OQHA

The Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association hosts several fundraisers throughout the year, the largest being our Trainer Service Auction. Trainers from throughout Ohio and surrounding areas generously donate one month of training to be sold by OAQHA, with proceeds going towards OAQHA's philanthropy activities.  

How It Works

Each trainer service is for one month of training and costs $550. Service is sold beginning at the OQHA Year-End Banquet, held the first Saturday in February each year on a first-come, first serve basis. Customers should make checks payable to OQHA, with the trainer’s name you wish to purchase written in the memo line. Checks will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Questions and checks should be directed to:

Becca Dingus 
OAQHA Trainer Auction Chair
1663 Olympus Dr.
Kent, OH 44240 
740- 534-3551
beccadingus@gmail.com 

2013 Participating Trainers

Matt and Cami Claypool - Claypool Ranch
Dakota Griffith
Willie Matthews - Bar W Equestrian Center SOLD
Hallas Show Horses
Heath McNeill
Jeanine Perez
Puthoff Performance Horses SOLD
Scott Thomas
Missy Thyfault  SOLD
Ashley Wood 

Trainer Biographies

Matt and Cami Claypool - Claypool Ranch
www.claypoolranch.net
Xenia, Ohio
330-806-1808
Claypool Ranch was established in 2003. Matt Claypool and Cami Whitlatch strive to run a facility that promotes quality, integrity, and most importantly honesty. In this fast pace industry, Matt and Cami both feel that it is imperative to promote a fun, family oriented atmosphere for their customers. Their main concern is the well being of their horses and their owners. Matt envisioned opening Claypool Ranch from a young age. He grew up showing Quarter horses. He is experienced in showing events from reining to halter. His first job was working with Shawn Flarida training reining horses. He soon found his true passion was showing and training halter horses. He began working for Randy Jacobs, where he fine tuned his skills on preparing and fitting world class halter horses. In 2003, Matt decided to make his dream come true and open the doors to Claypool Ranch. He has been fortunate to have several Congress Champions, AQHA high-point titles, and several Futurity Champions. Cami began in the industry at the 4-H level and then moved on to Quarter horses. In 2000, she graduated from the University of Findlay with a degree in business and equestrian studies. She went to work for Dan and Darlene Trein as an assistant. She then moved to Florida to work for Clay Farrell, at Prince Farm, before going on her own in Tampa. In 2005, Cami joined her talent with Claypool Ranch. Cami’s emphasis is with the performance horses, specializing in both english and western events. She enjoys preparing both horses and client for the all-around events. Her talent ranges anywhere from showmanship to horsemanship to equitation to trail. Cami values the versatility that her expertise provides to her customers. With the combined knowledge that Matt and Cami have, they are able to give their customers the confidence and support they need to set and achieve their goals. They have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with several talented individuals and their horses. They are grateful for their customers continued support and trust in their program. Matt and Cami believe in their clients and want them to feel comfortable in their program. They know by working closely with their clients that anything is possible and achievable.

Dakota Griffith 
614-850-RIDE
www.sgec.net
Dakota Diamond Griffith is the past president of OQHA, AQHA, and NSBA Youth and is entering her first year as a professional. She trains out of Sid Griffith Equestrian Center owned by her parents Sid and Leigh Ann Griffith, which is home to the Ohio State University accredited riding programs, and The Ohio State Hunt Seat Equestrian Team. Dakota has earned nearly 2,500 lifetime AQHA points along with two Open AQHA High Point titles and 10 additional honor roll titles in Hunter Under Saddle and Halter disciplines. During her career she has been the primary trainer all of her own horses and is an extremely effective from starting colts, to working with senior horses. The Facility boasts over 100 14x14 stalls and has two large indoor and outdoor arenas, and on site care givers for you horses. Please visit us at SGEC.net or visit us on facebook at Sid Griffith Equestrian Center. 614-850-RIDE
 

Willie Matthews - Bar W Equestrian Center
937-602-7625
cowgirlwillie@aol.com
www.barw.net
St. Paris, OH
Bar W is a full service equestrian center in southern corner of Champaign County, Ohio. Amenities at Bar W are: 70x200 lit & groomed indoor arena indoor hot/cold washrack,45' round pen, 265x125 lit outdoor arena, indoor wash rack, hot & cold water, heated bathroom, frig, pasture, paddocks 10 minute haul to horse trails and heated tack rooms. We are 20 min from Troy, Urbana and Springfield, JUST off Rt. 235 north of New Carlisle. We offer full and partial care board, training (customized training packages), private lessons, and show clinics. Training specializes in the stock horse All-arounder, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Trail, and Longeline. "I train so you can show!"

Hallas Show Horses 
www.hallasshowhorses.com
Bucyrus, Ohio
845-323-9176
Madison Hallas trains all-around horses in Bucyrus, Ohio. During her time at The University of Findlay, she was a competitive member of the equestrian team, winning two-time national championships and placing top ten in horsemanship. She credits much of her success and technique to Art O’Brien and Clark Bradley from her time at Findlay, as well as working for Kat Zelnio at the Congress. As she begins her training career, she is looking forward to working with all of her clients and their horses. She says, “Having horses has taught me time management, appreciation for the little things in life and I have gotten to meet many great and awesome people along the way!”

Heath McNeill
336-239-3684
mcneillheath@yahoo.com
Heath has worked for such trainers as Donnie Dickerson, Mark Shaffer, Brian and Dawn Baker. Moved to Ohio November 2010. Disciplines: Western Pleasure, Hunt Seat, All Around Horses, Western Riding. Heath really enjoyed working with youth and amateurs. Also enjoys working with Futurity horses.

Jeanine Perez
Canton, OH
330-933-4318
My name is Jeanine Perez owner of JNP Quarter Horses. I've been training for 8 years now. I specialize in youth and amatuer riders. Disciplines include: western pleasure, horsemanship, showmanship, HUS, equitation, halter, and now branching into the western riding!! My accomplishments include: many top 5 year end awards in the state, Congress finalists and Top tens, and world qualifiers. Located at Shooting Star Stables in Canton, Ohio.

Puthoff Performance Horses
puthoffph.com
West Milton, OH 
937-546-1505
pphchamp@aol.com
Trainers Tim and Lynne Puthoff.

Scott Thomas
www.stperformancehorses.com
Pataskala, OH
614-353-7574

Missy Thyfault
www.missythyfault.com
Shelby, OH
419-342-5760
Missy Thyfault Performance Horses originated in 1991. Missy Thyfault was born and raised in Momence, Illinois She graduated from the University of Findlay Equestrian program in 1991. Missy works with youth and amateurs in the all around events. She trains both english and western pleasure horses and enjoys preparing the young ones for the futurities. She feels fortunate to have had a successful career doing something she truly loves.

Ashley Wood
www.awperformancehorses.weebly.com
Nelsonville, OH
740-590-2355
AW Performance Horses is located in the beautiful Hocking Hills in Southern Ohio. Resting on a 600 acre farm just one mile from state route 33, AW Performance Horses is home to many Congress, World, and Major Futurity champions. Owned and operated by Ashley Wood and Jason Koffel, AWPH specializes in AQHA futurity horses as well as all around youth and amatuers for AQHA competition. Ashley, who has ridden horses all her life, began training horses for her self at the young age of 14. Starting out showing at small open shows and 4-H, then moving on to help others acheive wins at the Ohio State Fair and the All American Youth Horse Show among others all while still showing as a youth. She is now living the dream of pursuing a career training horses at the highest level of competition, with a milestone being reached in 2010 as her sister was a finalist in the small fry horsemanship at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Her program has also produced winners of the Regional Experience AQHA and AQHA futurities as well.
A new venture for AWPH in 2012 will be adding Jason Koffel to our team and family. Ashley and JD have been together since 2010 and will be beginning a new chapter in their life training horses together and hopefully acheiving much success. JD himself is a very accomplished horseman. He has worked for such farms as Pine View and has most recently been the assistand trainer at Fritz Leeman Farms in Ohio. With the combination of knowledge between both Ashley and JD, our clients are sure to acheive much success in our program. We pride ourselves on giving our clients horses the best care possible. We like to make horse shows FUN for our clients and make it a stress free atmosphere. We are very goal oriented and enjoy helping our customers acheive their goals as well......... We look forward to working with you in the future!!