Sparta resident inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame

AMARILLO, TX — Peter J. Cofrancesco III of Sparta was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame on March 19 at the 2017 AQHA Convention in San Antonio.
Cofrancesco served as president of the AQHA Executive Committee from 2011-2012. During his time in office, he focused on youth expansion and development. He had been a member and president of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association and believed in the impact youth programs have on the future industry members of AQHA.
Cofrancesco was influential in forming the World Conformation Horse Association, an AQHA alliance partner, that has given halter enthusiasts a more significant voice in the industry while promoting correct conformation and halter competition at all levels. The group has an annual futurity as well as classes at major shows, including the AQHA World Championship Show.
Even after leaving office, he remains committed to showing. In 2012, just months after leaving the AQHA presidency, cofrancesco returned to the world show ring, earning world champion amateur 3-year-old mare and amateur 3-year-old stallion with home-breds Virtues and Inspirado, two of 18 world champions and 14 reserve world champions shown by Peter since 1991.
The American Quarter Horse excels at sprinting short distances. Its name derives from its ability to outdistance other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less.
AQHA inducted 10 new members into the Hall of Fame on March 19: the late Marvin Barnes of Ada, Oklahoma; AQHA Past President Peter J. Cofrancesco III of Sparta, New Jersey; Bobby D. Cox of Fort Worth, Texas; the late AQHA Executive Committee Member Dick Monahan of Walla Walla, Washington; trainer and horsewoman Sandra Vaughn of Hernando, Florida; the 1961 mare Casey’s Ladylove; the 1983 mare Dashing Phoebe; the 1994 gelding Majestic Scotch; the 1987 stallion Strawfly Special; and the 1985 stallion Zips Chocolate Chip.
For more information on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, visit www.aqha.com/museum.
For more news from the American Quarter Horse Association, visit www.aqha.com.