The Remuda Returns to Vegas
Since the early 1970s, AQHA has supported the horsemanship portion of the pageant and awards a saddle to the winner of the horsemanship contest. Photo courtesy of AQHA.
From AQHA:
The American Quarter Horse Association is a proud sponsor of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Returning for 2024, AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders are donating a full remuda of American Quarter Horses for contestants to ride during the horsemanship contest segment of the pageant on Tuesday, December 3, at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Since the early 1970s, AQHA has supported the horsemanship portion of the pageant and awards a saddle to the winner of the horsemanship contest. Judges will also select a Miss Rodeo America Pageant Horsemanship Top Horse.
AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders K4 Ranch, KT Cattle Inc., O RO Ranch and Running U Quarter Horses are among the horse donors. Each ranch has a rich history with AQHA and contributes to the equine industry throughout the year.
K4 Ranch of Prescott, Arizona, has bred and registered 746 American Quarter Horses since 1947 and was recognized in 2022 as an AQHA 75-Year Breeder. The ranch’s horses have been proven to be competitive at the highest level of competition, including some of their own competing in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. American Quarter Horses representing K4 Ranch are:
- Booger Sharp Dressin, 2017 sorrel by Rock Its Rocky 82 and out of Tycoon Music
- Firebird Tycoon, 2005 sorrel by Boogers Cross Bell and out of Ikes Bonita Star
- Figure Me Famous, 2010 sorrel by 2002 AQHA SuperhorsePopular Resortfigure and out of Step By Jody
- RC Tango Tycoon, 2009 bay roan by Red Cody Jack and out of Tycoon Music
KT Cattle Inc. based in Amado, Arizona, is the 2022 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year. The ranch has been owned and operated for over 25 years by Kyle and Amy Best and their family who represent six generations of ranching experience and history. “Raising Diamonds in the Rocks” is their motto. The family believes in raising horses as their forefathers did, using them primarily for ranch work over the terrain of Arizona. American Quarter Horses representing KT Cattle Inc. are:
- Flying V Bueno, 2019 red dun by Four J Gunner and out of Flying V Masie
- Flying V Judge, 2018 dun by Four J Gunner and out of Flying V Masie
- Flying V Pistol 2, 2019 sorrel by Four J Gunner and out of Flying V Erropie
- Flying V Simon, 2016 buckskin by Four J Gunner and out of Flying V Kitty
O RO Ranch of Prescott, Arizona, was the 2022 AQHA Best Remuda Award winner. Owned by Jane Irwin Droppa, Larry Droppa and their family, the historic Arizona ranch began breeding American Quarter Horses before the inception of AQHA in 1940. The O RO works to promote the western lifestyle by contributing to programs such as 4-H, high school and college rodeo, ranch rodeos and the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program. American Quarter Horses Representing O RO are:
- RO One Big Time, 2019 red roan by RO One Time Kat and out of RO Peppy Paloma
- RO One Time Kat, 2012 red roan by One Time Pepto and out of Katz
- RO Pinch Of Pepper, 2014 sorrel by Juniper Fizz and out of RO Peppy Paloma
- RO This Kat Plays, 2018 red roan by RO One Time Kat and out of RO Chexy Playgun
- TRR Royal Blue Oak, 2018 blue roan by Medicinal Mecom Blue and out of TRR Stylish Miss
Running U Quarter Horses of Erda, Utah, is operated by AQHA Professional Horseman Shamus Haws. Running U focuses on producing American Quarter Horses with outstanding conformation, disposition and athletic ability to succeed as both ranch and performance horses in different areas of the equine industry. Their horses are raised on 30,000+ acres on the Oquirrh Mountain Range. American Quarter Horses representing Running U Quarter Horses are:
- Best Blue Pep, 2020 blue roan by OSR Catty Dual Pep and out of Best Blue Warrior
- Happy Four Cat, 2021 bay by OSR Catty Dual Pep and out of Happy Four Sox
- Ill Be A Dual Cat, 2016 bay by OSR Catty Dual Pep and out of Ill Be Sweet
- Smart Lil Mobster, 2017 bay by HF Mobster and out of Smart Money Surprise
View the slate of contestants competing at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and a full schedule of events.
Watch the horsemanship competition and other divisions of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant on Cowboy Channel+.
About AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders
AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders embody the longevity, integrity and honesty of the ranching tradition. AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders are those who breed and raise ranch-type horses, which remains at the core of AQHA and epitomizes the breed’s versatility. Learn more about the criteria that define an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder.
View the list of current AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders or find out if your horse is bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder by contacting AQHA at 806-376-4811 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday, or email ranching@aqha.org.
