story by Siri Stevens
The American Quarter Horse Association presented the Top Ranching Heritage Bred Horse Award at the 2019 National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
The Top RHB Horse Award recognizes top Ranching Heritage-bred horses competing at major competitions across the country. Both the horse owner and breeder each receive $250 and the owner also receives a specially-designed ranch-horse trophy.
“It’s very important to recognize these ranch-bred horses who compete in the arena,” said Kim Lindsey, AQHA Director of Ranching. “It’s great to partner with NLBRA in recognizing youth who are exceling with these great horses. They are the future of our industry.”
Taking home the Top RHB Horse Award, which went to the highest placing RHB horse in the short go at the NLBRA Finals, was Macs Blue Max, a 2008 gray gelding, owned by Gavon, Tammy and Landon Hutchison of Harwood, Missouri, and ridden by Landon Hutchison. Landon was sixth in the senior boys tie-down with 105 points.
Macs Blue Max, sired by Blue Max Hancock and out of the dam Tee J Misty Babe by Tee J Johnny Finger, was bred AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders Richard and Sherileen Spader of Spader Ranch in Rosendale, Missouri.
The AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder program spotlights the quality horses produced by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders who are AQHA member-owned ranches and individuals.
Ranching Heritage Breeders must breed and register at least five foals annually and must maintain a remuda of horses used to operate a working cattle operation. The ranch also must have received an AQHA 10-year breeder award to be eligible for the program. There are more than 400 Ranching Heritage Breeders across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.
AQHA offers programs to help ranchers to market their ranch-bred American Quarter Horses including the Top RHB Horse Award and AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges. Ranching Heritage Challenges are exclusive competitions for horses bred by Ranching Heritage Breeders and offer multiple divisions for various ages and skill levels for both horse and rider. Classes include working ranch horse, ranch riding, team roping and barrel racing.
**For more information about AQHA’s ranching programs, including a list of Ranching Heritage Breeders, Top RHB Horse Award events and winners and Ranching Heritage Challenge information, visit www.aqha.com/ranching.
