R6AQHA

Willard Rhodes
Willard’s love for horses began as a young man, working with his father and brother in the family business. Willard’s father established the Sharon Box Company of Sharon, Massachusetts in 1937. The conventional lumber mill process and constructed products for shipment throughout the United States. Draft horses performed much of the lumber mill’s hard pulling work. The time spent watching these magnificent animals allowed Willard to gain a great appreciation for horses. Willard and his family went on to expand and upgrade mill production, allowing him the opportunity to take part in other interests.

By the 1970s, Willard had made several real estate investments. After selling the family lumber mill, his interests in real estate and cranberry cultivation began to expand. However, his love for horses would begin to play a major role. His involvement with the American Quarter Horse Association took off and by 1977, Willard had become an AQHA Director and later served as vice chair for the Public Information Committee.

By the 1990s, Willard’s business, Edgewood Bogs, had become one of the largest cranberry producers for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. However, Willard wanted to become still more involved with American Quarter Horses. He and his wife, Claire, would pass the business on to their two daughters. This allowed him to spend more time breeding and showing horses.

Willard has used his Florida-based Ravenbrook Farms as a facility to encourage beginner horsemanship participation. The facility has allowed many adult and youth members to train and develop positive horsemanship skills. Willard also has made available to horse owners, homestead areas outside Southern Pines, North Carolina. These homes allow enthusiasts the ability to own and care for horses within urban areas.

Willard bas been an AQHA member since the 1970s, and he has served AQHA in many capacities. His business prowess and industry knowledge have allowed him to share personal success philosophies with AQHA and its membership. He has served on the AQHA Finance Committee since 1997 and also is a Director Emeritus.

Willard served as member of the Foundation Committee and supports AQHA youth members through the Foundation scholarship program. His love for the American Quarter Horse allows him to pass this passion on to others through support of current and future members as well as industry professionals.

This support extends to the state and local levels. Green Mountain Horse Association, the American Driving Society and Morrisville College are just a few organizations that have experienced his support. Willard has donated horses so others may experience the wealth of love and compassion that he himself knows.
Willard also extends his generosity to other organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Boys Town.

Willard was named AQHA’s Merle Wood Humanitarian Award winner in 2007.

It is fitting that the first regional scholarship offered by the American Quarter Horse Foundation be named in honor of Mr. Willard Rhodes.

Region 6 AQHA is proud to announce the establishment of the Willard Rhodes AQHA Region 6 Scholarship! This scholarship will be open to any youth who resides in a state or province in Region 6 and who hold current memberships in AQHA or AQHYA and a membership in one of the Region 6 Affiliates or their youth associations.

The scholarship fund will be administered by the American Quarter Horse Foundation. All donations will be considered tax-deductible under United States law.

We are currently in the fund-raising stage. As this will be an endowed scholarship a minimum of $100,000 is needed before any funds are awarded.

Click here for more information!

 

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