Patti Carter of St. George, Ontario was chosen by her peers as AQHA’s 2005 Professional Horsewoman of the Year. This prestigious award has only been bestowed on 11 Professional Horsemen and 11 Professional Horsewomen since its inception in 1995. It is interesting to note that Patti Carter is the first international member to be so honoured.

Patti Carter has been involved in the horse industry for 22 years as a trainer, exhibitor, and coach. She has been an AQHA-approved judge since 1998, and holds judges’ cards with APHA NRHA, NRCHA, NSBA, PHBA and FEI. Carter has judged the AQHA World Championship Show, the AQHYA Youth World Championship show, the Fort Worth Stock Show, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, the Gold Coast Circuit, many state fairs, and numerous Canadian and European shows. As an exhibitor, Carter has placed at the AQHA World Show and ridden several AQHA Year-End High Point horses. As a coach, Carter has trained many students and horses to Congress and Provincial All-Around Year-End titles, and coached Team Canada at the 2000 and 2002 Youth World Cup Events in held in Italy and Amarillo, Texas, respectively.

Carter believes in giving back by serving the horse industry in a variety of capacities. She is a National Director of AQHA, and the Canadian Quarter Horse Association, representing her home province of Ontario. She is a founding member and currently Vice-Chair of the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Committee. Carter serves on the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Council and Show Violations Hearing Committee. Since 1993, Carter has been an instructor of the International Color Breed Council, and conducts clinics in Canada, the USA and Europe. AQHA recently appointed Carter as Chair of the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup Competition, which will take place in London, Ontario. Carter has hosted three segments of the AQHA’s television show, “America’s Horse”, one of which won the “Silver Telly Award.” Carter was voted one of the top 25 most influential women in the Quarter Horse industry.

Patti Carter makes her home with her daughter Paige, in St. George, Ontario, where she operates Patti Carter Performance Horses.