AQHA 75-Year Breeder: Jeffrey T. Rutland

Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association honors breeders who have dedicated their livelihoods to maintaining the integrity of the American Quarter Horse breed. These horsemen, horsewomen and their families see their biggest accomplishments and proudest moments in the horses they breed.

Son of American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Guy Ray Rutland, Jeffrey is carrying on a family legacy of breeding quality American Quarter Horses. The family business is built on tradition, honesty and integrity in business. Guy Ray and Jeffrey bred, raised and raced Pacific Bailey, a stallion who went on to be an AQHA Champion. Pacific Bailey was their most successful home-bred as a multiple stakes winner and sire, who also sired halter and performance horses. Other notable horses they raised are Gold King Bailey, Gold Pacific, Bar Money, King Leo Bailey, Carrara Marble, Star Bright Moore, Joyful Hope, Mr Smooth Pac, My Designated Driver and Deal The Cards.

As Guy Ray would put it, awards are nice but friendships are nicer. Having such a following of friends and customers has always been their greatest reward. Whether you're an old friend or a new acquaintance, they continue to live by Guy Ray’s standard, “Make new friends, keep the old. One is Silver, the other is Gold.”

AQHA is proud to recognize the 2023 75-year Cumulative and Legacy Breeders at the AQHA Breeder Recognition Banquet, presented by Teton Ridge, during the 2024 AQHA Convention. The banquet is slated for 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where AQHA will recognize the 2023 50-Year Cumulative Breeders, 50-Year Legacy Breeders, 75-Year Breeders, 2023 American Performance Horseman top breeders, AQHA Best Remuda winner, AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year and Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year. View the list of breeders who will be recognized.

For additional questions about the AQHA Breeder Recognition Banquet, email breeders@aqha.org.  

For more information on the 2024 AQHA Convention, visit www.aqha.com/convention.

About Teton Ridge
Teton Ridge is a multi-platform, wholly American-owned brand devoted to the iconic American western way of life and western sports. Teton Ridge’s Sports division was created with the singular focus of elevating classic western sports and America’s western culture on the world stage, while broadening audiences around the globe as well as at home. For more information about Teton Ridge, visit www.tetonridge.com or @tetonridge on Instagram and @tetonridgeusa on Facebook.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or tune into our Podcast, “Let's Talk AQHA.”