In Loving Memory of Dale E. Waite: 1945-2026
September 28, 1945 – March 5, 2026
Dale Waite of Vancouver, Washington, passed on March 5, 2026, at the age of 80, leaving a legacy of horsemen and women behind to carry his name, teachings, and wisdom on horseback.
His achievements with Quarter Horses began in the 1990s and continued through the 2010s producing accomplished horses on the track, all-around events, western pleasure, and halter.
Over the course of his career, Dale earned 6 All-Around Championships and 5 Grand Champion Gelding titles. His small-scale breeding operation was focused on quality bloodlines, and he earned a 30-Year Cumulative Breeder Award. He was an encyclopedia of bloodlines and qualities and was truly a student of the American Quarter Horse. Many clients entrusted mares to his program, believing deeply in his vision for preserving and creating talent.
His greatest legacy is his passion for youth riders. It was an honor to be accepted into his youth program, and he taught each one with love for the sport, learning, and horses. He had no children of his own, but often said he had many kids. When one of his students was showing, he was always found along the rail watching and cheering with as much pride and enthusiasm as parents. Students remember his beaming smile as they met him in the winner’s circle. Many of his young riders used their foundation with him to continue successful riding careers, but each one remembers Dale Waite as the cornerstone of their learning and joy with their horse. Later in life, he was a paramount figure in 4-H and high-school organizations.
A horseman like Dale is not easily forgotten. Each rider he taught will remember Dale with thanksgiving to have known a man like him to share horses with in their lifetime.
View Dale’s obituary from Evergreen Memorial Gardens —
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