Misty Coats, a Nebraska Native, will take the helm on Wednesday, April 1

© Ann Switalski Photography

ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA MARCH 16, 2026–The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) is pleased to announce that Misty Coats has been named executive director of the state-bred racing association. She has served as assistant executive director for the past two years, working directly with Bruce Salard, who has held the title of executive director since 2019.

Coats will be the first female executive director of LQHBA and its 1,700 members. Born in Kearney, Nebraska, Coats earned her B.A. in Animal Science at Colorado State University in  2001. She began her career as Director of Retail and Foodservice for the Oklahoma Beef Council.

Beginning in 2017, Coats served as Consignment Administrator for Heritage Place in Oklahoma City.  She was responsible for managing consignments for each of the four sales held annually, including the highly respected Heritage Place Yearling Sale, with 900-plus horses passing through the sale ring. She worked closely with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) on transfers, DNA, certification, and producing the extensive catalog for each event.

Coats has attended numerous racing events in Louisiana over the past two years and has formed solid relationships with the LQHBA staff, board of directors, breeders, owners, trainers, and jockeys in the Pelican State.

Coats looks forward to the upcoming racing meets on the Louisiana circuit and to overseeing the many details involved in the two-day LQHBA Yearling Sale, which will take place in Kinder, Louisiana, on July 31 and August 1. She has several goals for the remainder of 2026.

“From the beginning, I recognized the pride of Louisiana horsemen and women in breeding and racing their Quarter Horses,” said Coats. You see this hard work come full circle during the Yearling sale.

“LQHBA has an amazing breeders’ award program,” she added. “We need to further promote the financial rewards and incentives for breeders and all mare owners. Plus, we need to continue to develop stronger marketing and communication to showcase the opportunities for current and new breeders.”

Misty Coats (second from left) and LQHBA Board of Directors with LQHBA Scholarship winners at Delta Downs - July 12, 2025.© Hodges Photography/Paula C. Tindall

Coats also acknowledges the importance of attracting younger members to the association.

We recognize that the future of our industry depends on investing in the next Generation,” stated Coats. “We want to engage young leaders and welcome fresh ideas into every aspect of the Quarter Horse breeding and racing industry. The Louisiana racing community is built on heritage, hard work, and pride.”

LQHBA president Kirt Chaisson reports that Bruce Salard will remain as Executive Director Emeritus, focused on Legislation, Financials, and Regulators.

"Bruce Salard served our association extremely well since he was named executive director in 2019,” said Chaisson. “His business acumen resulted in the elevation of more efficiency in breeders’ payments and our annual LQHBA Yearling Sale​; just two examples. We thank him for his commitment and service.”

Chaisson and the LQHBA Board of Directors look forward to a seamless transition.

"Misty joined LQHBA as assistant director two years ago,” stated Chaisson. “She quickly stepped in on all fronts, and her hard work and professionalism have been greatly appreciated by our members on all levels. We have all the faith in the world, knowing that Louisiana Quarter Horse breeding and racing will continue strongly with Misty as our executive director!"

ABOUT THE LOUISIANA QUARTER HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION (LQHBA)
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) is the state racing affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. It is also the official registry for accredited Louisiana-bred racing Quarter Horses and is recognized by the Louisiana Legislature and the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Since its inception in 1966, the association has developed many programs to further breeding and racing in Louisiana. Last year in Louisiana horsemen competed for over $23 million in purses, and breeders' incentives for mares and stallions of accredited Louisiana-bred foals totaled approximately $4.4 million. LQHBA oversees the annual LQHBA Yearling Sale and Fall Mixed Sale and has raised and donated close to $1 million to support its Louisiana youth scholarship program.