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December 2012 President's Message

President's Message

With the 2012 Quarter Horse season behind us, we can all take a deep breath and reflect on the great accomplishments of the IQHRA and Prairie Meadows. This was a season like no other.  In the 27 days of racing we averaged 8.3 horses per race and had a record 2,060 horses leave the gates at Prairie Meadows. This included another new record of 249 Quarter Horse races run during the 2012 season. Furthermore, Iowa-Bred horses won 22 open company races and 5 open company stakes as compared to 13 and 3 in 2011.

Our meet concluded with a very exciting Iowa Bred Championship night and the Bank of America Challenge Championships. I want to express my sincere thank you to both the IQHRA and also Prairie Meadows for putting on what both the AQHA and Track Magazine are calling one of the greatest weekends in the history of the American Quarter Horse Association.

Furthermore, I want to thank Brenda Onstot for her tremendous work with AQHA and the success of this year’s National Youth Days Experience, which was hosted during the championship week/weekend. Also, big thanks to Wyetta Hammer and Polly Lepic, who teamed up and hosted a wonderful bus tour of the Des Moines Art Center, Downtown Sculpture Gardens, and Botanical Center. This tour was sponsored by five IQHRA members: Chris and John Hovey, Bob and Sandy Brown, Butch Bain, Butch and Wyetta Hammer, and Tom and Polly Lepic.

Looking to 2013, Quarter Horse racing at Prairie Meadows has never looked brighter. New owners and trainers from all over the country are already making plans to attend our meet. The 2013 meet itself has been approved by the IRGC.  Opening night will be Saturday, August 17. The meet will last 9 weeks with Championship Night ending our season on Saturday, October 12^th. Our stakes races and purse structure will be announced early in 2013.

The Iowa-Bred program looks like it is going to continue to grow quickly. In 2012 we had an increase of Iowa-Bred foals by nearly 34%.  We know of over 30 mares, purchased at the Fall Mixed Sale at Heritage Place, that will be calling Iowa their home. We are seeing a real increase in the value of owning and breeding Iowa-Breds.  Again, a big Thank You to the IQHRA and Prairie Meadows for everything they have done in the past few years to make this possible!

Finally, don’t forget our IQHRA Annual Membership Meeting and Stallion Service Auction on January 5^th at the Ramada Tropics Resort & Conference Center at 5000 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Iowa. With over 160 stallions, this will be the largest and best stallion auction ever held in Iowa and maybe the entire country. Make your plans early so you don’t miss this great event! The auction will start promptly at 10:00 AM.

Thanks again to the board and officers of the IQHRA for your continued hard work.  I am proud to be your President!

Have a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2013!

Tom Lepic
President