Hall of Fame - People October  8, 2024

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.

Claude & Bessie Jeane

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2016

Claude & Bessie Jeane— Inducted 2016

Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane began racing horses in Louisiana in 1991. One of Claude Jeane's earliest runners was the Le Bold stallion Tonto de Bold out of Tonto Bars Becky by Tonto Bars Gill. Bred by W.E. Barrett, Tonto de Bold raced for six years beginning in 1972, compiling a (66) 22-14-16 record while winning six stakes races and setting two track records.

Mighty Space Bid, a 1982 gelding by Mighty Bionic Bid from the Space Maker (TB) mare Jarousha Ann (TB) won 13 of 24 starts and earned $155,498 for the Jeanes'.

Bred in Bessie, Mighty Space Bid won the Louisiana Breeders' Laddie Futurity, Pelican State Classic and the Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders' Derby. He was second In the Louisiana QHBA Futurity and third in the Evangeline Downs Breeders' Futurity.

Claude and Bessie Jeane accept the 1972 Gulf Coast Futurity trophy for Tonto de Bold. Courtesy Speedhorse

Also bred by Bessie and trained by Claude, Heisajoy was a 1985 gelding by Gusty Hempen from the Heisanative (TB) mare Sheisajoy. Heisajoy compiled a (28) 15-4-2 record while winning eight stakes races and earning nearly $250,000.

A major stakes winner at Los Alamitos Race Course under the care of trainer H.L. Hooper, Heisajoy won the QHBA Championship Classic(G1), Pomona Invitational Handicap(G2), Chicado V Handicap(G2), HQHRA Inaugural Handicap(G3), Double Bid Handicap(G3), HQHRA Inaugural Handicap(G3).

Claude Nolen Jeane, 76, died January 23, 2012, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was an insulation Contractor for 40 years and was an owner/breeder and trainer of Quarter Horses since the 1960’s. Both were family owned and operated businesses. He was clear in his priorities: church first, family second and horses third.

Heisajoy wining the 1990 Grade Chicado V Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course. © Scott Martinez
The Jeane's have three sons, Randle, Scott and Sam and daughters, Teresa Burgess and Marilyn Jeane.

"It would take a lot of time and words to list the nice horses that mom and dad have bred and/or have been a part of," said Scott Jeane. "Tonto De Bold, Mighty Space Bid and Heisajoy are a few of the ones that were really special to them and made the foundation of their breeding program."

The American Quarter Horse Association awarded all three horses "Superior Race Horse" titles.