SHARI BURGER
The Paul Harber Racing Distinguished Service Award presented by the American Paint Horse Association is bestowed upon a person for their outstanding contributions to the Paint Horse racing industry. Past recipients include legendary Walter Merrick, Paul Harber, Dan & Kaye Jones, Ray Graves, Henry and Linda Bowlan, Karen Utecht to name a few, and this year Shari Burger is receiving the prestigious honor.
Shari grew up in Mustang, OK rodeoing, barrel racing and serving as rodeo queen. Upon college graduation from Oklahoma State University, her parents gifted her with a crop-out quarter horse mare by Marthas Six Moons. And Shari’s paint racing career began when she bred this mare to World Champion Texas Hero. Her mare’s legacy has become one of the best producing families in the paint industry.
She is proud of her horses but a few hold distinction. One is her Champion sire Barracuda by Judys Lineage; and his foal, Turnpikes Judy, who consistently finishes in the top placings. Turnpikes Judy is being honored as the 2022 APHA Champion Regular Registry Three Year Old Filly and Three Year Old of the Year; and the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission’s Champion Paint Horse of the Year and Three Year Old Paint Horse. She is also the breeder of multiple stakes winner and Champion Bust N Moves.
Shari has lifetime breeder earnings over $754,000, ranking her among the top 15 in the nation. As the administrator of the Oklahoma Paint and Appaloosa Futurity, the Paint Stallion Breeders Association (American Paint Classic races) and the Pot O Gold Futurity, she has been integral in the paint racing industry. Helping horsemen and working alongside the APHA Racing Committee and Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association as a Board of Director; to ensure more racing opportunities for Paint Horse owners and trainers.