News from Canadian Quarter Horse Association

AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders The first initiative is a breeder referral program called the AQHA Ranching Heritage program.

To become part of the Ranching Heritage Breeders, ranches must be members of AQHA and their ranch remudas must consist of Quarter Horses, which must be used primarily to work ranch cattle. The ranch must own at least five 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 the application from www.aqha.com or call AQHA Customer Service at (806) 376-4811. The Ranching Council will approve the applications, and the program will cost $10 per year.Ranching Heritage Breeders will be entitled to use a special logo on their advertising, and that logo will also appear on their AQHA registration certificates.

Ranches that are members of the Ranching Heritage Breeders will also be able to enter their horses in exclusive competitions and sales.

AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge The first exclusive opportunity for Ranching Heritage Breeders is the Ranching Heritage Challenge, which will eventually grow to be six or seven regional competitions with the goal of having a $100,000 to $150,000 purse at each event to drive the market for ranch horses.

The Ranching Heritage Challenge will consist of three classes: an open ranch horse class for 4-year-old horses only; a non-pro ranch horse class for 5-year-old and older horses and a trail trials class for 5-year-old and older horses. The open and non-pro will be a ranch horse class that tests the horse and rider in handling, roping and working cow ability. The trail trials will be a ranch-type course that exemplifies the kind of obstacles you would encounter on the ranch. The horses entered must have been foaled at a Ranching Heritage Breeder's ranch and nominated by that ranch.

Purses will be generated from a nomination payment of $25 per weanling, along with sustaining payments made by the new owner of the horse. In addition, it's anticipated that several of AQHA's corporate partners will provide additional money for these purses.

Foal nominations will be accepted, beginning in September for competition in the coming years. However, in 2012, 4-year-old and older foals bred by ranches that become Ranching Heritage Breeders that year will be eligible to compete in two entry-fee competitions.

Prospect Project

Check out this ground-breaking opportunity for youth to acquire a free ranch-bred American Quarter Horse and hone their skills in horse training, showing and sales.

The American Quarter Horse Journal
August 25, 2011

Members of the Ranching Heritage Breeders program have the distinct goal to mentor the young horsemen who purchase their foals.

Imagine this: You are given the chance to receive one of six free foals donated by esteemed American Quarter Horse breeders Open Box Rafter Ranch. These foals boast of grandsires such as Sun Frost, Shugar Cat, Sonny Pep San and Frenchmans Guy.

The sky is the limit for youth who are chosen to participate in the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Project.

Of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association members selected to participate in the project, six will be chosen to receive a free weanling donated by Jim and Joni Hunt, owners of Open Box Rafter Ranch in Faith, South Dakota.

Another lucky AQHYA member will receive Weavers Tuf Chic (Ima Tuf Lena-Weavers Broke Heaven by Ima Bit of Heaven), a sorrel filly, donated by Weaver Quarter Horses. For more information on how to vie for Weavers Tuf Chic, check out Weaver Quarter Horses' flyer.

The remaining AQHYA members accepted to participate will have the opportunity to visit ranches that are members of the AQHA Ranching Heritage program where they will look over the ranches' weanling stock and each purchase one colt for $700.

All AQHYA members accepted into the project will have the opportunity to earn back the money that they invest in their project just by presenting their colts at AQHA Ranching Heritage shows. Additionally, the youth will have the opportunity to earn scholarships and prizes while competing with their project colt.

Project colts will be presented at AQHA Ranching Heritage shows during their yearling and 2-year-old years.

In addition to earning scholarships and prizes, project participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and the knowledge that they have acquired through their project. Following their final presentation, participants will have the option of offering their project colt for sale by private treaty after their projects' final presentations.

If you are an AQHYA member, or know of one, who would enjoy the opportunity to showcase your horsemanship and horse training skills while learning, this project program is right up your alley.

Members of the Ranching Heritage Breeders program have the distinct goal to mentor the young horsemen who purchase their foals. The opportunity for a youth to learn responsibility and goal-setting, two important components of equine ownership, from an American rancher is priceless.

Download the Ranching Heritage Youth Enrollment Form and Waiver Form.

Want to see a sneak peek of Open Box Rafter Ranch's six donated weanlings? Check out the flyer. You can also take a look at Weavers Tuf Chic in Weaver Quarter Horses' flyer.

AQHYA membership is required to participate in the project. Not an AQHYA member? Become one today.

Ranching Council member Jim Hunt of Faith, South Dakota, is making several of his foals available at his Open Box Rafter Ranch Quarter Horses Sale on September 10 as a pilot for the program. To apply, or for information, visit www.aqha.com/youth.

"AQHA was built with ranching horses, and it's time to recognize their efforts and their breeders again," said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. "We want to put the spotlight on the backbone of the industry."

The AQHA Ranching Council members are Chairman Stan Weaver, Big Sandy, Montana; AQHA Executive Committee representative Johnny Trotter, Hereford, Texas; Rob A. Brown, Stinnett, Texas; Larry Bell, Midland, Texas; Terry Forst, Waurika, Oklahoma; Jim Hunt, Faith, South Dakota; Dorvan Solberg, Ray, North Dakota; Ty Van Norman, Tuscarora, Nevada; and Kris Wilson, Newkirk, New Mexico.

Ranch Horse Promotion

Prospect Project

Check out this ground-breaking opportunity for youth to acquire a free ranch-bred American Quarter Horse and hone their skills in horse training, showing and sales.