The 2011 AHP Champion Award was presented the following on June 18, 2011, at the AHP Hoofprints in the Sand Seminar in San Diego, California. Kathy Mezick, 1994-1995 President – Horsemen's Corral Jim Jennings, 1995-1996 President – The Quarter Horse Journal Susan Harding, 1996-1997 President – Fleet Street Publishing Darrell Dodds, 1997-1998 President – Paint Horse Journal

2. AHP presents the AHP Champion Award to individuals for their
distinguished service to the association and its growth. Collectively, the
winners become the AHP Circle of Champions. The recipients of this
award are individuals who were instrumental in the development and
growth of American Horse Publications. Each recipient receives a
commemorative pin, individual plaque, and their names honored online
at the AHP web site.
The Executive Committee presented its recommendations for nominees
at its mid-year Board Meeting, where the Board
approved awarding the 2011 AHP Champion Award
to four AHP Past Presidents.

3. Kathy Mezick
Horsemen’s Corral
1994-1995 AHP President
In the early years of American Horse Publications, Kathy and her former husband,
Thom Mezick, were familiar faces at AHP seminars as publishers of Horsemen’s Corral.
After starting the monthly regional newspaper in 1969, Kathy remains its Publisher
and Editor.
Kathy joined the AHP board in 1990 and served as the 1994-1995 President. These
were transitional years for the association and the presidency was not always an easy
task. Back then, the President was in charge of processing the annual awards contest
and acquiring the judges. The President’s
publication would be ineligible to enter during that year.
One of Kathy’s judges took off for parts unknown with the
entries and she had to find another judge and collect the
entries again.

4. Kathy Mezick
In her own words…
“I hate to date myself, but over 40 years ago a small circle of enthusiasts gathered
in Kentucky in an attempt to merge divergent equine media factors under a single
umbrella. It’s a humbling experience to have been a member for many, many years,
as well as a past president of AHP.
“Watching AHP grow from a small group of supporters
scribbling notes on cocktail napkins, to the strong and
respected national organization it has become today,
is very humbling.”

5. Jim Jennings
The Quarter Horse Journal
1995-1996 AHP President
After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural
Communication and Journalism, Jim Jennings landed a job at AQHA in 1971 as
associate editor of The Quarter Horse Journal. Thirty-seven years later, Jim retired as
AQHA Executive Director of Publications, having played an instrumental role when
The Quarter Racing Journal became its own publication and been responsible for the
development of America’s Horse in 1998.
Jim attended his first AHP seminar back in the 70s when it was
always held in Washington, D.C. He became a Board Director
in 1990 and served as AHP president for 1995-1996.
Jim also served as president of the Livestock Publications
Council and was inducted into the Livestock Publications
Council Hall of Fame.

6. Jim Jennings
The Quarter Horse Journal
1995-1996 AHP President
Jim is an accomplished photographer and book author. He has penned two books,
“Best of the Remudas” and “Why We Win.” As a mentor, he has given many up-and-
coming journalists a start in the equine publishing world. He is generous with his time
and talents and has improved the writing and photography skills of many of his
protégées.
Jim lives in Amarillo, Texas, with his wife, Mavis. Their daughter,
Jill Dunkel, and her husband, Doug, have three children,
Ashton, Sydney and Blake. Jim’s friends know that he used
to team rope - a lot. He recently roped for the first time in
21 years. He headed some steers for his 9-year-old grandson,
something he’s been looking forward to for nine years.

7. Jim Jennings
In his own words…
“It is truly an honor to be included in the AHP Circle of Champions. I am sorry I am
unable to be there for the presentation. I remember the last time AHP was in San
Diego and how much fun it was.
“The reason I can’t be in San Diego is because of a commitment that
I made months ago to photograph an American Quarter Horse
Foundation trail ride in Wyoming. I really can’t say that I had
rather be in San Diego because this ride is going to be on a
fabulous ranch and it’s going to be a great experience.
I’m just sorry the two events conflicted so that
I can’t attend both.

8. “I mean it, though, when I say how much of an honor it is to be selected, and I want
to congratulate the other recipients. Kathy, Susan and Darrell have all been great
friends for years and years.
“And American Horse Publications has meant so much to me, going way back to when
we met in Washington every year and all of us would go to dinner in the evening in
Tony Chamblin’s nine-passenger station wagon. Of course, there were a few more of
us than nine, but we just crowded in.
“I have learned so much from the AHP meetings and made some friendships that
have already lasted almost 40 years and I’m sure will last for many more years. Thanks
again for this honor, and I look forward to seeing all of you
at a future AHP meeting.”

9. Susan Harding
Fleet Street Publishing
1996-1997 AHP President
Susan’s entry into the equine publishing world began when she joined Fleet Street,
Publisher of EQUUS and Polo magazines, in 1987. Although the ownership of
EQUUS changed throughout the years, Susan has been the magazine’s constant
companion, adding a number of different sister publications along the way. She
served as Executive Vice President until Fleet Street was acquired by
Primedia, Inc. in 1998. During the Fleet Street years, Susan
became involved with American Horse Publications and
joined the Board as a Director in 1990.

10. Susan Harding
Fleet Street Publishing
1996-1997 AHP President
Formerly Vice President, Group Publishing Director of Source Interlink Media's Equine
Network, Susan is currently a consultant working with Active Interest Media, a special
interest media company that purchased the Equine Network from Source Interlink in
2010. At the Equine Network, Susan was responsible
for five monthly magazines - EQUUS, Horse & Rider, Practical
Horseman, Dressage Today and Arabian Horse World,
three special issues, a book division and three websites.

11. Susan Harding
Fleet Street Publishing
1996-1997 AHP President
Susan has served as President of American Horse Publications (1996-1997)
and on the Board of Trustees of the North American Riding for the
Handicapped Association (NARHA). She currently is on the boards of Horse
and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) and the Equine Land Conservation
Resource (ELCR). She also serves as chairman of the U.S. Hunter Jumper
Association Marketing Committee
and on their board of directors.

12. Susan Harding
In her own words…
“As a newcomer to the horse industry in 1988, I quickly realized the value of
American Horse Publications and its members. We are very fortunate to have an
organization so dedicated to educating and promoting equine publications within
an environment that encourages camaraderie, not competition. I have more than
20 years of fond memories of AHP meetings, offsite excursions (my favorite may
still be Jackson Hole and an infamous pink jeep trip with Lua
and Dean) and regular contacts with many members.
“Thank you for this recognition, but I know I have benefited
far more from AHP than I have contributed. Wish I could
have joined you in San Diego, but I am looking forward to
Williamsburg next year.”

13. Darrell Dodds
Paint Horse Journal
1997-1998 AHP President
Darrell’s career has covered a lot of territory in equine publishing at some of the most
respected publications in the industry.
His current position is Publisher of Western Horseman magazine,
a position he has held since 2006. Prior to Western Horseman,
Darrell was Associate Publisher and Editor of Horse & Rider
magazine, (2002-2006); Editor of the Paint Horse Journal,
(1992-2002); Executive Secretary, Appaloosa Horse Club,
(1988-1992), and Editor, Appaloosa Journal (1982-1988).

14. Darrell Dodds
Paint Horse Journal
1997-1998 AHP President
Mentored by renowned Western photographer and friend, David Stoecklein, Darrell
has become one of the best equine photographers around, shooting covers and
features as well as doing portrait photography of people with their horses.
Darrell went on the AHP Board of Directors in 1992 while at the Paint Horse Journal.
His memories of AHP include river rafting in Jackson Hole,
bar hopping in New Orleans, and a minor fender bender with
Audie Rackley in Charleston.
Darrell and his wife Marty live in Krum, Texas.

15. Darrell Dodds
In his own words…
“It is an honor and a pleasure to join the AHP Circle of Champions this year in San
Diego. While I am not able to be with you today in person, I am certainly with you
all in spirit.
“When I look at the list of distinguished men and women who
are members of this prestigious group, I think back on the
good times we have had together, but more importantly,
I am reminded how much we have matured as an
association of publishing professionals.

16. “As a newly hired editor of the Appaloosa Journal, I attended my first AHP Seminar
at the Fort Worth Stockyards Hotel in 1985. Attendance was small by today’s
standards, but everyone, even direct competitors, was friendly and willing to share
what knowledge they had about the equine publishing industry. While AHP’s
seminars have always served its members well by featuring experts on a wide
variety of subjects, I believe the greatest benefit of membership is having the
opportunity to network with peers, not only at annual meetings but also
throughout the year.
“Thanks again for this honor and best wishes for a very successful seminar.”

17. Arnold Kirkpatrick (Thoroughbred Record)
Lucille Shuler (Arabian Horse World)
Melvin Peavey (Horse World)
Don Valliere (Turf & Sport Digest)
Alexander Mackay-Smith (The Chronicle of the Horse)
Snowden Carter (Maryland Horse)

18. Tony Chamblin (The Horsemen’s Journal)
Ruth Brown (Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal)
Stanley F. Bergstein (Hoof Beats)
Bob Gray (Horseman)
Audie Rackley (The Quarter Horse Journal)

19. Walt Wiggins (Quarter Racing World)
Erbert Eades (The Blood-Horse)
Don Price (Michigan Harness Horseman)
Les Ford (The Harness Horse)
Thom Mezick (Horsemen’s Corral)
Peter Winants (The Chronicle of the Horse)
Tracy Gantz (The Thoroughbred of California)
Bill Shepard (Paint Horse Journal)
Chris Brune (Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal)
Nancy Lee Comer (The Chronicle of the Horse)
Karl Little (Cutting Horse Chatter)
Jennifer Forsberg Meyer (California Horse Review)

20. Kathy Mezick (Horsemen’s Corral)
Jim Jennings (The Quarter Horse Journal)
Susan Harding (Fleet Street Publishing)
Darrell Dodds (Paint Horse Journal)