Annual Awards
The WHC Annual Awards Program nomination period for 2025 is now open!
WHC ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM 2025 AD (PDF)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quick Links: Director of the Year Award | Horseperson of the Year Award | Special Achievement Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | Show Judge of the Year Award | Equine of the Year | Hall of Fame - 1984 to Present
Each year, the Wisconsin Horse Council presents awards for the Horseperson of the Year, Show Judge of the Year and the WHC Director of the Year at the Midwest Horse Fair®. In some years, there is also a Legislator of the Year. 2008 was the first year that nominations were accepted for the Special Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, and new in 2016, Equine of the Year was added. All of these awards will also be presented at the Midwest Horse Fair®.
Recipients of the Horseperson, Special Achievement, Lifetime Achievement and Equine of the Year Awards are nominated by the public and voted on by the WHC Board of Directors. The WHC Director of the Year and Legislator of the Year are nominated and voted on by the Board of Directors. The Show Judge of the Year is an annual award given by the Wisconsin Horse Council and is based on a person’s contributions to Wisconsin’s equine industry as a show judge. The winner is chosen by past, active Show Judges of the Year and is presented at an Awards Ceremony held at the Midwest Horse Fair®.
Director of the Year Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Director of the Year Award for 2025 Nomination Form- (PDF)
The WHC's Director of the Year Award is an annual award based on the participation and contributions of a WHC Director to the Board of Directors as a whole in any area: youth activities, education, research, industry promotion, related legislation and regulation, trails, other equine events, or activities.
Requirements for WHC Director of the year:
- Nominees must be a resident of Wisconsin
- Nominees must be a current, active Director in good standing on the Wisconsin Horse Council Board of Directors
- A completed nomination form sent to the WHC office is required
Only current Directors in good standing may submit nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Horseperson of the Year Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Horseperson of the Year Award for 2025 Nomination Form - (PDF)
The WHC's Horseperson of the Year Award is an annual award based on the person's leadership and contributions to Wisconsin's equine industry.
This individual is nominated by his/her peers.
The nomination information is reviewed by the Directors of the Wisconsin Horse Council to examine an individual's leadership role and contributions to the following: youth activities, education, research, industry promotion, related legislation and regulation, equine organizations, or equine community events and activities.
The award is given to the nominee receiving the most votes from the WHC Directors. A special plaque is presented by the current President of the WHC at the awards ceremony at the Midwest Horse Fair®, Dane Co. Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Special Achievement Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Special Achievement Award for 2025 Nomination Form - (PDF)
The WHC's Special Achievement Award is an annual award based on a major accomplishment related to the equine industry.
The nomination information is reviewed by the Directors of the Wisconsin Horse Council. From the nominations submitted, the WHC Directors choose a recipient or recipients to receive this award. A special plaque is presented by the current President of the WHC at the awards ceremony at the Midwest Horse Fair®, Dane Co. Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Lifetime Achievement Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 Nomination Form - (PDF)
The WHC's Lifetime Achievement Award is an annual award based on a lifetime of service to the equine industry.
The nomination information is reviewed by the Directors of the Wisconsin Horse Council. From the nominations submitted, the WHC Directors choose a recipient or recipients to receive this award. A special plaque is presented by the current President of the WHC at the awards ceremony at the Midwest Horse Fair®, Dane Co. Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Show Judge of the Year Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Show Judge of the Year Award for 2025 Nomination Form - (PDF)
The WHC, in cooperation with the Midwest Horse Fair, sponsors the Show Judge of the Year Award, which is an annual award based on contributions to the Wisconsin equine industry as a show judge.
Recognition will be given to all WHC Show Judge of the Year nominees. The winner, chosen by past, active Show Judges of the Year , will be given special honors and a plaque.
To nominate a show judge for this award, please click on the link above to print out and complete the Show Judge of the Year Award nomination form.
A special plaque is presented by the current President of the WHC at the awards ceremony at the Midwest Horse Fair®, Dane Co. Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Equine of the Year Award
WHC Annual Awards Program Equine of the Year Award for 2025 Nomination Form - (PDF)
The Wisconsin Horse Council has created this award to recognize the horses, ponies, donkeys, mules or any equine who have enriched the life of one or more humans or been cast into the spotlight because of outstanding acts, creating a positive image for equines. The Equine of the Year Award is awarded to the owner of the horse and is based on merit and voted on by the WHC Board of Directors to determine the state Equine of the Year.
An award is presented by the current President of the WHC at the awards ceremony at the Midwest Horse Fair®, Dane Co. Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Hall Of Fame - 1984 to Present
Horseperson of the Year Recipients:
2024 Karen Klein
2023 Pat Jenkins
2021 Christina Hyke
2020 Gail Rentmeester
2019 Terry Kluever
2018 Karla Kegley
2017 Jackie Devine-Pertzborn (Tie)
2017 Liz Rice-Beula (Tie)
2016 Gary Gibson
2015 Rachel Meek
2014 Gail Seasor
2013 Floyd Finney
2012 John Adametz
2011 Carol Klamrowski
2010 Barb Waters
2009 Kellie Zink
2008 Kricket Jewett
2007 Will and Nancy Swierenga
2006 Beverly Gaedke
2005 Kelly Mahloch
2004 Craig Sandmire
2003 Ken Carpenter
2002 Sheila Flucke
2001 Betsy Rohde
2000 Robert Housel
1999 Joe Pribek
1998 Marge and Loren Gettlemen
1997 Linda Pribek
1996 Mike Benson
1995 Linda Newcomb
1994 Marsha Kremer
1993 Nikki Cohen-Wichner
1992 Joan Rose
1991 Mike McGowan
1990 Art Blast
1989 Evelyn Burton
1988 Dee Mielke and John Gurtner
1987 Carol Yohn and Dave Petrie
1986 Esther Schwartz and Ray Antoniewicz
1985 Nancy Kissel and Harold Heiman
1984 Carol Alm and Richard Leadley
Show Judge of the Year Recipients:
2023 Rick Fanella
2020 Kim Ziegler
2019 Sara Gronski
2018 Dawn Brandow
2017 Tia Koehler
2015 Jean Sandmire
2014 Bill Heiser
2011 Dana Panella
2010 Lynne Levy
2009 Karla Kegley
2008 Dan Grunewald
2007 David Pansy
2006 Sandy Vosekuil
2005 Joan Harms
2004 Kathy Findley
2003 Kelly Mahloch
2002 Ron Miller
2001 Pat Stevenson
WHC Director of the Year Recipients:
2024 Kricket Jewett
2021 Jill Feller
2020 Katie Bachhuber
2019 Pat Miller
2017 Karen Kroll
2012 Gary Jackson
2010 Janet Spencer
2009 Ken Carpenter
2008 Gary Steers
2007 Don Schwandt
2006 Marsha Cooper
2005 Sandy Brick-Margelofsky
2004 Marlene Driefke
2003 Troy Brick-Margelofsky
2002 Jim and Eloise Simons, Ron Miller
2001 Nap Bourdeau
2000 Joe Parr and Pat Ziegler
1999 Ron McHugh
1998 Brenda Haldemann
1997 Paul Richardson
1996 Nancy Kissel
1995 Wayne Schutte
1994 Linda Werkheiser
1993 Joan Petrie
Legislator of the Year Award :
2006 Representative Lee Nerison
2005 Representative Jake "Doc" Hines
2004 Representative Al Ott
Lifetime Achievement Award :
2024 Lee Sackett
2020 Rodney & Charlene Boom
2020 Bernard & Colene Stuttgen
2019 Wes & Jane Licht
2019 Robert Housel
2019 Ron Miller
2018 Richard Berner (posthumous)
2017 Fran Gross
2017 Bruce Kornely
2017 Kristin Urban
2015 Pat Stevenson
2014 John Gurtner
2013 Betsy Rohde
2012 Joe & Linda Pribek
2012 Alex & Mary Jean Irvine
2012 Linda Konichek
2011 Nancy Kissel
2010 Merry Mitchell
2009 Dave Petrie
2008 John F Steifvater (posthumous)
2007 Windy Erd
2006 Esther Schwartz
2005 Skip and Lila Lemanski
2004 Jerry and Sylvia Lee
1999 Ray Antoniewicz
1996 Lucille Nichols
Special Achievement and Outstanding Service Award :
2019 Friends of Governor Dodge State Park - Equestrians
2019 Dr. Anne Clary
2013 Marnie Housel
2009 Dan Grunewald
2008 Maily and Rob Kocinski
2006 Elaine Kramer
2001 Mike McGowan
Equine of the Year
2024 Gallio owned by Jessica Gorman
2023 Elysium Boanerges (Brego) owned by Anthony Camera
2021 Lacey owned by Kallie Larson
2020 Lincoln owned by SMILES, Inc.
2019 Choke owned by T.J. Clibborn
2018 Caz owned by Tracy Porter
2017 Tinker owned by Carol Takacs
2016 Cisco (Hez Got The Time) owned by Mike McGowan
