Ranching Heritage Programs
Ranching Heritage Programs
Learn more about the Ranching Heritage Breeders program, Ranching Heritage Challenges and the Young Horse Development Program.
AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders
AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders is a breeder referral program. To become part of the Ranching Heritage Breeders, ranches must be members of AQHA and their ranch remudas must consist of American Quarter Horses, which must be used primarily to work ranch cattle.
The ranch must own at least five American Quarter Horse mares that are used to produce the remuda, and the ranch must have received at least an AQHA 10-year breeder award.
Ranches that qualify can download this application or call AQHA Customer Service at (806) 376-4811.
The AQHA Ranching Committee and AQHA Executive Committee review the applications. The program cost $25 per year.
Ranching Heritage Breeders are entitled to use a special logo on their advertising, and that logo also appears on the AQHA registration certificates of horses bred by Ranching Heritage Breeders.
Ranches that are members of the Ranching Heritage Breeders also are eligible to enter their horses in exclusive competitions and sales.
AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges
Ranching Heritage Challenges are open to any horse bred by an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder. Anyone who owns an eligible horse can compete in one of the multiple age and skill level divisions offered for both horse and rider, as well as a variety of classes.
AQHA Young Horse Development Program
The Ranching Committee is also interested in getting more youth involved with horses. Ranching Heritage Breeders interested in donating a weanling, please download the donation form here.
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program helps youth learn how to work with young horses. Ranching Heritage Breeders can make weanlings eligible for youth to apply to receive for free or at a nominal fee. American Quarter Horse Youth Association members apply through AQHA to be a recipient of a foal. Youth take the weanling home, train and develop the the young horse for a chance to win scholarships and prizes from Montana Silversmiths, Justin Boots and Wrangler. Plus, they keep their horse.
Ranching Heritage Awards
These AQHA Ranching Heritage awards recognize various facets of ranching and breeding, from the Best Remuda Award, the oldest and most prestigious ranching award; the RHB of the Year; Top RHB Horses; and Top RHB Production Sale of the Year.
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AQHA Best Remuda Award
AQHA presents the Best Remuda Award – the oldest and most prestigious ranching award.
AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders of the Year
These are the award winners, American Quarter Horse breeders who exemplify the ranching lifestyle.
June 03, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
The 47th recipient of the National Golden Spur Award has been selected.
May 30, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
The AQHA Executive Committee has approved three new AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders.
May 28, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
The second annual event shows off the versatility and tradition of the American Quarter Horse in true ranch horse fashion.
May 27, 2025 | News and Publications
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AQHA corporate partners
The American Quarter Horse Association welcomes Genuine Billy Cook Saddles to its premier group of sponsors.
May 27, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
Congratulations to the all-around and high-point winners at the 2025 AQHA West Level 1 Championships!
May 14, 2025
Smart solutions for a more comfortable American Quarter Horse this spring and summer.
May 01, 2025
Cashel Company turned to Dr. Charlie Buchanan of Signature Equine Hospital in Stephenville, Texas, for expert insight into why fly protection matters.
April 29, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
Two American Quarter Horses were recognized as the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses during the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association National Show.
April 11, 2025
See the bloodlines that dominated ranch horse events in 2024.
April 08, 2025 | News and Publications
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Ranching
The AQHA Ranching Council honors Kalpowar Quarter Horses in the inaugural presentation of this award.