Reporter's notebook: Late Clovis resident receives racing recognition

What started as a hobby landed Jake Snipes of Clovis in the Appaloosa Horse Club Racing Hall of Fame.

He was inducted in June as part of the Class of 2007.

According to the Appaloosa Journal, Snipes, who died in 1982, was one of the largest and most successful race and show horse breeders in the Southwest.

Bob Snipes said his father started breeding Appaloosa horses in Clovis as a hobby in the 1950s. It turned into a full-time job, with 40 mares and six stud horses at one point, according to Bob Snipes.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “I know that at the time we were in the business (of breeding horses), he had no idea that his efforts would have an impact on the Appaloosa horse as it did.”

Snipes’ racing horse “Gold Strikes Equal” was also inducted into the hall of fame. Gold Strike earned $18,366 in the six years he raced.

Reporter’s notebook was compiled by CNJ staff writer Gabriel Monte. Suggested items may be mailed to Managing Editor Rick White at P.O. Box 1689, Clovis 88102. The e-mail address is: rick_white@link.freedom.com