About

About Our Quarter Horse Racing Association

Membership in the OQHRA spans from our headquarters in Turner, Oregon, to California, Washington, Idaho, and even provinces of Canada. We have always believed in making our mission and goals clear and concise. Our organization does a lot, but our primary focus is on the following:

OQHRA represents the interest of quarter horses at various race tracks around the state of Oregon
We represent the interests of quarter horse owners, breeders, and trainers before the Oregon Racing Commission and the Oregon Legislature.
OQHRA sponsors all quarter horse stakes races other than the AQHA Challenge races.
OQHRA tabulates all points earned by horses, trainers, and jockeys on all quarter horse races in the state of Oregon for the purpose of determining year-end award winners using the AQHA point system.
We use our database to calculate and pay breeder awards to breeders of Oregon-bred quarter horses. These awards are paid twice a year, after the Portland Meadows meet and after the summer meets. Breeders awards are calculated on wins only. The horse must be foaled in the state of Oregon with an AQHA Certificate of Registration to qualify as Oregon-bred.
Using our database, OQHRA calculates and pays bonuses to owners of Oregon-bred quarter horses. Owner's awards are paid once a year, after the Portland Meadows meet. Owner's bonuses are calculated on all money earned. The horse must be foaled in the state of Oregon with an AQHA Certificate of Registration to qualify as Oregon-bred.
OQHRA maintains all corporate and financial records of the Association. The Association's fiscal year is November 1 to October 31st. The annual meeting of OQHRA is usually held each year in February.

Board of Directors

All of our directors are elected to two-year terms, each expiring in December. Below you will find a full fist of our directors for both 2023 & 2024 and 2024 & 2025.

2023/2024 Directors

Malon Cowgill - Junction City, OR
Dave Nelson - Turner, OR
Patti Harris - Ridgefield, WA
Chris Philbrook (Chair)- Vancouver, WA
Saul Rodriquez - Umatilla, OR

2024/2025 Directors

Hector Magallanes - Boardman, OR
Rod Lowe - Rogue River, OR
Matt Huse - Walla Walla, WA
Randy Dickerson - Vancouver, WA

Leah Nelson (Association Executive Secretary)

Mission

Our mission is to provide racing opportunities for all quarter horse owners, breeders, stallion owners, and trainers participating in the state of Oregon. We represent quarter horses' interests before the Oregon Racing Commission and the Oregon Legislature. We cooperate and work directly with commercial race tracks and county fair associations to enhance racing opportunities for all quarter horses. We promote racing opportunities for quarter horses participating in Oregon to the fans, current owners, new owners, breeders, the media, and the general public.