About AQHA
Hall of Fame

Jack Cooper - A Man Who Has Done It All

There have been only been a handful (13 to be exact) of people bestowed with the greatest honour of the Quarter Horse industry, that being the induction into the AQHA Hall Of Fame. The most recent inductee is Mr Jack Cooper, acknowledged for his terrific contribution to the Australian Quarter Horse industry over many decades. As well known as he might be, there are few people that know the complete Jack Cooper story. Here is more of an insight into his life.

It was the mid 1960’s and Jack was enjoying life with his young family. He owned a garage, enjoyed times at Eildon Reservoir and passionately loved water-skiing. He’d never thought about horses, let alone imagined where they might take him in life.

Jack’s daughters Sandra and Denise, like many daughters, dearly wanted ponies to ride through the bush surrounding Lake Eildon. Jack thought it best to buy himself a horse, just so he could accompany his daughters on their rides and ensure their safety. So there it was, the start of a life-long journey with horses. Photo description: Jack Cooper. Photo: Mark Childs.

Humble beginnings

Jack is candid about the early days with horses. He talks about making the same errors most people make with t he first few horses he purchased. The first, an eye-catching black horse with a fairly nasty attitude. The second, a grey Arab named Blue. The third, opted for over a much more expensive horse, he simply describes as $200 worth of troubles! These horses came and went, each teaching him vital lessons in horsemanship.

Introduction to the Quarter Horse

A defining event in Jack’s life was an exhibition held at the Moe Agricultural Show in the early 70’s. Three cowboys were attracting a great deal of attention with a display of the then relatively new breed of horse to Australia, the American Quarter Horse. Max McTaggart, Ian Johnson and Greg Gilpin showed the versatility and sound mindedness of the Quarter Horse via exhibition in cutting, reining and trail. Needless to say, Jack Cooper was old!

His first Quarter Horse was ‘infused’ (any breed of mare crossed with a 1st cross Quarter Horse stallion). Clancy, like most Quarter Horses of the time, was an all-rounder. Jack says, "In those days horses were built to perform in all events to show the true versatility of the horse”. Pleasure, trail, reining, they did it all.

The Competitive Arena

Jack describes his entrance into the competitive arena as ‘a natural progression’, not planned or pushed, but just the direction life took. He started competing in the early 70’s with horses in cutting, cow horse, pleasure and trail. Jack recalls one special horse he describes as his all time favourite, a 15.1hh chestnut gelding named Nug Nug Jessie James. The success of this partnership grew through the early 70’s to ultimately take out the 1976 AQHA High Point Trail Horse award. No mean feat given the challenges of the trail course at the time. The more ‘mature’ Quarter Horse enthusiasts might remember the challenges of dragging logs behind, pulling tin can tied to string toward the horse, walking through water filled tubs (completed with dry ice just for effect!) trough plastic blinds and even over sea say bridges. Nothing like today’s trail class! A ride through the Carrum tip, or a jog down Swanston Street in Melbourne’s city centre dodging trams and cars, stepping over every piece of debris that blew their way, helped prepare Jessie James for any challenge in the competition arena! Photo description: Jack & Nug Nug Jessie James. Photo: Mark Childs.

Much More Than A Competitor

In 1974 Jack visited the USA and met up with the legendary Richard Schrake. Whilst inviting Richard to judge at the royal Melbourne Show, Jack broached the subject of providing Australian Quarter Horse youth with USA exposure. That conversation ultimately led to the inception of the Youth QH World Cup. Jack recalls the event was held in 1978 at the Upper Beaconsfield Equestrian Centre in Victoria, and was a complete sell out. The venue catered for 1000 spectators, and anther 5000 had to be turned away. Can you image in the traffic jams? With enormous media coverage in newspapers and TV, the event was deemed a great success. The following year with Jack as organiser and Show Manager, the World Cup was held in Washington USA. Jack proudly says, “The Australian youth were then and are now the best in the world, envied by the Americans”. When asked why our youth are so talented he responds, “It’s the Australian heritage. We’ve had to do it rougher, with less money. Our riders and horses have had to do it all”. Jack has been proud to watch the Youth QH World Cup grow into the prestigious annual event it ahs become, now with twelve countries participating from around the world.

Jack Cooper’s involvement in the Australian Quarter Horse industry expands for and wide. At one time or another he has acted as President of the Melbourne QHA  (now the Yarra Valley QHA), the West Gippsland QHA and the Victorian QHA. He has acted as AQHA judge, HSAA (Horse Show Association) judge and NCHA judge. Needless to say what Jack hasn’t seen or been involved in when it comes to the Quarter Horse industry probably isn’t worth a mention.

Accolades

Jack was acknowledged for his work in and support for the Quarter Horse Association in Victoria in 1996 with the presentation of the VQHA Living Legend award (Max McTaggart the only other recipient).

In regard to being inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame Jack says, “I feel overwhelmed and privileged to be chosen by my peers worthy of the award. For many people to think I am worthy of the award makes me feel very humble. It is the highest honour I will achieve in my lifetime and the one which I hold dearest to my heart”. Photo description: Jack - AQHA Judge. Photo: Mark Childs.

Whilst being presented with just accolades for this commitment for the Quarter Horse industry, Jack is quick to compliment others. He says, “We all owe the associations and affiliates a lot. They are the ones that provide the shows for us to enjoy. When it is wet and cold and most people have gone home, the steward, the people in the booth and on the gate are all still there working free of charge. The AQHA wouldn’t function without them.

Nowadays

Jack and his wife Sandra live in Nar Nar Goon, Victoria at Ironbark Quarter Horse Stud. Jack says he gains most enjoyment from training people to train their horses and from breeding “good horses with good minds”. His 5yr old stallion, Ironbark Resolute Rule (‘Rule Breakin’ bloodline) is putting terrific babies on the ground that seems to have a special patience and understanding. Photo description: Jack's Trophy Collection. Photo: Mark Childs.

When asked for his key to success, Jack responds immediately. “Have a goal and a plan”. He believes people’s impatience created the biggest barriers to success. “Horses are never going to be human. We have to put ourselves in the horse’s position to better understand them. The best way to do that is to sit in the paddock and watch the heard. Watch how they establish the pecking order and how they care for each other”.

The future

Jack believes the AQHA is on the threshold of a boom. He says, “The AQHA is being managed as the multi million dollar business that it is and with consultation with the American Quarter Horse Association (not following, but learning from their success and failures), over the next ten years the Australian Association will go from strength to strength!”

Asked if he has any advice for young riders, he responds “Watch the top professionals, the ones that are kind to their horses and gain great success, and aim to replicate their success. Reach for the pinnacle, work hard, be patient and it will come”. Pretty sound advice from a man who has done it all.