In Memorial – Roy & Joan Ionson

The Canadian Quarter Horse Industry lost one of its most influential pioneering couples this year, Roy & Joan Ionson of Georgetown, Ontario.

 

To those who knew Roy & Joan, and were fortunate enough to call them friends and family, there is no shortage of tales that can be told of horses, horse shows, and horse people.

 

The founding president of both the Ontario Quarter Horse Association and the Ontario Rodeo Association, Roy was a member of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association’s board of directors back in the early 1960’s.

 

The couple were well known throughout Canada and internationally, with several ties to other Quarter Horse breeding and sales operations.

 

They raised their children in the industry, operated a impressive tack store and in their later years gladly cheered on their grandchildren in their equestrian endeavors.

 

On behalf of the Canadian Quarter Horse community, CQHA would like to send our condolences to the family, and thank Roy and Joan posthumously for their years of hard work and dedication in support of the breed and industry that we all love.

 

Roy Ionson October 29, 1931 – March 21, 2021

Joan Ionson (nee Worthington) July 24, 1937 – October 6, 2021 – They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary together this year.