Association of Ridgecrest Arabian Breeders

Bill "Wink" Chappell Memorial Award

Bill "Wink" Chappell Memorial Award

The W. A. "Wink"  Chappell high-point award was established by ARAB in 1984  to honor the working horse. This award  was the "brain child" of ARAB charter member Neil LaFortune who made the motion to establish it as a way to recognize and honor the contributions made to all equine enthusiasts by Bill "Wink" Chappell.   See the above information on Wink for history of this award. Bill “Wink” Chappell, an honorary member of ARAB,  established the first professional horse-training stables in the Indian Wells Valley in 1965.  This training stable was conducted as a partnership with Lorry Wagner and based at the Sierra Dawn Arabians ranch.  A few months later, Floyd and Velma Pickrell established their Rancho Bajada Riding Stables where Wink gave evening riding lessons to an average of 200 students each week until he retired.  From 1965 until his retirement in 1975, Wink trained many of the Valley's finest horses and riders, using the "Early California" (Vaquero) methods of training and riding.  Wink continued to ride until the age of 82.    As Lorry started  the youngsters of both the training stables and Sierra Dawn Arabians, Wink would ride the Sierra Dawn youngsters and put the finishing polish on "his half" of them.

Bill "Wink" Chappell, one of the last of the great Early California Trainers--Vaquero Style
(May 18,1909 - May 17, 1994)
for more information on Wink, click on the picture below
 

  For further information and/or application to participate in this event, contact:

Lorry Wagner

 or

click below for an on-line application and rules