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
HORSES
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.
J. E. Jumonville, Jr
Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2019John Enoul Jumonville, Jr., known as J.E., is one of the most influential and longstanding members of the Louisiana racing and breeding industry. The 76-year-old owns and operates Jumonville Farms in Ventress. Louisiana. J. E. and his wife, Bunny are proud parents of three sons: J.E. "Tres" III, Dutcher and Clayton.
Since its inception in 1965, Jumonville Farms has been regarded as one of the top breeders in Louisiana. Their stallion roster includes LQHBA and AQHA Racing champion stallion Jess Louisiana Blue, a son of LQHBA Hall of Fame inductee, Mr Jess Perry; Sizzlin Cartel;
They also owned Feature Mr Jess, who won the 2000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs and returned the next year to capture the Rainbow Derby (G1). The son of Mr Jess Perry died at just 10-years-old, but a limited number of ICSI breedings are available from Jumonville Farms.
Jumonville Farms has won five Grade 1 races at Ruidoso including the 1982 All American Derby with Justanold Love, the 1983 All American Gold Cup with Dashingly (Justanold Love ran second), 1985 Rainbow Derby with Indigo Illusion and 2000 Rainbow Futurity and 2001 Rainbow Derby with Feature Mr Jess.
Dashingly was named the 1983 AQHA Racing World Champion.
In the mid-eighties Jumonville Farms broodmare band included such mares as Champion Dashingly, Grade 1 winner Justandold Love, champion Queen For Cash, Champion Leading Star, champion Lady Juno, champion Little Blue Sheep and multiple champion producer Marketina.
Louisiana Slew entered stud in 1987 and is the dam sire of Jumonville's champion stallion Jess Louisiana Blue.
Jumonville has always gone the extra mile in promoting Quarter Horse racing. With a longtime involvement in cutting horse competition, he persuaded Dave Brian, the director of shows for the National Cutting Horse Association, to come to Ruidoso Downs to enjoy the races and attend the 2008 Ruidoso Select Sale. Dave Brian professed to have no interest in owning a racehorse, but studied the catalog and even bid $70,000 on Apollitical Jess. The consignors would not take less than $150,000, and the fine yearling turned into an incredible racing champion and sire.
"He worked very hard to make the Louisiana breeders program what it is," said Dutch Jumonville. "Dad had the guts to stick up to those who said no and the persistence to keep fighting. He knew his efforts would grow the industry and help so many people."
In 2015, AQHA honored J.E.Jumonville, Jr. as a Legacy Award Winner. He joined a select group of breeders who have registered at least one foal for 50 consecutive years.
Dutch Jumonville agrees that it is virtually impossible to "sum up" the vision and accomplishments of his dad, but knows one thing for sure.
"My dad loves this industry," he said proudly. "He traded a bull for his first racehorse and will always have a genuine love for the Quarter Horse."