AQHA Professionals of the Year Named at 2014 AQHA Convention

Clark Parker, Kelley Roberts and Robert Meneely are honored at the 2014 AQHA Convention in New Orleans.

The American Quarter Horse Association, March 9, 2014 – The Don Burt Professional’s Choice Professional Horseman of the Year, Professional’s Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year and Professional’s Choice Most Valuable Professional awards were presented March 8 at the 2014 American Quarter Horse Association Convention. The awards were presented by AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice.

Clark Parker
The 2013 Don Burt Professional’s Choice Professional Horseman of the Year, Clark Parker of Paradise, Utah, has been dedicated to the American Quarter Horse industry, its members and the promotion of the breed through training, showing, breeding and judging.

Parker has dedicated his life to the American Quarter Horse, the Association’s mission and the welfare of the horse. He is a man of integrity, honesty and passion. These characteristics make him uniquely qualified to serve AQHA and protect the welfare of the American Quarter Horse.

Not only has Parker trained and shown world champions, he has also served as president of three affiliate associations, a national director for Utah, on various committees for AQHA and currently serves on the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission. He is also a recipient of the Association of Professional Horsemen’s Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Utah Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame.

Kelley Roberts
The 2013 Professional’s Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year, Kelley Roberts of Murrieta, California, specializes in the American Quarter Horse’s care and welfare.

Roberts donates countless hours to state and local organizations and has selflessly given time to the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association and Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Youth Association. An inspiration to many, Roberts is a two-time cancer survivor and is always positive and determined. Even when ill and undergoing treatments, she put the needs of the horses and her customers in front of her own. She has an incredible attitude and is always positive, even in the worst of times.

With her incredible encouragement, Roberts has gotten many others involved in AQHA. Roberts has dedicated her life to the industry and is a true role model.

Rob Meneely
The Professional’s Choice Most Valuable Professional of 2013 is Robert Meneely of Conyers, Georgia.

Meneely is an outstanding horseman and continues to offer valuable service and dedication to the American Quarter Horse industry as a trainer and coach. His passion for the sport of riding and his commitment to excellence has created one of the top training facilities in the horse industry today.

More importantly, Meneely is a loving husband and devoted father to his family. He is truly a man of honesty and integrity.

Meneely’s ability and dedication are evident, and he is a man who truly lives the AQHA lifestyle.

Congratulations to the 2013 professionals of the year. Look for more information on this year’s winners in the May issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.

Extensive online coverage of the convention will be brought to you by The American Quarter Horse Journal at www.aqha.com/convention. The Journal is also tweeting live updates from New Orleans. Don’t miss a thing – follow @AQHAJournal.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.

About AQHA

Founded in 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest equine breed organization in the world.  With headquarters in Amarillo, Texas, AQHA has a membership of more than 270,000 people in 86 countries and has registered more than five million horses in 95 countries.