Nancy Cahill Receives Merle Wood Humanitarian Award
AQHA Publicity
Nancy Cahill of Madisonville, Texas, received the 2021 Merle Wood Humanitarian Award from the American Quarter Horse Foundation at the 2022 AQHA Convention in Las Vegas.
Established in 1997 in honor of the late Merle Wood, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify an ethic of kindness and benevolence in providing opportunities for young people to be involved with the American Quarter Horse. The award exemplifies the Foundation’s mission to connect horses and people through charitable giving to develop and support programs and initiatives that preserve the legacy and further the overall wellbeing of the American Quarter Horse and the people in the Quarter Horse family.
A longtime American Quarter Horse enthusiast, Cahill has been involved with the equine industry for more than 50 years. Her heart not only led her to horses, but to also share her passion for horses with others. A founding member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association, she has served on the AQHA Board of Directors, Youth Committee, Halter and Performance Committee, and Foundation Scholarship Committee. She is also the current vice president of the TQHA Foundation whose primary focus is on youth scholarships.
In 1996, Cahill was recognized as the AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year. In 2005, TQHA honored her with the TQHA Most Valuable Professional Award. She was also selected as a member of Team Wrangler in 2018 and has volunteered to instruct free Ride the Pattern Clinics over the years. A passion for youth and a love of horses, Cahill exemplifies service and selflessness through her dedication to paving a future for youth.
Past Merle Wood Humanitarian Award Recipients
2020 Gail Mann, Scio, Oregon
2019 Sandy Huebner, O’Fallon, Missouri
2018 Ed McNelis, Nampa, Idaho
2018 Ruti Shadmot, Israel
2017 Butch Hammer, Norwalk, Iowa
2016 Cathy Hanson, Fallbrook, California
2015 Dawn Forrest, College Station, Texas
2014 Pat Hunt, Cannelton, Indiana
2013 Betty L. Flarida, Springfield, Ohio
2012 Judy Bonham, Norco, California
2011 Homer Stude, Wright City, Missouri
2010 No Recipient
2009 Laurel Walker-Denton, Skull Valley, Arizona
2008 Col. Earl Lilley, Emmett, Idaho
2007 Joyce McDonald, Great Falls, Montana
2006 Willard A. Rhodes, Southern Pines, North Carolina
2005 Dr. John Yost, Hastings, Nebraska
2004 Jerry Hedrick, Olathe, Kansas
2003 Cliff Keesee, Bluff City, Tennessee
2002 Dr. David Whitaker, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
2001 Charles Watkins Sr., Atchison, Kansas
2000 Richard Fortner, Lincoln, Nebraska
1999 Anne B. Marion, Fort Worth, Texas
1998 LaRue Sauers, Sedalia, Missouri
1997 Mary H. Hopkins, Vicksburg, Mississippi
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