AQHA Magazine September / October 2020 | Page 8

PG.6 Q~NEWS QNEWS Want to share your news in the AQHA Magazine. Send in your upcoming events, news & promos - please send into [email protected] VALE ~ DOUGLAS KEFFORD The Quarter Horse industryhas lost another valued member with the death of long time breeder and member, Douglas Kefford. Doug was responsible for the importation of many great Quarter Horses to Australia and he also set a new bar for many to reach in the promotion of our breed as well. Peter Costello and Docs Spinifex - Scone NSW. Photo by: Mike Kenyon VALE ~ PETER COSTELLO The AQHA would like to extend their condolences with the passing of a long time member, Peter Costello. He held the membership number of #68 and has been a competitor and breeder in the AQHA since the early days. Peter was employed at Ellerston by Jack Reilly in the early days of its setup and oversaw the start of many great horses that the power house stud imported into Australia and whilst he was there, he showed Holly Mingo R2-933 to win his 1st of 3 NCHA Open Futurity Championships. He will be always remembered for showing Docs Spinifex Q-5015 who was imported and owned by Garrison Quarter Horses to also win the NCHA Open Futurity and everyone remembers the powerful picture of Spinifex working a cow which has been used in every equine related magazine as a reference to what a cutting horse should look like. Peter then set up his own stud and training property which he ran with his family. His younger brother, David Costello is a successful cutting trainer in the USA and his other brother Michael has been involved in the industry as well. Peter served on the board of the NCHA for many years and was instrumental in the growth of that Association in the past. He was a quite man who you would often see deep in thought, he would always greet you warmly and would stay for a chat. He will be missed by all who knew him and our thoughts go out to his family. Ricky Glen - AQHA Director, Cattle and Timed Events and Hall of Fame Portfolio Chairperson Many would know the name Copperwood Ranch which was one of the leading studs of the industry in Australia for many years. He lead the way in the promotion of his horses with the Copperwood Ranch Incentive Program paying out $100’s of thousands of dollars over the years it was run. He was also responsible for the early creation of the ARCHA (reined cowhorses) in Australia which was personally a passion of Doug’s and we remember him showing the great Cloud 8 in many of these events. Doug also under wrote the Quarter Horse National Show which was held in Victoria were he added rodeo to the night program which saw the biggest crowds to ever attend a National show which still stands to this day. He added his entrepreneur touch to our events which saw the promotion of our breed reach new heights. His love for the Quarter Horse saw his son, Craig take over the reins of the ranch and the Quarter Horses continued to be promoted. The AQHA awarded Copperwood Ranch a Hall Of Fame award which is the highest honour the AQHA can award. Last year also saw the ARCHA award Doug a Hall Of Fame award in recognition for his contribution to the association in Australia. The NCHA has also awarded Copperwood Ranch several HOF inductions for the stallions owned by the ranch. The AQHA sends its condolences to the Kefford family in this trying time and the legacy created by Douglas Kefford will live on in our breed for decades to come. Ricky Glen - AQHA Director, Cattle and Timed Events and Hall of Fame Portfolio Chairperson AQHA BOARD MEETING DATES • 5th, 6th December 2020 • 6th, 7th February 2021 • 12th & 13th June 2021 Venue to be confirmed Venue to be confirmed Venue to be confirmed FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.aqha.com.au AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW.AQHA.COM.AU