LEADERS HONORED AT BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE BRUNCH

October 31, 2009 – There are many exciting events associated with the 17th Bank of America Challenge Championships, and today, the humans behind the horses, were feted at the Owners’ Recognition and Awards Brunch.  This year’s event was held at Los Alamitos Race Course and Matt Darby of AQHA presided over the festivities.

Owners from across the United States, Canada and Mexico enjoyed a sumptuous brunch and were given a commemorative gift bag with a leather halter, buttons and caps bearing the names of their horses. 

The AQHA Racing Council and Racing Committee presented awards to several notable industry leaders.

The 2009 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award was presented to American Quarter Horse trainer Paul C. Jones. Long recognized for his training accomplishments and his seven consecutive champion trainer awards, Jones is actively involved with AQHA business. He currently serves on the Studbook and Registration committee and is a past member of the Racing Committee. 

“I was really surprised,” said Jones. “This means the world to me. I’ve received awards for training, owning and even breeding, but this is as nice of an award that you can get. Our whole life is nothing but horseracing; this is unbelievable.”

Mary Kyler, who has been involved in Quarter Horse racing for more than 30 years, received the Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award. She and her husband, Ed, have dedicated themselves to a lifetime of raising and racing American Quarter Horses. From their ranch in Cascade, Montana, they have bred 41 winners from 67 starters, including eight stakes winners.

“I’m just grateful to the dear Lord for allowing us to follow our passion,” said Kyler. “I started showing horses when I was nine and met Ed when I attended the University of Montana. We actually bred a mare before we were married. The Quarter Horse is such a wonderful breed. Our horses have been well-cared for after their racing careers; they go on to rodeoing and roping and even have one horse (K R Profitability) that is jumping in Calgary.”

The Bank of America Racing Challenge Champion Owner, Trainer, Breeder and Jockey also were presented. Championships were earned based on points accumulated in regional final races, resulting in these recipients: 

*Nutrena Champion Breeder Vessels Stallion Farm LLC of Bonsall, California. This is the second time Vessels has received this award; they were previously honored in 2007.The farm will receive $5,000 and three tons of feed.

*John Deere Champion Owner S Bar S, who will receive a new Gator ™ utility vehicle. This is the second year in a row that S Bar S has received this award.

*Vetrolin Champion Trainer K. C. Carden, who will receive $5,000 and a variety of Vetrolin quality products. Carden’s previous trainer titles came in 2004 and 2008.

*Wrangler Champion Jockey Berkley Packer received $2,000, a Tex Tan trophy saddle and a Montana Silversmiths buckle. This was the first time Packer earned this honor.

The AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award, created to honor a lifetime of outstanding service and dedication to the development, promotion and enhancement of American Quarter Horse racing, was given to the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association. They were selected for their outstanding racing marketing efforts, which resulted in an increase in both handle and attendance at the state’s flagship track, Remington Park. Phillip Stewart, president of the OQHRA and Debbie Schauf, executive director of the association accepted the award. By Martha Claussen