Hall of Fame - People February  16, 2025

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 2021.

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.
  • Dr. Larry Findley
  • Leverne Perry
  • Lee Berwick
  • W.A. Darling

HORSES

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

Below are photos of Hall of Fame members inducted in 2024. 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.

Dr Larry Findley, Sr.

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2024

Dr Larry Findley

LQHBA board member Dr. Larry Findley, Sr. has been a practicing veterinarian in Southwest Louisiana for 44 years. He grew up around horses and competed in high school rodeos. Dr. Findley worked as a groom for leading quarter horse trainer, Lee Young. Despite a broken arm, he split third and fourth in a cutting horse competition in his senior year of high school!

Dr. Findley earned a DVM graduate degree from Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine class of 1979 and credits fellow doctors, Dr. Charles Graham and Dr. Robert Lewis for their guidance in his career.

He founded Delta Equine Center in 1983.The Vinton, Louisiana facility boasts a staff of 45 employees, including partners, Dr. Philip Appleton and sons Dr. Larry Findley, Jr. and Dr. Troy Findley. The practice is open six days a week for scheduled care as well as 24 hour emergency for large animal equine.

Craig Findley uses his business acumen and serves as CEO and practice manager, overseeing a myriad of operational duties with the Veterinary Hospital, Reproduction Center and Small Animal Veterinary Hospital while fourth son Brad Findley is the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Specialist. Grandsons Caleb Findley is the Stallion Manager and Lance Findley, Farm Manager.

The diagnostic services at Delta Equine Center are highly regarded. State-of-the-art equipment including Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber and Digital Radiology. Surgeries for small and large animals are performed at their onsite hospital and they are also highly respected as an Equine Reproduction center.

Damages from Hurricane Rita in 2005 necessitated the rebuilding of Delta Equine Center and Dr. Findley recalls dodging another catastrophe in 2020 when Hurricane Laura hit.

"We incurred a million in damages, but it could have been worse," recalled Findley. "We housed horses and people who could not get home. At 2 am, I saw the eye of the hurricane right above us; thankfully by 7 am, we were clear."

In addition to the comprehensive veterinary services, Delta Equine Center also offers breeding services. They stand an accomplished stallion roster, including RC Me Leaving You, Agouti, Paint Me Perry and Majestic Cartel and Hesadashingbye.

Jerome Bellard, Cox Stallion Station Farm Manager is one of many Louisiana horsemen who have worked with Dr. Findley and his team at Delta Equine.

"Dr. Findley is great," said Bellard. "He’s ready and willing to help at any time. We just had each of our yearlings x-rayed and many of our horses have benefitted from the Hyberbaric chamber."

Dr. Findley has always been respected, not just as an equine surgeon, but as a valued leader and contributor to the Quarter Horse industry. Nationally, he is an AQHA director and member of the racing committee and council. He is a longstanding LQHBA board member, serving as first vice president and generously gives his time serving on many LQHBA committees.

Recently, Dr. Findley was appointed commissioner to the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC). And is also appointed to the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine.

Of course, Dr. Findley is well known nationally and has a long term association with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). He is an AQHA life member, AQHA director, and a member of the AQHA Racing Council and AQHA Racing Committee. Earlier this year, Dr. Findley was honored at the AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony with the John Andreini Special Recognition Award. It is awarded annually to an individual who profoundly benefits the Quarter Horse racing industry.

He enjoys the success stories about horses he has bred and watching them win graded stakes but speaks about the devastation of injuries or critical illnesses such as colic.

"This is part of our business and it’s never easy," acknowledges Findley. "I look to God and then take as much time as needed. People have apologized for crying when their beloved horses have to be euthanized. Our job is to take care of animals, but we strongly believe in showing compassion to the people who own and love them."

On April 20, he will be surrounded by his wife Anita, sons Larry, Troy, Craig, Brad, 27 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. The attendees will include friends and countless clients grateful for the care their horses received from Dr. Findley and his team. He enjoys every minute when seldom away from the practice, saying how blessed he is to have "41 head" currently in the Findley family.

It’s pretty much impossible to give a full account of Dr. Findley’s dedication and service to the Louisiana racing industry, but his son Craig sums it up pretty darn well!

"His work ethic is through the roof. He and my mom Anita raised us all with integrity and respect. We work hard, play hard and give all the glory to God. Our family is blessed, even though none of us can keep up with dad!"

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