Timed Event Awards for American Quarter Horses

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)

• Nutrena Horse of the Year Awards, presented by AQHA

   

  • How It Works: Cowboys and cowgirls nominate registered American Quarter Horses, then vote on who will be the horse of the year in each category: team roping-header, team roping-heeler, steer roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and pick-up horse.
    
    The Prizes: $5,000 cash prize and a bronze trophy

• AQHA Fan Favorite Horse Awards

   

  • How It Works: Cowboys and cowgirls nominate their registered Quarter Horses to appear on the voting ballot. Fans then vote for their favorite horse, with the winner crowned at the event’s conclusion. Fan Favorite Horse voting is held at the NFR Open, Puyallup Playoffs, Sioux Falls Playoffs and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
    
    The Prizes: $1,000 cash and a plaque

• AQHA Horse of the Year Fan Vote

   

  • How It Works: The Nutrena Horses of the Year, presented by AQHA, are placed on a ballot. Fans vote from the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo through the conclusion of the event, with the Fan Voted horse awarded at the event’s end.
    
    The Prize: $5,000 cash

National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA)

• State/Provincial Horse of the Year

   

  • How It Works: NHSRA members nominate their American Quarter Horses by April 1 to be eligible for Horse of the Year awards at their state/provincial finals. NHSRA members must be current AQHYA members. The highest point earning horse is named in the cowboy and cowgirl divisions for Junior High and High School.
    
    The Prize: Specially engraved YETI water bottle

• National Finals Horse of the Year

   

  • How It Works: NHSRA members nominate their American Quarter Horses by April 1 and must be current AQHYA members.

    • National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR): all-around cowboy and cowgirl champion and reserve champion awards. High-point horse awards in: girls breakaway roping, boys breakaway roping, tie-down roping, ribbon roping, girls goat tying, boys goat tying, team roping-header, team roping-heeler, barrel racing, and pole bending.

    • National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR): all-around cowboy and cowgirl champion and reserve champion awards. High-point horse awards in: barrel racing, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping-header, team roping-heeler, goat tying, pole bending, girls cutting, boys cutting, and reined cow horse.

    The Prizes:

    • All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl: $1,250 cash and breast collar to champions (NJHFR), $500 cash to reserve (NJHFR), $1,750 cash and breast collar to champions (NHSFR), $750 cash to reserve (NHSFR)

    • High-Point Horse: bronze trophy (NJHFR), cash prize and bronze trophy (NHSFR)

• AQHA Sidepots at Western Legacy Series Events

   

  • How It Works: AQHA supports Western Legacy Series events with sidepots for eligible to AQHYA members. Sidepot format varies by event.
    
    The Prizes: $2,000 added to each Western Legacy Series event

College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR)

• AQHA Horse of the Year

   

  • How It Works: National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) members may nominate their registered American Quarter Horse to be eligible for the AQHA Horse of the Year title, awarded in both the men’s and women’s division.
    
    The Prize: saddle

National Little Britches Rodeo Assocation (NLBRA)

• AQHA Horse of the Year

   

  • How It Works: NLBRA members nominate their American Quarter Horses by June 15 for Horse of the Year awards in the Little Wranglers, Juniors and Seniors divisions. NLBRA members must be current AQHYA members.
    
    The Prize: $500 cash

The American Rodeo

• The American Rodeo

   

  • How It Work: Through the AQHA Fan Favorite Horse award, fans vote for their favorite registered American Quarter Horse competing in the event.
    
    The Prize: trophy

Cinch Timed Event Championship

• AQHA Fan Favorite Horse

   

  • How It Work: Through the AQHA Fan Favorite Horse award, fans vote for their favorite registered American Quarter Horse competing in the event.
    
    The Prize: trophy