History of AQHA Superhorses

The title of AQHA Superhorse is the most prestigious award at the Farnam AQHA World Championship Show.

Each year, the horse earning the most points in the show’s open division of competition receives prizes that in recent years have included a Sundowner Trailer, an original Lisa Perry bronze and specially embroidered blanket, courtesy of Horseware Ireland. 

To earn the prestigious title of AQHA Superhorse, certain requirements must be met. 

Superhorse Rules

For a horse to be crowned an AQHA Superhorse, it  must be nationally qualified, and entered and showing in three classes in three categories. Horses that meet these criteria will automatically be eligible to compete for the highest honor at the Farnam World.

• Superhorse contenders who place in the top 10 of each class will be awarded two sets of points. 
• Horses placing in the top 10 in a class will receive 10 points for first place and so forth down the line through 10th place. 
• Additional points awarded are based on the number of entries shown in the class according to the points chart list in Rule SHW261, the point distribution system used to calculate AQHA points found in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. 

Past AQHA Superhorses

In recent years, the recipients of the title have been as diverse as they are talented. Recent winners have competed in classes such as over fences classes, driving, tie-down roping, western pleasure and halter.

2020 AQHA Superhorse Dancin N The Dirt
2011 bay gelding (Hot N Blazing-Caught You Dancin by Hot Impulse)
Breeder: Leslie Vagneur Lange of Greeley, Colorado
Owner: Sandy Vargo of Plain City, Ohio
Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas
Events:  senior working hunter, senior hunter hack, senior pleasure driving and performance halter geldings

2019 AQHA Superhorse Blue Kahlua 
2013 brown gelding (Chocolua-Exotic And Blue by Skys Blue Boy)
Breeder: Alyse Roberts of Tuttle, Oklahoma
Owner: Montlake Farms LLC of Seattle
Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas. 
Events: senior pleasure driving, senior working hunter, senior hunter hack, senior hunter under saddle and performance halter geldings

2018 AQHA Superhorse Blue Kahlua 
2013 brown gelding (Chocolua-Exotic And Blue by Skys Blue Boy)
Breeder: Alyse Roberts of Tuttle, Oklahoma
Owner: Montlake Farms LLC of Seattle
Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas. 
Events: junior pleasure driving, junior working hunter, junior hunter hack and performance halter geldings

2017 AQHA Superhorse BFR Igniting Sparks 
2009 palomino stallion (Shining Spark-Sliden Wright By by Smart Little Lena)
Breeder: G. Scott Gaddy of Clements, California 
Owner: Beechfork Ranch of Weatherford, Texas
Exhibitors: Matt Koch of Douglas, Wyoming; Jeff Chapman of Union, Mississippi; Jay Lyn Wadhams of Pueblo, Colorado; and Dustin Rogers of Pueblo, Colorado. 
Events: senior working cow horse, senior heading, senior tie-down roping, senior ranch riding and aged stallions, senior heeling and senior reining

2016 AQHA Superhorse Snap Krackle Pop
2010 gray mare (RL Best Of Sudden-Brandys Silver Sheik by Zippos Sheik)
Breeder: Masterson Farms LLC, Somerville, Tennessee
Owner: Twylla Lynn Brown, Perry, Missouri
Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman Blake Weis, Moberly, Missouri
Events: senior western riding, senior trail, senior western pleasure and performance halter mares

2015 AQHA Superhorse Snap Krackle Pop
2010 gray mare (RL Best Of Sudden-Brandys Silver Sheik by Zippos Sheik)
Owner: Twylla Lynn Brown, Perry, Missouri
Breeder: Masterson Farms LLC, Somerville, Tennessee
Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman Blake Weis, Moberly, Missouri, and
AQHA Professional Horsewoman Jill Newcomb, San Marcos, California
Events: Junior western riding, trail, western pleasure and performance halter mares

2014 AQHA Superhorse Twisters Enola Rey
2009 sorrel gelding (Dual Rey-Twisters Enola Gay by Smooth Talking Man)
Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor: AQHA Professional Horseman C.R. Bradley, Collinsville, Texas
Events: Junior tie-down roping, junior heading, junior heeling and junior ranch riding

2013 AQHA Superhorse Un Forgettable
2007 gray stallion (Iron Enterprise-A Walk In The Sky by Skys Blue Boy)
Owner: Laura "Shad" Te Grotenhuis, Marshall, Illinois
Breeder: Nancy Swarm, Ocala, Florida
Shown by: Jerry Erickson, Nancy Sue Ryan, Joey Shortino and Bill Ellis
Events: Senior hunter under saddle, senior working hunter, senior hunter hack, senior pleasure driving and performance halter stallions

2012 AQHA Superhorse Rising Starlight
2005 bay mare (Little Bay Starlight-Peppys Hot Star by Lucky W Peppy Lena)
Owner: Eric Dunn, Norwich, Kansas
Breeder: Casey Deary, Weatherford, Texas
Shown by: Corey Cushing and Steve Orth
Events: Senior working cow horse, senior heading and senior heeling

2011 AQHA Superhorse Chex This Dually
2001 sorrel gelding (Please Send Money-Docs Fashion Model by Docs King Chex)
Owner: Donald Tisdall, Castle Rock, Colorado
Breeder: Durwood Strube, Proctor, Texas
Shown by: J.D. Yates
Events: Senior tie-down roping, senior heading, senior heeling and performance halter geldings

2010 AQHA Superhorse Play Dual Rey
2003 sorrel stallion (Dual Rey-Hiccup N Play by Doc’s Hickory)
Owner: Play Dual Rey Partners, Whitesboro, Texas
Breeder: Sierra Oak Ranch, Bakersfield, California
Shown by: C.R. Bradley, Todd Crawford and Casey Hinton
Events: Senior tie-down roping, senior heading, senior heeling, senior working cow horse and senior reining

2009 AQHA Superhorse The Krymsun Kruzer
2004 bay stallion (One Hot Krymsun-Pleasure N Passion by An Awesome Mister)
Owner: Gerri Leigh Pratt, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Breeder: Bernard More, Shawville, Quebec
Shown by: Victoria Holt, Ted Turner Jr., Linda Crothers and Brian Holmes
Events: Junior hunter under saddle, junior western riding, junior trail, junior working hunter, junior hunter hack, junior pleasure driving and performance halter stallions

2008 AQHA Superhorse Roo Star
1999 bay stallion (Gallo Del Cielo-Anna Paulena by Doc O’Lena)
Owner: Melissa Ann Miller, Belton, Texas
Breeders: Frank and Robin Merrill, Poolville, Texas
Shown by: Brad Lund, Gene Parker and Ron Emmons
Events: Senior heading and heeling, senior reining, senior working cow horse and performance halter stallions

2007 AQHA Superhorse Shiners Diamond Jill
2000 sorrel mare (Shining Spark-Zans Diamond Jackie by Zans Diamond Sun)
Owners: Garth and Amanda Gardiner, Ashland, Kansas
Breeder: Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas
Shown by: Brad Lund
Events: Senior heading and heeling, senior working cow horse and performance halter mares

2006 AQHA Superhorse RS Lilly Starlight
1999 chestnut mare (Grays Starlight-Play Zana Express by Zan Parr Express)
Owner/Breeder: Kurt Harris, Whitesboro, Texas
Shown by: J.D. Yates and Don Murphy
Events: Senior heading and heeling, senior tie-down roping and senior working cow horse

2005 AQHA Superhorse With All Probability
1997 bay stallion (Taris Catalyst-Jack E Eleven by Zan Parr Jack)
Owners: Jim and Michele Holland, Bucyrus, Kansas
Breeder: Lazy E Ranch Inc., Guthrie, Oklahoma
Shown by: Brad Lund and Kory Koontz
Events: Senior heading and heeling, senior tie-down roping and senior working cow horse

2004 AQHA Superhorse Real Gun
1997 gray stallion (Playgun-Miss War Chips by War Chip’s)
Owner: R.T. Stuart Ranch LLC, Waurika, Oklahoma
Breeder: Bobby E. Lewis, Overbrook, Oklahoma
Shown by: Chris Littlefield
Events: Senior heading and heeling, senior tie-down roping and senior working cow horse

2003 AQHA Superhorse Movin Artfully
1999 bay gelding (Artful Move-Anothersadlovesong (TB) by Temptor TB))
Owner: Dianna MacDonald, Pilot Point, Texas
Breeder: Mary Nixon Trust, Grants Pass, Oregon
Shown by: Jason Martin, Charlie Cole and Sandra Vaughn
Events: Junior pleasure driving, junior hunter hack, junior working hunter and junior hunter under saddle

2002 AQHA Superhorse Popular Resortfigure
1997 sorrel stallion (Dual Pep-Bar J Jackie by Zan Parr Jack)
Owner: Trammell Ranches Inc., Mustang, Oklahoma
Breeder: Ed Gaylord, Paradise Valley, Arizona
Shown by: J.D. Yates
Events: Junior heading and heeling, junior working cow horse and junior tie-down roping

2001 AQHA Superhorse Acadamosby Award 
1990 bay gelding (Mosby-Madcap Maggie by Windum (TB))
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Shown by: Jason Martin and Karen Skelly
Events: Senior hunter hack, senior hunter under saddle, senior pleasure driving and senior working hunter

2000 AQHA Superhorse Acadamosby Award
1990 bay gelding (Mosby-Madcap Maggie by Windum (TB))
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Shown by: Karen Skelly, Jason Martin, Charlie Cole and Tracy Baer
Events: Senior hunter under saddle, senior hunter hack, senior working hunter and senior pleasure driving

1999 AQHA Superhorse Look Whos Larkin
1991 bay stallion (Rugged Lark-Whoa Now by Eternal Too)
Owner: Larry Bryson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Breeder: Carol A. Harris, Reddick, Florida
Shown by: Todd Bergen, Doug Clark and Rick Rosaschi
Events: Senior heading, senior heeling, senior reining, senior tie-down roping and senior working cow horse

1998 AQHA Superhorse Acadamosby Award
1990 bay gelding (Mosby-Madcap Maggie by Windum (TB))
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Shown by: Vicky Harris, Jason Martin and Tracy Baer
Events: Senior hunter under saddle, senior pleasure driving, senior hunter hack and senior working hunter

1997 AQHA Superhorse Tostada Tucker
1983 bay gelding (Doc Tom Tucker-Janie Chex by Bueno Chex)
Owner: Jerry Lee Barger, Greenwood, Nebraska
Breeder: Bar Eleven Quarter Horses, Eagle Point, Oregon
Shown by: Jerry Lee Barger and Randy Paul
Events: Team penning, senior working cow horse and senior reining

1996 AQHA Superhorse Another Valentino
1991 bay gelding (General Mito-Cheese Got Legs by Churn (TB))
Owner: Michelle Klassen, Bakersfield, California
Breeder: Catherine J. Mucklestone, Uxbridge, Ontario
Shown by: Shane George and Deanna Searles
Events: Junior working hunter, junior hunter hack and junior hunter under saddle

1995 AQHA Superhorse Genuine Redbud
1991 red dun mare (Genuine Doc-Seven S Margarita by Son O Leo)
Owner: Eric Storey, Henagar, Alabama
Breeder: Terry Stuart Forst, Waurika, Oklahoma
Shown by: Bobby E. Lewis
Events: Junior heading, junior heeling, junior tie-down roping and junior working cow horse

1994 AQHA Superhorse Tuckers Vaquero
1989 buckskin gelding (Doc Tom Tucker-Bueno Chex Be Be by Bueno Chex)
Owners: Laurie and Michael Boaz, Prescott, Arizona
Breeder: Bar Eleven Quarter Horses, Eagle Point, Oregon
Shown by: Jimmie Paul and Rube Woolsey
Events: Senior working cow horse, senior heading, senior reining and senior heeling

1993 AQHA Superhorse Itchin Easy
1984 bay gelding (Ichibon-Shesa Easy Sugar by Easy Jet)
Owner: The Kaplow Family, Chappaqua, New York
Breeders: Charles Jenson and Floyd Bergen, Moore, Oklahoma
Shown by: David Connors and Heidi Cecil
Events: Senior working hunter, senior hunter hack, pleasure driving and senior hunter under saddle

1992 AQHA Superhorse Itchin Easy
1984 bay gelding (Ichibon-Shesa Easy Sugar by Easy Jet)
Owner: The Kaplow Family, Chappaqua, New York
Breeders: Charles Jenson and Floyd Bergen, Moore, Oklahoma
Shown by: Gigi Skelly and David Connors
Events: Senior hunter hack, pleasure driving, senior hunter under saddle and senior working hunter

1991 AQHA Superhorse The Lark Ascending
1987 bay gelding (Rugged Lark-Miss Soliloquy by Swift Solo (TB))
Owners: The Double L (Janet L. Reid and Ethel L. Strach), Muskegon, Michigan
Breeder: Doris D. Herron, North Port, Florida
Shown by: Lynn Palm and Shane George
Events: Pleasure driving, junior trail, junior working hunter, junior hunter under saddle, junior hunter hack and junior western riding

1990 AQHA Superhorse Zipabull
1986 bay stallion (Zippo Pine Bar-Miss Flash Bull by Mr Flash Bull)
Owners: Tommie and Jennifer Sanders, Lizton, Indiana
Breeder: Donald L. Paul, Garrettsville, Ohio
Shown by: Brook Baldwin, Patty Boxell and Jackie Krshka
Events: Junior hunter hack, junior working hunter, junior trail and junior western riding

1989 AQHA Superhorse Time To Cash In
1983 bay gelding (Scotch Bar Time-Linen’s Cash by Black Magic Lad)
Owner: Jamie Strunk,  McMurray, Pennsylvania
Breeders: Wm H. and Majorie Bailey, Sheffield, Iowa
Shown by: Sandy Vaughn, Rick and GiGi Skelly and Doug Carpenter
Events: Aged geldings, pleasure driving, senior western pleasure, senior trail, senior working hunter, senior hunter under saddle, senior hunter hack, jumping and senior western riding

1988 AQHA Superhorse One For The Record
1978 chestnut mare (Swift Solo (TB)-Record Breaker 4 by Breaker Hancock)
Owner: Robyn Kaplow, Chappaqua, New York
Breeder: Janice G. Travnick, Bull Valley, Illinois
Shown by: Robyn Kaplow, Carol Potter and Casey Hinton
Events: Senior working hunter, senior hunter under saddle, pleasure driving, senior hunter hack and senior western riding

1987 AQHA Superhorse Rugged Lark
1981 bay stallion (Really Rugged (TB)-Alisa Lark by Leolark)
Owner: Carol Harris, Reddick, Florida
Breeder: Teresa Striegel, Petoskey, Michigan
Shown by: Bob Loomis, Colleen McQuay and Lynn Palm
Events: Senior hunter under saddle, senior hunter hack, senior working hunter, senior reining, senior western riding, senior trail and pleasure driving

1986 AQHA Superhorse Smoke Um Okie
1976 bay gelding (Okie Leo-Farafield Star by Star Money)
Owner: Kimberlee Kae Fritz, Anchorage, Alaska
Breeder: Jewell Huggins, Stigler, Oklahoma
Shown by: Bob Avila and J.D. Yates
Events: Senior tie-down roping, senior heading, senior heeling, senior reining and senior working cow horse

1985 AQHA Superhorse Rugged Lark
1981 bay stallion (Really Rugged (TB)-Alisa Lark by Leolark)
Owner: Carol Harris, Reddick, Florida
Breeder: Teresa Striegel, Petoskey, Michigan
Shown by: Lynn Palm and Barbara Williams
Events: Junior reining, junior western riding, junior trail, junior hunter under saddle, junior working hunter, junior hunter hack and pleasure driving

1984 AQHA Superhorse Reprise Bar
1978 palomino gelding (Zan Parr Bar-Dudey Zee by Blondy’s Dude)
Owner: Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas
Breeders: Robert D. and Jo Anne Bare, Protection, Kansas
Shown by: Bobby E. Lewis and Carol Rose
Events: Senior heading, senior heeling, senior tie-down roping, senior working cow horse and aged geldings

1983 AQHA Superhorse Mr Baron Red
1978 sorrel stallion (Red Baron Bell-Two Eyed Patti by Two Eyed Jack)
Owners: Howard Pitzer and Jim Brinkman, Ericson, Nebraska
Breeder: Howard Pitzer, Ericson, Nebraska
Shown by: Gary Putman
Events: Senior tie-down roping, senior heading, senior working cow horse, senior reining and aged stallions

1982 AQHA Superhorse Sweet And Innocent
1978 palomino mare (Skip’n Stage-Billietta by Smutty Bill)
Owner: Jackie Krshka, Yukon, Oklahoma
Beeders: Sam M. and Jackie Rose, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shown by: Jackie Krshka, Tom Krshka and Jack Kyle
Events: Junior reining, junior western riding, heeling, working cow horse and tie-down roping

1981 AQHA Superhorse Skip’s Sierra Nick
1972 gray gelding (Sir Raleigh-Sierra Tammy by Rey Del Sierra)
Owner: Frances Klein, Amarillo
Breeders: J. Evangelisti and F. Monticelli, Guerneville, California
Shown by: Dave Page, Lynn Palm and Cindy Niznik
Events: Working hunter, senior hunter hack, senior bridle path hack, hunt seat, senior western pleasure and pleasure driving

1980 AQHA Superhorse Leonard Milligan
1974 bay stallion (Okie Leo-Farafield Star by Star Money)
Owner: Shelton Ranches, Kerrville, Texas
Breeder: Jewell Huggins, Stigler, Oklahoma
Shown by: Mike Beers, Tee Woolman, Tooter Waites and Barney Hinds
Events: Senior tie-down roping, heeling, heading and working cow horse

1979 AQHA Superhorse Diamonds Sparkle
1974 palomino mare (Mr Diamond Dude-Pollyanna Rose by Clabber Question)
Owner: Richard Steward, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Breeder: M.J. Sprouse and Jerald Freeman, Bixby, Oklahoma
Shown by: “Sunny” Jim Orr
Events: Heading, heeling and senior reining

1978 AQHA Superhorse Vickie Lee Pine
1974 bay mare (Two Eyed Jack-Poco Coed by Poco Pine)
Owner: Howard Pitzer, Ericson, Nebraska
Breeder: Lloyd Geweke, Ord, Nebraska
Shown by: Jim Brinkman
Events: Aged mares, heading and heeling