Meet the New 2015 AQHA Executive Committee

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The members of the 2015-2016 AQHA Executive Committee were elected at the 2015 AQHA Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. This five-person committee is responsible for implementing important decisions by AQHA members through the Association’s board of directors.

President Dr. Glenn Blodgett

Dr. Glenn Blodgett of Guthrie, Texas, became an AQHA director in 1991, and in 2011, elevated to director-at-large. Dr. Blodgett served on the AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee and as its chairman. He also served on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the American Quarter Horse Foundation, and the AQHA Ranching and Marketing and Membership councils.

Dr. Blodgett received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University and earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University, and he has since been recognized as an outstanding alumnus by both universities.

In 1982, Dr. Blodgett became the resident veterinarian and manager of the horse division at the Four Sixes Ranch. In his tenure at the Four Sixes, which is located near Guthrie, Texas, the ranch has become an all-time leading breeder of both racing and performance American Quarter Horses, and in 1993, won the AQHA Best Remuda Award. In addition to its cattle, the horse operation raises racing, performance and ranch horses. Dr. Blodgett is the recipient of the 2011 AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award.

He and his wife, Karen, have two daughters: Buffie Guynes, who lives with husband Michael and daughters Catherine, Rebecca and Clair in Keller, Texas; and Brandie Mustian, who lives with husband Mike, son Maddox and daughter Myla in Weatherford, Texas.

First Vice President Sandy Arledge

Sandy Arledge of Encinitas, California, was elected first vice president of AQHA. She has been an AQHA director since 1997 and elevated to director emeritus in 2011. She has served on the membership, shows and professional horsemen, judges, stud book and registration and hall of fame selection committees. Arledge also served on the nominations and credentials committee and served as the committee’s chairwoman in 2010. She has served on the foundation council and currently serves on the animal welfare commission.

She received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Arledge is active in the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association and California Horse Council. She owned and operated Sandy Arledge Quarter Horses and was a general partner and manager of Far West Farms, a full-service boarding facility in Del Mar, California. She has bred and trained numerous AQHA world champions and reserve world champions. She was named the 2010 Professional’s Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year.

She was inducted into the Pacific Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame this year.

Second Vice President Ralph Seekins

Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks, Alaska, has been an AQHA director since 2006 for Washington/Alaska. Seekins has served on the AQHA marketing and membership committee, the Foundation Council and the AQHA Public Policy Committee.

Seekins began his association with American Quarter Horses in 1995 when his daughters convinced him and his wife, Connie, that they really needed horses. His early years with horses included ranch work and sprint racing. The first two horses for the Seekins family were home-trained and went on to earn AQHA open championships, AQHYA championships, AQHYA Supreme Champion titles and one youth versatility award.

For more than 13 years, the Seekins family has used their American Quarter Horses in the Helping Hooves therapeutic riding program for riders with disabilities.

Member Dr. Jim Heird

Dr. Jim Heird of College Station, Texas, was an AQHA director for Colorado in 2009 and Texas in 2011. He has served on the judges, international and show committees. Dr. Heird was the chair of the judges committee in 1989-1991; show committee in 2008-2010; international committee 2013-current; show council 2009-2011; animal welfare commission 2011-current.

He was the former extension horse specialist for North Carolina; instructor/professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock; and has held various dean/director positions at Colorado State University for the colleges of ag sciences, equine sciences and business. Dr. Heird is currently the executive professor and coordinator of equine initiatives at Texas A&M University.

He has been an AQHA judge since 1977 and has judged 13 AQHA World Championship Shows, multiple international championships and two National Reining Horse Association Futurities.

Member Stan Weaver

Stan Weaver of Big Sandy, Montana, has been an AQHA director since 2011. He has served as a member of the studbook & registration, public policy and Hall of Fame selection committees and member of the marketing and membership and ranching councils. He has also been the chair of the ranching council since 2011.

Weaver is a Ranching Heritage Breeder and is also a 31-year breeder of more than 1,400 foals.

He owns and operates Weaver Cattle Co. and Weaver Order Buying, a cattle brokerage firm.

Weaver is involved with the Big Sandy Public School Board, North Central Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity, Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, Montana Quarter Horse Association, Montana Land & Mineral Owners and County Livestock Protection Association.

Weaver received the award for the Montana Quarter Horse Association 1997 Ranch of the Year. Weaver Cattle Co. was recognized as the 2014 Montana State University Family Business of the Year in the business category for operations in existence at least 50 years.

AQHA Convention

Learn more about AQHA Convention and how AQHA rules are made.

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