Paul Briney

Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years Sally Jo; children Rob (Betsy) Briney and Paula Briney; grandchildren Lauren and Gage; brother Homer (Frances) Briney; and many nieces & nephews. Paul was a loving husband, Dad and Grandpa.

Paul married Sally Jo Lockwood in 1964; they each came with a dowry of horses and Pratense Farms was formed soon after.

An avid outdoorsman, Paul loved hunting and fishing with his brother, his son and daughter, nephews, grandchildren and especially training his Labradors.

Adding to his outdoor personality he loved to downhill ski or traveling to exotic places with family and friends. His greatest pride was attending ABC functions with Rob and his family. And attending horse shows with Sally and Paula and Team Pratense.

Paul has been a tireless advocate for the horse industry, education and for promoting all that is good about the horse. He was instrumental in the development of the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois in 1982, serving as President for 8 years. For the last 30 years, Paul acted as an important liaison and lobbyist with the Illinois Legislature and key State of Illinois agencies. He was a fixture in the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, and many legislators knew him as “the Horse Man”. Working through HCI with Illinois legislators and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Paul was an instrumental force in gaining passage of Illinois’ Equine Infectious Anemia regulations, which resulted in near-eradication of the disease in Illinois.

Paul was also instrumental in gaining passage of Illinois’ Equine Activity Liability Act, making Illinois one of the first states to pass this important protection for horse enthusiasts.

Paul has represented the Illinois horse industry on a number of boards and committees over the past 40+ years, including but not limited to the IL Farm Bureau Horse Committee, IL Livestock Advisory Board, Founder and Past Chair of the IL Equine Foundation, President and Chairperson of the Midwest Charity Horse Show. Paul has been a familiar face in Washington and elsewhere as our IL delegate to the American Horse Council national meetings. In 2014, he was honored with the Van Ness Award from the American Horse Council for his dedication and service to the equine industry.

Early in the 1990’s, Paul was a driving force behind the renovation of the IL State Fairgrounds, insuring that horses and horse facilities were an integral part of the plans. Paul’s relationship with then-governor and fellow horse lover, Jim Edgar, helped put horses front-and-center in the restoration planning for this historic facility. Paul was part of the driving force that brought the National High School Rodeo Finals to Springfield. Over the past 3 decades, he spoke to countless horse groups, supported education through presentations at collegiate equine science programs, and helped with the establishment of two equine-centered scholarship programs. He was a constant fixture at the Illinois Horse Fair; always a smiling face and helpful promoter of the horse industry at the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois information booth.

Paul has been a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association for many years. He helped initiate the Judge’s Clinics for the ASHA. Paul was a life member of the American Saddlebred Horse Museum and the Illinois American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse Association. In 2013, Paul, Sally Jo, Paula, and Rob received the Gillenwater Family Award from the American Saddlebred Association.

In his quiet and understated way, Paul Briney was an inspiration to his family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, as well as a huge force for good in the Illinois horse industry and agricultural community. Paul was never without a positive attitude and a kind word. He buoyed his friends and colleagues up during challenging times, and he led by example.

Paul was an Ansar Shriner and Masonic Temple member for 50 years. He was involved in the Sangamon County Soil and Water Conservation District for 30 years and was President of the Sangamon Conservancy Trust. Paul proudly served his country in the Illinois Air Guard.

Paul, you’re loved and missed and will forever be in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday November 24, 2018 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. The family will greet friends from 10:00am until the time of service Saturday at Bisch West. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, IL Equine Foundation or AMBUCS AMTRYKE Program of Springfield and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.