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News Member News Members Only News Uncategorized

Call for Nominations

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association is currently seeking qualified and dedicated individuals to stand for election to the CQHA board of directors. CQHA will be accepting director applications from October 10th to midnight MST October 31st, 2021.

The CQHA board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of individuals from a crossed Canada involved in the Canadian Quarter Horse industry in a multitude of ways.

The volunteer board, seeks to work together to promote the Canadian Quarter Horses community, and to celebrate both domestically and internationally the array of talented horses and equestrians that Canada produces.

Nominations Process

Individuals who are interested in serving as a director of the CQHA need to be nominated by a member of the CQHA and apply to the Nomination and Credentials Committee (NCC) by filling out the nomination/application form on the CQHA website.

The NCC is comprised of the immediate Past-President as chair(if still very involved with the CQHA), the current President and a minimum of one other director appointed by the BOD.

The general purpose of the NCC on behalf of the CQHA is to:

1.     Present a slate of qualified candidates for the election that numbers at a minimum equal to the number of vacant positions on the board

2.     Ensure there is a rigorous nomination system

3.     Ensure there is an election every year

4.     Recruit qualified individuals to stand for election

5.     Recruit qualified individual(s) from any region in Canada that is not currently represented on the board of directors

6.     Serve as scrutineers of the election

 

 

Qualifying Criteria to be eligible to become a director, an individual must:

o   Be nominated by a member of the CQHA

o   Complete the application form and consent to be a nominee, a candidate, and if elected, a director

o   Be member in good standing of the CQHA

o   Be eligible to  be an AQHA member and acquire said memberships, if not already a member

o   Meet the membership eligibility criteria and sign a memorandum of understanding with the CQHA.

o   Provide to the voting membership a brief biography including skills and experience, prior industry involvement, and motivation for seeking election (reference CQHA Directors Application Form).

 

 

The role of the Board
of Director members
:  the role of the CQHA Board of Directors (BOD)
is to help foster the sustainability and development of the association. Directors
provide strategic direction and oversight to fulfill its mandate.  The responsibilities of a CQHA director
include but are not limited to:

o   Providing strategic
direction and oversight

o   Helping develop and
implement policies that support the Quarter Horse industry in Canada and
internationally

o   Review the new director’s
orientation package and sign off on the Memorandum of Understanding and
potential conflict of interest documents

o   Attend and participate in
BoD meetings held by teleconference or in-person, and the Annual General
Meeting held in Canada

o   Participate fully in
committee work as Chair or member

o   Review and approve CQHA’s
annual business plan and annual budget

CQHA directors are required to attend
board of director meetings and are expected to serve on at least one committee.
Most years there are an average of up to 6 board meetings of 2 hours in length.
Directors are volunteers and are NOT remunerated for their time, but may be
reimbursed for pre-approved expenses.

 

The term of the Directors and the number of Directors to be elected:  the term of each director will be 3 years unless the individual is elected to complete a term of a director that has resigned.  The number of directors to be elected each year will equal one third (1/3) of the total number of directors on the board (18). A director should be prepared to devote a minimum of 15 hours per month to board and committee activities.

The following are the steps for nominating and selecting candidates for the election of directors through the nomination committee:

  1. Verify that the individual is qualified: As per the qualifying criteria stated above, the CQHA is looking for individuals with specific skills and experience, who are members in good standing of the CQHA and eligible for membership in the AQHA.
  2. Complete the online nomination/application form: applications and resumes will be accepted through our online application form  from (dates to be determined annually based on the date of the annual general meeting
  3. Committee recruiting candidates: Part of the mandate of the NCC is to actively recruit well qualified nominees to serve as candidates for the election as a director.
  4. Committee selects candidates: The nomination committee will review each of the nominees and put forward all qualified nominees as candidates for election. Nominees may be contacted by the NCC with follow-up questions to help them make their decision.  The final list of candidates will be announced  (date to be determined annually)
  5. Complete your declaration form: Once the candidates are selected by the NCC, they will be asked to complete a memorandum of understanding with the CQHA.
Categories
News Breeder News

AQHA Recognizes Canadian 50 yr Breeders

Shiney Golden Gun 2011 AQHA Stallion owned and standing at by Braun Ranch, Beechy, Sask.

AQHA announced the recipients of their 2021 50 year legacy breeders today.

Legacy breeders are those who have registered at least one foal for 50 consecutive years.

Congratulations to:

50-Year Legacy Breeders

Jake E. Braun and Sons of Beechy, Saskatchewan.

Jake Braun bred his first Quarter Horse in 1959. Jake co-founded Matador Livestock Co. in 1975 which specialized in breeding and promoting working Quarter Horses. They consigned the high selling horse at the Denver National Show in 1978 and at the Agribition Ranch Horse Sale in 2002. He was the Breeder of the National Reining Horse World Champion in 1998 and has owned and stood three Quarter Horse Sires of World Champions. Their corporation has foals in 11 countries and four continents.*

60 years later the tradition of breeding quality horses at Braun Ranch continues with Jake’s son Brian and his wife Vicky.

* Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan Livestock Association.

50-Year Cumulative Breeders

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Irwin of Aldergrove, British Columbia

Ian Macrae of Hardisty, Alberta

Cumulative breeders are those who have registered at least one foal for 50 years cumulatively.

2022 AQHA Breeder Banquet
The 2021 50-year breeders will be recognized at the AQHA Breeder Banquet during the 2022 AQHA Convention. The banquet is slated for Sunday, February 27, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. AQHA will also recognize the 2021 AQHA Best Remuda and International Best Remuda, 2020 International Best Remuda, 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year, top Ranching Heritage Bred Sale of the Year and Top Money Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year. Additional information about the banquet will be shared with the breeders. If you have questions about the list of breeders, email breeders@aqha.org.  

Categories
News General News Member News Affiliates News Breeder News Uncategorized

Big Weekend of Action for Racing Quarter Horses in Alberta

The CQHA Breeder’s award for the  Canadian breeder who consigned the highest selling horse was Ralph Danard of Stony Plain, Alberta.

Danard bred and consigned Hip #1 HOTT CORONA which was also the sale’s highest selling yearling.

The weekend started off with the AQHRA Canada Quarter Horse Cup Sale on Friday. Originally there were 27 Lots consigned but only 16 yearlings and 3 aged horses passed through the sale’s ring.

The sale started out strong as Hip 1 HOTT CORONA (Obsessed With Corona x Im Hott Ur Nott (Tres Seis) maintained the top bid at $15,500. The brown stallion was consigned by Ralph Danard and purchased by Dale Zukoswki.

Hott Corona is an Alberta Bred and Alberta Sired offspring as his sire; Obsessed With Corona who stands in Alberta at Danard’s Running Quarter Horses and Paints.

Hip 9 and 22 both brought the second highest bid of $12,000. Hip 9: Northfork Boss, a gelded son of Jd Wagon Boss was bought by partnership Gehring/Stockwell/Wills from consignor Glenn Wills. Hip 12: O Seeyalater, a daughter of AQHA Champion Sire First Timber was bought by Jeff Rath from consignor Wesley Oulton.

Saturday saw Hortons Real Deal prevailed over Eyesa Timber in a blanket finish for the Alberta Bred Derby. Racing for owner/breeder Charles Stojan, Hortons Real Deal has now won four races in a row, pushing his 2021 earnings to nearly $30,000 USD. William Leech trained and Ricardo Moreno was the jockey. Third was Bright Foo Fighter.

Sunday featured two Quarter Horse races. The first was the Donalda Cochrane Memorial which was won by first time starter Our Storm Chaser for owner/breeder Barry & Janice Sather, trainer Misael Moreno and jockey Diego Benitez. Smokin Ziva was second and Vinnie The Streak third. After gate delays in the feature race the Alberta Bred (RG3) Futurity was finally run. Destello De Luna nosed out O First Sweet Heart. Winning owners were Jane Leech and Haley Moreno, trainer William Leech and jockey Ricardo Moreno. Wave Burner finished third.

Photo Credits:
Hott Corona/Our Storm Chaser >>Julie Brewster
Destello De Luna/Hortons Real Deal >> Ryan Haynes, Coady Photo CtM

Categories
News General News Affiliates News Uncategorized

EOQHA Hosts AQHA Virtual Clinics

Pre-Registration is required, and will close:
October 12th at 11pm EST.

Ranch Riding & Western Riding with Dr. Pipkin

The Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association is proud to be presenting Canadian AQHA members the opportunity to attend two virtual seminars presented by AQHA & multi carded judge Dr. John Pipkin.

Two separate seminars will be offered from October 15th to 28th: Ranch Riding & Western Riding.

You are invited to sign up for both, or which ever one you would prefer. Both seminars are being offered on AQHA’s virtual learning platform, and can be accessed at anytime during the duration that they are running.

Your AQHA membership number is required in order for you to complete the registration process.

Please use the in platform “discussion” option to submit any questions you may have for the clinician Dr. Pipkin, in place of live Q & A .

These virtual seminars are  made possible through the AQHA / CQHA Grant program which promotes AQHA & CQHA membership while recognizing the Quarter Horse breed’s participation in events outside AQHA sanctioned events & programs.

About Dr. Pipkin

John Pipkin has been an approved judge for over 30 years, and currently has judge’s cards with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), American Paint Horse Association (APHA), National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA), National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), and World Conformation Horse Association (WCHA). He has judged over 478 total shows in 11 different countries and 33 states, and 17 World Championship shows including 13 AQHA World, 4 APHA World, 3 International Championships, and other major AQHA, APHA, NRHA, NSBA, WCHA shows.

 

Pipkin is currently the Director of Equine Industry Program and a Regents Professor of Animal Science at West Texas A&M University where his duties include coaching the Horse Judging Team, and supervising the Equestrian and Ag Science Competitive Teams, in addition to teaching, research, an administrative responsibilities. The judging teams he has coached have won 148 (127 at WTAMU) National or World Champion or Reserve Champion titles including the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA Collegiate World, and NRHA Championships multiple times; and Equestrian Teams under his direction have won 51 National Champion or Reserve Champion titles, including the IHSA Western National Champion team.

Dr. Pipkin was a nominee for the 2019 and 2020 AQHA Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year. He has trained and shown professionally in Halter, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Western Pleasure, Western Riding, and Trail, and other classes. Pipkin works closely with several Equine and Breed Associations where he works with the rules and/or judges committees. He is a National Director for AQHA, currently serves on the AQHA and WCHA Judges Committees, and has served as Chair of AQHA’s Judges, and Show and Professional Horsemen Committees, and Show Council.

He is currently a Director and President of the National Horse Judging Team Coaches’ Association. He has been appointed as a Regents Professor and received the Teaching Excellence award from the Texas A&M University System, the Magister Optimus and University Teaching Excellence awards at WTAMU, and numerous Texas A&M System Regent’s resolutions and WT President’s Silver Buffalo awards; was inducted into the Texas Tech Department of Animal & Food Sciences Hall of Fame; and has over 150 publications, given over 100 invited professional presentations, chaired or been a member of over 70 graduate student committees, and secured over $5 million in donations, grants, and gifts.

His wife, Kenda, has also judged for AQHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and NSBA. He and Kenda live in Amarillo, and have two sons, John Luke and Joshua.

Categories
Youth News Uncategorized

Canadian Results from the 2021 AQHYA World Championship Show

It can be said that breeding horses is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of time, energy, and perseverance to develop a foal into a competent athlete, let alone one that can shine in world class competition. Yet six Canadian breeding operations proved again this past summer that Canada is quite capable of breeding such horses. Eight Canadian-bred horses carried Canadian and American riders to 15 impressive American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship placings at the 2021 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show hosted at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, OK from July 28 to August 8. When asked what it was like to be considered a world class Quarter Horse breeder, Bill and Tracy Rinzema, breeders of two horses that between them racked up a world championship title, two top five placings, and four additional placings, said, “It’s quite exciting to know that these horses were products of our little operation in Keene, Ontario.” The pair reminisced about the accomplishments of each horse prior to their 2021 success and about the other great horses that have been produced by their program. Canada is AQHA’s largest international affiliate, boasting the most members and registered horses residing outside the United States. Though the Canadian Quarter Horse industry is small in comparison to our neighbours to the south, the knowledge, skills, and the quality horses that are bred in this country continues to improve year after year. On behalf of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association, its members and directors, and the association’s Breeders Committee, we congratulate each of these horses, their breeders, owners, and riders on their accomplishments and wish them continued success both in the show ring and in the breeding shed.

HEZ PRETTY EXTREME, 2012 gelding (Extremely Hot Chips x Rolls Her Assets); Exhibitor: Tatum Keller, El Reno OK; Breeder: Bill Rinzema, Keene ON.
1st: L1 Western Riding 14-18;
5th L2 Youth Western Riding;
7th L2 Youth Western Horsemanship;
9th L3 Youth Western Riding;
15th L2 Youth Trail;
19th L3 Youth Trail (14-18).

LAZY LOPIN GUY, 2011 gelding (Lazy Loper x Radically Hip); Exhibitor: Sydney Sargent, Paris KY; Breeder: Carol Strachan, Scarboro ON.
3rd: L3 Performance Halter Geldings

SLEEP N THE MOONLITE, 2017 gelding (Only In The Moonlite x Sleep Machine); Exhibitor: Brody Galyean, Purcell OK; Breeder: William Cox, Brantford Ontario.
3rd: L3 Youth Western Pleasure (14-18)

WHIZENBOONSMAL, 2012 gelding (Peptoleap x She Whiz A Star); Exhibitor: Madison Hayden Rafacz, Citra FL; Breeder: David Dorland, Sudbury ON.
3rd: L3 Youth Ranch Riding (13 & Under)

SHESA HOT SELECTION, 2012 mare (Extremely Hot Chips x Emerald Selection); Exhibitor: Madison Parduhn, Edmond OK; Breeder: Tracy Rinzema, Keene ON.

5th: L3 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation (14-18)

ONLY AN IMPULSE, 2012 mare (Impulsions By Mail x Autumn Invitation); Exhibitor: Ainsley Raine Linnell, Summerberry SK;  Breeder: Greg & Faye Little, Decker MB.

7th: L2 Youth Performance Halter Mares 

16th: L1 Performance Halter Mares 

SNAPPLEJAC JUICE, 2013 mare (Smart Like Juice x Dolls Yellow Jacit); Exhibitor: Sheldon John Hehr, Summerville SC; Breeder: David & Anne Dorland, Sudbury ON.

8th L1 Youth Reining

MACS SMOKIN HOT, 2012 gelding (Macs Good N Plenty x Barbies Hot Rod); Exhibitor: Abby Goddard, Swift Current SK; Breeder: Sharon J. Forbes-Hanks, Pilot Mound MB. 

9th L1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation (14-18)

10th L1 Youth Western Pleasure (14-18)

Categories
News Member News

CQHA Launches Horse of Merit Program

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association
Horse of Merit Program

A program to honour active Quarter Horses fifteen years of age and older,
proudly presented in partnership with EQUI CARE Canada.

Ottawa, June 24, 2021 — The Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA), the Canadian affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), and representative of the largest breed population within the Canadian herd, announces today their “Horse of Merit” program.

The CQHA Horse of Merit program recognizes registered American Quarter Horses within the Canadian quarter horse community who have matured to fifteen years of age and older as of January first. Eligible horses will be those who are still active participants in the industry through competition, lesson & schooling programs, community services and on farm/ranching operations; or enjoying a much-deserved retirement following a successful competitive or reproductive career.

The program is a tribute to senior registered American Quarter Horses in Canada and those who have been associated with them. Their stories will become a part of CQHA’s efforts to honour the breed’s heritage within the country, and attribute value to horses who continue in their purpose bred disciplines and or as they progress through secondary and alternative careers and uses. Additionally, the program aims to celebrate those individuals who are living well into their golden years, while still or after having contributed to the quarter horse industry.

EQUI CARE Canada, the association’s official BEMER partner proudly presents the Horse of Merit program in partnership with CQHA. Leanne Karoles, owner of EQUI CARE Canada, is an avid Quarter horse competitor and breeder herself. She believes, “this partnership allows all quarter horse fans the opportunity to celebrate matured horses in their purpose bred careers, second careers, and beyond into their retirement. The partnership will also
serve to educate the owners of senior horses about advanced tools, which may be used to maintain and sustain the longevity of their horses’ career. Keeping matured horses comfortable and serviceable on into their golden years while rewarding them for their contributions, is a program that EQUI CARE Canada is honoured to be affiliated with.”

Honoured horses will receive a customized letter of induction into the Horse of Merit program, along with a certificate of recognition and an award presented by CQHA and EQUI CARE Canada. These awards will be presented virtually or in person where possible.
For more information about the CQHA Horse of Merit program and the opportunity to nominate a matured horse for the honour, you are welcomed to nominate an eligible horses today.

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association exists to address issues of concern to Canadian owners of American Quarter Horses; to be a communications vehicle for and with Canadian AQHA members; and to promote and market Canadian-bred and/or Canadian-owned American Quarter Horses, both globally and domestically.

About the Photo:
Just Gary AQHA #4674097, a 2005 Canadian bred gelding. After competing for many years successfully in AQHA competition, “Gary” now demonstrates to newcomers and novices, the sport of Mountain Trail at the Happy Trails Horse Park, located in Stoney Creek, Ontario.
Photo Credit: Epona Portraits

Categories
CHJ SPONSOR Members Only News Blog General Post

Canadian Horse Journal – Summer 2021

Canadian Horse Journal is available in print on new stands and by subscription, Digital editions are also available.

SPECIAL FEATURES
  • Seven Deadly Sins of Haymaking
  • Help Your Barn Business Thrive
  • When Things Go Wrong in the Show Ring
  • Meet the Canadians Who Mastered the Maclay
  • Building Better Barn Cultures
  • Switching Coasts: Home is Where Your Horse Is
  • Traditions: Do They Help or Hinder?
HORSE HEALTH
  • Horses and Wildfire Smoke
  • Hot Weather Horse Care
  • Improvements in Equine Ranching
  • Hoof Care Tips & Myth Busters
  • Foot Injuries of the Equine Athlete
  • Moving Well by Breathing Well
DEPARTMENTS
  • Horse Council BC News
  • Manitoba Horse Council News
  • Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association News
  • The Hoofbeat

Canadian Horse Journal is the Exclusive Print Media Partner of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association.

Look for CQHA NEWS  featured in every issue! CQHA members enjoy a special subscription offer. 

Categories
Youth News Uncategorized

2021 CQHA Youth Award Recipiants

Congratulations to the following CQHA youth members who have been recognized through the CQHA Annual Awards Program.

Canadian AQHA Youth of the Year - Kaidyn Goodwin

Kaidyn is one of those “horse obsessed” kids… She spends a lot of time in the barn, and always makes sure that her horses are well cared for. This youth participates in school and community sports as well as working in a part time job. She still finds time to be very active with her horses and chores. She is very careful when doing her riding to practice for the next event. She does a lot of riding on her favourite horse and competes with him in the following disciplines: Halter, Hunter under Saddle, Trail, Western Pleasure and Horsemanship. This favourite horse was started while Kaidyn was a small-fry and she has grown up with him over the years. In 2020 because of Covid 19, Kaidyn’s plans changed as she was unable to attend her first congress show in the States. She always finds ways to stay positive keeping her goals in mind. She competed in 2 shows, took part in a large virtual competition and won it. Rainstorms, wind, cold weather, or injuries cannot deter this young girl’s spirit and dedication to her horses and goals. She is already planning and making preparations for the 2021 season. On the horizon is a new horse, but she has dedicated to compete on both equine treasures. She will train this new horse (under the guidance of her trainer) and we are sure with her enthusiasm and commitment we will see her compete many times in the future. We truly think that this young rider will develop horsewoman skills and traits that will stand out in a crowd.

CQHA Rising Star - Cody Sabila

Cody was born into an equine family. He is the third generation of his family to involved with Quarter Horses. Cody, himself, has shown horses in barrel and poles at OBRA level shows and Western discipline classes and club shows and fairs. He has partaken in pony club events, and taken lessons in dressage and jumping. He has received numerous honours for sportsmanship, hard work, eager dedication, and learning while always supporting others. Cody has worked at many different equine and agricultural jobs including horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry. He is always willing and eager to volunteer when help is needed. In addition, he has been counted on to help out with his family’s quarter horse racing operation. Recently, Cody has obtained a young AQHA horse to start. With the help from his mentor, Chet Martin, Cody hopes to train this horse to achieve his life goals in the working cow horse class. It is very rewarding to see the love of animals that this young generation are exhibiting in all equine activities. Cody is a fine example of how AQHA is developing younger equine members to display their talents within the equine and agriculture industry.

CQHA Rising Star Runner Up - Peyton Ringuette

Peyton started in equine activities at a very early age. Her mother has been her keen supporter, guiding partner, and coach. These horse activities that she had participated in blossomed into something that both mother and daughter could look forward to and share doing together. Peyton truly looks forward to working with horses and doing her chores everyday. She is a fierce competitor, challenging herself every time in the show-ring. She strives to teach her horse to do the require skills needed to fulfill the different disciplines. Many awards and honours have been accomplished by the youth (too many to list. She seems to be always pushing herself and this reflects in her ability to ride her horses, and have them accomplish the needed skills. Peyton has just recently entered into the breeding discipline of AQHA. She has had her favorite horse bred for 2021. The excitement of having a new foal around is “over the moon” as stated by her family. She has worked at three different stables doing many tasks that will help to develop her into a horsewoman. Working hard, being a good student and having the drive to achieve goals seems to fit this young star. I am sure we will see her competing regularly while developing her horsewoman attribute skills.

Categories
News General News

Summer 2021 Virtual Seminar Series

FREE for CQHA & AQHA members!

CQHA in partnership with AQHA is pleased to present the Summer 2021 Virtual Seminar Series.
 

These virtual seminars will be available to view on the seminar platform anytime the registered participant wishes for a minimum of five days.
A Live Q & A session with the seminar’s clinician will be scheduled shortly after the viewing period.

To participate you must be a current member of both AQHA and CQHA!

REGISTER EARLY AND WIN

Those who sign up between within the first 3 days that registrations are open, will be entered to win a
five (5) minute 1 on 1 live Q & A consultation with the seminar’s clinician.

Pre Event Registration is Required.

Registrations are being processed through eventbrite.com, you will need your AQHA membership number to complete the checkout process.

AQHA will email all registered participants directly with instructions on how to access the seminar(s) they are registered for prior to the start date.

Schedule

Session ONE:

Groundwork Fundamentals with Marilyn Randall

  • Material available to stream : June 14-25
  • Live Q&A: June 26 at 4 p.m. CST

Registration closes 1 pm EST June 11th

Session TWO:

Ranch Riding with Dr. John Pipkin

  • Material available to stream: June 21-25
  • Live Q&A: July 17 at 4:00 p.m. CST

Registration closes 12 noon EST June 18th

Session THREE:

Ranch Rail with Dr. John Pipkin

  • Material available to stream: June 28-July 2
  • Live Q&A: July 17 at 4:00 p.m. CST

Registration closes 12 noon EST June 25th

Session FOUR:

Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation with Brian Isbell-Garcia

  • Material available to stream: July 5-9
  • Live Q&A: July 10

Registration closes 12 noon EST July 2nd

Session FIVE:

Hunt Seat Equitation with Dr. John Pipkin

  • Material available to stream: July 12-16
  • Live Q&A: July 17 at 4:00 p.m. CST

Registration closes 12 noon EST July 9th

Session SIX:

Trail with Robert Meneely

  • Material available to stream: July 19-23
  • Live Q&A: July 24 at 4:00 p.m. CST

Registration closes 12 noon EST July 16th

Categories
News Member News Uncategorized

2021 CQHA Industry Development / Doris Heintz Award Recipients

Our Canadian Quarter Horse industry simply wouldn’t exist without the many dedicated individuals a crossed Canada who have and continue to contribute to the development and sustainment of Quarter Horse events and businesses form coast to coast to coast!

Here are the 2021 recipients of CQHA’s Doris Henintz award for Canadian Quarter Horse industry Leadership and Development:

Larry Clifford

Larry Clifford - Manitoba

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William (Bill) Holiday - Saskatchewan

Bill Holiday was from Goodwater, Saskatchewan. He was a loving and devoted family man who remained a steadfast friend of many and was also a good, trustworthy, honourable, straight forward man. He was an accomplished fine rancher and knowledgeable lawyer. Bill served a number of terms on the CQHA. Bill’s contributions have been invaluable: he drafter the CQHA’s constitution sub sequential bylaw, amendments to the constitution, applied for CQHA’s trademarks, submitted not-for-profit returns to Industry Canada; maintained the official CQHA minutes book and corporate seal in his law office in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Bill was a very generous cooperate sponsor for the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup held in London, Ontario. He had a passion for preserving the history of quarter horses in Canada and promoting the ranch horse sector of the industry. These were high priorities on Bill’s list as a director. Bill could always be counted on to give his straightforward response that others could follow and understand. His friends in the quarter horse industry will always remember his enthusiasm for ranching and his love of his family.

Gaëtan Laroche - Quebec

Gaetan was a dedicated horseman who wore many hats in his decades long involvement in Canada’s Quarter Horse and Reining industries. For over 40 years, Gaetan was a fixture in the CQHA and reining community, as a competitor, and National Reining Horse Association judge, a show organizer, NRHA & AQHA show manager, and a board member for many equestrian organizations. He judged the NRHA futurity in Germany four times and served as president of the Association Quebecoise de Reining (AQR) in 1982 & 1991. In 1980 Gaetan’s creativity launched the Performance-Quebec, AQR breeding program, which is now firmly established. In 2009, he was inducted into the AQH Hall of Fame, and in 2014, Reining Canada recognized Gaetan as “Reiner of the Year”. Gaetan was a fixture at the AQH Reining shows in Blainville and Sorel, Quebec for decades, as well as acting as show manager of the QQHA, Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association for a number of years; he tackled organizational challenges, solved almost all logistical problems and learned nearly all the rules on reining (as well as other equestrian disciplines.)

Marnie Somers - Manitoba

Marnie has held many different positions throughout her career. She has worked in both the public and private sectors as well as becoming a very accomplished author. Her horse industry experiences expand over 35 years. During this period of time she took part in breeding fine quarter horses, training and showing her western pleasure horses, and volunteering at many of the shows and activities. From 2000 – 2001 Marnie was the driving force for re-establishment of the CQHA. She was finally able to get the CQHA affiliate approved by AQHA. This was no easy task. Marnie demonstrated superior leadership of the CQHA for over 11 years, and also over 20 year volunteering on different committees within the CQHA. She is also an AQHA Lifetime Director from Manitoba, where she represents many committees in the AQHA family; all of this, while belonging to other equine organization nationally, provincially, and local. Her leadership skills and knowledge were instrumental where ever she volunteered. Marnie is a wonderful friend, a hard worker and always supportive of the right cause. Her leadership styles and life experiences are communicated and modelled by many. Marie has been a true inspiration to all of us at the CQHA.