The 2023 Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Show offered more than $4 million in purse, prizes and recognition to the more than 7,800 entries.
That’s a wrap on a successful AQHA World Championship Show! 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 saw more than 7,800 entries and 281 first-time exhibitors compete for 102 Nutrena AQHA world championships, 42 Adequan® Select world championships, 96 Adequan® Level 2 championships and 14 Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champion titles, plus, more than $4 million in purse, prizes and recognition that included the coveted gold globes at this year’s event, October 26 – November 15.
If you were unable to attend the show or missed the free live webcast, be sure to check out all of the official results and winning runs at www.aqha.com/worldshow where you can relive record setting moments from the Jim Norick and Adequan® Performance arenas.
The most anticipated awards of the event were presented to the Nutrena AQHA Superhorse, AQHA All-Around Amateur, AQHA Select All-Around Amateur, OKC Leading Owner, The American Quarter Horse Journal Reserve Leading Owner and the top AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses at the show.
Free Ride the Pattern Clinics, presented by Nutrena
AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give 15 free Ride the Pattern clinics, presented by Nutrena. These clinics gave exhibitors and spectators the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen would approach a specific class or pattern at the show. You can watch the previously recorded clinics on AQHA’s Facebook page. Thanks in part to Nutrena’s generosity to match the amount donated at the Ride the Pattern clinics, the Professional Horsemen’s Endowment Fund had a total of over $5,500. The AQHA Professional Horsemen also hosted an online auction, which raised more than $48,000 to assist professionals in crisis and will provide business education through the Professional Horsemen’s Academy.
You can still be a part of supporting AQHA Professional Horsemen by donating online at the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s donations page. Your contribution to the American Quarter Horse Foundation is tax deductible, learn more today at www.aqha.com/give-to-the-foundation-overview.
Oklahoma City Leading Owner
The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau Leading Owner is awarded to the owner who has the highest number of points accumulated for their horses entered at the Nutrena AQHA World in both Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes across the amateur, open and select divisions. The owner must have three horses entered at the show to be eligible. This year’s Oklahoma City Leading Owner is Dan Fox of Weatherford, Texas. The American Quarter Horse Journal Reserve Leading Owner is Josh Weakly of Shelbyville, Illinois.
Nutrena AQHA Superhorse
The 2023 Nutrena AQHA Superhorse is Hot Lopin Lily, owned by Caroline Cavallo of Staunton, Illinois. The 2017 bay mare, by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Shes A Lopin Machine by A Good Machine, was bred by Twylla Lynn Brown from Perry, Missouri. Hot Lopin Lily earned 49 points in the Superhorse competition and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Blake Weis of Pilot Point, Texas, and Ross Roark of Andrews, Texas. Hot Lopin Lily was the world champion in senior trail and performance halter mares, third in senior western riding and was eighth in senior western pleasure.
In addition to the title of 2023 AQHA Superhorse, they will receive a rose bouquet, a two-thousand-dollar Equibrand gift certificate, a bronze by Lisa Perry, a Blue Ribbon Tack work saddle and $15,000. Read more about the top-five 2023 AQHA Superhorses.
Nutrena All-Around Amateur
Mallory Vroegh of Grimes, Iowa, who showed Cool Made Machine, owned by AQHA Professional Horsewoman Shannon Walker, won the 2023 AQHA All-Around Amateur title. Vroegh received a prize package that included a neck wreath, $10,000 and a Lisa Perry Bronze. Read more about the top five AQHA All-Around Amateurs.
AQHA Select All-Around Amateur
The 2023 Select All-Around Amateur is Dana Avila. Avila showed Always Do. The team received a prize package that included an original Lisa Perry Bronze and $10,000. Read more about the top-five AQHA Select All-Around Amateurs.
Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition
The 2023 Gene Graves Super-Select Recognition Award recipient is Karen Dean. Dean showed One More Whiskey.
2023 Nutrena Senior Athletes
The 2023 Nutrena Senior Athletes of the Adequan® Select Show are Donald Tisdall of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Truly A San Peppy. The award is presented to the exhibitor and horse with the highest combined age competing at the Adequan® Select World. AQHA has proudly teamed with AQHA Corporate Partner Nutrena on this award since 2012. Read more about the 2023 Nutrena Senior Athletes.
Top Ranching Heritage Bred Horses
AQHA recognizes the top Ranching Heritage-Bred horses at the Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World. The owners and breeders of the top-placing AQHA Ranching Heritage-Bred horses each received $250. The owners also received a specially designed trophy. Learn more about the two American Quarter Horses that earned the top Ranching Heritage-Bred awards at this year’s show.
Triangle Fall Sale
The 44th Triangle Fall Sale, held October 26-28 in Oklahoma City, combined for a total average of $32,812 on the eight highest sellers, with a top-20 average of $25,960, and the overall average of $9,585 and 73% sold from 422 catalogued horses.
Markel Insurance provided 24-hour fall-of-the-hammer mortality insurance coverage for horses purchased during the sale. For more information about Markel and its horse, liability and farm insurance products, visit www.markelhorseandfarm.com.
About the Show
The Nutrena AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows featured over three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.
About the Sponsors
Nutrena feed isn’t just grown, it’s crafted. Real science goes into putting the nutrients animals need into each Nutrena feed product. Quality is so important because we know people are relying on us to stand up to our exacting standards each and every time. What’s inside the bag counts. That’s why you can count on Nutrena feeds for the animals you care for. For more information on Nutrena brand products, visit www.nutrenaworld.com.
Adequan®, the official equine joint therapy of AQHA, is the proud title sponsor of the Adequan® Select World and the Adequan® Level 2 Championships. When you choose a joint therapy for your horses, choose Adequan®.
Read more about Nutrena, the official feed of AQHA and title sponsor of the 2023 Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or tune into our Podcast, “Let’s Talk AQHA.”