The Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale made history this
Thursday by hosting the first ever TQHA halter class specifically for race sale
yearlings. While not pointed, 68 race
bred yearlings entered the halter classes.
37 Stallions, 4 Geldings and 27 Mares will receive special recognition
from the American Quarter Horse Association by having their achievement in
these special halter classes recorded by AQHA.
A large crowd of owners, agents and prospective buyers watched as
the halter classes were scored by AQHA Judges Don Bell and Kenny Hall. The enthusiastic crowd participated in the
event by placing charitable “bets” on the classes. Spectators selected their favorites as the
judges placed the classes. Dollars
raised went to offset major medical expenses of injured jockey Tad Legett.
Classes were tough. The yearlings were well behaved and offered
the crowd a serious look at horses that will be offered during the Friday and
Saturday Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale. The overall Grand Champion was awarded to the
2008 Filly, GJR Delightful, owned and shown by Gerald Rich of Lott, Texas. The beautiful grey filly certainly represented
the desirable characteristic of the American Quarter Horse.
GJR Delightful earned her owner a trip for two
to the AQHA Challenge Races. Owner, Gerald
Rich, won a trip to the Bank of America Challenge Races, held at the New
Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course and includes travel, accommodations and tickets
for two.
AQHA Past Presidents, Jim Helzer, Jerry Windham
and Steve Stevens were all in attendance and impressed with the event and the
quality of the yearlings. “This
race-bred halter class concept is a new opportunity to promote our American
Quarter Horses” said Jim Helzer of Arlington, Texas. “Race bred horses have to combine form and
function, and this class allows owners to present the quality of their breeding
programs in a new arena.”
AQHA Executive Vice President, Don Treadway,
attended the event and presented awards.
“Congratulations go to Val Clark, event coordinator, and the TQHA
team. This event has opened the door to
expanding AQHA point earning opportunities and increasing the exposure of great
American Quarter Horses in all disciplines.”
Points will not be awarded for the class because existing AQHA
halter rules are being slightly modified to accommodate and test the interest
this special competition among people who are looking for well-conformed
yearling race horses. The Texas Quarter
Horse Association looks forward to the opportunity to continue to support race
horse owners and breeders through new and innovative events and programs.
1.
Yearling Mares – Shown :27 – Tie Breaker Judge
Don Bell
Place Back# Horse’s Name Rider’s
Name Owner’s Name
1 187 GJR
DELIGHTFUL GERALD RICH GERALD RICH LOTT,
TX
Trainer:DEER HAVEN FARMS
2 234 SATIN
SHEETZ ELLIS H HANK BIRD HANK BIRD BRYAN, TX
Trainer:ELLIS H HANK BIRD
3 132 SIXY
LITTLE NU MBER CLAUDIA G TALBOTT ROBERT OR KAREN NUNNALLY ,
Trainer:GRANADA FARMS
2. Yearling Geldings – Shown: 4
Place Back# Horse’s
Name Rider’s Name Owner’s Name
1 240 WINNERS
MAN JAMES M III ELLER MICHAEL S AMBURN ,
Trainer:GRANADA FARMS
2 31 STIRRING
IT UP MADISON SPERRY JIMMY ELLER WHEELOCK, TX
3. Yearling Stallions – Shown: 37
– Tie Breaker Judge – Kenny Hall
Place Back# Horse’s Name Rider’s
Name Owner’s Name
1 58 RC
KOOL TODD ANTONUK RC RUNNING HORSES, SEGUIN, TX
Trainer:RC RUNNING HORSES
2 292 DEE
PRIME DASH RYAN ROBICHEAUX BOBBY D COX ,
Trainer:BOBBY D COX
3 56 WILD
EYED SPIDER BUGLEANN NALLS LEANN NALLS VICTORIA,
TX
Trainer:No Trainer on file
GRAND CHAMPION – Back No. 187 – GJR
DELIGHTFUL – OWNED BY GERALD RICH – LOTT TX
– TRAINER: DEER HAVEN FARMS – LOTT TX
