America’s Horse, May 6, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association has teamed with the Working Ranch Cowboys Association to recognize top horses at WRCA rodeos across the nation.

To honor the contributions ranch horses have made to the heritage of the American Quarter Horse, AQHA is proud to sponsor a special recognition award to the top horse at every WRCA sanctioned rodeo. The special achievement by these top horses will be placed on the horse’s permanent AQHA record.

Since the earliest days of chuck wagons and roundups, the working ranch horse has earned a spot in the history of the American West. No other animal has contributed more to that history than the American Quarter Horse.

The WRCA is dedicated to preserving the heritage and lifestyle of the working ranch cowboy. The partnership between WRCA and AQHA is a natural one. The American Quarter Horse is the most versatile horse and was developed to help the American cowboy work cattle on the ranches of the West. As such, the American Quarter Horse is an obvious choice as the preferred mount of the working ranch cowboy.

The AQHA Top Horse Award will be presented at each sanctioned WRCA Rodeo to the best all-around registered American Quarter Horse. The first presentation of this new award was at the Green Country Classic Ranch Rodeo that took place in Claremore, Oklahoma, in March. Little Tronas Will, who is owned and exhibited by Jeff Heaton of Alva, Oklahoma, was the inaugural award recipient.

“The ranch horse helped develop the foundation of the American Quarter Horse,” said Don Treadway Jr., executive vice president of AQHA. “Today, American Quarter Horses are still a vital part of the success of ranches across the United States. AQHA is proud to work with WRCA and give this deserved recognition to outstanding American Quarter Horses.”

The AQHA Top Horse Award will consist of a $250 cash prize to the rider of the top American Quarter Horse at each WRCA-sanctioned rodeo and an AQHA bronze trophy to the owner of the top American Quarter Horse at each of those rodeos. The winning horse must be registered, and its AQHA paperwork must be up to date.

To learn more about the WRCA and to see a schedule of rodeos for 2010, visit www.wrca.org.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104