AQHA VRH World Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses

Four American Quarter Horses were recognized as the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses during the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and its concurrent events.

The 2023 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and concurrent ranch horse events concluded June 24 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The event had more than 3,100 entries between the AQHA VRH World; AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals; AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships, presented by the Four Sixes Ranch; and National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance National Championship Show.

Four American Quarter Horses were recognized as the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses over and above their show accomplishments. Each of these horses earned a $250 cash prize and a custom trophy for their owners. Their breeders also each received a $250 cash prize.

The Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse in the Versatility Ranch Horse division was the 2023 VRH Senior World Champion Playin Motown, who was shown by Ben Baldus of Gainesville, Texas. The 2013 sorrel gelding is owned by Catelyn Walker of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Playin Motown was bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders Kit and Charlie Moncrief and Lee Tennison of Fort Worth, Texas, and is by Mr Playinstylish and out of the Mr Peponita Flo mare Mo Flo.

Earning the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse award in National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance competition was CR Tuff Secret, a 2016 sorrel gelding by Woody Be Tuff and out of the Peptoboonsmal mare CR Shes Uh Secret. He was bred by Center Ranch of Centerville, Texas, and is owned by Bill and Anita Lockwood of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Earning the Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse award in the youth division of the AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships was Smokin Jonez, owned and shown by Gabrielle Crawford of Albemarle, North Carolina. The 2016 sorrel gelding is by Travelin Jonez and out of the Doc O Boots mare Smoke My Boots. He was bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder W.T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas.

The AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships amateur Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse was TQH Royal Dry TBar, a 2002 bay gelding by Doc T Bar and out of the Dry Doc mare Dry Dove. He was bred by Mac and Julie White of Marfa, Texas, and is owned and shown by Jake Jones of Aubrey, Texas.

The AQHA Ranching Heritage Program highlights the versatility, soundness and willing attitude of American Quarter Horses that are ranch-born and -raised. Only horses produced by Ranching Heritage Breeders are eligible to participate in the program, but anyone can own and show these horses. Ranching Heritage Breeders are those operations that steadfastly maintain the ranching tradition by raising American Quarter Horses for use in working cattle.

In addition to top horse awards, AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses are eligible to compete in AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges, which are offered across the country. Competing in these events, many of which have added money, make horses eligible to compete at the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals.

The

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