The American Quarter Horse Association, the official sponsor of the Road to the Horse Remuda, announced today its development of a special perpetual award which will be presented at the World Championship of Colt-Starting. “The AQHA Traveler Award” will be presented to the winning clinician’s horse at the event in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7, 2010 and recognizes the aptitude and flexibility of the American Quarter Horse as exemplified at the one-of-a-kind event.

“AQHA is excited to award the top horse at Road to the Horse with ‘The Traveler’ award,” says Don Treadway, AQHA executive vice president. “Named after one of the Quarter Horse breed’s foundation sires, The Traveler [award] recognizes the confirmation, athleticism, gentleness and willing attitude of the American Quarter Horse to excel in any arena. Road to the Horse is a fitting place for The Traveler to be awarded in recognition of the horse that is a ready partner for the winning clinician.”

The award is named for the foundation sire known as Traveler. After a successful career as a race horse in Texas, Traveler began producing quality foals with good dispositions, conformation and speed. Traveler made his greatest impact on the breed when he sired Little Joe, Texas Chief and Possum (King). Passing away in 1912, it was estimated that he was 32 years old when he died. Traveler was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1994.

Since it’s inception, Road to the Horse has used American Quarter Horses to educate and entertain horse owners nationwide. Because Road to the Horse advocates the incredible abilities of Quarter Horses, joining forces with the American Quarter Horse Association was a natural fit.

In addition to presenting the Traveler Award each year, the AQHA will assist with the evaluation and selection of the Road to the Horse remuda prior to each event. With the combined efforts of Road to the Horse and the AQHA, one ranch will be chosen to provide ten colts for the remuda each year. These colts will all be born within a few months of each other and will be of similar, well-respected bloodlines. As the world’s largest equine breed registry and member organization, the AQHA has the resources to select the highest quality remuda possible for Road to the Horse.

“I can remember as a little kid sitting on my grandfathers couch thumbing through the well read Quarter Horse Journal. I would have never expected that I would have this incredible opportunity to have the privilege of working with the AQHA and the presentation of the “Traveler Award”. The partnership of the AQHA and Road to the Horse is a perfect fit in both our endeavors to recognize the positive impact of the American Quarter Horse, not only in my life but in all our lives.

Road to the Horse

Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt-Starting is unlike any other event in the equine or entertainment industry. The two-day sold out event matches three of the country’s best horse trainers and clinicians of today against one another as they train unbroken colts to ride in just a few short hours in front of a packed live audience and television cameras. By combining education, edge-of-your-seat suspense, entertainment and the love of the horse, Road to the Horse has been responsible for solidifying the position of today’s horsemanship heroes and launching the careers of tomorrow’s hottest new stars. In the process, the event itself has become a catalyst for the advancement of natural horsemanship. Hosted by Rick Lamb, of RFD-TV’s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, spectators are guaranteed not only to have a good time, but also to walk away with training knowledge that will improve their relationship with horses.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies across the equine industry including Road to the Horse presenting sponsor, Western Horseman and strategic partner AQHA along with Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Cinch/Cruel Girl, Roll-A-Cone Manufacturing, Horses Magazine, Martin Saddlery, Wahl Clipper, Gist Silversmiths, John’s Ariat Country, Rockin’ J Horse Stalls, CSI Saddlepads, Horsecity.com, Extreme Mustang Makeover, WW Livestock, the Tennessee Walking Horse Association Breeders & Exhibitors Association, Hoofbeats Magazine, Horse South Magazine, Salt Block Gazette and Horsemen’s Roundup. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on the 2010 Road to the Horse visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.