Board Members – The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation

Laura Joiner's BIO

Laura has been involved in the race horse industry since the day she was born. Previously, she and her husband (Cody Joiner) operated Circle CJ Racing, LLC. Today they are involved in breeding and racing not only quarter horses but also thoroughbreds.

Sam was not only a rider in their stable, but a close friend as well. Laura wants to put smiles on the faces of those who are in need in our industry, just as Sam did to everyone he touched. Laura has been with the foundation since the very beginning and plans to continue helping it grow larger than they ever dreamed.

Jim Anderson's BIO

Jim has been in the horse industry his whole life. His Mother is a trainer and father was a jockey. He spent 15 years in the hunter/jumper discipline, then transitioned to the racing industry. Sam was a great friend, and with being the son of a jockey, this mission is close to his heart.

Dave Weaver's BIO

Dave Weaver grew up in Cypress, CA and had a passion for horse racing at a very young age. He attended the races at Los Alamitos frequently through his adolescent years and sold tip sheets in front of the racetrack as one of his first jobs. After graduating Cypress High School in 1992 and attending Cypress College with a focus on journalism, he went to work at Hollywood Park as assistant editor of the racetrack’s daily program. In 1999 he accepted a position at the start-up horse racing network TVG. His job title originally started out as a researcher, providing on-air hosts with information and statistics about the races they were broadcasting. But after a few short years he was in front of the camera, eventually covering prestigious events such as the All American Futurity and Preakness Stakes.

Mike Abadir's BIO

Mike Abadir is an NFL Sports Agent and has been representing athletes over ten years. In addition, he also hosts a sports radio talk show on Thursday afternoons. Originally from Northern California, Mike graduated from U.C. San Diego and later received his law degree from John F. Kennedy University School of Law. He is certified as a player-agent by the NFLPA, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

A lifelong fan of horse racing, this will be Mike’s fourth year serving on the STMF Board.

Greg Thompson's BIO

Greg Thompson is a reporter and film maker in Quarter Horse Racing world for StallioneSearch.com. Thompson was the originator of the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award, and is a founding board member of the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation.

Nolton Pattio's BIO

Nolton is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. He has been an active member of the horse racing community for most of his career. As the son of a jockey, he is especially proud to be part of The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation for Disabled Jockeys.

Dena Lackey BIO

My husband (James, a quarter horse jockey and trainer) and I married in 1995. I have been in the Race Horse industry ever since we got married. We have an amazing daughter, Ciara, who we have raised around our second home – the race track. Ciara has spent many hours riding in a truck hauling horses from track to track, state to state. I work for Triangle Sales LLC for 9 years. Even though this company sells reining and ropers I am still very active with the race horses. I have also spent many summers working at Kids Klub at the chapel on the back side at Ruidoso. I am very excited to be a part of STMF and be a part of the joy with providing assistance to the injured jockeys and awarding scholarships to the race track kids. I can’t say enough for this amazing foundation.

Armando Ramirez BIO

Armando Ramirez rode QH’s and TB’s for his brief career as a jockey prior to his career ending injury
Armando rode at Keenewick, Grants Pass, and the Fair circuit in California
Armando broke his back and suffered partial paralysis in a race at Santa Rosa (Ca) in July of 1979
Armando participates in marathons in his wheel-chair, and uses the platform to raise awareness for Permanently Disabled Jockeys
Armando is an Ambassador for the Jockeys And Jeans organization, a group of former jockeys that gets together to raise money for the PDJF
Armando has already been raising awareness for the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation through his social media posts prior to being asked to join us as a board member
Armando will be a tremendous asset with not only the QH jockeys and TB jockeys to help with fund-raising items, but Armando has a high-level of visibility on social media on raising awareness for disabled jockeys, as well as for the Sam Thompson Foundation / Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award

Vicki Tebow BIO

Vicki Tebow is a long-time equine enthusiast as evidenced
by her involvement in the horse industry. Because of Vicki’s knowledge of
and dedication to the equine industry, Andreini & Company has quickly
become a leader in providing Farm/Ranch and Mortality insurance for the
horse industry.

Vicki enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is an amateur competitor at American Quarter Horse shows. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends.

Honorary Board Members

Steve Miller's BIO

Steve is the Vice President of Event and Premium Markets for Montana Silversmiths. As the premier brand in the award buckle business, Montana Silversmiths, wants you to know they are proud to make the buckles for the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation, as they are to make the World Champion buckles for the PRCA, PBR, WPRA, AQHA, NRHA. They also make the champion’s buckles for other prestigious events such as the WNFR, RNCFR, The Pendleton Roundup, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Calgary Stampede, California Rodeo Salinas, Dodge City Round Up, George Strait Team Roping Championships, and many, many more.

Laffit Pincay's BIO

9,530 career victories
Belmont Stakes (1982, 1983, 1984)
Kentucky Derby (1984)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (1985, 1986, 1988)
Breeders’ Cup Classic (1986)
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (1989, 1990)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (1993)
United States Champion Jockey by earnings
(1970-1974, 1979, 1985)
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (1970)
United States Champion Jockey by wins (1971)
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame(1975)
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
(1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1985)
Eclipse Special Award (1999)
Big Sport of Turfdom Award (2000)