The American Quarter Horse Journal — The Most Valuable Professional and the Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year awards were presented tonight during the 2011 AQHA Convention Awards Banquet. The awards were presented by AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice.
Wanda Lounder
The Most Valuable Professional or “MVP” of 2010 is Wanda Lounder. Wanda serves as the Maine Quarter Horse Association second vice president as well as the youth co-adviser. She leads with the goals of “bringing the youth in, not as competitors, but as an organization.” Under her leadership, local youth involvement has grown. In a traditionally individualistic sport, Wanda encourages teamwork, saying she wants “the youth not only to compete and grow as competitors, but to grow as a team, as well.”
When financial uncertainty jeopardized the local futurities, Wanda stepped up again. Her business, Double L Equestrian Center, sponsored several events, such as the hunter under saddle futurity and non-pro green horse trail futurity, and also small-fry classes. Wanda always makes sure the small-fries are recognized with ribbons and even high-point small-fry trophies.
The MVP had been announced earlier this year, but the Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year were still a mystery. Who could they be?
Sandy Arledge
The 2010 Don Burt Professional Horsewoman of the Year, Sandy Arledge of Rancho Santa Fe, California, is a true horsewoman and pioneering businesswoman, with success as a breeder, trainer and boarding-facility manager. She partnered and managed the boarding services of over 200 horses, while standing eight stallions and provided training to as many as 60 horses.
She also bred and trained her own horses to become world and reserve world champions. Within her own state, she has been the leading breeding of performance horses 18 times.
Besides raising her own world champions, Arledge is also an educator, training riders from novice to world show level. At her busiest, she gave 300 lessons a month. She still teaches as a clinician and volunteers with the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.
She has served as an AQHA director and was president of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association.
Denny Hassett
The 2010 Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year, Denny Hassett of Auburn, Kansas, has served the Quarter Horse industry many years. In fact, Hassett has been to every AQHA World Show since its start in 1974.
He is a successful all-around trainer, having shown in halter, reining and western pleasure and other events with many memorable horses.
Hassett also gives back to the up-and-comers. He has coached at all levels, from 4-H’ers to All American Quarter Horse Congress champions. He also coaches college equestrian teams and frequently gives clinics at the Congress and Kansas State University. Many of his students have turned professional themselves, the list reading like a “Who’s Who” of top trainers.
Hassett is also an AQHA director from his home state of Kansas, where he is greatly respected. In 2006, he was inducted into the Kansas Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to 2010’s Professionals of the Year. Look for more information on this year’s winners in the May issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
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