Helen Michaelis
Encyclopedia
Helen Michaelis was a key figure in the organization and development of the modern Quarter Horse
. She was the secretary-treasurer of the American Quarter Horse Association
(AQHA) from March 1942 to August 1946, and was the first woman inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
.
. Her father, Fred S. Hall, had come to Texas from England
to raise horses. Besides Helen, her parents had three boys, all younger than she. In 1917, the family moved to a better ranch in Concho County, Texas, near Eden.
Helen attended college at the University of Texas, and spent the summer of 1928 teaching riding at Camp Ekalela near Estes Park in Colorado. When she returned to Texas, she rounded up a string of horses she had raised and trained on the family ranch, and drove them from Eden to Austin. She first rented at the Western Field Riding Club, and later bought her own riding academy. In 1932, she married Max G Michaelis, Jr., sold her stables and most of her horses, and moved to Mexico with him. Helen stayed active in the livestock business after marrying Michaelis, and continued to raise and train horses in Mexico. They later moved back to the Michaelis Ranch
in Kyle, Texas
. Helen died July 26, 1965 at St. David's Hospital, Austin, TX, and is buried at Kyle Cemetery, Kyle, TX.
(AQHA) in the mid 1930’s. She met some initial resistance and prejudice as a woman in the livestock industry, but ultimately gained the respect of her peers. She was elected as a director of the AQHA in 1940, and held the position of secretary-treasurer from March 1942 to August 1946. Helen Michaelis was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
in 1985.
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
. She was the secretary-treasurer of the American Quarter Horse Association
American Quarter Horse Association
The American Quarter Horse Association , based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry...
(AQHA) from March 1942 to August 1946, and was the first woman inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
The American Quarter Horse Association has created a Hall of Fame in Amarillo, Texas to honor both people and horses who contributed to the growth of the American Quarter Horse. Any one may nominate either people or horses to be considered. Nominations from the membership are due by October 1. They...
.
Life and Family
Helen Mary Hall, daughter of Fred S. Hall (1864–1946) and Florence Black (b1879), was born on a ranch in Kimble County, TexasKimble County, Texas
Kimble County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat is Junction. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.-Geography:...
. Her father, Fred S. Hall, had come to Texas from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to raise horses. Besides Helen, her parents had three boys, all younger than she. In 1917, the family moved to a better ranch in Concho County, Texas, near Eden.
Helen attended college at the University of Texas, and spent the summer of 1928 teaching riding at Camp Ekalela near Estes Park in Colorado. When she returned to Texas, she rounded up a string of horses she had raised and trained on the family ranch, and drove them from Eden to Austin. She first rented at the Western Field Riding Club, and later bought her own riding academy. In 1932, she married Max G Michaelis, Jr., sold her stables and most of her horses, and moved to Mexico with him. Helen stayed active in the livestock business after marrying Michaelis, and continued to raise and train horses in Mexico. They later moved back to the Michaelis Ranch
Michaelis Ranch
The Michaelis Ranch is a historic cattle ranch located near Kyle, Texas United States. The ranch was founded by Max G. Michaelis Sr. in the late 1890s, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places....
in Kyle, Texas
Kyle, Texas
Kyle is a town in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,314 at the 2000 census; it was 26,103 in the 2008 census estimate, making Kyle one of the fastest growing cities in Texas.-Geography:...
. Helen died July 26, 1965 at St. David's Hospital, Austin, TX, and is buried at Kyle Cemetery, Kyle, TX.
American Quarter Horse Association
As an expert on Texas horses, Helen was one of the founders of the American Quarter Horse AssociationAmerican Quarter Horse Association
The American Quarter Horse Association , based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry...
(AQHA) in the mid 1930’s. She met some initial resistance and prejudice as a woman in the livestock industry, but ultimately gained the respect of her peers. She was elected as a director of the AQHA in 1940, and held the position of secretary-treasurer from March 1942 to August 1946. Helen Michaelis was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
The American Quarter Horse Association has created a Hall of Fame in Amarillo, Texas to honor both people and horses who contributed to the growth of the American Quarter Horse. Any one may nominate either people or horses to be considered. Nominations from the membership are due by October 1. They...
in 1985.