1. sports
2. horses

Dax Atkinson
2014 MQHA Magazine
Meet your Candidates for the Board
Independence, MN
I would like the opportunity to serve as
director because I want to contribute
to the organization that has given my
family and me so much enjoyment. As
a director, I will seek new creative ways
to enhance the MQHA horse show
experience.
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I live with my wife, Laura, and my children, Estelle, Adeline and Asher,
in Independence, Minnesota. I have been involved with Quarter
Horses my entire life. My wife and I now share the Quarter Horse experience with our children, thus we will expand our involvement with
MQHA for many years to come. Professionally, I work as a distressed
investment analyst for CarVal Investors. Besides showing and raising
horses, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, traveling, and
reading.
Mary Callahan
Farmington, MN
My name is Mary Callahan and I
have been involved with MQHA since
the early 1990’s. Presently my main
involvement with Quarter Horses is
running barrels and pole bending with
several top ten finishes at the World Show. I have also ring stewarded
at the Thesing Quarter Horse Shows.
Growing up I was actively showing the timed events along with western pleasure and hunt seat classes with Quarter Horses. I also helped
my dad with our Belgian draft horse hitch, showing at many major
shows including the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO.
I feel with my diverse horse background, I can bring new and insightful ideas to MQHA and can continue to encourage others to show, be
involved and enjoy the horses as much as I do!
Neil Melton
Park Rapids, MN
I'm the owner and trainer of Ashton
Performance Horses and am a very
enthusiastic young trainer who is new
to Minnesota. I grew up on a farm in
northern Kansas where my passion began and love for the horse . I knew at a
very young age that I wanted to be a horse trainer to share that pas-
sion with others and teach people how to improve their horsemanship
skills. I attended Colby Community College in Colby Kansas, while
there I was on the IHSA equestrian team, along with being the team
president. In addition, I was the president of the Block and Bridle club
and a student ambassador. I believe I have a a very driven personality
coupled with leadership skills. I am dedicated to my career, customers
and goals! It makes me so delighted to see the people I work with
grow and succeed! I have a love for teaching the youth, they are our
future and this industry depends on them. I am training out of a barn
in Park Rapids MN, where there are 26 stalls with a heated indoor
arena, and I hope to keep the barn full, and continue to have great
customers with positive attitudes who are willing to learn and work
toward their goals! I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities I've
had in the last few years, being in Minnesota. Everyone in the state
has been so welcoming and helpful! I look forward to another great
year of being part of the MQHA family!
Mercedes Perez
Prior Lake, MN
Hello. My name is Mercedes Perez
and I am running for a 2015 board of
director’s position. I am 21 years old
and have been an MQHA member and
supporter for five years, and in my youth
years I served on the board of directors
for 2 years. I have been around horses
my entire life, I started riding when I was five years old in the leadline with my aunt Stephanie at the Sunset Saddle Club and never
stopped since! I have always loved the sparkle and glitz about showing pleasure so it’s not surprising I stayed with showing the pleasure
all-around events instead of following in my mother and sister’s
footsteps by showing in the speed events.
I started showing my quarter horse bay mare "Sara", RR Unspoken
Dreams, in all of the novice youth events in 2009/2010 season. Our
very first show season together we attended the AQHA Congress and
I was hooked on the Quarter horse show circuit! Along my 5- year
journey Sara and I won countless awards and competed in two Congress shows together. I now show my brown mare,
AllIWantIsEverything, "Stella." This was our first show season together and I am so blessed to see how far along she has come in one
short year with Mike and Bonnie Minor. I don’t believe I would be the
show-woman I am today if it wasn’t for those two amazing people in
my life. They have taught me almost everything I know!
Throughout the years I have been so lucky to compete and support all
my fellow MQHA members, I have enjoyed working with and meeting
new members. My favorite MQHA event to volunteer at thus far has
been the 4H Boot Camp. I have been volunteering at the boot camp
every year that we have put it on and it is so exciting to see the kids
go home with so much more confidence and knowledge than when
they started! Thank you to MQHA for nominating me to be a candidate for the board this year and I wish everyone a safe and fun 2015
show season!