Two horses earned special awards at the 2023 Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan); Adequan® Level 2 Championships; and Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City October 26 - November 15.

Those two horses are AQHA Ranching Heritage-Bred award winners. This recognition comes with a specially designed trophy and a $250 cash prize to both the owner and $250 for the breeder.

The AQHA Ranching Heritage program highlights ranches that are certified as AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. These working cattle ranches produce quality horses needed to work on the ranch. The program is designed to showcase the qualities of a working ranch horse by recognizing the top Ranching Heritage-Bred horses competing at major events.

The awards are given to the top-placing Ranching Heritage-Bred horse in each division, with the tie-breaker going to the horse that defeats the most horses. Anyone can show these horses, which are eligible for special events such as AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges.

This year, these two horses earned Top Ranching Heritage-Bred awards in these divisions:

Amateur and Select Amateur: Always Do, 2018 gray gelding by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz; bred by the W. T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas; owned and shown by Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona

Open: Battle Reys, 2018 bay stallion by Dual Rey and out of Dejavu N Blue by Smooth As A Cat; bred by Aaron Ranch of Commerce, Texas; owned by Mark and Deanna Akin of Purcell, Oklahoma; shown by Nathen Anderson of Elmore City, Oklahoma

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

About the Show

The Nutrena AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select amateur and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows feature over three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.

About the Sponsors

Nutrena feed isn’t just grown, it’s crafted. Real science goes into putting the nutrients animals need into each Nutrena feed product. Quality is so important because we know people are relying on us to stand up to our exacting standards each and every time. What’s inside the bag counts. That’s why you can count on Nutrena feeds for the animals you care for. For more information on Nutrena brand products, visit www.nutrenaworld.com.

Adequan®, the official equine joint therapy of AQHA, is the proud title sponsor of the Adequan® Select World and the Adequan® Level 2 Championships. When you choose a joint therapy for your horses, choose Adequan®. 

Read more about Nutrena, the official feed of AQHA and title sponsor of the 2022 Nutrena 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.”