History of AQHA Superhorses

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

• 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.

2023 AQHA Superhorse Hot Lopin Lily
2017 bay mare (RL Best Of Sudden-Shes A Lopin Machine by A Good Machine)
Breeder: Twylla Lynn Brown, Perry, Missouri
Owner: Cavallo Family Trust, Staunton, Illinois
Exhibitor: Blake Weis, Pilot Point, Texas
Events: Senior trail, performance halter mares, senior western riding, senior western pleasure

2022 AQHA Superhorse Hez Blazin Trouble
2015 sorrel gelding (RL Best Of Sudden-Troubles A Blazin by Blazing Hot)
Breeders: Stanley or Susan Scott, Ocala, Florida
Owner: Bonnie Sheren, Studio City, California
Exhibitor: Jason Martin, Ross Roark and Sarah Hauer
Events: Senior western riding, performance halter geldings, senior trail, senior hunter under saddle

2021 AQHA Superhorse Snap It Send It
2016 gray mare (VS Code Red-Snap Krackle Pop by RL Best Of Sudden)
Breeder: Tywlla Lynn Brown, Perry, Missouri
Owner: Kent Ray Taylor, Mesa, Arizona
Exhibitor: Blake Weis, Pilot Point, Texas
Events: Junior trail, performance halter mares, junior western riding and junior western pleasure

2020 AQHA Superhorse Dancin N The Dirt
2011 bay gelding (Hot N Blazing-Caught You Dancin by Hot Impulse)
Breeder: Leslie Vagneur Lange, Greeley, Colorado
Owner: Sandy Vargo, Plain City, Ohio
Exhibitor: Chuck Briggs
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, Tuttle, Oklahoma
Owner: Montlake Farms LLC, Seattle
Exhibitor: Chuck Briggs
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, Tuttle, Oklahoma
Owner: Montlake Farms LLC, Seattle
Exhibitor: Chuck Briggs
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, Clements, California 
Owner: Beechfork Ranch, Weatherford, Texas
Exhibitors: Matt Koch, Jeff Chapman, Jay Lyn Wadhams and Dustin Rogers 
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: Blake Weis
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)
Breeder: Masterson Farms LLC, Somerville, Tennessee
Owner: Twylla Lynn Brown, Perry, Missouri
Exhibitors: Blake Weis and Jill Newcomb
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)
Breeder/Owner/Exhibitor: 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)
Breeder: Nancy Swarm, Ocala, Florida
Owner: Laura "Shad" Te Grotenhuis, Marshall, Illinois
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Casey Deary, Weatherford, Texas
Owner: Eric Dunn, Norwich, Kansas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Durwood Strube, Proctor, Texas
Owner: Donald Tisdall, Castle Rock, Colorado
Exhibitor: 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)
Breeder: Sierra Oak Ranch, Bakersfield, California
Owner: Play Dual Rey Partners, Whitesboro, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Bernard More, Shawville, Quebec
Owner: Gerri Leigh Pratt, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: Frank and Robin Merrill, Poolville, Texas
Owner: Melissa Ann Miller, Belton, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas
Owners: Garth and Amanda Gardiner, Ashland, Kansas
Exhibitor: 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)
Breeder/Owner: Kurt Harris, Whitesboro, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Lazy E Ranch Inc., Guthrie, Oklahoma
Owners: Jim and Michele Holland, Bucyrus, Kansas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Bobby E. Lewis, Overbrook, Oklahoma
Owner: R. T. Stuart Ranch LLC, Waurika, Oklahoma
Exhibitor: 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))
Breeder: Mary Nixon Trust, Grants Pass, Oregon
Owner: Dianna MacDonald, Pilot Point, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Ed Gaylord, Paradise Valley, Arizona
Owner: Trammell Ranches Inc., Mustang, Oklahoma
Exhibitor: 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))
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Exhibitors: 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))
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Carol A. Harris, Reddick, Florida
Owner: Larry Bryson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Exhibitors: 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))
Breeder: Jamee L. Golan Bornstein, East Troy, Wisconsin
Owner: Chelsea Knox, San Clemente, California
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Bar Eleven Quarter Horses, Eagle Point, Oregon
Owner: Jerry Lee Barger, Greenwood, Nebraska
Exhibitors: 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))
Breeder: Catherine J. Mucklestone, Uxbridge, Ontario
Owner: Michelle Klassen, Bakersfield, California
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Terry Stuart Forst, Waurika, Oklahoma
Owner: Eric Storey, Henagar, Alabama
Exhibitor: 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)
Breeder: Bar Eleven Quarter Horses, Eagle Point, Oregon
Owners: Laurie and Michael Boaz, Prescott, Arizona
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: Charles Jenson and Floyd Bergen, Moore, Oklahoma
Owner: The Kaplow Family, Chappaqua, New York
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: Charles Jenson and Floyd Bergen, Moore, Oklahoma
Owner: The Kaplow Family, Chappaqua, New York
Exhibitors: 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))
Breeder: Doris D. Herron, North Port, Florida
Owners: The Double L (Janet L. Reid and Ethel L. Strach), Muskegon, Michigan
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Donald L. Paul, Garrettsville, Ohio
Owners: Tommie and Jennifer Sanders, Lizton, Indiana
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: W. H. and Majorie Bailey, Sheffield, Iowa
Owner: Jamie Strunk,  McMurray, Pennsylvania
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Janice G. Travnick, Bull Valley, Illinois
Owner: Robyn Kaplow, Chappaqua, New York
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Teresa Striegel, Petoskey, Michigan
Owner: Carol Harris, Reddick, Florida
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Jewell Huggins, Stigler, Oklahoma
Owner: Kimberlee Kae Fritz, Anchorage, Alaska
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Teresa Striegel, Petoskey, Michigan
Owner: Carol Harris, Reddick, Florida
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: Robert D. and Jo Anne Bare, Protection, Kansas
Owner: Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Howard Pitzer, Ericson, Nebraska
Owners: Howard Pitzer and Jim Brinkman, Ericson, Nebraska
Exhibitor: 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)
Breeders: Sam M. and Jackie Rose, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Owner: Jackie Krshka, Yukon, Oklahoma
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: J. Evangelisti and F. Monticelli, Guerneville, California
Owner: Frances Klein, Amarillo, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeder: Jewell Huggins, Stigler, Oklahoma
Owner: Shelton Ranches, Kerrville, Texas
Exhibitors: 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)
Breeders: M.J. Sprouse and Jerald Freeman, Bixby, Oklahoma
Owner: Richard Steward, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Exhibitor: “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)
Breeder: Lloyd Geweke, Ord, Nebraska
Owner: Howard Pitzer, Ericson, Nebraska
Exhibitor: Jim Brinkman
Events: Aged mares, heading and heeling