The American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest single-breed equine registry and membership organization, with more than 5 million American Quarter Horses registered worldwide and AQHA membership numbering more than 300,000. AQHA’s mission is to record and preserve the pedigrees of the American Quarter Horse while maintaining the integrity of the breed and to provide beneficial services for its members which enhance and encourage American Quarter Horse ownership and participation.
The Association was founded in March 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas, by a group of horsemen and ranchers from the southwestern United States dedicated to preserving the pedigrees of their ranch horses. These horses were referred to as Quarter Horses because of their speed in quarter-mile races and their cow sense on the open range.
In 1946, the Association moved to its current home of Amarillo, Texas. AQHA’s international headquarters in Amarillo maintains the pedigrees and registration records of all American Quarter Horses and oversees various programs and incentives that promote America’s oldest distinct breed of horse. With more than 250 employees, the staff at AQHA is committed to the American Quarter Horse and the Association’s members.
AQHA has many programs and activities available to members. From showing to racing to trail riding, AQHA has it all for the horse enthusiast. AQHA tailors to youth and adults, beginners and professional riders, and simply American Quarter Horse fans. There is something for everyone!
AQHA and WRCA have partnered on several projects to help protect the ranch horse and the western lifestyle. Each year the Pfizer / AQHA Best Remuda Award is presented at the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo as a way to honor the contributions of the ranch horse and to the recognize ranches for raising outstanding ranch horses.
To extend that relationship, the AQHA would like to be in involved in each WRCA sanctioned ranch rodeo for the 2019 competition year. Recognizing the American Quarter Horse’s legacy on the ranches of the American West and as the chosen mount for generations of cowboys, the AQHA Top Horse Award will recognize the top registered American Quarter Horse.
The horses in the competition have been nominated by their teams. Apache Adams, the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo’s Top Horse judge, will choose the best horse in the rodeo and if that horse is a AQHA registered horse then the owner will receive a AQHA bronze trophy and the rider will receive $250 in addition to the prizes provided by the BBRR. So, be on the lookout for numbers attached to the horses’ saddle blanket---these horses are in the running for the Top Horse Award.
2019 TOP HORSE NOMINATIONS
Goldsmith/Johnson Ranches
QUIGLEY: 6 yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by Chase Goldsmith
REY: 8 yr old Sorrrel Gelding ridden by Reid McGhee
Pitchfork Land & Cattle
CONAGHER: 7 yr old Dunn Gelding ridden by Clint Jones
LITTLE BRITCHES: 10 yr old Sorrell Gelding ridden by Clay Timmons
Smith Cattle Company
ROWDY METALLIC: 6yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by Colten Jackson
ESPERANZA RISING : 7 yr old Palomino Mare ridden by Wesley Jackson
Thompson Ranch
MR. TLC PADDY THREE: 10 yr old Grey Gelding ridden by Tyler Thompson
Diamond H Ranch/Plus C Cattle Co
FLETCH: 9 yr old Bay Gelding ridden by Jered Sikes
HENRY: Sorrel Gelding ridden by Joe Mac Boggeman
Veale/TeePee Ranches
BIG MOMMA: 10 yr old Sorrel Mare ridden by Kye Fuston
SNAKE: 11 yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by John C. Brian
Rocker B Ranch
RN ONE CURLY CAT: 5 yr old Red Roan Stallion ridden by Tony Martinez
Wilson Cattle/Haystack Cattle
CRACKLIN PISTOL: 7 yr old Sorrel Gelding
WIN AND YOUR IN: 4 yr old Red Dun Gelding
Detwiler Cattle Co./Heck Cattle Co.
PIMP: 11 yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by Cody Heck
10 yr old Gray mare ridden by Jody Padilla
Arnold/Denali Cattle Companies
FOUR GUN GREY: 12 yr old Grey Gelding ridden by Tanner Arnold
THIRD AXEL: 8 yr old Black Gelding ridden by Travis Patterson/Quay Howard
Diamond H/Plus C
LEDDY: 8 yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by Bo Crabtree
TAZ: 13 yr old sorrel Gelding ridden by Jered Sikes
Finck Ranches/Foster Ranch
TAYLOR: Sorrel ridden by Caycee Joe Lewis
SUNSHINE: Dunn ridden by Jared Jeweks
3B/Infinity Cattle Companies
DW WOOD CHUB “CHUBBS”: 11 yr old Bay roan Gelding ridden by Ryan McCoy
Rail 3/JO-
SPIKEWOOD (STILLEY): 14 yr old Bay Gelding ridden by Shad Beebe
VV CATS GOT YOUR GUN (GUNNER): 7 yr old Sorrel ridden by Bobby Valdez
Slash W Cattle Company
HOUDINI: 5 yr old Sorrel Gelding ridden by Qunicy Carlton
Treadwell Cattle Company
SOX: 4 yr old Gray Gelding ridden by Ethan Treadwell
