The annual American Quarter Horse Association Awards Celebration is slated for November 11 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Recognition of year-end high-point award winners had previously been held at the AQHA convention. Based on survey results of award winners from the previous three years, AQHA announced last fall that the 2017 ceremony would coincide with the 2018 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show also in Oklahoma City.
The AQHA Awards Celebration honors the 2017 open, amateur and Equestrians With Disabilities year-end high-point winners; Justin Boots Intermediates of the Year; exhibitor of the year; Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year; AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year; and Most Valuable Professional awards.
Although the event date and location have moved, 2017 year-end high-point winners will be mailed their year-end high-point buckles within the next few weeks so they can show off their accomplishment throughout the year. The year-end high-point trophies will be presented in November.
The 2017 racing year-end high-point winners were recognized January 17 at the AQHA Racing Champions Announcements at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. The 2017 youth year-end high-point winners will continue to be recognized during the Parade of Teams at the 2018 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show.
More information, including the evening’s agenda, ticket information, attire for the evening and host hotels will be announced as details are finalized at www.aqha.com. Award winners will be contacted directly with this information. 

At the Awards Celebration, AQHA will also recognize the Markel Insurance AQHA All-Around Youth, AQHA All-Around Amateur, AQHA All-Around Junior Horse, AQHA All-Around Senior Horse, Most Valuable Professional, AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and the Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year.
“We listened to the input of our previous high-point award winners to determine the best way to appropriately recognize and showcase our year-end winners,” said Pete Kyle, chief show officer. “This awards ceremony will be a celebration of and a spotlight on all the hard work, time and dedication our members and American Quarter Horses have put in throughout the year to earn these prestigious titles.”
Award winners invited to the AQHA Awards Celebration will receive more information in the mail and by email by the end of February. The awards packet will include biographical forms for each award winner to fill out to be featured in The American Quarter Horse Journal. If you have any questions once you’ve received your winner packets, email highpoint@aqha.org.
All members, especially attendees of the 2018 Lucas Oil World, are encouraged to purchase tickets to this fun and exciting event that highlights your peers. After the “Oscar-style” awards presentation, attendees are invited to enjoy live entertainment, presented by Michael Murphy’s Dualing Pianos. It is sure to be a great event you won’t want to miss!
The Lucas Oil World schedule will be modified to allow exhibitors and their connections time away from the show for the banquet on November 11 at the National Cowboy & Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The show’s scheduled start time on Monday, November 12, will also be adjusted to accommodate for the celebration the evening before.
For more information on AQHA year-end high-points, visit www.aqha.com/highpoints.
