ASHIPPUN, Wis. - The annual awards banquet and election for members of the Wisconsin Walking Horse Association took place on the second Saturday in November at the Maple Inn.
The event draws the largest crowd of the year to enjoy the results of a year of showing and hard work. Outgoing president Dick Baer honored a motion to dispense with the business meeting and move on to elections.
Three new members are elected each year for a three-year term. Elected this year were Kricket Jewett, Rebecca Hillen and Bill Mayfield. Elected as officers were president, Roger Fahey; vice president, Peggy Butler; secretary, Donnell Shetter; and treasurer, Bill Mayfield. Remaining board members are Scott Bennett, Renee Stasiewicz and Tom Kakac.
Winners of the high point awards follow, but four special awards deserve special mention. High Point Horse of the Year went to Ideal's Carbon Gray, the good little gray gelding known as Boomer who belongs to Lynne and Gary Levy. At the age of 19, Boomer is a classic horse who won 10 high point awards this year. It is not unusual for him to be entered in 12 to 16 classes per show.
The June Mist Versatility Award in the youth category went to Amanda Huebner and Black Cloud Miss QB. In the adult category Kim Sizer and Bum's Dynamite earned the honor.
Other multiple winners in the spotlight were Gold Coin Hero and Kim Leonard, winners of four high point awards and Generator's Coal Dust who won three. Generator's Coal Dust is owned by Sue and Dillon Schulz and shown and handled by Lori Greenwood.
The Club Appreciation Award is given to members whose involvement is outstanding. This year the award went to the deserving couple George and Shella Thompson. The THompsons have held one of the WWHA's shows at their facility for the past 20 years or longer.