AQHA Recognizes Industry Leaders at 2026 AQHA Convention
Awards honor horses, breeders and professionals advancing the American Quarter Horse industry.
All images courtesy of AQHA.
The American Quarter Horse Association recognized several outstanding individuals, horses and ranching programs during the 2026 AQHA Convention in March in Las Vegas.
Among the honors presented were the PATH Intl. Horses of the Year, Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year, Ranching Heritage Breeder Production Sale of the Year and the AQHA Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder Award. AQHA also recognized leaders within its professional horsemen program, presenting the AQHA Professional Horsemen ACE Award, AQHA Overall Most Valuable Professional, AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and the Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year.
PATH Intl. Horse of the Year
Mr Solanos Kid
Mr Solanos Kid, known as Larry, was selected by a panel of judges for this award, earning a $10,000 prize and specialized trophy. The dun gelding, foaled in 2000, is by Brennas Kid and out of Solanos Melody by Mr Melody Jac. He was bred by Wayne A. and Stacey E. Jones. He was owned by Oklahoma State University Athletics of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Larry began his career in the performance arena, showcasing the athleticism and versatility the American Quarter Horse is known for. Later in life, he transitioned into equine-assisted services at Turning Point, a therapeutic riding center in Stillwater.
In this role, he participated in structured activities designed to support individuals through equine-assisted services. Though he has passed, Larry’s impact continues through the lives he touched and the program he helped support.
Reserve PATH Intl. Horse of the Year
Zipps A Step Ahead
Zipps A Step Ahead, known as “Fletch,” finished second in the judged competition, earning $5,000 and a specially designed trophy. Fletch was foaled in 1998 and is by A Cookie Monster and out of Step Ahead Cindy by Step Ahead. He was bred by Dr. Duane McDavitt and is owned by Strides to Success where he currently resides.
Fletch serves in an equine-assisted services program where he works with individuals through structured equine-assisted activities designed to support physical, emotional and developmental goals.
Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year
Running U Livestock
The 2025 Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year is Running U Livestock of Erda, Utah, owned and operated by AQHA Professional Horseman Shamus Haws and his wife, Jolyn.
The Running U brand dates back more than 150 years and today that legacy continues across nearly 50,000 acres of Utah ranch country.
With 125 to 150 horses on the ranch at any given time and 35 to 40 foals bred and raised each year, every horse is started and proven through real ranch work.
An AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder since the program’s inception and widely respected as one of the largest American Quarter Horse breeders in the western United States, Running U represents the very best of ranching heritage.
In recognition of this achievement, the ranch received a Genuine Billy Cook saddle and a Montana Silversmiths buckle.
Ranching Heritage Breeder Production Sale of the Year
Weaver Quarter Horses
The 2025 Ranching Heritage Breeder Production Sale of the Year is Weaver Quarter Horses.
Last year marked the sale’s 30th annual event, showcasing ranch-bred American Quarter Horses built for hard work, proven grit and true versatility. These horses continue the legacy of the American Quarter Horse.
For their commitment to stewardship, buyer confidence and strengthening the reputation of the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder program, AQHA recognizes AQHA Past President Stan Weaver and his wife, Nancy.
AQHA Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder
Rob A. Brown Ranch
The 2025 AQHA Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder is Rob A. Brown Ranch.
Last year, horses bred by Rob A. Brown Ranch earned a combined total of nearly $19,500 competing in AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges.
The ranch’s top performer, Over The Legal Limit RAB, earned more than $5,500, reflecting the depth, consistency and purpose behind this breeding program.
For Ranching Heritage Breeders these numbers represent more than a paycheck. They represent years of careful decisions with mares selected with intention, stallions chosen to strengthen the line and horses raised with the expectation that they can go to work in the morning and compete in the afternoon.
That is the heart of the Ranching Heritage Breeders program.
In recognition of this achievement, Rob A. Brown Ranch received a specially designed Don Rich saddle.
AQHA Professional Horsemen ACE Award
Darlene Chase
In 2023 the AQHA Professional Horsemen Council introduced the AQHA Professional Horsemen ACE Award to recognize the achievement, character and excellence demonstrated by the people who produce, manage and work at AQHA-approved shows.
The 2025 Professional Horsemen ACE Award recipient was Darlene Chase of Lewiston, Idaho.
Chase produced AQHA shows and worked as a show secretary for 45 years before retiring in 2024. During her career she produced shows in Minnesota, California, British Columbia, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Idaho.
AQHA Overall Most Valuable Professional
Al Dunning
The 2025 AQHA Overall Most Valuable Professional was Al Dunning of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Since 1970, Dunning has owned and operated Almosta Ranch, an American Quarter Horse training facility in Scottsdale. Born in Chicago, Dunning’s family moved to Arizona when he was 8 years old, where he began riding horses with his sisters.
Throughout his career, Dunning trained under respected horsemen including Jim Paul, John Hoyt and Don Dodge. He has received numerous honors including the Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year in 1996 and the NCHA Zane Schulte Trainer of the Year Award in 2003.
Dunning trained and showed the buckskin performance horse Expensive Hobby who was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dunning and his students have earned 45 world and reserve world titles in AQHA, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association and National Reining Horse Association competition.
AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year
Patty Campbell
The 2025 AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year was Patty Campbell of Whitesboro, Texas.
Patty Campbell has devoted her career to serving the American Quarter Horse industry through training, judging and leadership. She has been an AQHA Professional Horsewoman since 1997.
Alongside her husband Butch, Campbell owns and operates Campbell Show Horses where they specialize in developing all-around horses and ranch riding competitors while teaching youth and amateur riders with a focus on education and horsemanship.
Campbell is a respected AQHA judge with more than 20 years of officiating experience and has judged the All American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA World Championship Show and other major events across the country.
Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year
Marty Oak Simper
The 2025 Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year was Marty Oak Simper of Tremonton, Utah.
Raised in Elko, Nevada, Simper was shaped by rodeo, buckaroos, bridle horses and AQHA all-around events. He cowboyed on ranches throughout the Great Basin, started colts and showed horses in AQHA all-around and bridle horse classes before working for respected performance horse trainers including Mike Dunn, Larry Larsen, Clark Parker and Brett Stone.
Simper is an AQHA world champion trainer and futurity champion. He currently serves as an AQHA director and as president of the Utah Quarter Horse Association.
He has been an AQHA Professional Horseman since 2002 and is also a respected AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse judge.
These honorees represent the dedication, stewardship and professionalism that define the American Quarter Horse industry. From therapeutic riding horses to ranch breeding programs and respected industry professionals, each recipient reflects the versatility, integrity and lasting impact of the American Quarter Horse.
Through programs like these awards, AQHA continues to recognize the individuals, horses and operations whose commitment helps advance the breed and support the future of the industry.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or subscribe to our news text “AQHA In the Know” for the latest Association updates.
