LQHBA Announces 2015 Champions, Winners to be Honored April 9 at Evangeline Downs

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association announced the association’s 2015 Champions today.

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly
JESSA LOUISIANA ZOOM
Owner: Jason Richards & Michael Leblanc
Breeder: Lyle Guillory

Champion 2-Year-Old Colt (Co-Champions)
MY FAVORITE BLUE
Owner: Tres Ricardos Ranch
Breeder: Jumonville Farms

THISGAMEISUNREAL
Owner: J & L Stables LLC
Breeder: Gerald D. Libersat

Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding (Co-Champions) JESS A SAINT
Owner: Julio Rios
Breeder: J.E. & Bunny Jumonville

STREAKIN BYE U
Owner: Guerras Racing Stables
Breeder: Rodney & Philip DeBenedetto

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly (Co-Champions)
RBD JESSASWINGIN
Owner: Jamie Gutierrez
Breeder: RB & Dox’ Stables

SHES A FAST DASH
Owner: Rebeca A. Garza Gonzalez
Breeder: Lyle Guillory

Champion 3-Year-Old Colt (Co-Champions)
DASHACROSSYOURMIND
Owner: Brock Broussard & Jacques Bourque
Breeder: Timothy Rogers & Dr. Thomas Fontenot

LOUISIANA JAMBALAYA
Owner: Carter’s Quarters LLC
Breeder: Dan Mars & Robicheaux Ranch

Champion 3-Year-Old Gelding
HEZA LOUISIANA DASH
Owner: TM Ranch
Breeder: Jumonville Farms / Burnett Ranch

Champion Aged Mare
TF EYES R STRUTTIN
Owner: Louis Johnson, Jr.
Breeder: Steve Tate

Champion Aged Stallion
OPEN ME A CORONA
Owner: Dr. Tommy Hays & Charles Forbes, Jr.
Breeder: Dr. Natalie Montgomery

Champion Aged Gelding (Co-Champions)
EYE GET THE BLUES
Owner: Elianny Estupinan
Breeder: Kathleen & Steve Billings

FIRST PRIZE COPY
Owner: Aurelio Juarez
Breeder: Teddy Mendoza & Patrick Wertz

Champion Distance Horse (Co-Champions)
KEEPN IT KOOL
Owner: David Lee Vance
Breeder: Montgomery Equine & Red River Farm

STREAK OF MUSIC
Owner: Kevin C. Nobles
Breeder: Jerry Lee O’Quain

Top Money Earner
JESSA LOUISIANA ZOOM
Owner: Jason Richards & Michael Leblanc
Breeder: Lyle Guillory

Champion Stallion
JESS LOUISIANA BLUE
Owner: Jumonville Farms

Champion Broodmare
MISS JESS ROGUE
Owner: Triple M Farms LLC

Champion Trainer
KENNETH ROBERTS, Sr.

Champion Jockey
JOHN HAMILTON

Champion Breeder
LYLE GUILLORY

Tony Patterson, LQHBA executive director, confirmed that a new selection format was approved at the September 2015 Board Meeting to determine the association’s annual Champions. The new format is as follows:

• Take the AQHA Points of the highest money earner by category
• Add 10 points for winning a stake race
• Add 5 points for finishing 2nd in a stakes race
• Add 3 points for finishing 3rd in a stake race
• Add 1 point for qualifying to a Futurity or Derby Final
• If the highest money earner’s (by category) new point total is the highest for that category, then that horse is an LQHBA Champion

If the highest money earner’s new point total is not the highest (by category), co-champions for that category (the highest money earner and the highest AQHA point total) will be awarded.

"There is tremendous pride in Louisiana Quarter Horse racing and champion honors are very important to our association members," said Patterson. "Ryan Robicheaux, committee chair, and our entire board of directors worked diligently in revising our selection format. We look forwarding to honoring each of the recipients."

LQHBA is the state racing affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. It is also the official registry for accredited Louisiana-bred racing Quarter Horses and is recognized by the Louisiana Legislature and the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Since its inception in 1966, the association has developed a number of programs to further breeding and racing in Louisiana. Last year, purses in Louisiana totaled approximately $22 million, and breeders' incentives for mares, stallions and accredited Louisiana-bred foals totaled approximately $5 million. LQHBA oversees the annual LQHBA Yearling Sale and Fall Mixed Sale, and has raised and donated over $380,000 to support its Louisiana youth scholarship program.