The American Quarter Horse JournalMarch 2, 2012
One cowboy (or cowgirl) will once again reign supreme in the World’s Greatest Horseman Shootout featured July 3-8 at the 2012 Battle in the Saddle in Oklahoma City.
Two riders per association – the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, American Rope Horse Futurity Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association and Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association – will be nominated for the chance win a paid entry to the 2013 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman competition held in conjunction with the NRCHA Celebration of Champions in San Angelo, Texas.
The riders will compete in herd work, similar to cutting; rein work, similar to reining; steer stopping; and fence work. The contestant with the highest composite score will enter the ranks as a World’s Greatest Horseman Shootout champion, which includes predecessors AQHA Professional Horseman J.D. Yates of Pueblo, Colorado, aboard Bald N Shiney and Matt Budge of Weatherford, Texas, aboard Mr Playinstylish.
Riders entered in the World’s Greatest Horseman Shootout must have NRCHA earnings of $5,000 or less. In years past, all Shootout contestants had to have NRCHA earnings of $500 or less.
“The World’s Greatest Horseman Shootout has truly been one of the hallmark events for the first two Battle in the Saddles,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity.
“By raising the NRCHA earnings limit this year, a larger pool of riders will be eligible for nomination to represent their associations,” Persechino continued. “We’re also raising the number of contestants to 10.”
The 2012 Battle in the Saddle will also host versatility ranch horse competition, cutting, roping, cowboy mounted shooting, barrel racing, working cow horse, a ranch remuda challenge and the 2012 Merial Ranch Sorting National Championships National Finals.
Battle in the Saddle is owned by Oklahoma State Fair and managed by the American Quarter Horse Association. All breeds are welcome, but American Quarter Horses competing will receive AQHA points.
Be sure get the latest updates on www.battleinthesaddle.com and the Battle in the Saddle Facebook page.
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