Breeder Profile – June Rhea

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140 – May/June, 2023

By Rachel Kooiker

June Rhea of Wynnewood, Oklahoma is unapologetic about her love of beautiful horses and their place in her life. While Rhea is an admittedly private person, The Equine Chronicle caught her in one of the rare moments where she is not working on her farm to get to know the woman who is often seen with a champion in hand.

Fast Facts

Trainer: Rhea trains with AQHA and WCHA Professional Horsewoman Kathy Smallwood. Rhea owned the late Multiple World Champion sire, Valentino.

Awards & Organizations: Along with being a multiple World Champion across many breeds and associations, and as a breeder, Rhea has won every major futurity that can be named. Rhea was presented with an honorary Platinum membership of the WCHA in 2022 (only two were awarded). She is also a lifelong member of WCHA, AQHA, and APHA. Rhea was the sponsor from 2018-2022 for the WCHA Junior Filly Championship Awards and is sponsoring it again this year. She is also a Corporate Partner of the WCHA and a Gold sponsor for the Breeders Halter Futurity.

On Horses: “My motto has always been, ‘No man is going to take me away from my horses’.”

Trainer’s Take: Kathy Smallwood says of Rhea, “She loves her horses. When she wins, she says, ‘Yippee!’ and when she doesn’t win, she simply says, ‘Well, there’s always another horse show.’ She also believes in giving back to the organizations. Instead of going on vacation, she’d rather help out and give back to the industry.”

Where It All Began

Click here to read the complete article
140 – May/June, 2023