Lela & Marvin Barnes

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame 2017 inductee Marvin Barnes of Ada, Oklahoma, died Nov. 30 at the age of 95.

With the help of American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame mare FL Lady Bug, Marvin and his late wife, Lela, established the Lady Bug Stallion Station at Madill, Oklahoma, and a breeding program that changed racing forever.

The 50-year cumulative breeders bred their first Quarter Horse in 1960 and over the years raised horses that earned more than $4.7 million. Top Bug, Top Ladybug and Mr Master Bug were champions, 15 others were stakes winners and one already is in the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.

That Hall of Famer is Lady Bug’s Moon, a successful racehorse and sire, and himself the son of Barnes’ Hall of Fame mare FL Lady Bug. Lady Bug’s Moon is the grandsire of First Prize Rose, the dam of all-time leading sire First Down Dash, who was co-bred by A.F. “Sonny” Stanley, Lela’s brother.

Along with Lela and FL Lady Bug, Marvin is already a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. He is set to be inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2017.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be updated when available.

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