Hall of Fame

2017

HORSE – Applaud For Me 

2012

Mildred and Bob Johannes

Bob and Mildred Johannes are the proud owners of De-Lo-Way Farm started by a mare, De-Lo-Way Toots. Toots was the start for Bob and Mildred and their 3 sons, Dennis, Wayne, and Lowell. The family was active in the NAC Club as well as the MAHA Club. Bob was also an ApHC judge from 1980 to 1990. They were always willing to help and teach the kids at the show, and eventually were known as Grandma and Grandpa to all the youth kids at the shows. Mildred was never without her camera and “notepad” at all the horse shows and her pictures are in many of our scrapbooks through the years. The Johannes’s have always been supporters and promoters of our breed. The De-Lo-Way Farm name has been given to over 70 horses since 1958.

2011

Wayne and Mary Lou Thorndyke, JULU Acres

Avid champions and breeders of Appaloosa horses for thirty years, the Thorndykes raised, trained and showed many state, regional, national, and world champion Appaloosas from 1970-2000. The Thorndykes were instrumental in the formation and management of the Mid-Con Appaloosa Region Association in 1975. Wayne served as Show Manager of Mid-Con for 6 years, and Mary Lou was publisher and ad-exec for the Mid-Con Annual Publication.

2011

HORSE – War Bat

War Bat came to JuLu Acres as a yearling stallion. The Thorndykes began showing him as a 2-year-old stallion in 1972. After a few shows, War Bat was soon gelded, and became Julie Thorndyke’s youth horse. He was green broke by Jim Jirkovsky, who also rode him to win cattle points for NAHC and many reining awards. War Bat became the epitome of the versatility of the Appaloosa breed. His quiet disposition and willingness to do whatever asked made him an excellent youth and all-around horse for showmanship, western pleasure, reining and trail. He proved his ‘spots’ by helping Julie win the Youth Versatility Class at Opportunity ’74 in Columbus, OH. War Bat won 14 Champion and Reserve Champion All-Around Performance Horse Awards, 21 Grand and Reserve Halter Champions, and carried Julie to 22 High Point Youth Awards at induvial shows.

War Bat was laid to rest in 1997 (age 27) on a farm in Nebraska, alongside his best friend Poncho McCardo (age 28), overlooking the Missouri River beneath the swaying trees.

2010

Jim and Darlene Wolfe 

During the years that the Wolfe family has been associated with the Nebraska Appaloosa Club, they have had many memorable moments including 44 consecutive showings at the Nebraska State Fair.

2009

Marvin Wendt

Horses have always been a part of Marvin’s life. His father and grandfather had some of the best-matched pair teams in the Murdock community. Marvin joined the Nebraska Appaloosa Horse Club and managed to take his daughter, Diane, to all of the shows in between farming and his hay and feed business. It didn’t take long before he became really involved with the Nebraska Appaloosa Horse Club serving on numerous committees and holding many elected positions. Over the years, Marvin became well known for his “tent,” the social gathering place for everyone at the horse shows. He capitalized on “Marv’s Tent” and auctioned off seats under the tent at all of the fundraisers for the Nebraska Appaloosa Horse Club.

2009

Rita and Loyle Erickson 

The Erickson’s are best known for being the parents of the famous “Erickson boys” of Sutton, NE. If you pulled into a horse show and saw the Erickson boys horse trailer, you knew the competition was going to be tough. Kip, Rourk, Dusty and Jorn were all avid Appaloosa exhibitors and won in all events from showmanship to games and roping. They were Nebraska State 4-H Champions, Nebraska Appaloosa Club Champions, Mid-Con Champions and National Champions in several events. Some of their horses included Max Patch, Skips Folly, Ms. Skip Bright, Adda Apache, Bright Hand, Barney Bright and Spurs Boomerang. Rita and Loyle are the donors of the Rourk Erickson Memorial Award in honor of their son, Rourk, who passed away in a tragic accident. Rita and Loyle made many sacrifices for their children to be active in the show ring. Showing kept the family busy and kept the family together. Rita and Loyle are to be commended for their dedication.

2008

Dave Voss 

Dave of Grand Island, Nebraska, is best known in the Nebraska Appaloosa Club for having a great time. You could always count on Dave to come up with some kind of entertainment for the show. He competed in Western, English, Heritage and Roping events. Over the years, he won state, regional and national titles. He competed on several horses over the years but the one everyone remembers was Red Chief or better known as RCA. Dave is the owner of the Grand Island Western Shop and has always been a huge supporter of the Nebraska Appaloosa Club. He has always been willing to donate, advertise or sponsor.

2007

Dick Sheets