AQHA BRANDS RHAA NATIONAL FINALISTS WITH HORSE OF THE YEAR TITLES

The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 24, 2008 – The American Quarter Horse Association recognized the highest placing American Quarter Horse in each of the four Ranch Horse Association of America National Finals classes as AQHA/RHAA Horses of the Year. The horses’ owners, as recorded by AQHA, were presented a specially designed AQHA bronze trophy and a $500 cash bonus.

In the Cowboy Class, Josephs Yellow Chick was honored as AQHA/RHAA Horse of the Year. The 2001 palomino gelding was ridden by owner Kelby Phillips of Guthrie, Texas. Phillips received 2007-2008 RHAA Overall Champion honors and was Reserve National Champion in the Cowboy Class with Josephs Yellow Chick.

Whose The Daddy received acknowledgment as AQHA/ RHAA Horse of the Year in the Ranch Hand Class. Mounted atop the 2000 sorrel gelding was owner Riley Smith of Earth, Texas. Whose The Daddy was the 2007-2008 National Champion in the Ranch Hand Class.

AQHA/ RHAA Horse of the Year recipient for the Junior Class was Smart Move Dulce. The 2003 sorrel stallion, who also walked away with the 2007-2008 National Champion title in the Junior Class, was ridden by owner Chris Littlefield of Henrietta, Texas.

Winding up the RHAA National Finals, PG Shogun took the honors as the AQHA/ RHAA Horse of the Year in the Senior Class. Craig Haythorn rode the 1999 gray stallion to the 2007-2008 Senior Class National Champion title. PG Shogun is owned by F&H Horses of Texhoma, Oklahoma.

The American Quarter Horse Journal, a long-standing RHAA sponsor, will continue their sponsorship of the RHAA National Finals, which are held in Abilene, Texas, in conjunction with the Western Heritage Classic.

The American Quarter Horse Association and the Ranch Horse Association of America have formed a strategic marketing alliance to promote the growing interest in and usage of American Quarter Horses in ranch horse competition. Through specific association marketing agreements, AQHA joins forces with other associations in which the American Quarter Horse is predominately the breed of choice.

For a list of AQHA’s alliance partners, visit www.aqha.com/association/benefits/alliance.html.

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.