DQHA Hall of Fame
We’re very proud of Dr. Joe B. Armstrong’s induction into the DQHA Hall of Fame, Germany.
Joe was honored for his continued contributions in the promotion of western riding and his nearly 20 years of organizing horsemanship schools throughout Germany. http://www.dqha.de/dqha/hall-of-fame/.
A Brief & Unauthorized Bio:
Joe B. Armstrong was introduced to performances horses in the 1950’s by his future brother-in-law, cutting horse breeder Elbert Sides, of Como, Mississippi. I don’t know what Elbert told him but a bond between horse & rider was made that would impact thousands of horseman to come.
At 21, Joe was the youngest AQHA Judge ever appointed. After receiving a PhD in Animal Breeding from CSU he was later hired at New Mexico State University where he developed the equine curriculum and breeding program. The student-run annual sale continues to produce well-bred, affordable performance horses for the area riders and ranchers.
He sponsored the intercollegiate horse showing teams, rodeo teams and judging teams – driving hundreds of students across the nation for contests from the Congress to Calumet’s Farm and every stop in between.
Between semesters, adventurous students could earn .5 credit on his 7 day 50 mile “Introduction to Horse Packing” class in the Gila
Wilderness.
He organized contests for 4-H and FFA, started the NM State 4-H Horse Show program and Summer Camp – the Suzanne Norton Jones Horse School – where 2 generations of youth have learned about horsemanship, conformation and responsible care of their animals.
He has helped horse owners around the world with their breeding and management practices, visiting farms as a consultant or speaking as a guest lecturer on International Agricultural Symposiums throughout Europe, Russia, Japan, Cuba, and North & South Americas.
Joe will be 79 this year but you wouldn’t know it. You’ll find him collecting stallions or foaling mares on the farm. Say hello when you see him at the Select World in 2016 – he’s already qualified in Ranch Pleasure. But in fairness he said, “They make it pretty easy to qualify at my age” (after winning High Point Amateur All Around at the first show).
An unassuming gentleman, husband, (grand)father, horseman, teacher, counselor, mentor and friend – thank you Joe for all you do for so many people and their horses – and to Elbert Sides.
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On behalf of the entire Armstrong Equine Family, many thanks to our wonderful friends in Germany who have always taken such good care of Joe and made so many great memories; and to the DQHA.
