$100,000 to be added to 2025 AQHA VRH World Championships

Due to the success of the 2024 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships, for the first time ever, the American Quarter Horse Association will be adding a minimum of $100,000 to the overall payout at the 2025 AQHA VRH World, scheduled for June 15-21 in Amarillo, Texas. Additionally, qualifying information has been approved for the 2026 VRH World.

The AQHA VRH World combines three premiere ranch horse events into one: the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships, AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals and the AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships, presented by Four Sixes Ranch.

Following the inaugural event in 2008, the ranching events have seen tremendous growth which has been further supported by VRH World’s move to the Tri-State Fairgrounds and the additional funding from Amarillo and Texas Venue Support Fund, Special Event Trust Fund as well as Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Purse and Prizes

AQHA will award a minimum of $475,000 in cash and prizes at the 2025 AQHA VRH World, surpassing the record total cash and prizes of nearly $400,000 awarded in 2024.

“We are excited to offer a record-breaking payout and prize line to our ranching competitors,” said Karl Stressman, AQHA chief executive officer. “We are thankful to our exhibitors who continue to support this great show and to the committees and team members who work hard to make payouts like this possible”

Both the AQHA VRH World Championships and RHC Finals will feature added money along with optional jackpot opportunities for AQHA Level 1 Cattle Championships competitors. Custom designed trophies, buckles, jackets and more are awarded in each class as well as for the VRH all-around world champions.

2026 Qualifying

New for the 2026 AQHA VRH World, the qualifying period will begin January 1, 2025, and will end December 31, 2025. This period will mirror the Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals, whose qualifying period for 2026 will remain January 1 - December 31, 2025.

The qualifying period for the 2025 AQHA VRH World will continue to run through February 28, 2025, meaning that in January and February 2025, exhibitors will have the opportunity to qualify for both the 2025 and 2026 VRH World Shows at the same time.

For more information, view the VRH World qualifying requirements.

About the AQHA VRH World

The AQHA VRH World combines three premiere ranch horse events into one: the AQHA VRH World, AQHA RHC Finals and the AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships, presented by Four Sixes Ranch. This prestigious show draws ranch horse competitors from around the globe to the Tri-State Fairgrounds each June to crown nine AQHA VRH world champions among other top AQHA RHC Finals and Cattle Level 1 champions in addition to awarding over $475,000 in purse and prizes.

For more information on the AQHA VRH World and corresponding events, visit www.aqha.com/versatility.

Learn more about the Four Sixes Ranch, the presenting sponsor of the 2025 AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships.

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