Joyce Ann Wyatt
Joyce Ann Wyatt, 81, of Claysville passed into eternity with her Father in heaven Sunday at Grove City Medical Center.
Born May 29, 1935, in Springdale, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Adrian “AJ” and Janet McNally Girard.
Ms. Wyatt was a 1953 graduate of Springdale High School, where she held office in student council and the National Honor Society, was a majorette and was on the swim team.
Joyce had a love and obsession, as she called it, with horses since her first memories. She purchased her first horse with money saved from her first job without telling her parents. She began making her mark in the horse world “back in the day” where she was known as a serious barrel racer. From there she went on to become a famed trainer, breeder, exhibitor and one of the most influential businesswomen in the professional equine industry.
In 1959, Joyce was wed for a brief time to William R. Bradford, the father of her son, William “Billy” Bradford. At this time, she boarded her first horse and worked part-time for the stable owners. She made use of the tack room for her son's playroom.
Then in 1965, Ms. Wyatt was wed to Haskell “Oakie” Wyatt. Two years later they purchased a farm in Claysville, where together they produced some of the greatest world-renown horses of their times. Joyce in particular exhibited and showed in many different events such as Halter, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Pleasure Driving, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Goat Tying. It has been said that “There wasn't anything she couldn't do with a horse, and she could get on any horse anywhere and make it look good.”
Ms. Wyatt became a respected and accomplished judge for the American Quarter Horse Association in 1978 and was known for being tough and unbiased in the ring and an advocate for the horse. She served the industry and represented the association in that capacity throughout the U.S., Canada, Belgium, Denmark, England, Great Britain, Italy, Australia and Germany.
Here in the States, Joyce attended as a judge at the most prominent events such as the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and Appaloosa World and National Shows. She had been a ring steward at the AQHA World Show. She also was a well sought after and largely recognized judge for the American Paint Horse, Palomino and Pinto Horse Associations. She also judged various intercollegiate, 4-H and NSBA events.
During this time she also acted as an AQHA director, chaired the English Sub-Committee and one of her most treasured positions was being chairman of the AQHA Show Committee. Joyce also was deeply involved with the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association and served as a director and futurity chairman.
Because of Ms. Wyatt's momentous influence on individuals and the industry, she has received the most prestigious awards. Joyce was selected by a panel of her peers in the industry to be honored with the “2002 Professional Horse Woman of the Year Award” by the American Quarter Horse Association. She also received the special recognition of “Director at Large” from the AQHA in 2005. Additionally, in 2013 Joyce was inducted into the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. At this time the American Quarter Horse Foundation sponsored the “Joyce Wyatt Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship” which is still active and available today.
Upon retirement in 1995, Ms. Wyatt became more involved in her church and community affairs. She was a member of Claysville United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer, member of the Council, Stewardship and Finance and Trustees committees.
Ms. Wyatt has always encouraged people to believe in themselves and had a strong interest in youth. She spent a decade working and volunteering at the “Mel Blount Youth Home” in Claysville, where inner-city youth visit to learn life lessons from the horses. Joyce also volunteered much time to the Faith in Action Service, which aids the elderly in transportation, shopping, etc.
Ms. Wyatt is survived by her son, William G. Bradford, and his significant other and her caretaker, Ragean Lee; her granddaughter, Stevie Lynn Bradford; and her stepson, David Wyatt.
Preceding her in death are her parents; two husbands who she loved very much, William R. Bradford and Haskell “Oakie” Wyatt; two stepsons, Ronald Wyatt and Donald Wyatt; and her sister, Geraldine Daniels.
Ms. Joyce Wyatt has left a legacy of excellence to follow and will forever be appreciated and admired by all that ever crossed her trail.
Ride On!
WYATT — Friends of Joyce Ann Wyatt, who died Sunday, March 26, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Claysville United Methodist Church, 1279 State Route 40, Claysville.Additional visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday.Funeral arrangements are being handled by Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 219 Main St., Claysville.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Claysville United Methodist Church, Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association, Mel Blount Youth Home, Faith in Action Service or St. Jude's Children Hospital.For more information, visit www.youngfhinc.com.
