The information about Glade B. Draper was sent to me by Ross Bradford, a longtime friend and admirer  of Glades, who submitted the original application for Glade to be considered for the Appaloosa Racing Hall of Fame. Glade had been overlooked for inclusion in Racing’s Hall of Fame for many years probably because time had dimmed the memory and accomplishments of Glade Draper.  Ross Bradford was determined that one who had contributed so much to the Appaloosa community was not going to be forgotten.  Ross Bradford writes:

“I first had the privilege of meeting Glade B. Draper in December, 1954, when I made a visit to see the old Appaloosa stallion Chief Malheur, ApHC F1274, who was standing at stud at Glade’s farm. Instantly, I was a life-long admirer of Glade and Appaloosa horses.  Through the next 21 years, I had the pleasure of watching him inspire the same admiration in others, many of whom went on to great accomplishments and prominence in the Appaloosa world.

In the early, often rough and tumble, days of Appaloosa racing, no one did more than Glade to promote Appaloosa racing and Appaloosa race horses, often at great personal and financial sacrifice. His efforts were pivotal in establishing credibility for Appaloosa race horses when they were not taken as serious racing contenders.  Today, it’s easy to forget that things were much more difficult for Appaloosa breeders and owners in the 1950s/1960s than they are today after barriers were broken down by pioneers such as Glade.

Glade Draper was one of the founding fathers of Appaloosa racing.  Perhaps no other individual did as much in the early days of the Appaloosa Horse Club to engender respect for Appaloosa race horses as Glade.  He was successfully winning in the best of open competition with his Appaloosas when most people were still laughing at the spotted creatures.  At that time, Appaloosas were thought by most people, including many prominent horse owners, to be nothing but a color breed and not worthy of serious consideration – especially on the track;  that is, until Glade and his wonderful animals came along and beat even the other breeds best.

Glade Draper was president and director of the Utah Appaloosa Horse Club and served as director and vice-president of the Intermountain Appaloosa Horse Club.  Additionally, Glade was also president of both the Utah ApHC and the Utah Appaloosa Racing Association( which he helped to co-found) and served as an ApHC national inspector for many years.

Glade Draper was the breeder, trainer, and owner of:

Zaael, ApHC F798 and Sun Up, ApHC F1649.  This pair won the Utah/Idaho Chariot Racing Championship in 1954. This championship was open to ALL BREEDS and attracted many top-rated race horses.  At that time, there were no Appaloosa races and very few Appaloosas running.

Dawndee.  This mare was the FIRST Appaloosa to run under parimutual, in Ely, NV, August 1961.  She was also the FIRST Appaloosa to run AAA officially under parimutual, and was the FIRST Appaloosa mare to be rated AAA.  Dawndee was the National Champion Appaloosa Racing Mare in 1963, with wins at both the National Appaloosa Horse Show in Boise, Id and the National Appaloosa Playoffs that year in Las Vegas, Nv.  This mare won over 40 races in her career, including an open Quarter Horse Futurity in Payson, Ut in 1961.

Frae.  This mare was a multiple winner in open Quarter Horse sponsored meets in Utah.  At the National Appaloosa Horse Show in Boise, Id, 1963, she set the Appaloosa World Record for 220 yards which stood until 1978.

War Don.  This stunning colt was also a winner in open competition against Quarter Horses.  In 1964, he was the National Appaloosa Racing Champion Colt.  War Don was a leading sire of Appaloosa race horses and was one of the original inductees into the Appaloosa Racing Hall of Fame.

Glade Draper was born in Moroni, Ut, October 13, 1922.  Glade married Isabelle Youd on June 12, 1942. They are the parents of three daughters and three sons. While spending most of his adult life in Genola, Ut., Glade served as the town clerk for 15 years and raised horses for nearly 30 years.

Glade was a quiet man whose wisdom and experience were key elements in establishing the Appaloosa race horse industry.  Always a gentleman, he never raised his voice, but he never backed down on issues of principle and integrity.  Glade was a breeder of Appaloosa horses from 1947 until his untimely death in 1975 in a mining accident.  During his life, he devoted many years to his horses full time, foregoing other opportunities for income in order to spend all his time with his horses.

In conclusion, Glade personified character and commitment to the Appaloosa race horse and he helped lay the foundation for today’s successful Appaloosa racing program;  many horse lovers feel that he was even the keystone for this effort.  Glade is a worthy member of the Appaloosa Racing Hall of Fame.”

We all owe Ross Bradford a debt of gratitude for being the force behind getting Glade Draper recognized by the Appaloosa Racing Hall of Fame and inducted into it.  Thanks Ross!