American Quarter Horse Association Approaches 5 Million

Auction for Milestone Number Starts December 5

Guess the Date, Win a Dude Ranch Vacation

America’s Horse, December 4, 2007 – The American Quarter Horse Association, the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization, begins its “Countdown to 5 Million” and encourages every member to keep up with the count. In fact, one AQHA member will ride off with the actual registration number 5,000,000 in an online auction that begins Wednesday, December 5.

“We are so proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with all our valued members,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “We are the only equine organization worldwide to reach this number, and we couldn’t have gotten here without the continued support of our members and owners. It’s going to be a great celebration, and we look forward to discovering which horse will receive number 5,000,000 and where in the world it lives!”

It is anticipated that AQHA will hit the 5 million mark any time between Wednesday, December 5, 2007, and Friday, February 29, 2008. A real-time counter on AQHA’s Web site will keep everyone updated on the Association’s progress.

In addition to the online auction for the number, AQHA also will conduct a “guess the date and time” contest for all members. Beginning Wednesday, December 5, 2007, each AQHA member can submit one guess via the Association’s Web site as to when they think the 5 millionth horse will be registered. The member coming closest to the actual day and time /without going past it/ will win a trip for two* to the Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch in Martindale, Montana, courtesy of the Dude Ranchers of America. The “guess the date and time” contest entry deadline is December 14, 2007, at 5 p.m. CST, while the auction for Registration Number 5,000,000 ends December 31, 2007, at 5 p.m. CST.

How the auction works:

1. Beginning Wednesday, December 5, AQHA members can log into
www.aqhamembers.com  using their ID number and PIN.
2. Once there, members can simply click on the “Countdown to 5
Million” icon and be taken to the auction site.
3. The auction will end at 5 p.m. central standard time Monday,
December 31, 2007.
4. The member submitting the highest bid will win the right to use
registration number 5,000,000 (certain rules will apply to this
number and are posted in the auction area).
5. Please be sure to read the important rules before submitting bids.
Should bidders have any questions, they can simply call (806)
376-4811 and talk to a customer service representative.

In 1941, AQHA registered its first horse – a stallion named Wimpy. A bronze of that first horse sits at the entrance to the AQHA headquarters.

In 1974, AQHA surpassed registration number 1,000,000 but did not assign the number to a horse. It was reserved to honor the men and women who helped build the Association.

In 1983, registration number 2,000,000 was given to a mare named TWO MILLION, owned by the King Ranch of Kingsville, Texas. Eight years later in 1991, THREE MILLION CASH, owned by the Phillips Ranch of Frisco, Texas, was given registration number 3,000,000. Ten years after that, in 2001, registration number 4,000,000 was given to SHINELIKEFOURMILLION owned by Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines .

*Airfare and transportation not included in the dude ranch giveaway.