AQHA Breeders: A Legacy

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.

“It’s an honor to recognize the breeders who are the backbone of our Association, and for the first time in the Association’s history, we are privileged to award two 100-year breeder awards,” said Karen McCuistion, AQHA senior director of member programs. “They keep the tradition of the American Quarter Horse alive through their knowledge and dedication, and ensure that the success of the breed will continue for many generations to come.”

This year, the honorees include seven 50-year legacy breeders, 19 50-year cumulative breeders, four 75-year breeders and two 100-year breeders. Legacy breeders are those who have registered at least one foal consecutively for the total years of the award. Cumulative breeders are those who have registered at least one foal cumulatively for the total years of the award.

AQHA is excited to recognize two Texas ranches – King Ranch and W.T. Waggoner Estate – that have been breeding American Quarter Horses for 100 years. Even though the Association and its registry was founded in 1940, these two ranches had horses prior to AQHA’s inception, several of which were then inspected and admitted for registration with the Association once it was formed.

50-Year Legacy Breeders

Wilbur and Jean Hansen of Lisbon, North Dakota
Ty Herman of Hilda, Alberta
Theodore Lincoln of Freeland, Michigan
Ellis Schaub and Sons of Grafton, Iowa
Silverbrook Ranches of Baird, Texas
Whiting Ranch of Bells, Texas
Fred and Clara Wilson of Newcastle, Wyoming
Cia Ganadera De Atotonilco of Yerbanis Durango, Mexico
Gary and Deborah Mailloux of Vale, South Dakota 

50-Year Cumulative Breeders

Dick Adams of Patoka, Illinois 
Vince Amlin of West Lorne, Ontario
Wayne and Adelaide Anderson Family of Richland Center, Wisconsin
Basiel Bennett of Ben Wheeler, Texas
Dallas Reynolds Dewees of Westville, Florida 
Patrick Fitzgerald of Paoli, Oklahoma
W. E. Harris of Benton, Mississippi
Walter “Dick” Harrison of Battle Creek, Michigan
Frank Lambert of Lexington, Oklahoma
Allen Martin of Wolf Point, Montana
D. F. Martin of Healdton, Oklahoma
Al Mayer of Jamestown, North Dakota
Robert and Mina Morgan of Frenchtown, Montana
Keith Munns of Rexburg, Idaho
Oasis Ranch of North Platte, Nebraska
Roy Odle of Emery, Utah
Paul and Lyn Scruggs of Coldwater, Mississippi
Mike and Bruce Treffer of Broken Bow, Nebraska 
Buster Welch of Rotan, Texas

75-Year Breeder
K4 Ranch of Prescott, Arizona
TAMU Department of Animal Science of College Station, Texas
Gene and Faye Reeves of Eagle Butte, South Dakota
Walter and Jocelyn Greeman of Tishomingo, Oklahoma

100-Year Breeders

King Ranch Inc. of Kingsville, Texas
W. T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas
 

Honorees breed their American Quarter Horses for a range of events including reining, racing, cutting, ranch and rodeo. All have dedicated at least 50 years to taking their best and making it better.

2023 AQHA Breeder Recognition Banquet
The 2022 50-, 75- and 100-year breeders will be recognized at the AQHA Breeder Recognition Banquet, slated to be hosted during the 2023 AQHA Convention. The banquet is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, February 26, at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. AQHA will also recognize the 2022 AQHA Best Remuda and International Best Remuda, 2021 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year, 2021 Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Sale of the Year and 2022 Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year. Additional information about the banquet will be shared with the breeders. If you have questions about the list of breeders, email breeders@aqha.org.  

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA and visit www.aqha.com/news.