Longtime AQHA Breeder Sandy Arledge Inducted Into PCQHA Hall Of Fame

AQHA Publicity

AQHA Executive Committee Member and longtime American Quarter Horse breeder Sandy Arledge of Encinitas, California, was inducted into the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame last weekend.

“Sandy’s long-standing commitment to the Quarter Horse industry gave us all a special look into Quarter Horse history on the West Coast,” according to a PCQHA press release. “After a moving speech and slide show, Sandy shared her story, which included naming many of the top AQHA stallions standing in California and young horsewomen whose lives Sandy touched at her beloved Far West Farms in Del Mar, California. Many of these talented horsewomen went on to become AQHA professionals. As Sandy shared, ‘It’s all for the love of good horses,’ and she touched all our lives with her dedication and love for the horse.”

Sandy, who is a 30-year cumulative breeder, has been an AQHA director since 1997 and elevated to director emeritus in 2011. She has served on the AQHA membership, shows and Professional Horsemen, judges, stud book and registration, and hall of fame selection committees. Sandy also served on the nominations and credentials committee and served as the committee’s chairwoman in 2010. She currently serves on the American Quarter Horse Foundation Council.

Also inducted into the PCQHA Hall of Fame was Little Dry San, a 1985 bay stallion by Peppy San Badger and out of Dry Tang by Dry Doc. Bred by Strain Ranches Inc. of Arbuckle, California, Little Dry San showed successfully in working cow horse and cutting, with a reserve world championship in working cow horse, a top 10 in senior cutting, and earnings in the National Cutting Horse and National Reined Cow Horse associations. His offspring were also successful in earning AQHA, NRCHA and NCHA points and money. Doug Ingersoll, who showed Little Dry San for most of his career, was on hand to receive the award. Little Dry San is now living his retirement days at Margo Farrelly’s ranch in California.

The 2014 PCQHA all-around champions were also recognized at the Valentine’s Day banquet:

• Novice youth – Brittany Lynn Nicole Minks of Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Hope To Be Hot (Hot Impulse-Hope Invested Wisely by Investing Wisely)
• Novice amateur – Sheila Langrock of Simi Valley, California, and Romance Me With Gold (Zippos Old Gold-Peppys First Chip by Zips Chocolate Chip)
• Youth 13 & under – Isabel Schween of Gilroy, California, and I Wanna Keep Playing (Principle Player-My Abagail by Imager)
• Youth 14-18 – Taylor Brown of Strathmore, California, and Absolute Best Asset (Absolute Investment-No Risk Asset by Good Asset)
• Amateur – Stephanie Kofu of San Jose, California, and The Krymsun Moon (One Hot Krymsun-Zippo By Moonlight by Zippo Pine Bar)
• Select amateur – Caroline French Campbell of San Miguel, California, and Skys Lady In Blue (These Irons Are Hot-Sky Blue Candy by Skys Blue Boy)

The EMO Agency presented the EMO PCQHA high-point horse of the year award to Hope To Be Hot, a 2008 bay gelding owned and ridden by Brittany Lynn Nicole Minks of Rancho Cucamonga, California. This award is given to the horse and rider combination that earns the most PCQHA points during the year.

In addition, the Nicole Peacock Award for Youth Sportsmanship was presented to Abby Wolfe. Gary Roberts was presented with California’s most valuable professional award, donated by AQHA.