The 2022 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and concurrent events hosted more than 2,700 entries from 31 states and over 100 first-time participants.
The 2022 American Quarter Horse Association Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and concurrent ranch horse events concluded June 25 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The event hosted over 380 exhibitors from across 31 states; more than 400 horses; and over 2,700 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. The combined purse and prizes of the four premier shows was over $300,000.
The show featured a variety of events, including ranch cutting, ranch trail, ranch conformation, ranch reining, team roping, barrel racing, ranch riding and working ranch horse.
“The rich ranching heritage of our Association was highlighted over the past week by the camaraderie among exhibitors and the display of true versatility from the American Quarter Horse,” said Justin Billings, AQHA chief show officer. “Congratulations to all who took part in this great event as we celebrated the western way of life together.”
In addition to the nine VRH world champion titles, 54 VRH class championships, seven NRSHA all-around championships, eight Level 1 youth and eight Level 1 amateur championships, and 18 Ranching Heritage Challenge championships, the event also recognized the top AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses.
The AQHA Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horses of the Cattle Level 1 Championships was presented to Lil Remedy Pep, shown by Ethan Bortner in the youth division, and Bos Peppy And Smart, shown by Michelle Young in the amateur division. Playin Motown, shown by Benjamin Baldus, was the NRSHA Top Ranching Heritage-bred Horse, and Boots Be Tuff, shown by Larry Walker, was the overall highest-placing Ranching Heritage-bred horse at the AQHA VRH World.
“This show is the epitome of what the American Quarter Horse can do,” said Karen McCuistion, senior director of member programs. “Competing in five different performance classes then moving into conformation is the true testament of versatility. This showcases exactly what we want to see in ranch-bred horses.”
View the official results, score sheets and replays of the event at www.aqha.com/vrhworld. You can also visit the AQHA Facebook page and YouTube page to watch the action from the show, including the AQHA VRH World Highlights videos and interviews with the newly crowned world champions.
Qualifying has already started for 2023, so don’t miss the opportunity to earn your spot at next year’s event.
Event Partners and Sponsors
AQHA championship shows would not be possible without our generous sponsors. The 2022 AQHA VRH World, AQHA RHC Finals, Cattle Level 1 Championships and NRSHA National Championship Show corporate partners include Adequan®, Bank of America, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ford, John Deere, Justin Boots, Markel, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, SmartPak, Sundowner, Teton Ridge and Wrangler.
Thank you to our divisional, event and award sponsors: Pierson Construction Inc., American Hat Co., Classic Equine, Don Rich Saddlery, Four Sixes Ranch, Horseware Ireland and our official sponsor PulseVet.
Learn more about AQHA corporate partners and event sponsors at www.aqha.com/partners.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.
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Contact:
Sarah Davisson
AQHA Director of Communications and Events
mediainquiries@aqha.org