American Quarter Horses Will Make History at 2014 Road to the Horse Competition

AQHA Publicity

If you ask any Road to the Horse fan what is the most anticipated moment of each year’s event, they will undoubtedly say the running of the American Quarter Horse Association remuda. This year, ticket holders will witness the most exciting running of the AQHA remuda yet, as the legendary Four Sixes Ranch of Guthrie, Texas, brings the largest remuda in Road to the Horse history.

The 21 lightly handled 3-year-olds were handpicked by the Four Sixes Ranch resident veterinarian and AQHA Executive Committee member Dr. Glen Blodgett. The remuda will make the journey from Guthrie, Texas, to Lexington, Kentucky, to run into the Alltech Arena for the March 13-16 Road to the Horse competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“The power and excitement of these beautiful Four Sixes Ranch geldings thundering into the arena evokes so much emotion that eyes water and sheer admiration leaves you motionless. It touches your soul,” said Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse producer.

The legendary Four Sixes Ranch, an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder, is bringing its finest to test the horsemanship of competitors Antoine Cloux of Switzerland, Jonathan Field of Canada, Dan Steers of Australia and a yet-to-be-determined Wild Card competitor.

“The competitors have their work cut out for them; they’d better bring their A-game,” Bland added. “These horses are the best of the best, and with 21 running in the remuda, the decision of which one to choose will be overwhelming.”

Competitors will take turns picking their equine partner from the historic Texas ranch known for producing some of the most iconic performance American Quarter Horses in the industry. Under the watchful eye of Road to the Horse judges, a successful relationship built on trust and respect is developed over the short time in the round pens. Competitors have only three days to turn these 3-year-olds into a trusting, willing partner.

“Often I am asked what I think about the Four Sixes horses, and that is an easy answer for me: simply perfection,” Bland said. “When you get a Four Sixes horse, you are getting impeccable breeding, conformation, intelligence and an athlete. When you have all those qualities wrapped up in one horse, then you and that horse can be anything in the world you want to be. That’s perfection!”

The Four Sixes Ranch is part of Burnett Ranches LLC, owned by Mrs. Anne W. Marion, the great-granddaughter of the ranch’s founder, Captain Samuel “Burk” Burnett. The ranch has been named the AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses, AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Race Money-Earners and Winners, and has also received the coveted Zoetis-AQHA Best Remuda award.

For more information, visit www.RoadToTheHorse.com.