JW Shoemaker is a legend in the Registered Quarter horse world.   He is known as one of the founding fathers of the Quarter Horse Association through his involvement in the early development years of the association.  He went on to serve on the Board of Directors from 1956 to 1967, was given the title of honorary vice president and inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1987.  JW was also instrumental in organizing the AQHA Youth Program and was involved with helping youngsters for many years.

In the early years there was a hot debate about two types on conformation -  short, stocky bulldog type or a more refined type.  JW’s preference was the more refined look and he bred it into his herd through the lineage of Sheik, Old Fred, Peter McCue, and Plaudit.  This Line Breeding, as he called it, produced some of the famous foundation horses that helped to develop the herds of such well-known breeders as Hank Wiescamp, Jack Kyle, Leon Freeze, and Fame Farms in California.  Palomino Quarter Horses won in both the AQHA classes and Exhibitors Association.  He was much sought after for his knowledge of horses and the horse industry.

Some of JW’s most well known horses were: Gold Mount, Music Mount, Maddon’s Bright Eyes, Nugget McCue S, and Sailor Cue.  Some of his brood mares were: Plaudette, Nancy M. Red Bird Shoemaker (dam of three full sisters by Gold Mount),  Shoemaker’s stocking, Hank Wisecamp’s Joy Ann and Question Mount, Daisy Shoemaker, Shue Baby S, Watrous Lady, and Bar O Dutchess.