AQHYA World Championship Show top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse

The 2024 AQHYA World Championship Show was August 2-11 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City and celebrated the talents of youth from around the world. Among them is world champion Piper Keller of El Reno, Oklahoma, who rode CR Better Off Tuff to win the 14-18 ranch riding and in doing so, secured the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse Award. The 2017 mare placed higher than any other Ranching Heritage-bred horse at the show. In June, Keller and CR Better Off Tuff were crowned the Versatility Ranch Horse limited youth world champions at the 2024 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships in Amarillo.

In addition to the prizes they earned for their class victories at the AQHYA World, Keller received a $250 cash prize and a custom trophy for having the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse.

CR Better Off Tuff is by Woody Be Tuff and out of High Class Peptolena by High Brow Cat. The mare was bred by Center Ranch of Centerville, Texas. Center Ranch will also receive a $250 cash prize.

The AQHA Ranching Heritage Program highlights the versatility, soundness and willing attitude of American Quarter Horses that are ranch-born and -raised. Only horses produced by Ranching Heritage Breeders are eligible to participate in the program, but anyone can own and show these horses. Ranching Heritage Breeders are operations that have steadfastly maintained the ranching tradition by raising American Quarter Horses for use in working cattle.

In addition to top-horse awards, AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses are eligible to compete in AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges, which are offered across the country. Competing in these events, many of which have added money, make horses eligible to compete at the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals.

To find out more about the Ranching Heritage program, visit www.aqha.com/ranching.

About the AQHYA World Show

The AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest single-breed world championship horse show open exclusively to youth exhibitors 18 and under. This is the pinnacle event for youth competitors around the world who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to secure a spot in each of the classes, representing English, western and halter disciplines, or earn an invitation through their state or provincial affiliate. The show includes Level 3, Adequan® Level 2 and Level 1 Champion of Champions classes.

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.”