Iowa Quarter Horse Association Honors Two Inductions into their Hall of Fame
Photos courtesy bar H Photography released for editorial use only.
From the Iowa Quarter Horse Association, January 15, 2026
Kicking off its 75th Anniversary year, the Iowa Quarter Horse Association (IQHA) held its annual awards banquet in Des Moines on January 10, 2026, to honor their year-end award winners from their 2025 show season. In addition, two inductions were made into the IQHA Hall of Fame.
RL Styling Rey, a stallion owned by Gary and Tracy Thede of Reinbeck, Iowa, was honored for both his own show achievements and those his offspring continue to earn.
The Thedes purchased the American Quarter Horse stallion in 2016. He competed in National Reined Cow Horse and American Quarter Horse competitive arenas, with Tracy showing him in the amateur division alongside their trainer in the open division. The stallion earned nearly $20,000 in earnings and qualified for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show 18 times.
At the 2017 AQHA World Show he was named the Level 2 Reserve Champion Junior Team Roping – Heading and Level 2 Reserve Champion Performance Halter Stallions.
After a successful competitive career, the stallion affectionately known as “Dozer” retired to stand at stud to produce the next generation of champions.With his offspring successfully competing in AQHA shows and AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) events, they have added up $90,000 in earnings. In 2024, both the AQHA High Point VRH Junior Horse and High Point VRH Senior Horse were sired by RL Styling Rey.
At the 2025 Iowa Quarter Horse Association Ranch Horse Futurity held in Des Moines, his winning offspring earned him the title of Reserve High Money Stallion for the futurity event.
The Thedes continue to raise, sell and show offspring of RL Styling Rey to carry on his legacy.
Tracy Thede reflected on their journey with Dozer. “Our goals breeding him were conformationally-correct, good-minded athletes. We are blessed and amazed at the consistency in his foals. And the friendships that is IQHA. We would not be here today without the amazing people in this association.”
The evening concluded with the Hall of Fame induction of past IQHA President Verlin Potts of Boone, Iowa.
Verlin’s passion for Quarter Horses was never just about winning ribbons or titles. It was about doing things the right way. He believed deeply in good horsemanship, fairness, and respect. His biggest wins in the arena were perhaps the ones his children – T.R. and Amanda – earned rather than his own.
Verlin’s volunteer service in the Iowa Quarter Horse Association began with his role as chairman of the Iowa Breeders Futurity. His steady guidance helped strengthen one of the Association’s most important and immensely popular programs that generated money for both the association and the members participating.
That dedication and leadership led to greater responsibility, culminating in his service as President of the IQHA in 1988 and 1989. In each role, he worked tirelessly on behalf of breeders, owners, exhibitors and the future of the Iowa Quarter Horse industry.
One of Verlin’s greatest contributions has been education, both in the barn and beyond. With his full-time career as an art teacher in the Boone Community School District for nearly 30 years, his teaching skills carried over into many arenas. Over the years, he has taught countless riders how to ride, how to show, and how to truly understand their horses.
As a horse show judge, Potts judged an extraordinary number of shows, always holding himself to the highest standard. He was recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association for serving 31 years as an accredited judge. Competitors trusted him because they knew he was fair, consistent, and deeply knowledgeable. For him, judging was never just about placing horses and awarding ribbons. It was about protecting the integrity of the sport and the breed.
The Iowa Quarter Horse Association is proud to honor not only Verlin’s accomplishments, but the character, integrity, and leadership behind them.
The Iowa Quarter Horse Association established the Hall of Fame in 2001 to honor the individuals and horses who have had an impact on IQHA through their contributions to the association or to the American Quarter Horse in Iowa. Since its creation, 38 individuals and 24 horses have been inducted.
The IQHA Hall of Fame resides on the association website, iowaquarterhorse.com where their stories and photos can be found.
For more information on the Iowa Quarter Horse Association visit their website iowaquarterhorse.com or email iqhanews@gmail.com.
