Jim Abney, 73, Fort Worth, Tex., passed away Friday, November 3, 2017, after a brief illness. A graduate of West Texas State University, during his career, Abney wore many hats in the horse and livestock industries. As a private contractor, he served as a bid spotter for all the National Cutting Horse Sales in Fort Worth, as well as for the Ruidoso Select Race Horse Yearling Sales in New Mexico, and many other show, race, ranch horse and equipment sales.

For two decades, beginning in the late 1980s, Abney also managed the NCHA Exhibit Hall during the association’s three major shows at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, including the NCHA Futurity. In addition to NCHA, Abney had also worked for the Fort Worth Livestock Show, as well as the American Quarter Horse Association.

A memorial service for Jim Abney will be held during the NCHA Futurity, at 6:30 p.m. on December 5, in the South Texas Room at Will Rogers Memorial Center.