Horseperson of the Year
The Minnesota Horse Council recognizes and honors outstanding individuals and horses in the Minnesota equine community through these awards.
Horseperson of the Year Recipients
The Minnesota Horse council would like to congratulate the Recipients of the Horseperson of the Year Award for their longstanding dedication and commitment to the horse industry.
2023 – Eleanor Hamilton
2022 – Rae Ann Bartz
2021 – Kathy Theissen
2019/20 – Glen Eaton
2018 – Dick Kiesner
2017 – Karen Clark
2016 – Mark Ward
2015 – Warren Bengston
2014 – Dick Ames
2013 – Dick Lindeman
2012 – Gary Raak
2011 – VeeAnn Wood
2010 – Mary Abbott Taylor
2009 – Lloyd Anderson
2008 – Guy Warner
2007 – Miriam Tschida
2006 – Dale Froyum
2005 – RaeDel Robbins
2004 – Roy & Carolyn Shumway
2003 – Dr. Bill Sweeney
2002 – Walt Westman
2001 – Ken Bohlman
2000 – Dan Ramberg
1999 – Dr. Bob Jordan
1998 – Dan Dolan
1997 – Jean & Roger Berg
1996 – Ed Dauphinais
1995 – Milton Strand
1994 – Mona Bonham
1993 – Victoria Inget
1992 – William Walsh
1991 – Ernie Wood
1990 – Benny VanCleve
1989 – Pat Jensen
1988 – Valera Purcell
1987 – Orv Volkman
1986 – Ev Speltz
1985 – Judy Jensen
1984 – Edwin J. Anderson
1983 – Duane Chinander
1982 – Elmer R. Jones
1981 – W. Schroeder DVM
1980 – Lavarre Hollingsworth
1979 – Tony Gasser
1978 – Fran Reker
1977 – Verlin Balfanz
1976 – Rev. Lloyd Fortin
1975 – Fred Korger
1974 – Lloyd Berg
1973 – Keith Bartz
1972 – Win Rockwell
1971 – Oscar Danielson
1970 – Louie Klugman
Recognizing an Outstanding Horseperson
The horse industry is filled with exemplary individuals who dedicated year of their time, attention, and resources and have made a significant impact on the industry as well as others around them. However, much of the time, these individuals sacrifice, and effort goes unrecognized and unnoticed. The Horseperson of the Year Award began a quarter-century ago as a way to recognize and honor outstanding individuals in the horse industry and highlight the impact they have had.
Do you know a special person who should be considered for the honor of Horseperson of the Year? Consider nominating them!
Make A Nomination
Write a letter nominating a special individual. Clearly write reasons why the individual meets the criteria. Be accurate; facts will be checked. Please note current members of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Horse Council are NOT eligible for consideration.
Entries must be postmarked no later than November 1st.
Some Criteria
- Long term, serious commitment to equine activity in the Midwest
- May be professional or amateur.
- Should have contributed to many areas, i.e., western shows, English shows, 4-H, Rodeo — Little Britches and High School, trails, legislation, clinics and other equine related activities.
- Usually, the individual will have been a horse owner for many years although it certainly is not a requirement. (The person could have worked “behind the lines” to great achievement.)
- A mature individual, “long term commitment.”
- The individual should have excellent character.
- The individual will likely be recognized by members of many horse-related groups, and perhaps by the general population.
Send your letter to the Horseperson of the Year Committee
Karen Clark, Co-Chairperson
KarenClark@mnhorsecouncil.org
763-682-5324
Judy Jensen, Co-Chairperson
JudyJensen@mnhorsecouncil.org
763-972-6397