[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 191 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1113-E1114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. JOHN PIPKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNY JACKSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 2023

  Mr. JACKSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
remarkable legacy of Dr. John Pipkin of Amarillo, Texas. On December 
11, 2023, Dr. Pipkin will retire from West Texas A&M University, where 
during his 30 years of service he created one of the most successful 
equine programs in the United States.
  At West Texas A&M University, Dr. Pipkin acted as a Regents Professor 
of Animal Science and the Director of the Equine Industry Program, 
preparing thousands of students to succeed in a career in the horse and 
agribusiness industries. As the head coach of the distinguished horse 
judging team at West Texas A&M, Dr. Pipkin led his teams to over 160 
national champion and reserve champion titles, and his competitive 
equine and ranch horse teams have won over 60 national and reserve 
national championship honors.
  Outside of his accomplishments in the university setting, Dr. 
Pipkin's legacy in the equine industry spans over 40 years, officiating 
over 400 horse events across the globe, including over 20 world 
championships. Dr. Pipkin also serves as a National Director for the 
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and was the Chairman of the 
AQHA Judges Committee, AQHA Show and Professional Horsemen Committee, 
AQHA Show Council, and the World Conformation Horse Association Judges 
Committee. In 2022, Dr. Pipkin was named the Nutrena Don Burt AQHA 
Professional Horseman of the Year for his lifelong commitment to the 
equine industry and his development of numerous educational and testing 
materials for the AQHA judging program that have been instrumental in 
developing many of the scoring systems currently used to judge classes 
such as western riding, trail, showmanship, horsemanship, and 
equitation classes.
  On December 4, 2023, Dr. Pipkin will transition to his role as the 
American Quarter Horse Association's Director of Officials. There, 
Pipkin will be responsible for working alongside the AQHA show 
department and judges committee to manage the direction of the AQHA 
judges, stewards, and drug-testing programs.
  I would like to thank Dr. Pipkin for his dedication to the success of 
the students and faculty of West Texas A&M University Equine Department 
and wish him the best as he supports the AQHA membership and continues 
to advance the equine industry.

[[Page E1114]]

  

                          ____________________