An Ambassador, A Leader, A Friend – Remember Peter Cofrancesco, III

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452 – October, 2017

by Megan Arszman

The horse industry lost one of its brightest lights and biggest stars on August 1, 2017, when Peter Cofrancsesco, III passed away at the young age of 45. To say that the Quarter Horse industry lost an ambassador is just barely scraping the surface of the passion and years of work that Peter did not just for the breed, not just for the stock horse industry, but for all facets of the horse industry across the country.

“When Peter was AQHA President, everyone in the horse show industry loved the fact that there was somebody who was an advocate for their part, but Peter believed that horse showing was such a small entity of what actually makes up the horse industry, and he made sure that every single person involved had a voice,” recalls his wife, Carmen. “It didn’t matter who you were, and that was important to him.”

The oldest of four children, Peter grew up in New Jersey, groomed by his father, Peter Cofrancesco, Jr. to continue the success that the family business was feeling as well as to be a proud man with high morals and integrity that made everyone want to be friends with him. The Cofrancesco family was passionate about horses, and it just so happened to be the versatility of the American Quarter Horse that caught their attention.

Peter grew up riding and competing in a variety of classes, but it’s his success in the Halter pen that most will remember. With 18 AQHA World Championships and 14 AQHA Reserve World Championships to his name, starting with his first in 1991, it’s no wonder his name is synonymous with the modern day Halter horse. But, for Peter, it wasn’t about the globes adorning his Sparta, N.J., home, or the titles and accolades that drove his passion for showing the Quarter Horse; it was all about the people.

Click here to read the complete article
452 – October, 2017