Trainer and former AQHA Director Walter Hughes of Damascus, Maryland, died December 26.
An active horse trainer and breeder, Hughes showed Skips Dilly to the AQHA Honor Roll western pleasure mare title in 1966. He owned and showed Brio to his AQHA Champion title. Brio (Otoe-Poco Pine Cone by Poco Pine) was a leader as a halter, western pleasure and hunter under saddle sire.
Hughes was active in all aspects of cutting, reining, pleasure and breeding, serving within the organizations of each discipline. The Maryland Horse Council inducted Hughes into the Horseman’s Hall of Fame, the first and only from the western discipline.
Hughes was awarded the Ford Spalding Memorial Sportsmanship Award by the East Coast Cutting Horse Association. He was an AQHA judge for more than 35 years, judging all of the major events. He served as an AQHA director for 26 years, serving on the membership, show and Hall of Fame committees and as chairman of the judges committee. One the founding fathers of the National Snaffle Bit Association, he served on the judges committee. He was also a member of the NSBA Hall of Fame.
Hughes judged shows in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Uruguay, Italy and Germany. He judged the reining World Nation Cup twice and the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup. He holds an honorary membership in the Deutsche Quarter Horse Association, AQHA’s German affiliate, the only individual to hold that honor. He truly served as an ambassador in the development of International growth and awareness of the American Quarter Horse.
Hughes is survived by his wife, Nancy, who served many years on the American Quarter Horse Foundation Council.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Memorial donations in Walter’s honor can be sent to American Quarter Horse Foundation ATTN: America’s Horse Cares.
