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Editor-In-Chief – John Hernandez, Executive Secretary, IQHRA Questions or comments? Email [email protected] or call (760) 801-6103
Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association The Official Representative For
Quarter Horse Racing in Iowa
The Quarter Horse WireThe Quarter Horse Wire
“I've often said there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.”
Ronald Reagan
October 2011
Championship Weekend
Stakes Winners
Mary & John Lawless Owners of Jim Bader Futurity Winner Eufala Me
Jim Bader Futurity EUFALA ME John Lawless
Polk County Derby
WHERES YOUR WAGON Kay Sage
Terrace Hill
WRS SPECIAL SHOE Williams Racing Stable
Future Of Iowa
THE REGAL STREAK Michael Ahern
Iowa Stallion QH Futurity
YOUGOTTOBEKIDDINME Tony D Jones
Iowa Stallion Derby
GUNPOWDER KID Dennis Sondberg
Valley Junction Futurity
CRUZIN THE WAGON Terry & Mary Louise Pursel
Altoona Derby
I AM THAT HERO Brent & Karen Clay
Two Rivers
JESS A RUNNER JK Running Horses, LLC
COMPLETE COVERAGE INSIDE! Mary Louise & Terry Pursel Owners of Valley Junction Futurity Winner Cruzin The Wagon
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
IOWA QUARTER HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION The Quarter Horse Wire
October 2011
President’s Message
With the second stand-alone Quarter Horse meet coming to an end, we want to thank
everyone who helped make it a success. Although field sizes dropped an average of 1 horse per
race compared to 2010, horsemen who did participate in our meet were able to gain additional
starts for their horses and not be excluded multiple times for races that overfilled.
The stakes schedule again showcased quality runners with 2010 AQHA champion Mare
and Aged Horse “Spit Curl Diva” as well as 2010 AQHA Distance Champion “De Passem
Okey” winning 2 stakes each. Brent and Karen Clay’s “I Am That Hero” won both the Double
Gold Derby and the Altoona Derby. JK Running Horses LLC’s “Jess a Runner” has won
consecutive runnings of the Two Rivers Stakes. All-Time Iowa Bred QH earner “Wrs Special
Shoe” returned to win the Terrace Hill Stakes for the fourth time in five years. Purses for the
Altoona Derby ($91,100), Valley Junction Futurity ($229,300), Jim Bader Futurity ($130,000),
and Polk County Derby ($99,500) reached all-time high values for each race. Leading the way in the jockey standings for 2011 was Stormy Smith with 42 wins. Cody
R. Smith was 2nd
with 25. In the trainer standing Brent Clay was 1st with 18 wins followed
closely by Charley Hunt with 16 wins. Leading owner honors went to JK Running Horses LLC
(Regina Laymon) with 7 winners at the meet, followed by Ken and Reba George with 6 wins.
Horses that won the most races at the meet with 3 wins each were: “Yougottobekiddingme,” “I
Am That Hero,” “Where’s Your Wagon.” and “Go With Corona.”
This year’s meet was also highlighted by special evenings with some outstanding guests.
Those guests included Iowa Head Wrestling Coach Tom Brands, Iowa Head Basketball Coach
Fran McCaffrey, Jockey Tad Leggett, and Owner and Editor of Track Magazine Ben Hudson.
We are already working hard on the 2012 meet and we welcome any ideas or suggestions
you might have.
The IQHRA is very proud to be a part of the tremendous Quarter Horse Racing Industry!
See you in 2012,
Tom Lepic
President, IQHRA
IOWA QUARTER HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION 2011 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President Vice President
Tom Lepic Butch Bain
6 Lake Pointe Rd 6355 NE14th Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Des Moines, IA 50313
(319) 331-2306 / [email protected] (515) 289-2070 / [email protected]
Treasurer Secretary
Troi Mulford Chris Hovey
2309 Timber RIdge 25327 Sportsmans Club Rd
St. Charles, IA 50240 Adel, IA 50003
[email protected] (515) 491-6100 / [email protected]
Immediate Past President Executive Secretary
Butch Hammer John Hernandez
411 5th Street 103 East 6th Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50265 Slater, IA 50244
(515) 255-4223 / [email protected] (760) 801-6103 / [email protected]
DIRECTORS
2011
Wyetta Hammer Dick Tobin
1135 W North Avenue, Norwalk, IA 52011 29697 Imperial Road, Maryville, MO 64468
(515) 981-4399 / [email protected] (660) 927-3758 / [email protected]
Butch Wessels Dave Spieker 730 Albert Street, Lamont, IA 50650 5002 Delaware Street, Norwalk, IA 50211
(563) 924-2578 (515) 981-0123 / [email protected]
2012
Bob Urich Jim Harvey
4211 NE 38th Street, Des Moines, IA 59317 2632 160th Street, Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 262-4307 (515) 266-6904 / [email protected]
Larry Henry John Lawless
2600 Robin, New Virginia, IA 50210 26345 220th Street, Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 342-2600 / [email protected] (641) 858-2578 / [email protected]
2013
Don Rayner Leonard Reed
2805 6th Ave SE, Altoona, IA 50009 5465 88th Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211
(319) 331-5969 (515) 981-0823 / (515) 321-9579
Brenda Onstot Terry Thorson
8010 155th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125 4737 West 58th Street N, Newton, IA 50208
(515) 238-4524 / [email protected] (641) 831-3362 / [email protected]
ALTERNATES
Robert Moore Richard Reed
5617 33rd Avenue, Center Point, IA 52213 6220 50th Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211
(319) 350-3240 / [email protected] (515) 981-5528 / [email protected]
John Hernandez
55 Years And Going Strong Horse racing has been a Wessels family affair
By Dan Johnson
Regina Wessels has gotten the last laugh on her third
grade class.
One day the students had to tell their classmates what
they wanted to do as adults.
"The whole class stood up and said what you were going
to be when you grew up," Wessels said. "I said I was
going to be a horse trainer and everybody laughed at me:
'What do you mean?'"
Sixty years later, Wessels is still doing what she
predicted. She and husband Larry are two members of
what is arguably the first family of Iowa quarter horse
racing.
The Wessels' involvement started in Lamont in 1956,
when Roger (Butch) Wessels, Larry's brother, bought his
first racehorse. Soon, he got Larry and Regina involved,
and then the children of each family became followed suit.
"Butch is the one that started it all," Regina said. "He was
the one that started racing. We were more into barrel
racing and horse shoes. We gave Butch money and he
bought a yearling for us at a sale, and from then on, we
were making (race) horses.
"There was competitiveness, but we knew who had the
better horse and it was always Butch.”
Roger's son Kirk and daughter Amy are trainers. So was
his son Mike and his late son, Jeff. Larry and Regina's
daughter Kelly is a former trainer and now married to
jockey Tom Wellington.
"They're a good family," said trainer John Hammes. "The
whole family has been in it all their lives. They're hard
working and successful. They've paid their dues. They're
very well thought of."
Jack Coady/Coady Photography
Roger Wessels (left), who started racing horses in 1956, with daughter Amy and son Kirk, both trainers.
Jack Coady/Coady Photography
Regina (right) who trains and breeds horses with husband Larry, is shown with daughter Kelly and granddaughter Kylie.
All eight of the Wessels have trained Iowa-bred stakes
winners. All told, they have combined to win 29 stakes
races, including 23 at Prairie Meadows.
Prissy Marshall, who won the 1989 Iowa Stallion
Futurity was trained by Roger and ridden by Kirk.
The next year, Kirk switched to training after tiring of
cutting weight so he could ride and won the race with
Hobo Magic. He is one of three people to win stakes at
Prairie Meadows as a jockey and a trainer, along with
Mark Curtis and Shannon Ritter.
For 32 seasons before Prairie Meadows opened, the
Wesselses spent their summer weekends traveling to bush
meets in Iowa and Nebraska.
"We went when we were babies," said Amy Wessels,
who took up training after graduating from high school.
"We've never known anything else."
There wasn't much money at the bush meets, but it didn't
matter.
"It was so much of our life," Regina said. "We raced at
Central City along with Butch and everyone else. We ate a
lot of dirt, but had a lot of fun doing it. We were all
involved. our son galloped for us. We had a little track (at
their acreage) where we got them ready, and off we went
on Sundays."
She said the love is still there, especially for horses she and Larry have bred.
"It's still a thrill to me when you raise a horse and see it from the very beginning when it's out of the mare," Regina said.
"It's different when you raise them and race them, rather than going out and buying one. You're waiting four years before
you find out if that horse is going to run or not and if you did the right thing in the breeding part.
"You get more of a satisfaction when they do well. You get more of an attachment with the horse, because you've had it
so long. When you finally win a race with it and you're getting your picture taken in the winner's circle, it's an
unbelievable feeling."
Kirk’s 10-year-old Cruzin To Victory, coming off a win against open company in the Prairie Meadows Bonus Challenge,
settled for third in his attempt to win the Terrace Hill Stakes for a third time September 1. He was part of an Iowa foal
crop that included Trs Dashin Rona and Tal Task, who are also still winning at age 10.
"I don't know if I'll ever have another horse like him," Kirk said. "Horses just don't last like that. It's unbelievable."
Kirk works at a door factory in Dyersville. While he trains at Prairie Meadows and is helped by his son Alex, a student at
Iowa State, his wife and son Tanner help care for the horses on their farm.
"We love doing it," he said. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be driving 150 miles to come here. The thrill is still there," Kirk
Wessels said. "I still have the want-to to win, believe me. When I don't have the drive anymore, you won't see me here. It
doesn't matter if it's a $5,000 claiming race or one of the bigger stakes, I want to win. When it's not much a thrill to me, I'll
be out."
“It's been very good to us. A lot of people have been real good to me.
Cruzin To Victory Wins Prairie Meadows Bonus Challenge
IOWA QUARTER HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION
“The official representative for Quarter Horse Racing in the State of Iowa”
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association to support and enhance the ownership, breeding, and racing experience of our members. The IQHRA accomplishes its mission by promoting its goals and objectives, in a mutually cooperative and beneficial manner, with race track officials, owners, breeders, horse racing industry related groups, businesses, and the general public.
Join The IQHRA Today! Your Annual Membership Includes:
♦ Voting Rights
♦ IQHRA Newsletter ♦ Invitation To All Associations Functions
♦ Eligibility For Year-end Iowa Bred Racing Awards ♦ Complimentary One-Year Subscription To TRACK Magazine
Family (husband/wife) Membership - $35.00 per year / Individual Membership - $35.00 per year
1 MEMBERSHIP = 1 VOTE
Fill Out The Form, Detach The Bottom Section, Include A Check Payable To “Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association,” Mail To:
Shirley Peiffer
713 SW 28th Street #103 Ankeny, IA 50023
515-979-6379
In accordance with federal privacy laws all information will remain confidential
IQHRA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (CHECK ONE): FAMILY INDIVIDUAL
NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE CELL FAX E-MAIL
Eufala Me (by Okey Dokey Dale -Yawls Spreadn Rumors, by Serious
Rumors), owned by John Lawless,
trained by Brent Clay, and ridden by
Stormy Smith, scored a two-length
victory over Jess A Lil Twisted in the
$130,000 Jim Bader Futurity, the final
race of the 2011 Quarter Horse Rac-
ing season at Prairie Meadows.
Eufala Me stopped the timer in 17.69
seconds for 350 yards. The Jim
Bader winner was bred in Iowa by
Sheri Lynn Andrew.
Eufala Me Wins Jim Bader Futurity
Wrs Special Shoe (by First Down Laveaux - Hava Zevi, by Zevi), the
most accomplished Quarter Horse
ever bred in Iowa, won the $50,000
Terrace Hill, the top race for older
Iowa-breds at Prairie Meadows, for
the fourth time in five years.
The 9YO gelding, owned and bred by
the Williams Racing Stables, trained
by Heath Taylor, and ridden by
Stormy Smith, finished a length in
front of Iris Cartelsbadnews and ran
400 yards in 19.61 seconds.
Legendary Wrs Special Shoe Takes Terrace Hill
Wheres Your Wagon (by Pyc Paint Your Wagon - Yawls Spreadn Ru-
mors, by Serious Rumors), owned by
Kay Sage, trained by Kirk Wessels,
and ridden by Oscar Delgado, hit the
finish line a length and one-half
ahead of Diamond Cruzer to win the
$80,000 Polk County Derby.
Wheres Your Wagon was clocked in
19.86 seconds for 400 yards. The
winner was bred in Iowa by Sheri
Lynn Andrew.
Polk County Derby Goes To Wheres Your Wagon
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
The Regal Streak (by A Regal Choice - Raise A Sixy, by Raise A
Secret), owned Michael Ahern,
trained by Brent Clay, and ridden by
Stormy Smith, beat Cartels Belle by a
length and three-quarters to win the
$40,000 Future of Iowa.
The Regal Streak covered 350 yards in 17.77 seconds. The 2011 Future
Of Iowa winner was bred by Craig J.
Kirby.
The Regal Streak Prevails In Future Of Iowa
Yougottobekiddinme (by Hot Shot Dash - Pipsqueak Shazoom, by
Shazoom), owned and trained by
Tony D. Jones and ridden by Tommy
Byrd, took control immediately and
went on to a convincing 2 3/4- length
victory in the $35,000 Iowa Stallion
QH Futurity.
Yougottobekiddinme ran 350 yards
in a time of 18.11 seconds. The victor
was bred by his owner, Tony D.
Jones.
Yougottobekiddinme Wins Iowa Stallion QH Futurity
Dennis Sondberg’s Gunpowder Kid (by Kool Quick Kid - Russian Bullette,
by Bully Bullion), trained by Brent
Clay, and ridden by Jennifer Schmidt,
closed late and drew off to a two-
length victory in the $25,000 Iowa
Stallion Derby.
Gunpowder Kid recorded a time of 20.13 seconds for 400 yards. The
winner was bred in Iowa by his
owner, Dennis Sondberg.
Gunpowder Kid Tallies Iowa Stallion Derby Win
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
Terry & Mary Louise Pursel’s Cruzin
The Wagon (by Pyc Paint Your
Wagon - Penelope Cruzin, by Okey
Dokey Dale), trained by Brent Clay,
and ridden by Stormy Smith, tallied a
half-length win over Eyema Special
Candy in the rich $229,300 Valley
Junction Futurity.
Cruzin The Wagon ran 350 yards in
17.68 seconds. The 2011 Valley
Junction Futurity champion was bred
in Oklahoma by Michael A. Pohl.
Cruzin The Wagon Takes Valley Junction Futurity
JK Running Horses, LLC’s Jess A
Runner (by Jess Louisiana Blue -
Katiebug Driver, by My Designated
Driver), grabbed the lead at the start
and extended the margin throughout
in winning the $45,000 Two Rivers
on October 30.
Jess A Runner, who competed in the
2010 Championship Challenge at
The Fair Grounds in New Orleans,
was trained by Kenny Laymon and
ridden by Oscar Delgado. The winner
ran 440 yards in 21.57 seconds.
Facile Win For Jess A Runner In Two Rivers
Oklahoma-bred I Am That Hero (by Sweet First Down - Miss Fine La
Jolla, by Streakin La Jolla), owned by
Brent & Karen Clay, trained by Brent
Clay, and ridden by Stormy Smith,
finished strongly to win by a neck
over Drill Baby Drill in the $91,900
Altoona Derby.
I Am That Hero stopped the timer in
19.87 seconds for 400 yards
The winner was bred by his owners,
Brent & Karen Clay.
I Am That Hero Rallies For Altoona Derby Win
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
© 2011, Coady Photography
Wrs Special Shoe added another milestone to his resume as the most accomplished Iowa-bred quarter
horse ever in the $57,500 Terrace Hill Stakes at Prairie Meadows October 1.
The 9-year-old won the Terrace Hill, the top race for older Iowa-breds, for the fourth time in five years. He became the only horse, thoroughbred or quarter horse, to win four editions of a Prairie Meadows stakes race.
His time of 19.618 seconds for 400 yards broke his own stakes record and was just off Spit Curl Diva's track record of 19.450.
And owner Randy Williams said the gelding isn't slowing down with age.
"He may be faster now," he said. "He just loped through the stretch with his ears pricked. He's an awe-some horse, man.
"You don't understand what this horse means to me. This horse has done things for me that I dreamed of. I never thought I'd have a horse like this."
Wrs Special Shoe, the 8-5 favorite, won by a length from Iris Cartelsbadnews, with Cruzin To Victory third.
It was the 23rd victory in 68 career starts for Wrs Special Shoe. His victory in the 2008 national finals of
the $353,500 Bank of America Challenge Championship is the richest race ever won by an Iowa-bred.
The $23,000 winner's share boosted his career earnings top $855,589, which is the most by an Iowa-
bred quarter horse and has only been topped by Sure Shot Biscuit among Iowa-bred thoroughbreds.
"He has never showed any sign of not wanting to keep on racing," Williams said. "Never. He loves it. We have a field of horses back home and our goal is to raise another one like this, and that may be hard to do."
The Terrace Hill was one of six stakes races on closing night of Prairie Meadows' 26-day quarter horse meet, which showcased the Iowa breeding program. The stakes included four for Iowa-breds and two for horses sired by stallions in the Iowa program. Overall, 69 of the 71 starters in the nine races were Iowa-breds.
In the other stakes:
* Eufaula Me, ridden by Stormy Smith, won the $130,000 Jim Bader Futurity, the richest race for Iowa-breds ever for his third win in five career starts. He was one of three stakes winners sent out by trainer Brent Clay on Saturday, who also won the Altoona Derby and Valley Junction Futurity on Sep-tember 30. His Gunpowder Kid won the $31,900 Iowa Stallion Derby and The Regal Streak won the
$45,200 Future of Iowa Stakes.
* “It’s been an amazing weekend, no doubt about that,” said Clay, a former Winterset resident. “The horse ran well. We knew we had some nice horses that fit the spots, but we never thought we'd win (five stakes).”
The three victories also gave Clay the title as the meet's leading trainer with 18 wins, two more than
Charley Hunt.
Stormy Smith was the leading rider with 42 wins while JK Running Horses' seven wins led all owners.
* Wheres Your Wagon won the $99,500 Polk County Derby for 3-year-olds by 1 1/2 lengths. It was his third straight decisive win, his average margin of victory being two lengths.
* Yougottobekiddinme streaked to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $50,300 Iowa Stallion Futurity for his third straight victory. The even-money favorite and runner-up Wrs Kool Feature were both trained by
Tony Jones.
Wrs Special Shoe Becomes First Four-time Winner
Of A Prairie Meadows Stakes Race
By Dan Johnson, Prairie Meadows Media Writer
Stormy Stays Cool In The Saddle By Dan Johnson
His name really is Stormy, but that‟s not the only
noticeable thing about jockey Stormy Smith.
What‟s even more eye-catching is his success at Prairie
Meadows. With 18 victories in the first 14 days of the
quarter horse meet, Smith is headed toward his fourth
straight riding title at Prairie Meadows.
Stormy is Smith‟s true first name, given to him by his
father, who works as a horse dentist. Smith‟s 15-year-old
brother is named Twister, a reference to bronco riding. His
sister was given a non-weather name, Jimikay.
"My dad always said he thought it was a neat name,"
Smith said. "I don't know where he came up with it. I
didn't like it when I was a kid, but I got used to it.
Everybody called me rooster when I as a kid. Like I
needed a nickname, right?"
Personality-wise, Smith is anything but Stormy. He is
soft-spoken, humble and polite. Growing up, Smith‟s
passion was riding in rodeos. He wrestled in high school,
but also practiced riding bulls 30 to 40 times a week and
then traveled the region going to events on the weekend.
He also galloped horses at the track.
“I was going to be a bull rider and saddle bronc rider,”
Smith said. “I thought that was the way to go, then I got
hurt one time and lost a bunch of weight. I thought, 'I
might as well try this.'
"I'd been on the racetrack my whole life. Ever since I was
old enough, I galloped horses.”
But while he‟s cruising now, it took him awhile to get his
career going. He was an apprentice for more than three
years, because every time he started riding, he‟d get hurt.
First, he broke his collarbone. Sixteen days after returning,
he was in another spill.
"I tore all the tendons on my knee and they told me I'd
never ride again," Smith said. "I said, 'Really? I just
started.' Six months later, I got a doctor's release and I
started riding again."
When he returned, he rode thoroughbreds at Aqueduct in
New York and Philadelphia Park. He started well, but it
ended abruptly when he broke his jaw in another fall.
Things took off once Hall of Fame trainer Jack Brooks
noticed Smith riding on the racetrack instead of the
cornfields. Smith grew up in Jones, Okla., and lived across
the street from Brooks‟ farm.
“I used to go to his place all the time,” Smith said. “He
had a mile section in Jones. I'd walk around the corner, a
half-mile and hang out at his house. I got kicked out of his
cornfield all the time for riding colts. His wife would
always drive by and catch me.”
In 2006, Brooks asked him to ride First Prize Robin in
the 2006 Remington Futurity, provided Smith would also
ride two other mares in 870-yard races.
Jack Coady/Coady Photography
Jockey Stormy Smith has won or tied for the Prairie Meadows riding title the past three years and is leading the standings again in 2011.
"He said, „I'll make you a deal. If you ride these two 870
mares for me, I'll put you on the winner in the futurity,‟”
Smith said "I said, 'Heck, I'd just ride the 870 mares for
you, Jack.‟ I was excited as heck. My second year riding
at Remington and Jack Brooks is asking if I'd ride horses
for him?
"That helped me a bunch at Remington. That place is
overrun with good riders and Jack thought enough of me
to put me on the filly in the futurity.”
Smith is a certified bricklayer and also does leathercraft
work. He‟s had a career of devastating injuries — a
broken eye socket and two fractured vertebrate in which
the breaks were centimeters away from his spinal cord.
But said he‟s always liked riding.
"It's the only thing I've ever found that I really enjoy
doing," Smith said. "It's a lot of fun. I really like the guys I
ride with, and that makes it fun more than anything.
"I only had one real job in my life and I hated it. I was
working outside all the time and I was working in a crate
factory, I was building crates for oilfield equipment. I was
running saws and nail guns and it drove me crazy to be
pinned up somewhere. I'd rather work 12 hours a day
doing something I like instead of working five hours a day
that isn't fun. If it ain't fun, I'm not going to do it.”
How much does Smith like being a jockey?
Even his honeymoon centered around his riding.
He married Bridget Clay, the daughter of trainer Brent
Clay, on Nov. 20, 2004. The couple has 4-year-old twin
daughters, Rayna and Madelyn.
Three days before his wedding, Smith drove 12 ½ hours
to Louisiana Downs in Shreveport to ride Bugs Mega Jet
in a trial for the Harrah‟s Futurity. Then Bridget‟s uncle
drove Smith back all-night so he could get back to
Altoona on Nov. 19, just in time for the wedding
rehearsal.
After the wedding, they spent a few days in Altoona
before heading on their honeymoon — to Shreveport,
where Stormy rode Bug Mega Jet to victory in the
$255,000 finals of the Harrah‟s.
"I took her to Shreveport," Smith said. "I had to get down
there so I could gallop that filly, She was a crazy son of a
gun.”
At Prairie Meadows, Smith has won the track‟s biggest
races, taking the 2008 Championship Challenge aboard
Chances Are I Will and the 2004 Valley Junction Futurity
on Flyin To Holland. he also won the 2009 Jim Bader
Futurity on Cartels Belle.
"I've been coming here most of my career,” Smith said.
“I like it up here. Nice facility and they try to care of the
track for us. I like where I'm at now."
Jack Coady/Coady Photography
Stormy Smith ranks third among Prairie Meadows’ career riding leaders in quarter horse racing with 217 wins, trailing only Tad Leggett and Tom Wellington.
IQHRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
JULY 9, 2011
Members absent: Butch Bain, Butch Hammer, Wyetta Hammer, Larry Henry, Janet Rinehart,
Dick Tobin, Bob Urich.
Meeting was called to order by President Tom Lepic.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES; The June minutes were reviewed. Motion to approve made by
Jim Harvey, seconded by Leonard Reed. Minutes approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s report was reviewed. Motion to approve made by
Leonard Reed, seconded by Butch Wessels. Motion carried.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: The Double Gold futurity, Derby, and the Sale futurity will have
trials on August 1st and 2
nd. Chris Hovey gave a brief report on the health condition of Janet
Rinehart. After discussion, Tom reported that he has asked Troi Mulford to be an interim
treasurer in Janet’s absence. Motion made by John Lawless, seconded by Terry Thorson to
appoint Troi Mulford interim treasurer and work with Wyetta Hammer and Chris Hovey to keep
the IQHRA accounts current. Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: The newsletter has been mailed and is also available on our
website. The IQHRA backside office is ready for John. The Prairie Meadows marketing
department has quarter horse photographs to donate to his office. The new logo and banner are
still being designed by Prairie Meadows marketing department and should be done soon.
Website design bids were discussed. John reviewed with the board the bids received and
recommended that IQHRA hire Scott Lindsey to design our new website. Motion made by Terry
Thorson to have Scott design our website, seconded by Brenda Onsot. Motion carried.
SALE COMMITTEE: Terry has mailed out the consignment forms. For those wishing
additional forms or further information, it is also on our website. He has run an ad in Speedhorse
magazine. The deadline for the catalog is July 15th
, late fees will apply to those wishing to
consign after the deadline. The sale is September 11th
at the Fairgrounds.
YOUTH DAYS: Brenda reported that we have received our 6 applicants for Youth Days. She
will be meeting next Friday with Prairie Meadows to finalize the plans and scholarship monies.
BANQUET: Brenda has finalized the plans with the Ramada Tropics Resort. The banquet is
Sunday, August 28th
. Invitations will be mailed out to members. We will be celebrating
IQHRA’s 35 year Anniversary and having Ben Hudson as our guest speaker.
SILENT AUCTION: The committee has been working hard to obtain donations and items from
individuals and businesses. The auction will be held during our banquet with the proceeds to
offset the banquet expenses. Items will also be accepted the day of the banquet. Contact Polly
Lepic or any member of her committee if interested in making a donation.
ANNUAL PICNIC: Shirley Peiffer reported that the menu has been set for the September 5th
picnic. There will be door prizes, cash drawings, and the handicapping contest. Anyone with
ideas or suggestions please contact Shirley.
MARKETING: The Prairie Meadows marketing department and Tom Lepic have finalized
plans for marketing our meet. Morning at the Meadows on August 27th
will be one of our
featured activities. This is a great opportunity for families to experience what happens at the
track with an emphasis on children’s activities. Ben Hudson will be there to meet and discuss
quarter horse racing. The next newsletter will highlight the special activities planned for
Morning at the Meadows. The Tuff Enough to Wear Pink will be another highlight, Prairie
Meadows will sponsor a walk around the track for survivors of cancer.
Reporter Dan Johnson is now employed by Prairie Meadows and has been writing articles
covering racing for the Players magazine. Tom announced that Prairie Meadows has a larger
advertising budget and will be running more ads on local television stations promoting quarter
horse racing. Derron Heldt has the MPH radar gun. After a race, the miles per hour will flash on
the screen. Special promotions/contests will be tied to its use.
OLD BUSINESS: Horses running in the trials for the Double Gold and Sale races will be
allowed in on July 23rd
. 60 trainers have made stall applications. John Lawless and the backside
committee will be meeting regularly with Derron on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. Any trainer with
questions or recommendations can either attend the meetings or relay the message to John and he
will be happy to help them.
NEW BUSINESS: Copies of our newsletter will be backside in the office for those wishing a
copy. We have received the contract from the auditors to do the yearly audit of our financial
records per our by-laws. Motion to renew the contract and have the auditors come to a meeting,
go over their procedure and answer any questions made by Leonard Reed, seconded by Terry
Thorson. Motion carried. Tom Lepic, Butch Bain, Jack Peters, and John Hernandez will be
personally contacting Stallion Farms and owners to ask for donations to our 2012 Stallion
Auction. Letters have gone out to the farms. This will be a follow up contact. Jack Peters and
the Hall of Fame committee will be meeting to select the inductees for our Annual banquet
August 28th
. Usually 1 horse and 1 person is selected from the nominations received. Jack will
get the rules for nominations. The Pony Express riders will be selling raffle tickets to a “gator”
at one of our race nights. We will print up flyers which they will mail in their newsletter to their
5,000 members advertising our meet. Motion made by John Lawless to purchase $100 worth of
raffle tickets. If one of those tickets wins the “gator”, IQHRA will donate the “gator” back to the
Pony Express. Seconded by Brenda Onsot. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn made by Butch Wessels, seconded by Dave Spieker. Adjourned.
Chris Hovey, Secretary
IQHRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 20, 2011
Members absent: Butch Hammer, Jim Harvey, Larry Henry, John Lawless, Janet Rinehart
The meeting was called to order by President Tom Lepic.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The July minutes were reviewed. Addendum to July minutes,
“The cost is $1,800 for the design and implementation of our new website by Scott Lindsey.”
Motion to approve minutes with the addendum made by Butch Bain and seconded by Brenda
Onstot. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Tom Lepic stated there is no report for the month of July due to
the illness of Janet. She will be returning home August 22 and he will be contacting her the next
week. Julie Kroll from the accounting company gave an explanation to the board on the
procedures they follow in the audit process of IQHRA’s treasury accounts. They compare
among things, the minutes, IRS forms, and revenue received to determine the accuracy of our
internal staff.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Tom Lepic gave a report on the first day of racing at Prairie
Meadows. Although the total number of horses backside is down from last year, there were
enough Iowa-breds to write an extra Iowa-bred race on opening evening. Our average for
opening night was 9 entries per race. The Iowa Wrestling promotion was very successful; quite
a few people were there for autographs and to meet the wrestling coaches. Ben Hudson is
confirmed as Master of Ceremonies for our banquet. Tad Leggett is also coming to be our
speaker. The Prairie Meadows marketing department has been a great help making posters and
flyers for our special events.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: John Hernandez reported that his backside office is open and
has been spending time distributing information and talking with trainers. He hopes to have the
office open from 8:00 to noon 5 days a week. We are waiting for Prairie Meadows to supply a
banner for his office. On track betting opening night was down, however, simulcast wagering
was up. IQHRA sponsored a float in the Thoroughbred/Prairie Meadows Classic Weekend
parade. We won 3rd
place. John has been working with the web designer on our website, and
has our new logo selected. Sure Bet Racing News recently did an article on QH racing at Prairie
Meadows. Tom Lepic was interviewed and explained the work that has been done this year to
make our meet successful. We will be hosting a reception for the IQHA during their futurity
weekend in September. This is a way to invite the “show side” to come to the races.
BANQUET: Brenda has sent out over 200 invitations and has been disappointed with the
number of replies to date. She will be calling and visiting with members this weekend to
personally invite them to the banquet. Motion made by Leonard Reed not to give out
appreciation gifts this year and seconded by Butch Bain. Motion carried.
SALE COMMITTEE: Terry Thorson reported that catalogs were mailed out Thursday and a
supply will be backside and in the Prairie Meadows bookkeeper’s office. Currently there are 26
horses consigned but there have been a few calls from those wishing to consign the day of the
sale. It is expected that there will be between 30-35 horses. He will be meeting with members
of his committee this week. An advertisement has been placed in Speedhorse magazine and
Prairie Meadows will also be running television ads on race nights advertising the sale.
YOUTH DAYS: Brenda has been working with Julie Stewart of Prairie Meadows. Scholarship
money is needed. The monies raised by the silent auction will go to fund scholarships for the
youth. Prairie Meadows is giving a $2,500 scholarship as well as all food while on site and for
the banquet. Brenda has called AQHA and secured a trip to Indiana for one of the participants.
Motion to fund up to $3,500 for scholarships and expenses for Youth Days made by Bob Urich
and seconded by Leonard Reed. Motion carried.
STALLION SERVICE AUCTION: Tom Lepic and his committee have been making follow-
up phone calls to farms and owners of stallions for our Stallion auction in January. He has
secured some new stallions to the list.
STAKES UPDATE: Final lists were distributed to board members of the nominations to the
remaining Stakes races. We have not received the lists for the Altoona Derby or Valley Junction
from Prairie Meadows.
OLD BUSINESS: The board voted at last April’s meeting to change the procedure for the
election of directors and officers. The election will now be done by mail. Interested individuals
will need to submit in writing a biography/resume by November. The list of applicants will be
distributed to the members. Ballots will be mailed to all current members in December to be
returned to an independent accounting company for tabulation. A committee will be formed to
address the wording change in the by-laws to accommodate this change in procedure. Although
the board voted to have an interim treasurer during Janet Rinehart’s absence, it was decided to
have all futurity/derby payments and basic treasurer’s responsibilities coordinated through Janet.
Tom will be discussing any future changes with Janet when she returns home next week. Bob
Urich questioned the selection process by the Hall of Fame committee. He inquired why the
general membership was not notified to send in possible applicants to the committee for
consideration. Shirley addressed the board and said in years past there have not been many
applications received from the general membership.
SEPTEMBER 5th
BOARD MEETING: The time of the Labor Day board meeting will be
12:00 at the Prairie Meadows Pavilion
PICNIC: Shirley gave a report on the Labor Day picnic. All members, families, and guests are
invited to attend. The picnic starts at 2:00 p.m. in the pavilion. There will be door prizes and
contests. Based on approximately 100 people attending, Shirley requested a budget of $3,000.
Motion to approve up to $3,000 to fund the picnic made by Don Rayner and seconded by Butch
Bain. Motion carried.
BACKSIDE HOG ROAST: Tom and Polly Lepic will again be hosting a hog roast for the
backside, thanking trainers, employees and owners for attending our meet.
MORNING AT THE MEADOWS: Postcards have been mailed out promoting this event.
Children and families are encouraged to attend on Saturday, August 26th
starting at 8:00 a.m.
BACKSIDE COMMITTEE: The backside meeting with the racing office will be August 23rd
.
John Lawless and his committee will report at the September board meeting. The scheduled
meetings are Sept. 6th
and 20th
. If anyone has any questions or concerns about the backside
contact John Lawless.
NEW BUSINESS: In past years, IQHRA has sponsored a $50 gift certificate to the
owner/trainer of the week for the 6 weeks of our meet. Motion to approve certificates for this
year’s meet made by Wyetta Hammer and seconded by Butch Wessels. Motion carried. The
Racing Aces and John Hernandez will be at Prairie Meadows during our regional Challenge
races September 2 and 3. They will be there to handicap the races and support the AQHA
Challenge Program. Tom Lepic has been meeting informally with ITBOA President Deb Leech
and HBPA President Leroy Gessman to look at possible changes for the 2012 meet. Any
proposed changes will be brought to the individual boards for their input before anything is
decided. Tom reported these meetings have gone very well and there is a great deal of unity
among the breed presidents, he also brought up for discussion having a separate QH lobbyist or
having one lobbyist for all 3 groups as proposed by the TB groups. There is a chance that the
racing bill will be opened up again in the Legislature for the addition of “online poker” and we
need to make sure no additional changes pertaining to racing will be done. The discussion on the
2012 Stakes will be moved from the October meeting to the September meeting.
Motion to adjourn made by Butch Wessels and seconded by Terry Thorson. Meeting Adjourned.
Chris Hovey, Secretary
IQHRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 5, 2011
Members absent: Butch Hammer, Wyetta Hammer, Jim Harvey, Janet Rinehart
The meeting was called to order by President Tom Lepic
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The August minutes were reviewed. Motion to approve the
minutes made by Butch Bain and seconded by Terry Thorson. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report was reviewed. Bob Urich was asked if he
had paid his consignment fee to the sale because it had not been received by the Sale Chairman.
Bob replied that it was given to the treasurer and had been deposited. Motion to approve
treasurer’s report made by Don Rayner and seconded by Bob Urich. Motion carried.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Tom Lepic reported that there has been a decrease in the number of
horses racing here this year. This is due in part to the stakes races in Oklahoma, and because we
have a short meet. There have been talks with the other breed groups and Prairie Meadows to
change this situation. This will be discussed at the October board meeting. Tom will be going to
Oklahoma this month to meet with AQHA about having the Challenge Championships at Prairie
Meadows in 2012. The Challenge races and National convention are held this year in late
October at Los Alamitos in California. The backside meeting went well and everything is
running smoothly.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: John has been updating the website with current photos and
videos. The website host has been changed to “Go Daddy.” John has been working with Prairie
Meadows marketing department. IQHRA was asked to donate “gifts” to Prairie Meadows
“Make a Wish” project. There were 160 breakfasts purchased at “Morning at the Meadows.”
AQHA racing aces Jen Perkins and John Hernandez will be handicapping the races at Prairie
Meadows the weekend of Iowa Classics.
SALE: The Sale will be next Sunday, September 11th
at Noon. Committee members need to get
with Terry before then to get their working assignments. The committee will be meeting
Thursday, 6 p.m. at the Fairgrounds to get the stalls ready. Stalls will be available on Saturday
for horses. Terry would like to have a banner in the Sale ring. There are 32 consignments and
Terry has received phone calls from members that will be entering the day of the sale and
expects about 35 head.
BANQUET: Brenda has had nothing but compliments on the banquet. The attendance was
wonderful with approximately 125 people. The silent auction raised over $3,000. Brenda
suggested in addition to the awards given by Prairie Meadows for leading jockey and trainer,
next year IQHRA can also honor these people.
YOUTH DAYS: Brenda reported that everything is on track for another successful Youth Days.
The scholarship committee will be Brenda Onstot, Jack Peters, Terry Thorson, and Chuck
Schott. Prairie Meadows will be hosting the banquet and has stipulated that only the youth,
parents and committee members are invited this year. Board members questioned the change in
policy and a motion was made by Bob Urich and seconded by Dick Tobin that IQHRA pay for
those Board members and their spouses wishing to attend the Youth Days banquet. Motion
carried. Those members wishing to attend are, John Lawless, Dave Spieker, and Don Rayner.
STAKES: Janet Rinehart was unable to attend due to an injury. The entries/final payment lists
were distributed to the board members at the last meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: Butch Bain distributed to the members the amendment to the by-laws
detailing the procedure for election of board members and officers in the future. (Addendum
included). This amendment had been passed at an earlier board meeting. Tom recommended
that a committee go through the by-laws in January and possibly make further changes. Motion
by Terry Thorson and seconded by Butch Bain that after elections in January a committee will be
appointed to review the by-laws. Motion passed.
STALLION SERVICE AUCTION: Tom has received 12 contracts so far and has board
members calling stallion farms and owners asking for donations. Ads have been placed in
Speedhorse, and Track magazines.
NEW BUSINESS: Tom will be attending the Heritage Sale and since Ben Hudson of Track
magazine has been a great spokesman for IQHRA he requests that the board approve Ben
Hudson as a lifetime member of IQHRA and give him a plaque which will be presented by Tom
to Ben at the Heritage Sale in Oklahoma. Leonard Reed mentioned that Andy Golden of
Speedhorse has also been very supportive of IQHRA. Discussion followed. Motion made by
Bob Urich, seconded by Leonard Reed, that IQHRA recognizes both Ben Hudson and Andy
Golden with plaques and lifetime IQHRA memberships when Tom goes to the Heritage sale in
October. Motion passed.
2012 STAKES: Tom reported that the racing schedule for 2012 at Prairie Meadows will change.
He and Butch Bain have been in discussions with Prairie Meadows and the thoroughbred groups.
The changes and discussion will be at the next board meeting October 9th
. Tom reported this has
been a good meet at Prairie Meadows and there have been many nights there have been 2 Ia.
bred races. Our supplement money is ahead. He has been busy working on bringing the
Challenge Championships to Prairie Meadows in 2012. Prairie Meadows has also pledged
money to help secure the Championships here in late October 2012. Butch and Tom discussed
the possible elimination of some stakes races in 2012. Prairie Meadows and Tom have been
working on a standardized purse structure for our stakes. Tom also brought up the possibility of
having an open stakes race tied into stallion sponsorship. This would be modeled after the
“Black Gold” in Oklahoma.
SUSPENSION: Tom reminded the board that it needs to work together as a cohesive unit and
needs to move forward without being reminded of the past. Terry Thorson discussed that if
particular members are not willing to be present at the board meetings they should be removed.
It was brought to the board that the immediate past president is not included in a quorum,
therefore not subject to the attendance requirements as evidenced in attendance records of the
prior past president The past president is there to help and advise the current board if requested.
The last by laws committee recommended in 2010 that the past president be held to the
attendance requirement but that motion failed to pass. Discussion followed. Tom will call Butch
Hammer and ask if he wishes to remain on the board and requested that we table further
discussion pending a new review of the by-laws interpretation and the phone call. This is
something that can be addressed and clarified by the 2012 by-laws committee. Tom again
reminded the Board to refrain from “backside gossip” and to have a positive influence to owners,
trainers and the public. Track magazine notified Tom that Ben Hudson will be giving 1 year
magazine subscriptions to all members holding a 2012 membership and not just new members to
IQHRA.
Motion to adjourn made by Butch Wessels and seconded by Leonard Reed. Meeting adjourned.
Chris Hovey, Secretary
IQHRA “In Action” IQHRA-Prairie Meadows Youth Days
… Racing for the Future 2011
On Sept 9 & 10th the IQHRA along with Prairie Meadows hosted Youth Days … Racing for the Future, focusing on educating 6 youths ranging from 16 to 19 on all aspects of quarter horse racing in Iowa. Scholarships were awarded to all 6 youths in the amounts of $2000, $1000, and 4 at $500. One youth, Fenton Nelson, was
selected to represent IQHRA in the 2011 AQHA Youth Experience at Hoosier Park in Indiana.
Prairie Meadows Classic Day Parade
August 6, 2011
On August 6th, the IQHRA membership
participated in the Prairie Meadows Classic Day parade. Three of the 2011 Youth
Days participants joined us on the float.
IQHRA Awards Banquet
August 28, 2011
This year, the IQHRA changed the
timing of the banquet. And what a success it was! With Tad Leggett
and Ben Hudson as speakers, this years banquet was a big hit.
Trainers, jockeys, members, and
more attended this years event, making it an evening to remember!