Congratulations 2019 AQHA Professionals of the Year- Berryhill, Graham, and Randall
The American Quarter Horse Association is proud to announce the 2019 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and Most Valuable Professional award winners.
These individuals will be recognized in November at the AQHA Awards Celebration in Oklahoma City, coinciding with the 2020 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show.
Leonard Berryhill
The 2019 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year is Leonard Berryhill of Talala, Oklahoma. Berryhill has served AQHA as a member of the AQHA Judges Committee, has also been involved with teaching AQHA judges for several years and has served as a judges workshop clinician for both western riding and roping. He served as a director for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and is currently the OQHA first vice president. Berryhill was also honored at the 2017 Most Valuable Professional for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association.
Berryhill has been an AQHA Professional Horseman since 1996 and AQHA judge since 1997. He has judged the Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show; Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan); AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships; and All American Quarter Horse Congress. He, his wife, Leigh, and their son, Thompson, own and operate Berryhill Quarter Horses, where they train horses for all-around events, as well as heading, heeling and tie-down roping. Berryhill approaches horses with an open mind, patience and the intent to bring out the horses’ natural talent so they can excel in their own niche.
Karen Graham
The 2019 Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year is Karen Graham of Cave Creek, Arizona. Graham started in the equine industry as a youth and is a life member of the Arizona Quarter Horse Association and AQHA. Her passion for the American Quarter Horse and AQHA members is contagious, as she chooses to be a positive influence to her fellow AQHA Professional Horsemen and competitors. Graham has been an AQHA Professional Horsewoman since 1994, specializing in all-around horses, and has shown, coached and trained numerous AQHA world champions, reserve world champions and All American Quarter Horse Congress champions across all divisions.
Graham has been an AQHA judge since 1996 and has judged the Lucas Oil World, Ford Youth World, Adequan® Select World and All American Quarter Horse Congress. She has served on the AzQHA board of directors and on the AQHA Professional Horseman’s Council. She has also served as a Ride the Pattern clinician at AQHA championship shows.
Marilyn Randall
The 2019 Most Valuable Professional is Marilyn Randall of Bridger, Montana. Randall is a dedicated horsewoman and volunteer for AQHA and has served as an AQHA Professional Horsewoman since 2002, in addition to being an AQHA steward and judge. She selflessly volunteers her time as an AQHA director, a member of the AQHA International Committee and volunteered as a college equine professor for nearly 30 years.
Randall holds judges cards with the American Paint Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, Federation Equestre Internationale, United States Equestrian Federation, National Reining Horse Association and has judged across the United States and in 16 countries. When she judges internationally, Randall conducts clinics to help exhibitors learn how they can better enjoy and show their American Quarter Horse.
Her goal has been to bring her enthusiasm and love of the horse to others, from her students and competitors to her fellow AQHA members and peers. Randall believes in respecting the horse and being a good steward of our equine athletes, placing their welfare and safety as an utmost priority. Randall has exemplified what it means to be an expert Professional Horsewoman, judge, steward and mentor for a number of AQHA members. She received the AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year award in 2011.
About the Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsemen of the Year Awards
Being named a Nutrena AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year is one of the top awards of the equine industry. These individuals were nominated and voted on by their peers.
Learn more about AQHA Professional Horsemen.
Nutrena supports AQHA Professional Horsemen by sponsoring the Ride the Pattern clinics at AQHA World Championship Events. During the clinics, donations are accepted for the Professional Horsemen Crisis Fund, which Nutrena matches. To date, Nutrena has donated more than $40,000 to the Crisis Fund.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.
