The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame showcases the many horses and people who have earned the distinction of becoming part of Quarter Horse Racing history in Louisiana. To be part of the Hall-of-Fame, horses and people must have been outstanding over a period of years in a variety of categories. They must have brought exceptional visibility and/or contribution to Quarter Horse Racing and the State of Louisiana.

Hall-of-Fame inductees are chosen each year by a selection committee and are honored at the annual LQHBA Awards Banquet. The inaugural inductee class were announced in January 2016. On April 9, 2016, Leverne Perry and Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane, Oh Black Magic, Rocket's Magic and Royal Bushwhacker were inducted into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) inaugural Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the association. Owner-breeder Claude W. Boutte, Jr. and Grade 1 winner and industry leading sire Feature Mr Jess were inducted in 20121.

Outstanding Louisiana Quarter Horse trainer Phillip Calais, Sr. and iconic stallion Heza Fast Dash will be honored in the 2022 class.

A special thank you to Martha Claussen for research and writing bios and to Speedhorse and TRACK magazines for helping track down photos of these inductees from their archives.

The inductees have each played a significant role in Louisiana Quarter Horse industry. Inductees into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame are:

PEOPLE

• Claude W. Boutte, Jr.
• Claude & Bessie Jeane
• Dale Rogers
• Glenn Fontenot
• J.E. Jumonville, Jr.
• John L. Soileau, Sr.
• Leverne Perry
• Lee Berwick
• W.A. Darling

HORSES

• Feature Mr Jess
• Go Vicki Meyers
• Hemp Meyers
• Hesajoy
• Jess Louisiana Blue
• Mr Jess Perry
• Oh Black Magic
• Rockets Magic
• Royal Bushwhacker
• Streakin La Jolla
• Vals Fortune

Below are photos of each Hall of Fame member inducted in 2021. Click their photo or name in the left toolbar to read their biographical information. To view previous Hall-of-Fame member bios click on "PEOPLE" or "HORSES" in the left tool bar.

HESAJOY

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2017

Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane's Hesajoy
is in the Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane were inducted into the inaugural LQHBA Hall of Fame Class last year and LQHBA is proud to honor one of their prized racing champions into the Class of 2017.

Heisajoy winning the Grade 3 Double Bid Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course on June 22, 1990. © Scott Martinez

Heisajoy a son of Gusty Hempen from the Heisanative (TB) mare Sheisajoy was foaled on March 1, 1985. Bred by Bessie and trained by her husband, Heisajoy made his racing debut at Delta Downs on July 3, 1987. He was winless in his three starts as a 2-year-old, but broke his maiden in his first race in his 3-year-old campaign. His first stakes victory was in the 1988 Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders Derby on August 7.

The sorrel gelding followed that with significant wins in the Grade 2, Pomona Handicap at Fairplex Park, and several graded stakes at Los Alamitos including the Grade 3, HQHRA Inaugural Handicap in 1989; the Grade 3, Double Bid Handicap and Grade 2, Chicado V Handicap in 1990. Heisajoy also ran fifth to Dash for Speed in the Grade 1, $250,000 Champion of Champions on December 15, 1990.

Throughout his career, he was ridden by a number of highly regarded jockeys including James Lackey, Danny Cardoza and Alvin “Bubba” Brossette.

Heisajoy returned to Louisiana, competing in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds on December 4, 1992. He finished his career at Delta Downs, running second in an allowance on April 12, 1992. The Louisiana-bred veteran compiled a (28) 15-4-2 record while winning eight stakes races and earning nearly $249,978.  He passed away in 2010 and was honored as “Superior Race Horse” by the American Quarter Horse Association.