The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is seeking nominations for an award that honors outstanding working cattle ranches that produce five or more registered American Quarter Horses each year for ranch work.
The award, 2021 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year award, is presented by the AQHA and the AQHA Ranching Committee. It recognizes an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder who upholds the ranching tradition by breeding and raising the ranch-type horse, which remains at the core of the Association and epitomizes the breed’s versatility.
The deadline to nominate a ranch for the award is November 30, 2021.
Ranching Heritage Breeders cannot nominate themselves. Only current Ranching Heritage Breeders can nominate a fellow Ranching Heritage Breeder member and only an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder is eligible to receive the award. Current members of the AQHA Ranching Committee and past AQHA Best Remuda winners are not eligible. To nominate an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder for this award, download Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year nomination form.
Nominations will be judged on:
- History of the ranch – family owned and operated, and involvement.
- Participation as an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder.
- Contributions to AQHA – AQHA membership history, current member of Ranching Heritage Breeders, consecutive and/or cumulative breeder awards.
- Animal Welfare – supports AQHA’s animal welfare statements, with regard to low-stress and humane handling/training techniques.
- Marketing Innovativeness – website for marketing, production sales, presence on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
- Cattle Association Involvement – membership/participation in regional, state/provincial or national cattle organizations, awards earned.
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding family owned and family daily-managed cattle ranch that embodies the spirit of the Ranching Heritage Breeder program, which includes the promotion of the ranching way of life in addition to producing top-quality ranch horses. View the previous award winners.
For more information on the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year Award, visit www.aqha.com/ranching.
