New Texas Specialty License Plate Features the American Quarter Horse

Amarillo, Texas – Texas drivers have the opportunity to purchase a new specialty license plate through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) that features the American Quarter Horse.

On sale now through TxDOT, the plate features a version of artist Orren Mixer’s ideal American Quarter Horse, a special logo and the words “America’s Horse” along the bottom of the plate.

“We are extremely proud to have the world’s most popular breed of horse, whose roots run deep in Texas, featured on a Texas license plate,” said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. “With more than 138,000 owners of American Quarter Horses and 45,000 members living in the Lone Star State, we believe this will be a very popular plate. We’re looking forward to seeing the American Quarter Horse on vehicles throughout Texas.”

Texas horse lovers can purchase the American Quarter Horse specialty plate by contacting their local county tax assessor-collector or visiting the TxDOT Web site. Two plates are issued to passenger cars or light trucks. A fee of $30 is charged annually (plus $40 if personalized) in addition to the regular registration fee and other applicable fees. The application and specialty license plate fee are submitted to the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division. Of the $30 fee, $22 will be deposited into a special fund administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture to benefit the American Quarter Horse Foundation. Funds from plate sales will support Foundation scholarships, equine research, history preservation and therapeutic riding programs.

“There were many people who helped make this plate reality,” said Brewer. “I want to thank the Texas Department of Transportation for their quick approval of the design and especially thank the Texas Department of Agriculture, and Commissioner Susan Combs and her staff for handling the administrative end of plate sales.”

The American Quarter Horse plate joins a prestigious list of nearly 150 other specialty license plates for colleges, military veterans, organizations and professional sports teams offered to Texas drivers. This is the only equine plate offered through the state’s specialty plate program. For more about the AQHA plate or to order it, visit http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/spplates/specialplate.htm?nbr=144.

If you would like a plate for your home, office or barn, anyone (including out-of-state residents) can order a souvenir plate featuring the American Quarter Horse through TxDOT. The fee for a single souvenir license plate is $20. If the souvenir license plate is personalized, the fee for the plate is $40. For information on ordering a souvenir plate, visit www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/spplates/souvenir/souvenir.htm.