OQHA-312

OQHA Convention & Hall of Fame Ceremony Rescheduled


Mr Master Bug

MrMasterBugMr Master BugIn 1982, the world of Quarter Horse Racing was in awe of an accomplishment that has yet to be repeated. Owner Marvin Barnes watched two of his homebreds, Mr Master Bug and Miss Squaw Hand, finish first and second in the first $1 million horse race, the All American Futurity. It was the first and last time an owner has had the top two finishers in the prestigious race.

Trainer Jack Brooks qualified both of the entries into the finals of the rich event for Barnes and his wife, Lela. With jockey Jacky Martin aboard Mr Master Bug, and jockey Jerry Burgess aboard Miss Squaw Hand, the Barnes-owned entries raced down the track in the Labor Day event to finish first and second in the 440-yard dash.

In his three-year-old campaign, Mr Master Bug went back to Ruidoso to contest the All American Derby. He was coupled as an entry with Miss Squaw Hand, again with Martin and Burgess aboard for trainer Brooks. Mr Master Bug hit the wire in front, but then was disqualified and placed third for interference. Instead of getting a check for $564,161 for winning the All American Derby, he earned $110,256. Mr Master Bug retired with a career total of $1,793,718.

Perpetualism

PerpetualismPerpetualismAs a weanling in October 1993, Perpetualism was sold to Rose Poindexter of Calera, Oklahoma. In November 1994, Jerry Wells saw royalty in the horse. Joan Crews Hoyt, one of Wells’ customers at the time, purchased the stallion with the intent that Wells would buy him from her later. In March 1995, Wells purchased Perpetualism for the same price Joan had paid, becoming the stallion’s sole owner.

On his show record from the AQHA, Perpetualism accumulated 28 halter points in the Open, where he was shown by Wells and his daughter, Nancy. He also earned 6 halter points in the Amateur when shown by Rose Poindexter’s son, Brandon White.

Perpetualism earned 53 firsts, 3 seconds and 1 fifth. Wells showed Perpetualism to the title of AQHA World Champion Two-Year-Old Stallion in 1995, AQHA World Champion Three-Year-Old Stallion in 1996 and AQHA World Champion Aged Stallion in 1997.

In January 2002, Wells’ health forced him to sell Perpetualism. Wayne and Rebecca Halvorson arranged for the stallion to be purchased by Cal and Rosemarie Loree, of Loree Quarter Horses in Guthrie, Oklahoma. In January 2005, Ed Melzer of Guthrie, became a partner on ownership of the stallion. Halvorson was the stallion’s breeding manager until Perpetualism died on April 1, 2010.

Lazy E Ranch

LazyERanchEnvisioned and built by owner E.K. Gaylord II, the entities that make up the Lazy E Ranch are an incredible part of the equine breeding and Western sports industries. The Lazy E Ranch opened its gates in the fall of 1984 and has evolved into one of the most progressive equine breeding and sales prep facilities in the nation. Since its inception, the ranch has been involved in both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing industries. With the purchase of World Champion and World Champion sire Special Effort in 1989, the Lazy E began to earn recognition as one of the top Quarter Horse breeding operations in the country.

Over the years, the Lazy E has been home to outstanding Thoroughbred stallions such as Slewacide, sire of the great Clever Trevor, and broodmare sire of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. Easy Jet, one of the Quarter Horse racing’s most influential stallions, stood at Lazy E. Today, the Lazy E’s stallion roster includes Quarter Horse racing’s No. 1 Living Sire of Money Earners and Stakes Winners, Corona Cartel, and PYC Paint Your Wagon, a perennial leading sire of money earners.

Sitting on part of the Lazy E’s rolling acres is the Lazy E Arena. Regarded as the world’s premier Western entertainment facility, the Lazy E Arena is recognized as the largest indoor rodeo arena in the world. The building has hosted world champions, world championships and personalities galore, and now hosts more than 25 events each year, including many concerts, conventions, wedding receptions, bicycle racing, trade-shows and dirt-bike racing.

In 2005, Gaylord sold the property to a partnership from Nevada, and in October 2013 the property was purchased by the McKinney family from Midland, Texas. The McKinneys have long recognized the importance of the Lazy E, both as an event venue and as a leader in the Quarter Horse breeding, racing and sales industries. They are committed to a future of growth and a continued alliance with Oklahoma’s horsemen.

Bud Breeding Spirit Award – Don Earl LaPorte

DonEarlLaPorteDon Earl LaPorteWhen horse enthusiast Don LePorte lost sight in one eye due to diabetes, he continued competing on his beloved Quarter Horses. But one year later, he completely lost his sight and was at the end of his rope. With the help of his employees, LePorte managed a stocker cow operation. Then he discovered trail riding.

LePorte was interested in helping others battle the depression that can accompany blindness. In 2008, his idea came to fruition. He organized a ride for students at the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Volunteers brought horses and assisted LePorte with his dream at Lowell and Donna Hobbs Barefoot Ranch near Haskell, Oklahoma. Now, the OQHA and Rocky and Deborah Webb host this annual event at the Silver Spur Western Lodge in Haskell.

For more information and tickets, contact the OQHA by phone at 405-440-0694, email [email protected] or visit the website, www.okqha.com.