2026 AQHA Select All-Around Amateur & Reserve Select All-Around Amateur
Congratulations to Dana Avila, who was named the Select All-Around Amateur at the 2026 Adequan® AQHA Select World Championship Show.
Dana Avila and Always Do, photo by Shane Rux Photography courtesy of AQHA.
From the American Quarter Horse Journal:
The AQHA Select All-Around Amateur Award is presented to the exhibitor-and-horse team that earns the most points in three or more Level 3 events in three categories during the 2026 Adequan® AQHA Select World Championship Show.
This year’s Select all-around amateur is Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Always Do, an AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred 2018 gray gelding by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz. He was bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estage of Vernon, Texas. Avila received the custom AQHA World Show all-around belt buckle, a gift certificate for a Taurus Expedition 18” bolt rifle and the Lisa Perry Bronze. This marks her third time to claim the title, with previous Select all-around wins in 2023 and 2025.
Avila and Always Do were the 2026 Select world champions in ranch trail and ranch riding. They also earned the bronze world championship in Select working western rail and fifth place in Select performance geldings, in addition to being finalists in Select horsemanship.
April Gentry and Hez Simply Western, pictured with trainer Robin Frid.
The AQHA reserve Select all-around is April Gentry and Hez Simply Western, a 2015 gelding by Dress Western out of Simply Talkin Sexy by Simply Hot. Gentry and Hez Simply Western earned Select world championships in hunt seat equitation and horsemanship. They placed fourth in Select performance geldings, ninth in Select western riding and also competed in Select showmanship.
They took home $5,000, the custom AQHA World Show reserve all-around belt buckle, a gift certificate for a Taurus TX9 Full 9mm handgun and a silver cup.
About the Show
The Markel AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select amateur and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as AQHA Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows feature over three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.
