In 2005, Jim Helzer was presented the JoAnn Weber Distinguished Service Award in honor of his distinguished service to the Texas horse racing industry.

Helzer is president and vice chairman of the board of Eagle Supply Group Inc., a drywall, masonry and roofing material distributor based in Mansfield, Texas. With his wife, Marilyn, he established JEH Stallion Station in 1994 at the former site of Phillips Ranch in Frisco, Texas. Four years later, JEH moved to its present location in Pilot Point, Texas, and it has become one of the leading equine facilities in the southwest.

In 2003, JEH Stallion Station was renamed JEH Stallion Station East, and a newly created JEH Stallion Station West was established in Hondo, New Mexico, in partnership with R.D. Hubbard.

Born in Loveland, Colorado, Helzer began racing American Quarter Horses in Colorado in his home state in 1962. Since then, the Helzers have successfully raced Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds throughout the U.S.

The most noteworthy Quarter Horse campaigned by the Helzers was Refrigerator, the sport’s world champion in 1992 and ’93. The winner of the 1990 All American Futurity (G1) after the Helzers supplemented him to the race for $50,000, Refrigerator is currently Quarter Horse racing’s leading all-time money earner at $2,126,309. He is the only three-time winner of the Grade 1 Champion of Champions, the sport's richest and most prestigious race for older horses.

In 1980, the Helzers acquired Hempens Jet as a yearling for $8,000. Racing from 1981-86, the Hempen (TB) gelding won 18 of 79 races – including the ’83 Rainbow Silver Cup – and earned $271,083.

During the ‘60s and ‘70s, the only thing Marilyn and I had were cheap horses,” said Helzer. “(Hempens Jet) alone allowed us to be successful in the horse business.”

Helzer has been an AQHA Director and chairman of the AQHA Racing Council. He also is a member and past president of the Texas Quarter Horse Association and a member and past director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. Currently, Helzer also serves on the board of the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and is a past president of that organizatoin. He is also a past chairman of the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership.

Back to Special Award Winners List