The Rita Crundwell scandal is not just shocking the city of Dixon, many from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) are stunned as well.
Larry Hansch of Davenport is an AQHA judge. Not only did he know Rita but he has judged her horses before.
He remembers Rita for her way with horses.
“She was remarkable as far as showing goes, when she come in to the pen she was prepared. She probably worked as hard as anybody else as an individual.”
But according to federal agents, she did it on someone else’s dimes. Crundwell allegedly used the tax payers of Dixon, Illinois to help her world renown horse business thrive.
Hansch says that many often wondered where her money was coming from.
“It always seemed like there was a bottomless pit when it came to the money situation. The question had been asked many times but was never pursued to get a correct answer, we just felt either she inherited, was good with business or had good investments.”
Hansch said some people are saying her awards and titles should be revoked. He does not agree, stating that mondy may help but it doesn’t make a person a great breeder and that’s what wins award.
