The Saskatchewan Horse Federation has announced this year’s list of Hall of Fame inductees, including local Brownlee breeder, volunteer, and horseman Wayne Cozart.
Cozart, who passed away in 2019, is being honoured for his decades of contributions to the equestrian community that created awareness of the role horses play within this province’s culture, industry, agriculture, and sport.
For 40 years, Cozart raised Percheron draft horses alongside Paint, quarter horse, and miniature breeds as well. He dedicated his life to his horsemanship, sharing his passion with everyone he could.
“He really pursued volunteerism, horsemanship, all of it tied to equestrian activity and just a love of horses,” said SHF executive director Audrey Price. “There are so many different accomplishments that the family noted in their nomination.”
Cozart’s draft and miniature teams travelled the province, making appearances both at competitions and in communities giving wagon and sleigh rides. He gave clinics, sat on many organizational boards, and helped form the Mini-Might Trail Riders Trail Group.
He dedicated much of his time to the younger generation, said daughter Susan McNutt, and was very involved with at several different light horse 4-H clubs in his area — including the Purple Sage Riding Club in Central Butte and Marquis Light Horse 4-H Club.
“He's always been involved with horses, he took a whole pile of kids under his wing,” said McNutt. “Anytime we went to shows, he always rounded up kids the same age as ours and showed them how to show and drive, and kind of look after the horses.”
For over 30 years, Cozart would hitch up his team on Christmas Eve and pick up families around Brownlee to go carolling, and hosted an annual poker run in Brownlee where plenty of other sleigh teams could gather and socialize.
From 1980 and onwards, Cozart had a large role in organizing the heavy horse division of the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair, and was a regular competitor at shows across the province, including Agribition and Buffalo Days, as well as shows in Arcola, Prince Albert, Swift Current, and more.
Wayne Cozart, an avid member of the horse community in Saskatchewan and new inductee to the Saskatchewan Horse Federation’s Hall of Fame. (supplied)“I don't think they ever missed a high school rodeo with our kids,” said McNutt. “Horses were always his life, horses and cows and family.”
The Cozart family was largely involved in the South Sask Riding and Roping Club, and Cozart was one of the main organizers for the Quarter Horse Show in Saskatchewan.
Cozart was also a large Percheron breeder in the province, with some of his bloodlines present in the Praire Percherons team that does annual rides in Wakamow Valley.
The family is grateful for the spotlight on Cozart’s life, recognizing the large role he played as a part of the equestrian community.
“It's a very big honour, for him to win this award,” said McNutt. “I just wish he was here to get it.”
The SHF is also recognizing four other inductees for their influence in the equestrian community, including driving expert Jean Bogner, horse and hitch champion Harold French, chuckwagon racing legend Raymond Mitsuing, and hunter-jumper and dressage pioneer Elaine Partington.
“The Horse Federation, the board itself, are really excited about this program, about being able to honour and recognize those people that are why we still have a very active breeding program in the province and why equestrian sport continues to thrive and grow,” said Price.
The Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized during the SHF Annual General Meeting on Mar. 14 in Regina. Tickets for the event are available by contacting the SHF.
