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Giving to others is a characteristic long associated with Dale Wilkinson, whose career spans more than half a century. Along the way, his experiences in the saddle became legendary and his accolades many.
Wilkinson won the first NRHA Futurity in 1966 aboard Pocorochie Bo, and again in 1975 riding Clene Continental. He won the 1972 NCHA Futurity riding Gun Smoke's Dream, a daughter of Mr Gun Smoke. He is an inductee to the Hall of Fame of the NCHA, AQHA, NRHA and All American Quarter Horse Congress, and was recently named Horseman of the Century by the AQHA.
During the 1950s, Wilkinson's performances in cutting were equally remarkable when he showed Royal King Bailey without a bridle to demonstrate the horse's natural ability in front of a cow. Mr Gun Smoke is the horse for which Wilkinson is best remembered. The cutting horse he refers to as an "athletic genius".
Wilkinson is also acknowledged for speaking out to create new standards for NCHA judging. In his words, "Horses should be given credit for doing something outstanding, rather than just scoring faults and poor performances."
Hailing from Findlay, Ohio, Wilkinson stepped forward in the 1970s to support an equestrian program for the University of Findlay. Through his guidance, expertise, and financial commitments, he helped them develop one of the finest programs in the nation.
Living in Waynesboro, Georgia, Wilkinson's mission today is much as it has always been. He is still in the business of training horses and continues to care about the success of others. "I want others to have the knowledge I have and benefit from it," he has said.
What they said about the 2001 Zane Schulte Award Nominees:
Ernie Beutenmiller, Jr. "He told me once that all individuals, both horse and human, should be treated with equal respect."
Dirk Blakesley "He attracts high quality people and has sustained relationships with his customers for many years."
Rusty Carroll "He has the art of knowing when and how to obtain the best out of his animals and/or his pupils."
Lloyd Cox "I believe Lloyd Cox is dedicated to the industry and his excellence in the arena speaks for itself."
Allen Crouch "A young, upcoming trainer with more drive, success and love of the sport of cutting."
Brett Davis "A trainer that loves his family, his job, treats his horses right and treats his customers with respect and honesty"
Zeke Entz "He has not only taught me valuable lessons about learning to show horses, but also valuable lessons about life that will remain with me always."
Randy Fanning "He spends time with the amateurs-going to the shows they need to enter."
Matt Gaines "He is talented, smart, hardworking, helpful, honest and successful."
Shannon Hall "He promotes the cutting industry with the excellent horses he trains and by the examples he sets in both the arena and in his personal life."
Rufus Hayes "He is always ready to work with children and youth and is approachable by anyone."
Greg Hillerman "He is a family man who really cares about his family, his business, and his customers."
Cletus Hulling, Jr. "I feel that others and myself have grown in leaps and bounds by working with him; we are fortunate to be able to call him our trainer."
Marilyn Kittelman "She is honest, upbeat, compassionate, and is the last one to leave the shows to help with turn back until the last horse."
Billy Ray McCalip "Billy Ray always stays at the shows until the lower classes have ended just to be able to help out."
Tim McCloud "Tim loves the sport and loves to help others especially the youth- and he enjoys and excels in it."
Tom Merryman "In our 24 years in this business, we have never known another trainer with such integrity and a genuine caring for horses."
Conway Miller "For the past three years, has provided, trained and hauled a solid open horse for an Arkansas youth to compete in the High School Rodeo girl's cutting."
Russ Miller "Everyone respects Russ because of his high personal values and integrity."
James Morris "Jim will turn back for anyone that asks, no matter who they are or what type or breed of horse they are riding."
Billy Murphy "He does not avoid or snub any new or potential competitors within his class at a show."
Connie Overholt "She has a firm adherence to the NCHA code of ethics and is morally and professionally one of the finest individuals we have every encountered in this or any other industry."
Scott Raftery "He's truly an honest man, he's professional, patient, treats his horses well and loves what he does."
Boyd Rice "He sets a good example for his kids and is always there for them."
Bill Riddle "He is sincere, honest, loyal and devoted to all the people and responsibilities in his life."
Matlock Rose "He has built a foundation for some of the most outstanding cutters in the cutting horse industry."
Ronnie Sharpe "His integrity and values are above reproach with over 40 years in the industry."
Greg Smith "I deeply respect his honesty, his sense of values, his relationship with his family, his talent, his extreme goodness towards people and his kindness."
Ray Smith "He is a professional trainer who has a reputation of honesty, patience, moral values as well as the respect of his peers."
Ted Sokol Jr. "He always manages to give his clients the confidence they need, no matter how bad we do at times, and never seems to get tired of teaching us."
Buster Welch "He has brought positive publicity to cutting on a national level and served the NCHA in a host of capacities."
Greg Welch "His dedication to the industry is well known and his excellence in the arena is always of the highest caliber."
Dale Wilkinson "Dale enjoys the reputation as being one of the horse industry's outstanding individuals."
Bronc Willoughby "He knows how to enjoy this great sport and does a terrific job teaching others to do the same."
Kobie Wood "He has been so helpful to the youth cutters through the years by keeping them well mounted to help them earn scholarships and to assist them in improving their cutting skills."
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