Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse Awards
AQHA Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse Awards
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder program spotlights the quality horses produced by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. The Ranching Heritage Breeders program is designed to showcase the qualities of a working ranch horse by recognizing the top Ranching Heritage-bred horses competing at major competitions. The horse owner receives $250 and a specially created ranch-horse trophy, and the breeder also receives $250.
There is no formal entry to be eligible for the award. The horse must be bred by an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder and must be in the current owner’s name.
Is My Horse Eligible?
Mares owned by an approved Ranching Heritage Breeder or one of their associates, at the time of breeding, will produce a Ranching Heritage Challenge eligible foal. To find out if your horse was bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder, review this list of Ranching Heritage Breeders.
Ranching Heritage-bred horses are also eligible to compete in AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges once fully enrolled.
Recent Awards
AQHA presented the Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse Awards at the following events in 2025:
D1: Pistols Annie Oakly, 2010 sorrel mare out of Waros Peppy, by Scottys Pistol. Bred by Sue B Boyt Partnership; owned by Gregg Nichols; exhibited by Josh Nichols of Texas A&M University
D2: SCR Crackalackin, 2016 sorrel mare out of Smart Crackin Chic, by Metallic Cat. Bred and owned by Singleton Ranches; exhibited by Riley Wilson of Clarendon College.
Youth: Chic Chesterton, 2017 chestnut gelding out of Shes One Smart Chic, by Wimpys Little Step. Bred by John and Mary Dangelmayr; owned and exhibited by Katie Green of Mocksville, North Carolina.
Amateur: Dox Steppin Out, 2004 buckskin gelding out of Dox Rosie O Grady, by Wimpys Little Step. Bred by Burnett Ranches LTD; owned and exhibited by Judi Baumann of MT Sterling, Kentucky.
Youth: Pepsa Rooster, 2004 buckskin gelding out of Pepsa Sue, by Roosters Shorty. Bred by Mary Davis; owned by Cara Crowley Weber; exhibited by Morgan Weber of Vail, Arizona.
Amateur: Pursuing The Dream, 2018 bay mare out of Ziptentiously, by Hes A Dream Weaver. Bred by Kenneth and Laina Banks; owned and exhibited by Virginia Barnes of Boerne, Texas.
AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship
Docsnaturalblue, 2017 sorrel mare, out of Gins Last, by Bet Hesa Cat. Bred by Burnett Ranches LLC; owned by Daniel Reddock; exhibited by Bronlin Reddock of Leesburg, Georgia.
AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championship
Youth: Docsnaturalblue, 2017 sorrel mare, out of Gins Last, by Bet Hesa Cat. Bred by Burnett Ranches LLC; owned by Daniel Reddock; exhibited by Bronlin Reddock of Leesburg, Georgia.
Amateur: Wildcatter Style, 2016 bay gelding, out of Lean N Stylish, by Mr Playinstylish. Bred by Kit and Charlie Moncrief; owned by Stephanie Campbell and Russel Turner; exhibited by Russel Turner of Winters, TX.
CR Better Off Tuff, 2017 red roan mare out of High Class Peptolena, by Woody Be Tuff. Bred by Center Ranch; owned by Michael Keller; exhibited by Piper Keller of El Reno, Oklahoma.
Markel AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows
November – TBD
WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo (WCRR)
November - TBD
December - TBD