What's Inside

Hall of Fame & Museum

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a hidden gem of Western art in the Texas Panhandle. The moment you approach, you are greeted by the beautiful, larger-than-life bronze statues of history-making American Quarter Horses Rugged Lark and Refrigerator. Visitors can spend time reflecting outside at the newly renovated Wall of Honor Plaza, honoring and memorializing the horses and people who’ve paved the way for the American Quarter Horse. The Wall of Honor welcomes visitors to the Hall of Fame from two unique perspectives. From the east, a light sculpture displays a herd of running American Quarter Horses; from the west, granite bricks preserve and pay tribute to the people and horses meaningful to generous donors.

Hall of Fame & Museum Fact Sheet

The Grand Hall

The Grand Hall houses the legends of American Quarter Horse history: the people and horses inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame who have paved the way for the future. Designed to showcase these horses and humans, the majestic space, with its soaring rock columns and intricately etched bloodlines in the floor, is a magnificent location for any event. The front of the room welcomes you with an impressive emblem depicting the American Quarter Horse and adds to the breathtaking setting.

Kenneth Banks Theater / Club Room
The theater’s artwork shows a variety of American Quarter Horses famous in the bloodlines of today’s champions. The paintings in this room were all created by well-known Western artist the late Orren Mixer. Orren’s celebrity as a well-known Western artist started during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1968, the American Quarter Horse Association commissioned Orren to paint "the ideal American Quarter Horse," and six other breed associations followed suit. He depicted the ideal Pinto, Paint, Palomino, Appaloosa, Buckskin, and Pony of the Americas.

"The Stables" Joni Hegel Education Gallery, The Quarter Horse Diorama
The Hegel Stables section of the museum houses a variety of interactive exhibits perfect for children and kids at heart. Take a look at the inner workings of an American Quarter Horse with an X-ray-style exhibit. Decide whether you’d rather be a cowboy or a proper English rider by sitting atop your choice of saddle. In the Experienced Eye Theater, different disciplines of the American Quarter Horse are shown with expert commentary of each event. This section of the museum is a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages.

Timeline Exhibits

Following the historical timeline, journey through the news-worthy events happening concurrently as the Hall of Fame inductees - people and horses - were influencing American Quarter Horse history. Glass cases house artifacts, attire, tack, photos and many more interesting pieces from each inductee’s life. You can also take some time to listen to oral histories from many of the Hall of Fame inductees and their friends and family.

Champions' Gallery

Located at the threshold of the Hall of Fame Timeline Exhibit is the Champions' Gallery. This state-of-the-art multimedia area lets you relive the American Quarter Horse World Championship Show and American Quarter Horse racing action that made champions.

 

 

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a great place to bring Panhandle visitors where they can experience a piece of the West; it’s a place for horse lovers of all ages to learn more about the breed; and it’s a quiet sanctuary in which to appreciate some outstanding artwork.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum – built to preserve the past, honor the present and build the future of the American Quarter Horse.