Hall of Fame Members
Congratulations to the 2019 Hall of Fame Members
From left to right: President Kathy Cardon congratulating Sam Nevis Jr, Art Miller Jr for his late father Art Miller Sr, and Mike Wood
Congratulations to PCCHA 2018 Hall of Fame Members
Luke Bakey
Paula Gaughan
Terry & Stephanie Larrabee
Bear Davis
2018 Youth HOF
Mia Webster
2018 Clark Miller Sportsmanship Award
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Kacey Garfinkle
2018 Clark Miller Sportsmanship Award
Congratulations to PCCHA 2017 Hall of Fame Members
Marilee Smith
Tim Stewart
Dave Costello
Bob Kennedy
Congratulations to PCCHA 2016 Hall of Fame Members
Lee Brooks
Wayne Cecchetini
Norman Clark
Congratulations to PCCHA 2013 Hall of Fame Members
Todd has been riding cutting horses since the age of 9. He worked for the legendary Leon Harrel through High School and knew training cutting horses was what he wanted to do. Todd has been a champion of every PCCHA Open Aged Event and has won his share of NCHA Limited Aged Events. His customers and former employees have done so as well. Since the beginning, the PCCHA has always been in Todd’s lifestyle. With over 30 years belonging to the PCCHA, Todd has served on the PCCHA Board and Committees since 1987. He is in the NCHA Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Dave McGregor Award. He wants everyone to know he is blessed with the support of his wife Erin and son Trent and that this is a great honor to be inducted into the PCCHA Hall of Fame.
Born and raised in Australia, Gavin headed to the USA in 1993 and is quite glad for his decision to move. And now, he never dreamt that he would be recognized in the PCCHA Hall of Fame. For the last 20 years, Gavin has had a voice in every big decision regarding the PCCHA for the betterment of its members. He served as the President of PCCHA in 2005, with eight years on the Executive Board, and 12 years as a board member. His long list of cutting accomplishments include holding the title four times for the NCHA World Championship without leaving west coast/PCCHA approved shows. In fact, emcee Tim Smith stated that when he was in Australia with Gavin, it felt like being with Elvis! Gavin is world-renowned! When asked about his most meaningful accomplishment, Gavin stated, “It’s about the number of young “assistant trainers” who have gone on to become successful trainers. It started with Russ Elrod. Then Jason Taylor, Ben Royal, Chris Johnsrud, Ben Neasham and Trent Smith.” Gavin states, “This is where I belong - being part of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association.”
Fred is a third generation Californian. The closest he and his family ever got to a ranch was their Thanksgiving vacations at the Alisal Guest Ranch (which they still visit every holiday to this day). Fred was introduced to the infamous cutting horse trainer Lonnie Weaver. Fred says he used to flop around in the cutting pen at events sponsored by the Vintage Cutting Horse Assoc. He moved to New York and when he returned to the west coast, bought the Latigo Canyon Ranch. Fred started training with Scott Weis and bought a horse named Hick Chickaroo, where he had his first win in the cutting pen at Carol Ward's show in Rancho Murrieta. Fred states that, “Although my cutting career has been more fun and frustrating than successful and accomplished; I have been successful at raising and educating five children. I have supported the PCCHA Youth scholarship program because not all children have the opportunity of education. I believe it is our responsibility to do what we can to support and assist our children to obtain a quality education to help them become productive citizens. I am proud that I have been able to express gratitude for my own good fortune through the support of the PCCHA Youth Foundation and the broader mission of the PCCHA.” Since 2005, Fred has been personally responsible for contributing $200,000 to the Youth Scholarship Fund. In fact, Carol Ward and he presented a check for $10,000 at last night’s Gala Harvest Event for youth scholarships!
Carol’s commitment and support of the equine industry runs deep and spans for decades. As a child, Carol devoted her time to raising cattle and horses, as well as actively riding the horse show circuit. As an adult she’s been directly involved in the race horse industry, hunters & jumpers and the cutting horse world. Carol’s commitment to the sport of cutting is evident, by producing the El Rancho Futurity and El Rancho Spring Classic. Carol is philanthropic across the industry, notably with her support of the West Coast Equine Foundation. She shares her passion and love for the sport of cutting by producing the El Rancho Futurity and El Rancho Spring Classic, providing scholarship opportunities through the annual El Rancho Youth Horsemanship Challenge, supporting the PCCHA Scholarship program, supporting Cutters Caring & Sharing fundraising and providing prize money/ fresh cattle for PCCHA events. A tremendous joy for Carol is spending time with family and friends and especially with daughter Erin, granddaughter Hannah, daughter Taylor, grandson Mathew, granddaughter Emma, son Bill and step-daughter Kelly Jo. Carol describes herself as “a widow of 1, a mother of 2 (or more), grandmother of 3, and a lover of many . . . horses, that is!”
Congratulations to PCCHA 2010 Hall of Fame Members
PCCHA Hall of Fame, by Tara Madgwick
Growing up with cutting horses has made cutting Rock Hedlund’s life. Hedlund started cutting at an early age of 14 where he was quickly named the AQHA Youth Cutting World Champion. While he started cutting purely because his parents did not want him riding rough stock, Hedlund has now been training horses for over 30 years.
As a NCHA Hall of Fame rider, Hedlund is a two time NCHA World Champion and Reserve World Champion. He has an excess of 1.5 million dollars in earnings and won numerous PCCHA Year-End Championships.
Hedlund has also been involved with the cutting horse industry outside of the arena. He served at the PCCHA President in 2008, been a PCCHA/NCHA director, and NCHA judge for many years.
Hedlund finds PCCHA to be a very special association, “the special thing about PCCHA is the people, friends, and family that are involved.”
Being one of the newest members in the PCCHA Hall of Fame means a great deal to Hedlund, “I am very honored to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. I feel very fortunate to be included in a list of people that have done so much for PCCHA.”
Frank & Bonnie Martin
Frank says, “For me, PCCHA has always provided the innovators to the industry; they strive all the time to find a place for cutters at every level to compete. Our stallion programs ranging from the Gelding Stakes to the Cutting Stakes were the first in the nation and are still the best in class. NCHA has copied some many programs that began ‘on the coast’ and then have made a huge success of them in their own right. More importantly over the years, they have remained an association that listens and responds to their membership. Sometimes the new programs don’t work and then we have the bright and shining stars such as the 200k Limited Non-Pro and the Seniors class within a class.”
Bonnie believes, “PCCHA provides the opportunity to compete for the beginner to the most accomplished rider. This association has provided me with a place to exhibit my horses, make some great friends, & always challenging me to do better.”
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame means something different to both Frank and Bonnie.
Frank feels, “I guess it is the part about being recognized by your peers for your contributions - not the money, but the time, dedication and sincere concern that the industry and PCCHA is advanced each year to a higher level.”
While Bonnie comments, “what a privilege, to be honored, and acknowledged by your peers for something I have invested most of my life into. I want to say thank you for noticing and thank you for the opportunity to be involved with a sport I have loved and participated in for many years.”
