Virginia E. "Ginger" Hyland made AQHA history when, in 1997, she became the Association's first woman president.
During her tenure on the AQHA Executive Committee, Hyland developed and put into effect the Association’s Ride program. The program began in 1997 and has featured more than 550 trail rides around the world for more than 39,000 riders from all disciplines. As a result, more than $650,000 has been donated to the American Quarter Horse Foundation and other charities.
Hyland continued to serve the Association after her retirement from the Executive Committee in 1998. She is a member of the stud book and registration committee, investment oversight and finance committees, and the Foundation committee and Foundation council.
AQHA Past President Rob Brown best summed up her service by saying, “Ginger, you’re not one of the guys; you’re one of the team.”
Hyland was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2005.