Hall of Fame - Horses May  2, 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.

ROYAL BUSHWACKER

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2016

Royal Bushwhacker winning a trial for the Los Alamitos Derby.

Benjamin C. McCutchin bred Royal Bushwhacker in Texas. The son of Behold A Beduino out of the Easy Jet mare oyalty Comes Easy made 27 starts from 1990-1992 for owner John Soileau. He won 13 career starts and earned $290,770.

Ridden by Alvin "Bubba" Brossette, Royal Bushwhacker was trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr., who regards the grey gelding as one of his most exceptional runners.

After breaking his maiden at Delta Downs on April 29, 1990 and winning the $77,315 Firecracker Futurity, he showed so much potential that he was sent to Ruidoso Downs to compete in trials for the All American Futurity. He won the All American Consolation and followed that with two stakes wins, including the Grade 1, QHBC Juvenile Classic at Los Alamitos his freshman year.

Royal Bushwacker defeating world champion Refrigerator (#6) and Takin On The Cash in the All American Derby trials at Ruidoso Downs.

During his 3-year-old season he defeated world champion and three-time Champion of Champions winner Refrigerator and stakes winner and leading sire Takin On The Cash in a trial for the All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs. In a blanket finish in the 1991 All American Derby final, only a head and a neck separated the top three finishers—See Me Gone, Refrigerator and Royal Bushwhacker.

The gray gelding moved to the West Coast from the mountain, where he promptly qualified to the Los Alamitos Derby and the Grade 1 QHBC Championship Classic.

Royal Bushwhacker closed out his career with in 1992 with back-to-back wins at Delta Downs, the same track he broke his maiden on two years earlier.

"He gave me the chance to venture out of Louisiana," stated Roberts. "The horse was special; he took me to different places and played a big part in my career."