2,500 People Attended National Day of the Cowboy at AQHA Hall of Fame

AQHA Publicity

In celebration of National Day of the Cowboy July 25, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum opened its doors to Amarillo and Texas panhandle residents for a free day of fun for the whole family.

Despite the heat, nearly 2,500 people attended the exciting fifth-annual event that brings kids and adults closer to the world’s most popular horse, and a particular favorite of cowboys – the American Quarter Horse.

“It is our honor to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy with the Amarillo-area community and the folks who came from far away to enjoy this special event,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines. “Many folks come for the chance to pet a real, live horse, and for the opportunity to take a free horseback ride. We also hope that, through this event, we can educate families about the benefits of the western lifestyle and owning an American Quarter Horse. Our thanks to the support we received from the community to help make this event possible.”

Kids of all ages enjoyed making their own noodle stick pony, while some tried their hand at the junior rodeo hosted by Pokey the Clown. They raced to deliver the mail on stick horses, milk a wooden cow and brand wooden calves. The rodeo champions earned the right to compete at the Working Ranch Cowboys Association junior rodeo world championship in November at the Amarillo Civic Center.

Attendees also enjoyed listening to cowgirl and cowboy poetry with the Southwest Cowboy Poet Society, and left their mark on a Center City Quarter Horse statue. Kids found story time with the Amarillo Public Library and a coloring sheet in one room and practiced riding quarter ponies in another.

After the free hot-dog lunch, kids enjoyed the main event – a free ride on an American Quarter Horse. More than 200 youngsters were led on American Quarter Horses through a trail course by volunteer horse handlers. Many of the horse handlers are dedicated AQHA members, but also serve the community in organizations such as the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Harmony Horses and WT Women’s Equestrian Team.

For many little buckaroos, July 25 was their first ride on a horse.

The free horse rides were part of the 100-Day Horse Challenge, a national Time to Ride marketing initiative by the American Horse Council whose goal is to engage 100,000 new people with an introductory horse experience.

In addition to the Hall of Fame, local partners included the Amarillo Public Library, country music station 97.9 KGNC FM, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Center City, Southwest Cowboy Poet Society and the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Council. These partners were excited to participate by leading activities amidst the fun planned by the Hall of Fame. The event was underwritten by the Xcel Energy Foundation and Ford Motor Company.

The National Day of the Cowboy campaign was founded in 2004 to preserve, protect and promote the cowboy and our western heritage. The campaign lobbies for the passage of the national resolution designating the fourth Saturday of every July a permanent celebration on the national calendar. The campaign believes in honoring cowboys and cowgirls for their enduring contribution and their courageous, pioneering American spirit. For more information on the scope of this day as a national event, go to www.nationaldayofthecowboy.com.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.