IQHRA Newsletter - October 2011

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


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


DIRECTORS

2011

Wyetta Hammer Dick Tobin

1135 W North Avenue, Norwalk, IA 52011 29697 Imperial Road, Maryville, MO 64468


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


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


ALTERNATES

Robert Moore Richard Reed

5617 33rd Avenue, Center Point, IA 52213 6220 50th Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211


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.


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

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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




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




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




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.


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."


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


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.



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.


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!

Documents

IQHRA Newsletter - October 2011