The American Quarter Horse Association has appointed Wayne Halvorson of Guthrie, Oklahoma, as the Association’s senior director of officials. Halvorson will start his new role in August.
“We are excited to hire Wayne as the new senior director of officials,” said Karl Stressman, AQHA chief executive officer. “Wayne’s knowledge, skills and vision for the future will be a great asset to the Association to enhance the judge, steward and drug-testing programs, while also ensuring the American Quarter Horse is treated humanely, with dignity, respect and compassion at all times – especially in AQHA competition.”
As the AQHA senior director of officials, Halvorson will be a key member of the AQHA Show Department and will help provide overall direction of AQHA’s judge, steward and drug-testing programs. He will work in concert with the AQHA Judges Committee to provide industry-leading service and educational opportunities that advance the mission statement of the Association. Halvorson will progress AQHA’s position as an industry leader, while ensuring the integrity of the Association’s show officials.
Halvorson and wife Rebecca have owned, operated and managed Halvorson Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma, for 25 years. During that time, they have bred, shown, trained and judged American Quarter Horses.
Halvorson has always been a strong proponent for the welfare of the horse and is dedicated to AQHA. He is an AQHA life member and has been an AQHA judge since 1990. He was elected as an AQHA director in 1994 and was elevated to the position of AQHA director-at-large in 2011. He was named the 2012 AQHA Most Valuable Professional. He served as chairperson of the AQHA Judges Committee and AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Committee, and also served on the AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee. Halvorson has judged AQHA world championship shows and the All American Quarter Horse Congress, along with shows across the United States and in many countries around the world.
Halvorson also holds judge’s cards in the World Conformation Horse, National Snaffle Bit and American Paint Horse associations. Halvorson was a founding member of the NSBA and WCHA. He has served as the president of WCHA and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association. Halvorson has been inducted to the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, WCHA Hall of Fame and North Dakota Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
Halvorson received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota.
The Halvorsons have three children: Lauren Daniels and her husband, Colby, and their son, Carter; Austin and his wife, Catherine; and Calyn.
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