Rebecca Halvorson 

Rebecca Halvorson grew up in the rural West Texas town of Potosi, Texas. She is the daughter of Sid and Sandy Merchant and has one sister, Renee Merchant. From an early age, Rebecca developed a deep and enduring passion for horses, a love that would shape her life and career.

As a youth, Rebecca competed in nearly every equine activity available, including horse shows, rodeos, horse judging contests, play days, 4-H shows, trail riding, and working on ranches whenever possible. She also participated extensively in 4-H, winning several grand championships showing pigs, and was active in basketball and cheerleading. Rebecca began rodeo competition with a focus on barrel racing before transitioning to all-around 4-H events, where she continued to excel.

Her passion for horse judging became one of her greatest strengths. Rebecca achieved the rare distinction of winning both the AQHYA World Show Judging Contest and the AQHA World Show Collegiate Judging Contest. Throughout her youth, she was supported by a remarkable family. Her father, Sid Merchant, and grandfather, Pierce Key, provided outstanding horses while sharing their knowledge and experience. Her mother, Sandy Merchant, dedicated herself to learning everything possible, reading extensively and taking Rebecca to countless clinics.

Rebecca and her sister Renee worked daily with their horses and pigs after school, followed by hours on the basketball court perfecting their shots.

Rebecca earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas A&M University. She began her professional career teaching and coaching at Northwestern State University before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, where she taught and coached at Colorado State University. While judging the AQHYA World Show, Rebecca met the love of her life, Wayne Halvorson. The two married a year later and began what she describes as a fairytale life together.

Rebecca and Wayne are the proud parents of three children. Their oldest, Lauren Halvorson Daniels, is married to Colby Daniels, and they have two children, Carter and Elle. Their middle child, Austin Halvorson, is married to Catherine Halvorson, and they have one daughter, Grace Ann. Their youngest, Calyn Halvorson, is currently engaged to Sydnee Jeppson.

Together, Rebecca and Wayne owned and managed Halvorson Ranch for many years. During that time, they stood numerous World Champion stallions, showed multiple World Champion halter horses, bred hundreds of mares annually, and foaled nearly one hundred foals each year. While their professional accomplishments are extensive, Rebecca and Wayne consider the successes of their children to be among their proudest achievements. All three children have won World Championships. Lauren earned NCAA All-American honors and a National Championship. Austin served as AQHYA President and now manages a highly successful law firm while pursuing his legal career. Calyn earned numerous titles as a quarterback and as a Division I baseball player and is currently a professional baseball player. The achievements of her children—and now her grandchildren—represent the proudest moments of Rebecca’s life.

Faith, family, and friends have always been the foundation of Rebecca’s life and remain her highest priorities.

Rebecca has been deeply involved in the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association throughout her career. She has served on numerous committees and considers it to be a true honor. Serving on the AQHA committees and progressed through the OQHA Board of Directors to serve as OQHA President. Her AQHA service includes the AQHA Foundation Committee, AQHA Youth Committee, AQHA Youth Committee Chairman, AQHA Show Council, AQHA Show Commission, AQHA Amateur Committee, AQHA Amateur Chairman, and currently the AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee. She also serves as an AQHA National Director.

In addition, Rebecca has judged the AQHA World Show, AQHYA World Show, All American Quarter Horse Congress, NSBA World Show, WCHA World Championships and Futurity, APHA World Show, APHA Halter Million, the German Championships, and numerous events worldwide. She has been an AQHA Judge for over 30 years, an APHA Judge for more than 20 years, an NSBA Judge for nearly 20 years, and a WCHA Judge for over 10 years. In 2025, was awarded with the honor of being named Wrangler Woman of Influence.

Rebecca considers the horse to be one of God’s greatest blessings and is grateful for a life and career spent with such an extraordinary animal. She is deeply thankful for her family, her friends, her faith, and the remarkable journey she has been blessed to experience. Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17.