Dana Avila and Always Do 2023 Select All Around Amateur

During the past three weeks, AQHA Select AllAround Amateur contenders competed in a variety of events aboard their American Quarter Horses throughout the AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan®.

The 2023 Select All-Around Amateur is Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona, showing Always Do. Dana Avila and Always Do received a prize package that included a neck wreath, $10,000 and a Lisa Perry Bronze.

The 2018 Ranching Heritage-Bred gelding, by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz, was bred by the W. T. Waggoner Estate and earned 63 points in the Select all-around competition. They were world champions in amateur working western rail and Select ranch riding, fourth in Select horsemanship, fifth in amateur ranch trail, and placed in the Select performance geldings. Amateur working western rail and ranch trail count toward the Select all-around as these classes are not offered in the Select division.

The reserve Select all-around amateur is Scott Reinartz of Crossroads, Texas, who showed Only One Request. The 2014 bay gelding is by One N Only and out of Simply The Best by RL Best Of Sudden. Reinartz and Only One Request were the reserve world champions in both Select horsemanship and Select showmanship, bronze champions in Select performance geldings, and placed in the Select hunt seat equitation and the Select trail.

Reinartz and Only One Request received $5,000 and a silver bowl.

The third-place Select all-around amateur is Shelley Otness of

Williamsville, Illinois, showing Cool Coastin Machine. The 2014 bay gelding is by Machine Made and out of Cool Coastin Lady by Certain Potential. They were the world champions in Select showmanship, reserve world champions in select hunt seat equitation, and placed in Select horsemanship.

The fourth-place Select all-around amateur is Christine Campbell of Palmetto, Florida, showing Good Lookin Mechanic. The 2017 chesnut gelding is by Mechanic and out of Fabulous Looker by Fabulous Frolic and was bred by Carrie Gross of Sumpterville, Florida. The team was world champions in the Select hunter hack, bronze champions in Select hunt seat equitation, and placed in the Select equiation over fences and Select working hunter.

The fifth-place Select all-around amateur is Laina Banks showing Strawberri Wine. The 2008 red roan mare is by Openrange and out of Buddys Buffalo Gal by Buddy Man Jack and was bred by Katie Green of Ocala, Florida. They were world champions in the Select western riding, fourth in the Select showmanship, and placed in Select performance mares.

The Select all-around amateur third- through fifth-place award winners each received $1,500.

Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition AQHA also awarded the Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition Award. The award is presented to the Super-Select exhibitor, age 70 and over, earning the greatest number of points in competition at the 2023 Adequan® Select World.

The 2023 Gene Graves Super-Select Recognition Award recipient is Karen Dean showing One More Whizkey. The 2017 palomino mare is by Whizkey N Diamonds and out of One More Night by Gunners Special Nite. The pair was third in amateur ranch trail. Dean and One More Whizkey received a specially designed plaque.

Ranching Heritage Top Horses

Two horses earned special awards at the 2023 Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan); Adequan® Level 2 Championships; and Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City October 26 - November 15.

Battle Reys and Nathan Anderson.

Those two horses are AQHA Ranching Heritage-Bred award winners. This recognition comes with a specially designed trophy and a $250 cash prize to both the owner and $250 for the breeder.

The AQHA Ranching Heritage program highlights ranches that are certified as AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. These working cattle ranches produce quality horses needed to work on the ranch. The program is designed to showcase the qualities of a working ranch horse by recognizing the top Ranching Heritage-Bred horses competing at major events.

The awards are given to the top-placing Ranching HeritageBred horse in each division, with the tie-breaker going to the horse that defeats the most horses. Anyone can show these horses, which are eligible for special events such as AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges.

This year, these two horses earned Top Ranching HeritageBred awards in these divisions:

Amateur and Select Amateur: Always Do, 2018 gray gelding by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz; bred by the W. T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas; owned and shown by Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona

Open: Battle Reys, 2018 bay stallion by Dual Rey and out of Dejavu N Blue by Smooth As A Cat; bred by Aaron Ranch of Commerce, Texas; owned by Mark and Deanna Akin of Purcell, Oklahoma; shown by Nathen Anderson of Elmore City, Oklahoma