The 2008 AHP Champion Award was presented to the following individuals on June 21, 2008 at the AHP Break from the Gait Seminar in Saratoga Springs, New York. Tony Chamblin ~ The Horsemen's Journal Ruth Brown ~ Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal

2. AHP presents the AHP Champion Award to individuals for their
distinguished service to the association and its growth.
Collectively, the winners become the AHP Circle of Champions.
The recipients of this award are individuals who were
instrumental in the development and growth of American Horse
Publications. Each recipient receives a commemorative pin,
individual plaque, and their names honored online at the AHP
web site.

3. The Executive Committee presented its recommendations for
nominees at its February Board Meeting, where the Board
approved awarding the 2008 AHP Champion Award to the two
individuals who were the only AHP Presidents who were elected
to two terms and also served as AHP Executive Directors.

4. AHP is known as a friendly organization that
embraces new members and makes them feel part
of the family immediately. Tony Chamblin took
that on as his personal mission while both AHP
president from 1974 to 1976 and its executive
director from 1977 to 1983.
The Horsemen's Journal
1974-1976 AHP President
1977-1983 AHP Executive Director

5. A stalwart of the Thoroughbred industry, Tony enjoyed the camaraderie
from all facets of AHP, no matter what breed or discipline someone
represented. He began his journalistic career as the youngest sports editor
in the country at age 23 in the mid-1960s at the Evansville Courier and
Press. Over the next decades he served as editor, publisher, and/or
president of the Horseman’s Journal, editor of the Breeders’ Cup
Magazine, executive director of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and
Protective Association, president and general manager of Finger Lakes
Racing Association, and president of Racing Commissioners International,
many of those posts held simultaneously.

6. Though that kept him busy, Tony always found time for AHP and its meetings.
He ensured that all newcomers met everyone and that they were included in
AHP’s infamous field trips.
“There is no doubt that I would never have witnessed waiters on roller skates
at La Niçoise in Georgetown if not for Tony,” said former AHP president Tracy
Gantz. “And I guarantee that I never would have seen the amazing female
impersonators at Finocchio’s in San Francisco had I not been with the AHP
group, Tony leading the charge.”

7. Tony not only fostered the personal relationships that are at AHP’s core,
under his presidency he helped institute the annual awards contest in
1974. That contest has soared in popularity, and it has stimulated AHP
publications to better their product, resulting in the exemplary service
they give to the entire horse industry.
Currently living in Lexington, Ky., Tony continues to provide consulting
services and occasional writing for the horse industry. He also owns an
antique shop and lifestyle store with his wife.

8. “I fondly remember the happy days in the formative years
of AHP and am proud to have been a part of the
organization’s foundation.”

9. From 1968 to 1988, Ruth was actively involved in
the equine publishing industry as managing editor
and then publisher of Eastern/Western Quarter
Horse Journal. During that time, the monthly
magazine joined American Horse Publications. Ruth
was instrumental in the growth and development of
the association and served as its President for two
years and later its Executive Director from 1983-
1986.
Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal
1982-1984 AHP President
1983-1986 AHP Executive Director

10. Chris Brune, former editor of Eastern/Western, and now Executive
Director of American Horse Publications, introduced her longtime friend
at the association’s 20th Anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. in
1990 during a tribute to honor past presidents.
“Without Ruth Brown, I would not be here tonight. Ruth’s family and my
family were friends who shared an interest in Quarter Horses, long before I
went to work for Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal in 1972. Ruth and
I learned the publishing business together and spent the next 16 years,
sharing the adventure.”

11. In 1982, Ruth became AHP’s first woman president. In 1983, she was
asked to serve a second term, becoming the only other president to serve
two terms. When the current Executive Director resigned in 1983, Ruth
took over as acting director until the end of her presidency when she
became Executive Director and AHP’s administrative office moved to
Middleboro, Massachusetts. In addition to her responsibilities as publisher
of Eastern/Western, Ruth spent innumerable hours planning seminars,
preparing an awards contest, publishing a newsletter, and performing the
administrative duties of the association.

12. She resigned as AHP Executive Director in 1986 and two years later turned
over the horse publishing business to Chris to pursue her interests in
desktop publishing and advertising specialties and to being a
grandmother.
Until her death in 2006 at age 67, Ruth Brown maintained an interest in
AHP activities and enjoyed reading about her association friends and its
growth.

13.  Arnold Kirkpatrick ~ Thoroughbred Record
 Lucille Shuler ~Arabian Horse World
 Melvin Peavey ~ Horse World
 Don Valliere ~ Turf & Sport Digest
 Alexander Mackay-Smith ~ The Chronicle of the Horse
 Snowden Carter ~ Maryland Horse
 Tony Chamblin ~ The Horsemen’s Journal
 Ruth Brown ~ Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal