Four American Quarter Horses were recognized as the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses during the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and its concurrent events.
The 2022 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and concurrent ranch horse events concluded June 25 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The event had more than 2,700 entries between the AQHA VRH World; AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals; AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships, presented by the Four Sixes Ranch; and National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance National Championship Show.
Four American Quarter Horses were recognized as the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses over and above their show accomplishments. Each of these horses earned a $250 cash prize and a custom trophy for their owners. Their breeders also each received a $250 cash prize.
The Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse in the Versatility Ranch Horse division was AQHA limited amateur world champion Boots Be Tuff, a 2010 sorrel gelding by Woody Be Tuff and out of the Doc O Boots mare Pretty Poco Boots. He was bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder W.T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas, and is owned by Larry Walker of Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
Earning the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse award in National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance competition was the VRH senior world champion, Playin Motown, exhibited by Ben Baldus of Gainesville, Texas. The 2013 sorrel gelding is owned by Catelyn Walker of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the granddaughter of Larry Walker. Playin Motown was bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders Kit and Charlie Moncrief and Lee Tennison of Fort Worth, Texas, and is by Mr Playinstylish and out of the Mr Peponita Flo mare Mo Flo.
Earning the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse award for Level 1 youth was Lil Remedy Pep, owned by Jessica L. Bortner and shown by Ethan Bortner of McCook, Nebraska. The 2007 sorrel gelding is by Very Smart Remedy and out of the Diggers Rest mare Kaimana Wana Wiggle. He was bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder Darren L. Miller of Corrales, New Mexico.
The Level 1 amateur Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse is Bos Peppy And Smart, a 2008 gelding by Smartest and out of the Mr Sorrel Bo mare Peppy Bo Steel. He was also bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estate and is owned and shown by Michelle Young of Platte City, Missouri.
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Program highlights the versatility, soundness and willing attitude of American Quarter Horses that are ranch-born and -raised.
Only horses produced by Ranching Heritage Breeders are eligible to participate in the program, but anyone can own and show these horses.
Ranching Heritage Breeders are those operations that have steadfastly maintained the ranching tradition by raising American Quarter Horses for use in working cattle.
In addition to top horse awards, AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses are eligible to compete in AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges, which are offered across the country. Competing in these events, many of which have added money, make horses eligible to compete at the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals.
To find out more about the Ranching Heritage program, visit www.aqha.com/ranching.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.
