The American Quarter Horse Association recognizes hardworking individuals and their American Quarter Horses at the end of each year through the Association’s high-point awards. With the introduction of AQHA’s leveling program in 2014, the Association is able to recognize more individuals and horses for their accomplishments in the show arena.
AQHA annually recognizes the top point earners in each division of every AQHA event. Horses are recognized in the open division, junior and senior; while youth and amateurs competing with any one horse are recognized in their respective divisions. The divisions are further broken down into Rookie, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
“An AQHA high-point award is evidence of exhibitors’ and horses’ year-long commitments to excellence in the show pen,” said Pete Kyle, AQHA chief show officer. “To win one of these awards is no easy feat. Congratulations to all on this tremendous accomplishment!”
To view the list of 2018 year-end leaders, simply go to the Showing section of www.aqha.com/services, click “Show Leaders List” and then click “2018 Show Leaders Archive.”
In addition to the leaders in each division, AQHA also named the 2018 year-end all-around award winners:
- Markel Insurance All-Around Youth: Zips Bossy Chip and Ellexxah Ireland Maxwell of West Mansfield, Ohio
- AQHA All-Around Amateur: Gota Good Rodder and Emily Marschand of Atlanta, Indiana
- AQHA All-Around Junior Horse: No Doubt I Shine and Rachel Trebesh of Navarre, Florida
- AQHA All-Around Senior Horse: Heza Radical Zip and Bonnie Sheren of Studio City, California
- AQHA Leading Exhibitor: Jennifer Louise Paul of New Albany, Ohio
Throughout the show year, The American Quarter Horse Journal tracks performance statistics mined from the AQHA database. Every month, the latest standings are tabulated and presented in the digital edition of the Journal, as well as online through the subscriber portal.
The year-end Leaders Lists by class for Rookie, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in open, amateur, Select and youth will appear in the March digital Journal.
The 2018 open, amateur, Select and Equestrians With Disabilities year-end high-point winners will be featured in the November digital Journal, coinciding with the AQHA Awards Celebration, which is slated for November 17 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, during the 2019 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show.
Because the Level 3 youth winners are recognized at the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, the short bios and photos of the 2018 Level 3 youth high-point winners will be showcased in the August digital Journal.
For more information on the year-end show leaders, visit www.aqha.com/highpoint.
