The inaugural 2007 AHP Champion Award was presented to the following individuals on June 23, 2007 at the AHP Fiesta del Caballo Seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Arnold Kirkpatrick ~ Thoroughbred Record
Lucille Shuler ~ Arabian Horse World
Melvin M. Peavey ~ Horse World
Don Valliere ~ Turf & Sport Digest
Alexander Mackay-Smith ~ The Chronicle of the Horse Snowden Carter ~ Maryland Horse
2. In 2007, AHP presents the AHP Champion Award toIn 2007, AHP presents the AHP Champion Award to
individuals for their distinguished service to the associationindividuals for their distinguished service to the association
and its growth. Collectively, the winners become the AHPand its growth. Collectively, the winners become the AHP
Circle of Champions.Circle of Champions. The recipients of this award areThe recipients of this award are
individuals who were instrumental in the development andindividuals who were instrumental in the development and
growth of American Horse Publications.growth of American Horse Publications.
Each recipient receives a commemorative pin, individualEach recipient receives a commemorative pin, individual
plaque, and their names honored online at the AHP webplaque, and their names honored online at the AHP web
site.site.
3. The Executive Committee presented its recommendationsThe Executive Committee presented its recommendations
for nominees at its February Board Meeting, where thefor nominees at its February Board Meeting, where the
Board approved awarding the inaugural AHP ChampionBoard approved awarding the inaugural AHP Champion
Award to the six individuals who were present at theAward to the six individuals who were present at the
organizational meeting of American Horse Publicationsorganizational meeting of American Horse Publications
held on September 23, 1969.held on September 23, 1969.
4. The man elected as AHP chairman at that meeting wouldThe man elected as AHP chairman at that meeting would
later serve as the first president of American Horselater serve as the first president of American Horse
Publications and it is Arnold Kirkpatrick that we honor firstPublications and it is Arnold Kirkpatrick that we honor first
tonight. We owe a debt to Arnold and the people whotonight. We owe a debt to Arnold and the people who
started AHP. It was their foresight and generosity that hasstarted AHP. It was their foresight and generosity that has
brought us to where we are today.brought us to where we are today.
5. Arnold KirkpatrickArnold Kirkpatrick
Thoroughbred RecordThoroughbred Record
1970 - 1971 AHP President1970 - 1971 AHP President
It was the late 1960s and times wereIt was the late 1960s and times were
changing. Technology was on a roll. Thechanging. Technology was on a roll. The
world was becoming Technicolor. And,world was becoming Technicolor. And,
Arnold Kirkpatrick was publisher, editorArnold Kirkpatrick was publisher, editor
and part owner of theand part owner of the ThoroughbredThoroughbred
RecordRecord. He and his horse publishing. He and his horse publishing
colleagues were beginning to realize thatcolleagues were beginning to realize that
together they could accomplish more thantogether they could accomplish more than
if they were against each other. And theif they were against each other. And the
seed of an idea was planted that wouldseed of an idea was planted that would
become American Horse Publications inbecome American Horse Publications in
1970.1970.
6. Modeled after the American Horse Council, the impetusModeled after the American Horse Council, the impetus
for starting AHP was two-fold. First, the quality of horsefor starting AHP was two-fold. First, the quality of horse
publications wasn’t where it needed to be, so the AHPpublications wasn’t where it needed to be, so the AHP
could get seminars going to improve graphics. Second,could get seminars going to improve graphics. Second,
the publications didn’t have individual circulation numbersthe publications didn’t have individual circulation numbers
that would attract national advertisers, but if theythat would attract national advertisers, but if they
combined circulations they might be able to offer dealscombined circulations they might be able to offer deals
for national advertisers.for national advertisers.
““Never did we dream that AHP would become what it hasNever did we dream that AHP would become what it has
today,” said Arnold, first president of AHP. “Those thattoday,” said Arnold, first president of AHP. “Those that
came after us have really driven it to become a highcame after us have really driven it to become a high
quality, professional organization. I can’t tell you howquality, professional organization. I can’t tell you how
proud I am of AHP. It is an organization of substanceproud I am of AHP. It is an organization of substance
and worth, yet still retains the fun we had starting it, andand worth, yet still retains the fun we had starting it, and
we had a good time.”we had a good time.”
7. Arnold now owns his own real estate company inArnold now owns his own real estate company in
Lexington, Kentucky. He continues to consult, appraise, doLexington, Kentucky. He continues to consult, appraise, do
bloodstock work, and, in general, anything equine related.bloodstock work, and, in general, anything equine related.
“Many of the people I met through AHP
remain good friends today.”
8. Lucille ShulerLucille Shuler
Arabian Horse WorldArabian Horse World
The late Lucille Shuler was the founding editor ofThe late Lucille Shuler was the founding editor of
Arabian Horse WorldArabian Horse World Magazine. She and herMagazine. She and her
husband, Jay, purchasedhusband, Jay, purchased Pacific Arabian LifePacific Arabian Life inin
1960 and changed the name to1960 and changed the name to Arabian HorseArabian Horse
WorldWorld. The Schulers moved from New York to. The Schulers moved from New York to
California in the late 1960s.California in the late 1960s.
Mary-Jane Parkinson, a longtime writer for theMary-Jane Parkinson, a longtime writer for the
magazine, recalls Lucille as an energetic andmagazine, recalls Lucille as an energetic and
humorous individual who built the magazine intohumorous individual who built the magazine into
a very successful business.a very successful business.
9. Lucille and Jay sold the magazine to their daughter, Jan,Lucille and Jay sold the magazine to their daughter, Jan,
and Nat Gorham in the early 80s who later sold it toand Nat Gorham in the early 80s who later sold it to
PRIMEDIA.PRIMEDIA.
For 47 years,For 47 years, Arabian Horse WorldArabian Horse World has chronicled thehas chronicled the
Arabian breed, its major bloodlines, shows, breeders andArabian breed, its major bloodlines, shows, breeders and
newsmaking events. The magazine is targeted to allnewsmaking events. The magazine is targeted to all
Arabian horse breeders, professionals, and amateurArabian horse breeders, professionals, and amateur
showmen, and individual owners for whom Arabianshowmen, and individual owners for whom Arabian
horses are both a pleasure and a passion.horses are both a pleasure and a passion.
Only a few publications that exist today have served theOnly a few publications that exist today have served the
equine industry continually since the inception of AHP.equine industry continually since the inception of AHP.
Lucille would be proud to know the publication she gaveLucille would be proud to know the publication she gave
birth to is one of them.birth to is one of them.
10. Melvin M. PeaveyMelvin M. Peavey
Horse WorldHorse World
Melvin Peavey was the publisher ofMelvin Peavey was the publisher of Horse WorldHorse World when itwhen it
was located in Lexington, Kentucky. The publication waswas located in Lexington, Kentucky. The publication was
established in 1932 and focused on the Americanestablished in 1932 and focused on the American
Saddlebred breed.Saddlebred breed.
Melvin was an inaugural officer of AHP, serving as theMelvin was an inaugural officer of AHP, serving as the
association’s first Secretary/Treasurer until hisassociation’s first Secretary/Treasurer until his
resignationresignation..
11. Don ValliereDon Valliere
Turf & Sport DigestTurf & Sport Digest
Don Valliere served as publicity director for the OntarioDon Valliere served as publicity director for the Ontario
Jockey Club and as the Executive Secretary of theJockey Club and as the Executive Secretary of the
Jockey Club of Canada. He is known for hisJockey Club of Canada. He is known for his
handicapping skills and organizing the Horseplayershandicapping skills and organizing the Horseplayers
Club, which he founded. He conducted seminars toClub, which he founded. He conducted seminars to
teach thousands of racing fans how to win at the races.teach thousands of racing fans how to win at the races.
In 1980, he demonstrated his skills by winning theIn 1980, he demonstrated his skills by winning the
Ontario Handicapping Challenge against the best inOntario Handicapping Challenge against the best in
Canada.Canada.
12. He founded the magazineHe founded the magazine Canadian HorseCanadian Horse (now(now
Canadian ThoroughbredCanadian Thoroughbred) and was editor of) and was editor of Turf andTurf and
Sport Digest, Gambling QuarterlySport Digest, Gambling Quarterly, and, and Systems andSystems and
MethodsMethods. He was the author of. He was the author of Betting Winners: A GuideBetting Winners: A Guide
for the Harness Fanfor the Harness Fan..
He also managed Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario.He also managed Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario.
He died at age 72 in 2004 and the Fort Erie track nowHe died at age 72 in 2004 and the Fort Erie track now
hosts the Don Valliere Memorial for 3-year-olds and up.hosts the Don Valliere Memorial for 3-year-olds and up.
13. Alexander Mackay-SmithAlexander Mackay-Smith
The Chronicle of the HorseThe Chronicle of the Horse
Indomitable, eclectic, kind and patientIndomitable, eclectic, kind and patient
are just some of the words used toare just some of the words used to
describe the unique character ofdescribe the unique character of
Alexander Mackay-Smith (1903-1998).Alexander Mackay-Smith (1903-1998).
One of the most prolific writers onOne of the most prolific writers on
equine sports in the last century, Mr.equine sports in the last century, Mr.
Mackay-Smith is remembered as aMackay-Smith is remembered as a
visionary–able not only to conceive ofvisionary–able not only to conceive of
ideas but also to bring them to fruitionideas but also to bring them to fruition..
Photo Courtesy – Marilyn Mackay-Smith
14. In 2002, Mr. Mackay-Smith's broad contributions to theIn 2002, Mr. Mackay-Smith's broad contributions to the
whole of the equine industry were recognized when hewhole of the equine industry were recognized when he
was awarded the inaugural Equine Industry Visionwas awarded the inaugural Equine Industry Vision
Award–created to showcase innovation, ingenuity andAward–created to showcase innovation, ingenuity and
service throughout the horse world and presented byservice throughout the horse world and presented by
Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications.Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications.
Alexander Mackay-Smith's achievements as anAlexander Mackay-Smith's achievements as an
innovator and historian are numerous, but his role asinnovator and historian are numerous, but his role as
editor ofeditor of The Chronicle of the HorseThe Chronicle of the Horse for almost 25 years,for almost 25 years,
marks him as a leader in the early years of equinemarks him as a leader in the early years of equine
publishing. He is an inspiration to all of us who continuepublishing. He is an inspiration to all of us who continue
to grow this industry for he is a role model for each of usto grow this industry for he is a role model for each of us
to emulate. He envisioned the spirit of dedication andto emulate. He envisioned the spirit of dedication and
passion for horses, a spirit that AHP members mustpassion for horses, a spirit that AHP members must
keep alive in memory of a true visionary.keep alive in memory of a true visionary.
15. Snowden CarterSnowden Carter
Maryland HorseMaryland Horse
1973 – 1974 AHP President1973 – 1974 AHP President
A lifelong horseman, Wilton SnowdenA lifelong horseman, Wilton Snowden
(Nick) Carter rode and participated in local(Nick) Carter rode and participated in local
horse shows in his youth, owned racehorse shows in his youth, owned race
horses since the early 1950s, was anhorses since the early 1950s, was an
enthusiastic participant in the Howardenthusiastic participant in the Howard
County Hunt Club, and continued to ride forCounty Hunt Club, and continued to ride for
pleasure until well into his 70s.pleasure until well into his 70s.
Snowden acquired the nickname Nick afterSnowden acquired the nickname Nick after
the fictional character Nick Carter when hethe fictional character Nick Carter when he
went to work for thewent to work for the Baltimore SunBaltimore Sun in 1944in 1944
as a police reporter and was twice arrestedas a police reporter and was twice arrested
in the line of duty while “getting the story.”in the line of duty while “getting the story.”
16. In 1946, he switched to covering racing. He won theIn 1946, he switched to covering racing. He won the
Thoroughbred Racing Association’s award (forerunner ofThoroughbred Racing Association’s award (forerunner of
the Eclipse award) for best newspaper story on racing inthe Eclipse award) for best newspaper story on racing in
1956.1956.
Snowden became editor ofSnowden became editor of The Maryland HorseThe Maryland Horse
magazine in 1961 and general manager of the Marylandmagazine in 1961 and general manager of the Maryland
Horse Breeders Association in 1962, where he helpedHorse Breeders Association in 1962, where he helped
launch the Maryland Fund.launch the Maryland Fund.
After he retired, he wrote the Maryland breeding columnAfter he retired, he wrote the Maryland breeding column
for thefor the Daily Racing FormDaily Racing Form for more than 10 years.for more than 10 years.
Snowden died on February 3, 2005. His daughter, LucySnowden died on February 3, 2005. His daughter, Lucy
Acton, editor ofActon, editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred,Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, continuescontinues
her father’s legacy and involvement in AHP.her father’s legacy and involvement in AHP.
“While I look back on my years as a writer and horse magazine editor, I can still
feel the thrill of the game.”
17. AHP Circle of ChampionsAHP Circle of Champions
Arnold KirkpatrickArnold Kirkpatrick ~~ Thoroughbred RecordThoroughbred Record
Lucille ShulerLucille Shuler ~~Arabian Horse WorldArabian Horse World
Melvin PeaveyMelvin Peavey ~~ Horse WorldHorse World
Don ValliereDon Valliere ~~ Turf & Sport DigestTurf & Sport Digest
Alexander Mackay-SmithAlexander Mackay-Smith ~~ The Chronicle of theThe Chronicle of the
HorseHorse
Snowden CarterSnowden Carter ~~ Maryland HorseMaryland Horse