Iowa Quarter Horse Association Awards their 2024 Year-End Winners
IQHA President Tammi Adix presents Duane Van Horn with the IQHA Super Select Exhibitor Award Buckle. At age 93, Van Horn showed his mare, I Wanta Rock, in amateur walk trot western pleasure classes all year earning two high point year-end awards and several circuit awards. This was the first trophy buPckle he’s won. Photo courtesy bar H Photography.
By Jennifer Horton, Iowa Quarter Horse Association:
The Iowa Quarter Horse Association honored their 2024 year-end award winners at their annual banquet held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines January 11, 2025.
The banquet celebrated the accomplishments of many IQHA members showing their American Quarter Horses in Iowa. Exhibitors and horses in open, amateur and youth divisions earned year-end awards for shows held in 2024. Five riders who logged the top hours in the Horseback Riding Program also earned awards.
In addition to awards earned in the show arena, several individuals were recognized for their service as volunteers for the association.
President’s Award – Jennifer Horton
Volunteer of the Year – Nick Wood
Time & Appreciation Award – Rosalie Carlson
AQHA Most Valuable Professional – Spencer Groth
Valued Friend of IQHA – Barb Delf and Robin Sampson
IQHA Super Select Exhibitor – Duane Van Horn
The three affiliate sportsmanship awards are named for IQHA members who truly contributed to the association and its members during their years of service. The awards that bear their names honor them as much as the current recipients.
IQHYA Member Karly Christensen received the Connie Oliphant Memorial Youth Sportsmanship Award, presented by IQHYA President Sophia Garside and Linda (Oliphant) Conti. Photo courtesy bar H Photography.
Connie Oliphant Memorial Youth Sportsmanship Award – Karly Christensen
Terry Gallentine Memorial Amateur Sportsmanship Award – Becky Grier
Stan Dreier Memorial Open Sportsmanship Award – John and Lynne McGreal
The Emily Bohnsack Memorial IQHYA Youth Spirit Award was presented to Kara Flickinger. This award is voted upon by the youth for their nominated peers and honors the memory of a youth member lost in 2010.
David Kunkle, Russ Smith and the stallion JD Concluded were inducted into the Iowa Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame.
The Iowa Quarter Horse Association is the state affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. Founded in 1951, IQHA will celebrate 75 years in 2026. For information on IQHA visit their website iowaquarterhorse.com.
See more about Duane Van Horn and his mare:
92-year-old Duane Van Horn Marks His 45th AQHA Win in Two Years | Equine Chronicle
