Committee in response to allegations of abuse to Slow Lopin Scotch, a horse which he had in training at his Burleson, Texas facility. Wells and his attorney attended the hearing in addition to Slow Lopin Scotch’s owners, Nicole Marr and Wayne Holley. Witnesses for both sides were also permitted to speak before the Executive Committee which is comprised of Jim Helzer – President, Johannes Orgeldinger - First Vice President, Dick Monahan - Second Vice President, Peter J. Cofrancesco III – Member and Gene Graves - Member.

The ruling handed down by the Executive Committee was due to Wells’ determined violation of AQHA Rule # 104(a). The rule reads as follows:

104. VIOLATIONS.

(a) No person shall treat any horse in a cruel or inhumane manner, including, but not limited to, the prohibited conduct specified in the Show Rules and Regulations section of this Handbook. Cruelty to horses other than American Quarter Horses is included in this prohibition, as it indicates a general course of dealing with horses, that is unacceptable for AQHA membership qualification. For violation of this rule, an AQHA member may be disciplined, suspended, fined and/or expelled from AQHA, and a non-member may be denied AQHA privileges. This prohibition against cruelty includes, but is not limited to, AQHA members and/or owners of American Quarter Horses, their agents, representatives and employees, the actions for that a member or owner are also responsible.

11 comments for this article

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Added: December 08, 2009. 05:32 PM CDT

not nearly enough

i used to show western pleasure

i am fully aware of what goes on with bnt's.from what i've seen and heard,they probably wear that moniker with pride.

they don't think they are doing

anything wrong,truly,they don't.

maybe they loved horsse at one time,but over time,they and their customers,seem to look

at these wonderful horses as

only a commodity,and they only care about one thing WINNING.no

matter what the cost,either

monetarily or to sacrifice a horse

jt6tz

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Added: May 19, 2009. 12:47 PM CDT

Abuse by C. Wells

The AQHA ruling is justified. Just the fact that peers and professionals in his world were agreeing a most awful wrong was done was as painful a punishment as the fine and suspension. Perhaps if his backers could spell better they would be educated enough to realize beating a horse is on par to beating a child until the flesh falls from his back and buttocks. Thank you AQHA for sending a stern warning to the other harsh trainers who need a reminder to keep a balance between training effectively and training with cruelty.

paulettenye

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Added: May 11, 2009. 09:02 AM CDT

Cle Wells

I think from the comments I have read that this is not the first hore to be abused by Cleven Wells, or his staff. I am sure they learned from him. AQHA did a slap on the wrist in this case. I personally wanted them to indefinitely suspend Cleve Wells, and he should be sued by the owners of all the horses he has abused, $10,000.00 is a drop in the bucket for this Animal Abuser, he should be barred from having an animal on his place, perhaps the ASPCA will not be as lenient. I hope the owners of this horse can rehab him, and return him to the show ring soon, he is a beautiful animal.

Ron Sr

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Added: May 06, 2009. 02:44 PM CDT

THERE ARE MANY MORE!

I praise the owners of Slow Lopin Scotch!! It is time for the true competitors to stand up to the insults from these so called tainers to our mentality. We are not blind or stupid. We see it going on all around us at shows and in training establishments.

The "good old boys" all stick together as they are all doing the same things. Not only is there physical abuse to the animals they train, but drugs. They drug the horses and themselves. Know fact.

The ruling given out by the Executive Committee is not NEARLY harsh enough.

I just hope that ALL of the breeds will seek to have him eliminated from their system too.

Thanks AQHA for what you have tended to even tho it only amounts to a slap on his hands in comparison to what he has done to the horse world and to the beautiful animals that have been entrusted to him in the past.

SPEAK UP ALL....DON'T LET THIS GO ON IN YOUR TRAINERS BARN WITH YOUR ANIMALS.

washingtonwinner

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Added: May 05, 2009. 02:44 PM CDT

I couldn't believe it

I truly thought the AQHA would find a way to sweep this issue under the rug and avoid Wells having to follow the AQHA rules on humane treatment! My "thank you" to the AQHA for doing something about it, now maybe some of these other exhibitors/trainers/owners will take notice.
As for the Amateur that has his/her horse in Wells barn and thinks that everyone is picking on poor Mr. Wells, after seeing and knowing all the evidence that has been presented on this abuse issue, all the witnesses who had the guts to stay with this issue and try to prevent him from doing this in the future, maybe that Amateur condones that type of inhumane bloody treatment of animals and is one of those exhibitors that is out to win at any cost. Sad, but true they are out there. Maybe this will give more people the guts to start turning these abusers into the associations that support their show habits.

queenbee

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Added: April 27, 2009. 09:53 PM CDT

It is about time that something is being done about the abuse to horses and it needs to be looked into in all disciplines, as it also happens in the reining world too. We have a trainer and his wife in California that seem to draw blood on every horse they get on. It gets really old when you have to see it at every show.

fastone

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Added: April 26, 2009. 11:20 AM CDT

Change the Bar

What does it really mean to be an AQHA Professional Horseman. As a part of this title do they allow random inspection of their facilities? Are these inspections ever conducted? Where is the AQHA at an approved show? Why not require fees as a part of show registration to fund mandatory inspection of the horses' on site as well as drug testing. In addition, why are futurities for two year olds tolerated. Is it for the promotion of the breed or the all might dollar.

KGC Walker

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Added: April 25, 2009. 04:13 PM CDT

Sad Times??? EXCUSE ME!!!!!?????

From someone who has WATCHED this man abuse a horse, with her OWN TWO EYES, I can most certainly say, without a shadow of a doubt, that AQHA did award him just punishment!! And I have more witnesses to the same incident who have also written in!! I am not afraid to speak up now to what I saw, because at the time, we couldn't get show management off their butt to do anything about it, and when we finally did, the horse was gone. Sure can't file anything when there's no evidence, huh? You don't think he didn't know what he was doing??? OF COURSE HE DID!!! AQHA waited plenty long enough for him to get that horse off the property! This was back in the days when AQHA drug its feet with the BNTs, so am I happy it's finally catching up with him? YOU BET I AM!!! You would change your mind in a heartbeat if you watched him, only once, completely rake the entire sides off a horse, down to bare skin, and then CONTINUE to ride that horse for hours with those spiked spurs he wears...it would only take one time to change your mind...I would HOPE!!! Anyone who can condone that, and I'm sure much worse but since I haven't seen it I won't mention it, is just as guilty of horse abuse by association as he is.

I apologize for sounding off so strongly, but it haunts me to this day what I witnessed, and it angers me to the bone how show management handled it then. And all it took now was a client to have the guts and grit and wherewithal to go through with what all had to be done, getting all the proof she needed, and hanging on through all the fire and hell, not caving under the proverbial pressure, until AQHA came to a decision. Trust me, they HAD to have PLENTY of evidence to hand down this stiff of a penalty, especially the "indefinite" probation. They would only do that to the ones they personally need to keep an eagle eye on. They didn't do that to Steve Heckaman, did they? They HAVE to have a reason they're wanting to keep such a close eye on him, and my only summation is, they want to keep tabs on what happens on HIS property, i.e., his training methods. Do I know that for a fact? No. That is my opinion. If you're happy with him, fine. If your horse is doing fine with him, great. I wish you both the best, especially your horse. But I would never let my guard down with him.

Candy Wilcox

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Added: April 24, 2009. 03:53 PM CDT

Sad Times!

First Let me say "Cleve can train my horse anytime" and he still currently has some of my horses in training. Cleve has always provided the best care for my horse's and I donot approve of any abuse to any horse at anytime, Cleve was found guilty because of his success and they can make an example his peers should be looking on the mirrow. So as a competing amature I hope the judges and trainers and AQHA officials all go look in the mirrow. I show, I see and I hear these every weekend! At this point I'm Sadden that AQHA would let this get to this point! Keep your Head up cleve and don't Let these Hipocrite's bring you down!

GotPleasure

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Added: April 23, 2009. 07:51 PM CDT

More Work to be Done

I want to express my gratitiude to the AQHA Executive Committee for up holding the Offical AQHA Rule Book. NOW!!! I am calling on all of the members of the AQHA to send their e-mails to the governing body of the AQHA; requesting the AQHA to contact the NSBA in regard to the AQHA'S ruling in the CLEVE WELLS ABUSE CASE. In accordance to the Offical Rule Book of the NSBA (page 49, rule 99, paragraph B) the NSBA MUST recieve offical notice from the disciplining association. We MUST also request the AQHA to send offical notice to the PHBA (Palomino Horse Breeders of America) in accordance to the offical PHBA Rule Book (page 30, rule 112, paragraph B. Members of the APHA (American Paint Horse asscoiation) MUST send a letter with official documentation to the APHA (print the AQHA disiplainary action from the offical AQHA web-site ) to American Paint Horse Association; PO Box 961023; Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023 Attention Jan Anderson. You MUST include your APHA membership number. We MUST finish this job. We cannot allow Mr. Wells to find a safe haven in any of the other breeds. Thank you for your participation in this matter. Sincerely Texas Fat Kat

Texas Fat Kat

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