From AQHA Executive Vice-President, Don Treadway:
I am pleased to welcome AQHA Professional Horseman Pete Kyle as the newest AQHA employee to assist us in moving AQHA shows forward.
We are at a pivotal time with shows, and with them comprising such an extremely important part of our Association, it is critical we maintain our position at the top of the equine industry. With the many outside influences that have affected our growth these past few years, the AQHA Executive Committee and I believe it is necessary to dedicate a person to focus on continuing to assess, develop and implement existing and new programs targeted toward moving shows and judges forward. Much of this needed emphasis was identified when we convened a group of members to begin development of a strategic plan for shows in January 2014. By serving as the point person for the soon-to-be-completed show strategic plan, Pete will be well positioned to take on the management of shows and the many components involved with their successful implementation.
Pete, who currently serves as an AQHA judge and an AQHA director-at-large for Texas, brings a lifetime of horse involvement as a trainer, professional and exhibitor. Pete along with his wife, Tamra, and their children have shown and been a part of the show industry for many years. Most recently, he has specialized in training reining horses and their riders. He has won world championships with six different associations, was a top-10 money-earning rider for the National Reining Horse Association in 2012 and voted by his peers as the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year in 1997. Pete has also trained and coached several youth and non-pro riders to world championship titles and major NRHA victories. Currently, he ranks 36th on the all-time leading money-earner list for NRHA.He received his AQHA judge’s card in 1984 and judged the Youth World Show in 1992, 1995 and 2001. He also judged the Zoetis Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships in 2013.Pete has served on the international, professional horsemen and hall of fame committees and currently serves as the chairman of the judges committee. He was elected as an AQHA director in 1993 and elevated to director-at-large in 2011.
Pete’s first-hand knowledge and the respect he has in the industry will allow him to be an important link to our members as we move forward with a show product that fits the 21st-century exhibitor of American Quarter Horses.
Bringing Pete on board will obviously result in realignments. We will look at realigning tasks, pulling some duties from here and moving them to there. As always, we will capitalize on individuals’ strengths and make assignments or reassignments of responsibilities that continue to support the value AQHA brings to its membership. Pete is here to help AQHA by enhancing the show division with his knowledge and expertise on the show industry.
My personal thanks to Tom Persechino and the competition team for the work they have done these past four years. They have worked tirelessly to design and implement programs, such as leveling, which have started us down the path of appealing to the 21st-century exhibitor. With Pete as an addition to the team, we will be staffed to move along even faster. I look forward to Pete being here to enhance the show division with his knowledge and expertise.
Pete will begin his duties as executive director of shows and judges “officially” on June 2, but expect to see him at several important meetings on behalf of AQHA prior to his first official day on the job.
Until next time, stay AQHA Proud and enjoy the ride!
Don Treadway, Jr.
