J. Marvin Willhite’s family legacy lies in farming, but his is passing down a legacy of his own. That legacy is planted in Quarter Horses both in the show ring and on the racetrack.
In 1913, Willhite’s grandfather settled in Holly, Colorado, and began farming the vast prairie land. The tradition of agronomy continued with Willhite and his father.
In 1964, Willhite added three Quarter Horse mares to his agricultural ventures. Purchased from his uncle, Willhite bought the mares for his three children to ride and show. According to Willhite, “showing horses was something the family could work on together.”
Those first three mares were the foundation for Willhite’s breeding program. The mares included Little Lou Pep, Thirsty Pet and Miss Dipsy Doll produced winning racehorses Easy Jet Doll and Master Straw. Little Lou Pep and Thirsty Pet produced show ring point earners Thirsty’s Image, Thirsty’s Tiger and Barometer Bar.
Willhite was involved with Quarter Horses in other ways as well. He was an AQHA Director from Colorado from 1980 to 1999. The Colorado rancher has been a director at large from 2000. He is also a member of the AQHA racing committee.
Willhite was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007.
Biography updated as of March 2007.