2025 Annual Award Winners

Each year, the Wisconsin Horse Council presents awards for the Horseperson of the Year, Judge of the Year and the WHC Director of the Year. In some years, there is also a Legislator of the Year. 2008 was the first year that nominations were accepted for the Special Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, and new in 2016, Equine of the Year was added.

Recipients of the Horseperson, Special Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award are nominated by the public and voted on by the WHC Board of Directors. The WHC Director of the Year and Legislator of the Year are nominated and voted on by the Board of Directors. The Judge of the Year is an annual award given by the Wisconsin Horse Council and is based on a person’s contributions to Wisconsin’s equine industry as a judge.  The winner is chosen by past, active Judges of the Year. The Equine of the Year candidates are submitted by members in each district to their District President and appointed district members chose a winner. The winner from each district is then sent to the WHC Board of Directors and a final WHC Equine of the Year is chosen.

Please join us in applauding these people and horse for the contributions they have made to our equine industry in Wisconsin.

Do you know someone who deserves to be nominated for recognition for their work in our equine industry?  Check out the WHC Awards Program on our web site www.wisconsinhorsecouncil.org.

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CONGRATULATIONS 2025 WISCONSIN HORSE COUNCIL AWARD WINNERS!

WHC Lifetime Achievement Award - Floyd Finney

Floyd's lifetime dedication to improving the Wisconsin horse industry started as a young man in the 1950's while helping his father clear trails in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. His next endeavor was serving as the Horse and Pony Leader for the Chuckwagon 4-H Club in Jefferson County. In 1990 he became the co-superintendent of the Rock County Horse and Pony program which was a position he held for 20 years.

In 1991 Floyd took on a new challenge by adopting wild mustangs through the Bureau of Land Management adoption program and training them. His mustangs have done demos at the Midwest Horse Fair.

Floyd has been an active member of the Rock County Natural Resources and Advisory Board. Thanks to his efforts Rock County now has five horse accessible trails.

Floyd has also been a key contributor to the Wisconsin Horse Council by representing District 4 on both the Board and Executive Board. In 2010 he became co-chair of the WHC Trails Committee where he worked to enhance trail programs across the state. Floyd has a Trail Masters Certification and through his leadership the WHC Trail School has trained many individuals.

Floyd Finney's contribution to the Wisconsin horse industry makes him a very deserving recipient of the 2025 WHC Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Floyd!

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WHC Lifetime Achievement Award - Andrew Halbach

Andy Halbach has been active with ponies and horses from two years of age. Andy showed the Arab circuit back in the seventies earning many regional and national awards while showing in many events. He later purchased a Hackney pony and went on to win many events in driving events.

Andy was an Agriculture teacher in Portage, WI, and the FFA advisor for the area. When not teaching or showing he spent time sharing his knowledge, and volunteering to help others learn. Over the years Andy has judged numerous horse events and has been a clinician for many organizations and disciplines. He does a great amount of volunteering at the Midwest Horse Fair, 4-H activities, along with other events.

Andy is very respected in the horse world. The Wisconsin Horse Council is proud to present Andrew Halbach with the 2025 WHC Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Andy!

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WHC Lifetime Achievement Award - Wendy Konichek

Wendy Konichek is the current Executive Director and Founder of Horse Power Healing Center in Eagle, Wisconsin. Every year she helps hundreds of therapeutic riding clients and their families with groundwork and riding at her family-owned farm. In 2022, she was named the PATH Intl. Region 6 Instructor of the Year.

Wendy has coached some of her therapeutic students to many accomplishments at multiple breed shows and earning multiple year end breed placings. Her able-bodied students have also received many accolades including multiple World Championships and Reserve World Championships through OHSA and breed organizations.

Additionally, Wendy has been an active member in multiple breed and equestrian organizations and a longtime member of the Wisconsin Horse Council. She also cares for rescue horses and organizes and attends many outreach events promoting therapeutic riding and horse sports at Midwest Horse Fair.

The Wisconsin Horse Council is proud to present Wendy with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Wendy!

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WHC Lifetime Achievement Award - Gail Seasor

Gail's love for horses started at a very young age and continues to this day. She purchased her first horse after moving to Wisconsin with her husband Tom. It was also Gail's passion for horses that led her to help form the Glacial Drumlin Horse Trail Association. Gail's search for a community of riders brought her to the Trail Gaiters and she soon became the group’s Wisconsin Horse Council Representative. Gail's leadership has helped create a model for trail advocacy that continues to benefit equestrian trail users throughout the state.

Gail has contributed her knowledge and time to nearly every committee within the WHC. She is very dedicated to the Midwest Horse Fair in many ways including managing the WHC Trails Booth.

Gail Seasor's leadership, advocacy, and hard work have created a legacy for the equestrian community. The Wisconsin Horse Council is proud to present Gail with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Gail!

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WHC Horseperson Of The Year Award - Jeff Pintz

Good leadership and hard work are requirements in order to have safe and fun riding trails in Wisconsin . Jeff Pintz is a prime example of that. Jeff has been the President of the La Riviere Riders for the past six years, and his leadership and the great group he has working with him have brought the campground back to life.

Upgrades to the campground include over ninety electrical sites, water faucets at each end of the campground, and other upgrades.

Jeff’s hard work and dedication has certainly made the horse park successful. Riders come from Wisconsin and surrounding states each year to ride the beautiful trails and enjoy the campground.

The Wisconsin Horse Council would like to congratulate Jeff Pintz as the Horseperson of the Year recipient. Congratulations, Jeff!

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WHC Equine Of The Year Award - Ke Ja Co Herger “Herger” Owned by Wendy Konichek

Horses can have a huge impact on people’s lives in many ways. That can be said for Ke Ja Co Herger, a coming 28-year-old Norwegian Fjord from Horse Power Healing Center in Eagle, Wisconsin. He is owned by Wendy Konichek.

Herger has an impact on people of all ages through his work as a therapeutic riding horse and is a volunteer favorite. He has also visited many senior homes along with parades and presentations honoring military veterans.

Herger has many impressive achievements in the show ring as well. He has won several dressage awards. He is also a two-time OHSA World Champion in Hunt Seat Equitation. Herger was named the 2022 PATH Intl Region 6 Therapy Horse of the Year and has his own book that tells his life story from his birth on a family farm in Canada to his adventures at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

The Wisconsin Horse Council is proud to present Herger with the Equine of the Year Award. Congratulations, Herger!