AQHA Horseback Riding Program: 2,500 Hour Awards

Congratulations to AQHA Horseback Riding Program participants who have reached the 2,500-hour milestone. Most importantly, it was with the most loyal, responsive, hardworking, and willing teammate - the American Quarter Horse.

The AQHA Horseback Riding Program recognizes participants for the hours they spend in the saddle. (Credit: Taylor Randall)

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COLLEEN HALEY with RS MONTOWN aka “SCOOBY” & DIAMONDS DO SMOKED aka “CAPIRA”

SANDPOINT, IDAHO

“I got into riding AQHA because I like the looks and disposition. I ride mostly mountain trails with some horsemanship, cow-working, and ranch roping clinics thrown in.”

 

DEBRA MARSHALL & THE BAY STAR aka “BEAMER”

SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK

I got my first American Quarter Horse at age 14, 52 years ago and I have owned one ever since.  First showing and now trail riding.  I have been fortunate to have ridden all over NYS and visited Vermont and Maine.  My favorite place to ride is the Otter Creek Trail system in the Adirondack Mountains.  I camp there with friends Spring, Summer and Fall.  Beamer and I have been partners for the last 16 years. I look forward to many more happy trails.

 

 

SABRINA WOOD& ROCKIN LADY CAT

MAYVILLE, MICHIGAN

How did you get started riding American Quarter Horses? I have had horses my entire life and started with grade and an Arabian. I loved those horses but as I got into my adulthood, I could afford a little better and chose the Quarter Horses. I have owned many horses thru out the years. Recently we have really went into the breeding aspect of it and have roughly 15 horses. 

How do you spend your hours with your horse?   In the old days I could ride anything and was not educated enough to put in a lot of time regarding groundwork.   I have seen the benefits of groundwork, and I spend a bit of time doing that.  I also trail ride with my daughter.

Where is your favorite place to ride your American Quarter Horse?  If this program would have been available when I was a kid, I would have 10 buckles!   As kids our lives revolved around horses, and we rode them every day everywhere.   We would ride uptown, to the gravel pits, swim them, take them in parades, 4H practice, county fairs and multiple trails.    Currently I just trail ride, but I don’t have a favorite place.      

BRENDA ALLENDER &  SHININ YOU BE

HEROD, ILLINOIS

 

DIANE SAUNDERS & SHESA DUNIT DELIGHT

BRISTOL, VERMONT

MICHAEL HONOLD 

LINGLE, WYOMING

How did you get started riding QH? I purchased my first Quarter Horse to use for my work as a rancher and cowboy feedlot pen rider. I decided then to start breeding my own horses from then on.

How do you spend your hours working with your horses? I spend the majority of my time on my horses in the feedlot. My horses learn to work cattle out of pens, open gates, and help keep the cattle pushed up during processing. The rest of the time I spend on my horses is gathering and trailing cattle, brandings, and training my younger colts.

Where is your favorite place to ride your QH? My favorite place is to ride my horse in the Bighorn Mountains while gathering cattle. I also enjoy being in the branding pen and showcasing my horse's skills while I rope them.

 

ALEXANDER VARN & ECHO TWENTY FIVE 

AICHHALDEN, GERMANY

Both my wife and I have been riding since we were kids. As a kid I had formal instruction for a while and after that just rode every chance I got. For me it was a fun pastime whenever the opportunity presented itself. In 2014 during a vacation we spent a couple of days riding on two ranches in Wyoming and Colorado. I was so impressed with one of the cowboys working there and both my wife and I fell in love with the way of life, that we decided to seriously get into horses. We found a training stable and AQH breeder near us, restarted regular lessons and bought our first AQH (Tal Vez un Kid) that same year.

I'm with the German military and have been in charge of a pilot project for equine therapy for our wounded warriors and their families for the past five years and we utilize our horses for this. Therefore I'm blessed to be able to work with our horses in a professional role. In our free time we trail ride any chance we can get and go on multi day pack trips whenever possible.

In 2018 and 2019 I was stationed in Colorado Springs and we had two of our AQHs with us from Germany. The Colorado Rockies and especially the Range Ride I was on with my horse Tally, has got to be the most beautiful place I have ever ridden. Now we're in the Black Forest in Germany, which is also a very beautiful place to ride.

Thank you for this wonderful program!

All the best from the Black Forest!

 

 

JUDITH ANN ELLIS & HB SMOKEY
VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA 

DAN DUDDEN & DAISY BLUE ABBY

HILLROSE, COLORADO