1998 Horseperson of the Year is Dan Dolan
Dan Dolan of Woodbury, Minnesota, was honored as 1998 Horseman of the Year by the Minnesota Horse Council. The presentation was made at the Annual Meeting on January 16, 1999. The Horseman of the Year, a program in its twenty-ninth year, selects from nominated individuals a horseman who has made outstanding contributions to the equine industry in Minnesota over a long period of time.
Dolan is known for his dedication to purpose, his unselfish giving, and his quality of leadership that is truly inspirational. He offers encouragement to exhibitors-always finding positive words when describing a ride.
Dolan is a well-known announcer in the upper Midwest. He has announced at the Minnesota State Fair Horse Show, the prestigious Western Saddle Clubs Association, Inc., Championship Horse Show, the Washington County Fair and man y other breed and open shows. He announced the demonstrations and exhibitions at the nationally acclaimed Minnesota Horse Exposition.
He has been a member of Trail Riders Saddle Club since 1969 and has served as an officer as well as working with many committees. He has volunteered the use of his arena for the Club's closed shows.
He has worked with va rious 4-H groups since 1975 and was recently honored by the State 4-H for his many volunteer contributions. He has served on the Washington County 4-H Project Leaders Committee for eight years.
He is a member of the Washington County Agricultural Society and has served six years as superintendent of the five days of County Fair Horse Shows.
Dolan and his wife Jan built a lighted show arena at their farm where Dan teaches riding to 4-H'ers once a week for several months each year. He uses his truck and trailer to transport 4-H'ers and their horses to open shows so that they can prepare for County and State competition. He has worked state wide to help young people become better horseman. Dolan takes a week of his own vacation time to work with the Horse Camp held in Washington County each year.
Dolan showed horses for many years in open shows. His children, Colleen, Kelly, Dan Jr., Mike, are well-known horse show exhibitors also. They, like Dolan, were and are known for excellent, humane horsemanship and outstanding sportsmanship. Daughter Kelly was the Western Saddle Clubs Association, Inc., Queen.
The Minnesota Horse Council is proud to announce the addition of Dan Dolan to the Horsemen's Hall of Fame in the Coliseum at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.