Hall Of Fame

Susan Walton has long been a notable, highly respected breeder and competitor of Foundation Quarter Horses. Her history with the breed spans over 40 years.

She started showing AQHA & MQHA in 1968. She was elected to the MQHA board beginning in 1979, and served many years as a productive member of that organization. She served as V. Pres. for 1 year and was elected President for 3 years.

Susan has served on many national boards and committees through the years. Her AQHA committee memberships include: Youth, Marketing, Membership, Chairman AQHA Youth World, Youth advisor both AQ Youth World and MQHA congress teams.

Susan was a part of the original founders of the FQHR-MI affiliate and has worked closely with Dillon Shook and many others over the years in keeping the registry focused and true.

Susan was one of the founding group of people that attended the first FQHR-MI meeting at Barb Woodham's Diamond W Stables in Kalkaska Mi. and has promoted FQHR-MI in many ways ever since the humble beginnings of our affiliate.

All of the breeding stock used and raised by Walton Farms through the decades has been of Foundation Bloodlines. Susie was ‘foundation oriented’ even when ‘foundation’ wasn’t cool in the AQHA world long before the FQHR even existed. Walton horses have competed successfully in many disciplines of the AQHA circles throughout the decades, despite the popular trends towards Thoroughbred bloodlines influx, and the introduction of the ‘Impressive’ bloodline of halter horses.

She has competed very successfully in AQHA, MQHA, FQHR, NRHA, NCHA, and NFQHA during her show career, all the while promoting the Foundation Bloodlines of her beautiful, beloved horses.

The stallions that have stood at Walton farms through the years have been the epitome of what a true foundation bred cowhorse should be. Red Bad Ant, Canta Peppy, Me Bad Max, and Lena Trey Tivitos, carefully crossed with Walton’s broodmare band of exceptional foundation horses have produced proven progeny that are highly competitive in many aspects of Quarter Horse disciplines and present a true and consistent picture of what a Foundation Quarter Horse is supposed to be.

Susan has been chairperson for the FQHR-MI stallion service sale for a number of very successful years. She was the originator of the very popular “Green as Grass” spring clinics for new folks and young horses. Many of our popular ‘beginner’ and ‘green horse’ classes are the result of her concepts. Susan has been a core part of the success of the FQHR’s demos at the Stallion Expo through the years.

The farm’s booth at the Stallion Expo in Lansing each year for as long as the event has been held has been a cornerstone of that event in promoting the Foundation Quarter Horse concept and bloodlines.

Susan was the originator of the Michigan FQHR’s Breeders’ Classic program where the get from the Stallion Service Sale could compete and grow in the program throughout their foaling year to maturity and work towards the top award of Breeders’ Classic Champion.

She has served as a Director for the Michigan Affiliate for several years. Susan founded and is currently a core member of the FQHR Round up and Review committee that has literally saved this annual international event from extinction. It was her vision and hard work that has saved this event. She continues to labor tirelessly along with the other highly dedicated committee members to see this event re-grow and return to the level that it once was.

As a breeder, some of the notable FQHR horses that Susan has produced are:

Fence Me
Maxie Mae
Nite Glo Max
Paloma Canta Angel
Drift Down The River
Feather On A Fence
Canta Katie Jay
Canta Cee Bubbles
Canta Forget Red Ant
Cantas Custom Oak
Dragonfly Vestige
Chain Link Fence
Lenas Tivitos Dani
Trey Tivitos Fizz
Max’s Diva Tivitos
Cowgirls Lena Doc (Erica Peyton)
Barry Cee Tivitos
Chili n Tacos
Driftin’ Tivitos

She has also trained and coached many other members and their horses through the years including this year’s Breeders’ Classic Winner, Nancy McGuirk and her horse “Xena”.

Through it all, Susan Walton has ‘been there’, ‘done that’, ‘gotten many T-shirts’, in the recognition and promotion of the Foundation Quarter Horse and is truly deserving of induction to the Michigan Affiliate’s Hall of Fame.