AQHA Horses of the Year Win Big at NFR

Amarillo, Texas, December 19, 2006 – The 2006 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and American Quarter Horse Association Horse of the Year winners shined during competition at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 30 – December 9. Four AQHA Horses of the Year won world titles this year.

Nicks Rocket Rojo, this year’s Horse of the Year in heading, claimed the world title with Matt Sherwood of Queen Creek, Arizona, aboard. Sherwood secured the win by capping off the week’s competition with a 4.1-second run. Nicks Rocket Rojo, owned by Sherwood, is a 12-year-old sorrel gelding* *by Shamrocks Nick and out of Rockets Breezy Lady by Suleo’s Rocket. This was Sherwood’s first year to compete in the NFR.**

Cody Ohl of Hico, Texas, added to this year’s tie-down Horse of the Year’s accolades by winning the world title. Express On Heir, a 12-year-old sorrel gelding by The Hot Express and out of Lulu Of An Heiress by Son And Heir, is owned by Darren Blanton of Dallas. Ohl and “Luke” have been partners since March 2005. His season will go down in history as the best ever in his event as he earned $298,112, including a Wrangler NFR-best $132,652 among tie-down ropers.

Four-time AQHA World Champion Mary Burger of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, earned her first PRCA world title aboard Rare Fred. “Fred” is a 10-year-old sorrel gelding by Jet Radar and out of Sleek Glas by Image Of Greatness. Fred is owned by Ronald Martin, Seal Beach, California.

Burger and Fred claimed the AQHA World Championship title in senior barrel racing three years in a row from 2003 to 2005 after winning the title in 2001 in junior barrel racing. They also captured the 2006 AQHA Reserve World Championship in Senior Barrel Racing. This is Burger’s first time to compete at the NFR.

FF Zans A Baron Jack, ridden by Dean Gorsuch of Gering, Nebraska, claimed the world in steer wrestling. Owned by Jim Burks of Benton, Arkansas, “Zan” is a 12-year-old gelding by Zan Sugar Parr and out of Three Belle Star by Sir Baron Jack. Gorsuch clinched his first world title by throwing his final-round steer in 3.6 seconds, giving him the average title and enough money to claim the world title. This is Zan’s third consecutive year to be named PRCA-AQHA Horse of the Year.

Since 1989, AQHA and PRCA have recognized the top American Quarter Horses in the six timed events. Nominated by their owners, riders or fans, these horses are voted on by the top 25 contestants in their respective events. Each winner receives a cash prize and an AQHA bronze.

For more information on the NFR, visit www.prorodeo.com. For more information on the AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year award, visit /www.aqha.com or call (806) 376-4811.